April 2015

Lusk Home to be Designated Zionsville Historical Society Century Structure

The Zionsville Historical Society is delighted to announce the approval and designation of another Century Structure here in the Village that honors our town’s historic architectural, residential, and commercial structures. The standards that were established on October 18, 1987; was that, “the structure is at least one hundred years old at the time of application.  The structure has not been unreasonably altered in exterior design and façade.  One of the tests for this determination is whether the original owner would recognize the structure.  The style of the structure shall be representative of its local time period style and not a replica of an earlier style.”

The home to be recognized with this honor is that of Mr. and Mrs. Scott Lusk and family located at 285 West Hawthorne Street.  The architectural design is of Queen Anne style and was built around 1901 by widower James Hoffman on Lot 10, Crosses First Addition.  This addition was recorded in 1854 and Elijah Cross was owner of the land.  At that time, what is now Hawthorne Street was platted as Center Street and was that until November 11, 1935 when town street names were changed by Town Board Resolution.

The land is listed in the Lebanon Courthouse records in book 1, page 549, as being initially purchased by Patrick Henry Sullivan from Elizabeth Wyley for $950.  Lot 9 was purchased for $150 from Elijah Cross.  In 1872, both lots were purchased for $1500 by William Essex, and then the land was sold every two to four years. 

James Hoffman bought the land in January, 1900 from Charles T. Gartman, Sr. for $1,000.  That was for lots 9 and 10 (the new Century Structure house and the Hussey Memorial Library house to the east).  Mr. Hoffman who was living on a rural Hamilton County farm moved to their new home, which was built by local carpenters with some timber from his Hamilton County property. His two unmarried daughters, Laura B. and Amy Etta resided with him and his wife, the former Hanna McNutt, had died of cancer in 1899.

The first record of the home’s existence is l907 – records prior to that are missing in the Boone County Courthouse.  That year lot 9 (less 5’ to the west) was owned by Milton Hussey but no record of when the transfer took place.

James’ granddaughter Olive Hoffman lived in the home for a while.  She was close to her cousin, Lora Hussey, who lived next door.  Today, a Hussey Mayfield Library meeting room is named for Olive.

On July 20, 1928, Hoffman sold the property to Pirtel Nelson Shaw.  He was an auto dealer.  His son Marion was a clerk at Knox Grocery and was living with his parents, unmarried.  In l940, Marion was married to Eunice and had become a dentist.  Pirtel at that time was Eagle Township Trustee.  Pirtel’s, wife Iva Ottinger; Marion and Eunice were all living together at the home along with daughter Dorthea, a student.    

The property owners also owned 5’ of land on the west end of lot #9 (which became the library) until 1954 when Cecil and Bonnie Barger sold that 5’ to Lora Hussey.  In 1941 the Shaw’s sold the home to Warren B. and Juliet Rawlings.  On April 23, 1943, the Rawlings sold to Esta W. Stultz at a value of $400 (5’ of lot 9) and $2,000.

In 1949 the home began to have a number of different rental residents until 1970 when in the estate of Martha Jane Burkett sold the home to Martha McKinsey Wharry.

In 1974 it was sold by Wharry to Jim and Linda Lowry, who undertook significant renovations including changing it back to a single family home. There were renters on the property when they bought it.  Much of the exterior original wood poplar clapboard siding had been covered by asbestos shingles, with many of the wood sashed windows being original.  The gingerbread is replicated with the front porch and is close to the original size. The Lowry’s sold the home to Tom and Cynthia Yeo in 1979 and Tom Yeo sold the home to Scott and Heather Lusk in March of 2010.  This lovely home was listed in the Zionsville Interim Report- Indiana Historic Sites and Structure Inventory published in October, 1983 as “outstanding” by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana survey.

Join the Zionsville Lions Club

If you are interested in becoming a member or you would like to know more about being a member please contact the following: Keith Hughes, khughesblues@aol.com, or  Dan Dumbauld, ddumbauld@outlook .com., Membership Co-Chairs. Alternatively you can visit the Zionsville Lions Club website, www.zionsvillelions.com.