Landmarks

COUNTY LANDMARKS Historic Landmarks

Jasper County Courthouse

Added in 1983.

Address: 115 W. Washington St., Rensselaer.

Jasper County Courthouse

The historic Jasper County Courthouse, just celebrating its 125th year October 2021, was built in 1898 and is still in use today.

The Jasper County Courthouse that sits in the center of the Rensselaer downtown square is not the first county courthouse. The structure of Bedford limestone, turrets, curving arches and gabled dormers is the third courthouse to house the county government.

According to “The Jasper County Courthouse 1896-1996,” in late 1839, a log building was constructed in Newton (Rensselaer). In 1845, a second courthouse was built with a frame building, while in 1857 a third courthouse was built of brick.

The third building was damaged by fire that started under mysterious circumstances on Jan. 18, 1865, according to the Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana website. It was repaired and continued to serve the county until 1895 when commissioners hired an architect from Fort Wayne to design a fireproof courthouse. Construction for the building began in 1896. County officials were able to move into the completed courthouse in 1898.

Since then the courthouse has received continuous upkeep and in 1996 decorative painters restores original interior stencils, gilding, and a 16-color paint scheme in celebration of the courthouse’s 100th birthday.

The roof of the courthouse was replaced in 2012 from shingles to slate, that is said to resemble the slate that covered the roof when it was built in 1896 to 1898.

The courthouse was listed on the National Register of Historic Place in 1983.

The Remington Water Tower and Town Hall

Built 1897 by Challenge Wind and Feed Mill Company of Batavia, Illinois. Rare tower and wood tank structure is an original example of nineteenth century public water utility facility, construction methods, and technology. Tower has limestone foundation, is 104 feet tall and approximately 20 feet in diameter, with two-foot thick brick walls.

Original 1897 tank replaced 1924 by Challenge; 66, 000 gallon tank is made of horizontally curved cypress battens held in place by metal binder rings. Additions made to structure, which has housed various governmental services. Awarded American Water Works Association’s Water Landmark Award 1986. Listed in National Register of Historic Places 2003.

Fountain Park Chautauqua

The Fountain Park Chautauqua was created in 1895 by Remington Bank president Robert Parker. He envisioned an annual assembly to be held for people to discuss topics including religion, science, literature and the arts that was based on the Chautauqua movement that began in 1874. Chautauqua was a way for smaller communities to gain access to cultural and educational enrichment. Camp was in session during the summer and participants would take classes and enjoy a variety of speakers and entertainers.

Arranged in a large loop, the Fountain Park grounds originally contained a large area for tents (permanent cabins would come later), a tabernacle, a hotel and dining room, a shelter house, and other buildings on over 30 acres. At the center of the loop was a large shaded opening that served as a large gathering space and play area. Today, the grounds consist of 17 acres and there are permanent cabins in place of the tents but the remainder

The Remington Water Tower and Town Hall

Added in 2003. Address: 3 E. Michigan St., Remington.

Fountain Park Chautauqua

Added in 2001.

Address: 6244 W. County Road. 1600 S, Remington.

COUNTY LANDMARKS Historic Landmarks

Rensselaer Carnegie Center

Added in 1994.

Address: 301 N. Van Rensselaer St., Rensselaer.

of the grounds at Fountain Park function as they did historically. Camp continues to meet every summer and visitors can either stay at the hotel or camp on the grounds. Fountain Park was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2001.

Rensselaer Carnegie Center

The history of the library building on Van Rensselaer Street began a little earlier with the 1899 Indiana legislative act that allowed cities and towns to levy a tax for library purposes. Then Rev. C. D. Royce, spurred on by his love of books and hearing of Carnegie Libraries built in Indiana, wrote Andrew Carnegie in 1902 to ask for funding for a new library in Rensselaer. Andrew Carnegie was a philanthropist.

After building his wealth, Carnegie devoted the rest of his life to philanthropy and building local libraries, world peace, education, and scientific endeavors. Indiana received the largest number of library grants between 1901 and 1918. About 100 of those Carnegie buildings are still in use as libraries today. Royce received notice from Andrew Carnegie saying “If the city could provide a suitable site and maintain it for not less than $1000 a year, he would contribute $10,000 to build the library.” The city must have a population of at least 1000 citizens. By Carnegie’s deadline of August 25, 1903, those commitments by Rensselaer were met. Carnegie granted the city $12,000 for the Carnegie Library.

The Carnegie Library in Rensselaer opened officially on September 4, 1905.

The Carnegie building became the Carnegie Center with the owner, the Jasper Foundation. This process was aided by Indiana Landmarks with the help of the Lilly Foundation. It was dedicated as a community cultural center housing the Jasper Foundation and the new Prairie Arts Council.

The Carnegie structure was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on March 17, 1994.

St. Joseph Indian Normal School (also known as Drexel Hall)

The St. Joseph Indian Normal School operated from 1888-1896, and was owned by the Bureau of Catholic Indian Missions in Washington, D.C. It was designed in imitation of the Carlisle Indian Industrial School in Pennsylvania, which was founded nine years earlier. The St. Joseph School was a “contract” school supported by an annual federal per pupil subsidy to promote Indiana education, making it a relic of an era of state-church partnership now largely forgotten.

Although the building served as the Indian School for only eight years, it did not experience change or alterations until 1937, when it was re-modeled to serve as a residence hall for students at St. Joseph’s College. The exterior of the building remains largely the same, while the interior was thoroughly renovated to accommodate the living quarters of college students. The building is now known on the college’s campus as Drexel Hall.

The St. Joseph Indian Normal School was added to the National Register in 1973.

Independence Methodist Church

Independence Methodist Church and cemetery is located in open country southeast of Wheatfield. The church was founded in 1839 and closed in 1976. This building was erected in 1872 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The church building is not in use but receives some maintenance. The large adjacent cemetery is cared for.

The National Register of Historic Places

The National Register of Historic Places is the Nation’s official list of cultural resources worthy of preservation. Authorized under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Register is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect our historic and archeological resources. Properties listed in the Register include districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects that are significant in American history, architecture, archeology, engineering, and culture. The National Register is administered by the National Park Service, which is part of the U.S. Department of the Interior. Explore more by visiting their website at https://nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com/

St. Joseph Indian Normal School (also known as Drexel Hall)

Added in 1973.

Located on the Saint Joseph’s College Campus, Rensselaer.

Independence Methodist Church

Added in 1982. Located southeast of Wheatfield.