Bowers, John S. House
104 Marshall St., Decatur, INThe John S. Bowers House is historically significant because it was built by a prosperous local businessman of the late nineteenth century. At various times, Bowers had interests in a local bank, hardware store, telephone company, stone quarry, and machine manufacturing company. Extremely successful, he built the Queen Anne style house as a symbol of this prominence. Constructed between 1900 and 1905, the house features several stained glass windows imported from Italy, and a leaded crystal window imported from Germany. The building is beautifully crafted and its quality, style, and magnificent size add to its architectural significance.
The career of John S. Bowers began in the hardware business in partnership with Barney John Terveer, Decatur's leading hardware merchant. The partnership of Terveer & Bowers lasted until 1881. Afterward, Bowers owned and operated a stone quarry in partnership with a man named Rice. Bowers is perhaps best remembered in the county as a successful quarry owner. In 1888, the Rice & Bowers Stone Quarry began crushing stones for road surfacing. Gravel roads were an important political topic that year because of the need for a special tax to pay for the work of surfacing several county roads. Bowers worked hard to have the special tax passed. Although he was successful, most of the subsequent orders for gravel went to Ohio quarries.
After the turn of the century, Bower's wealth and prominence allowed him to expand his field of endeavor. For example, he served as a director of the oldest banking corporation in Adams County, the Niblick and Nutman Bank. At the same time, he was president of the Citizens' Telephone Company, organized in Decatur in 1894. Bowers also expanded his own business holdings: in 1909, he and several associates incorporated the Decatur Foundry Furnace and Machine Company. Bowers bought the site for the house now nominated in June 1894, and began construction six years later. In common with other successful men of the period, Bowers constructed the house in the ornate Queen Anne style. Bowers' quarry provided the stone used for construction, and he also traded stone for the lumber required by the house. The house took two years to build, and another two years passed before the entire family occupied the home. The house remained in the Bowers family until 1971.
The house is also remarkable for its siting, on such a large parcel within the city.
Local significance of the building:
The career of John S. Bowers began in the hardware business in partnership with Barney John Terveer, Decatur's leading hardware merchant. The partnership of Terveer & Bowers lasted until 1881. Afterward, Bowers owned and operated a stone quarry in partnership with a man named Rice. Bowers is perhaps best remembered in the county as a successful quarry owner. In 1888, the Rice & Bowers Stone Quarry began crushing stones for road surfacing. Gravel roads were an important political topic that year because of the need for a special tax to pay for the work of surfacing several county roads. Bowers worked hard to have the special tax passed. Although he was successful, most of the subsequent orders for gravel went to Ohio quarries.
After the turn of the century, Bower's wealth and prominence allowed him to expand his field of endeavor. For example, he served as a director of the oldest banking corporation in Adams County, the Niblick and Nutman Bank. At the same time, he was president of the Citizens' Telephone Company, organized in Decatur in 1894. Bowers also expanded his own business holdings: in 1909, he and several associates incorporated the Decatur Foundry Furnace and Machine Company. Bowers bought the site for the house now nominated in June 1894, and began construction six years later. In common with other successful men of the period, Bowers constructed the house in the ornate Queen Anne style. Bowers' quarry provided the stone used for construction, and he also traded stone for the lumber required by the house. The house took two years to build, and another two years passed before the entire family occupied the home. The house remained in the Bowers family until 1971.
The house is also remarkable for its siting, on such a large parcel within the city.
Architecture
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1982.
About National Register Listings
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
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The first long-distance auto race in the United States was held in Indiana in 1911. The race, called the Indianapolis 500, is still held annually and is one of the biggest sporting events in the world.
About Adams County
Adams County Timeline
Adams County, Indiana, located in the northeastern part of the state, has a rich history that dates back to the early 19th century. The county was named after President John Quincy Adams and was officially established on March 1, 1836.
The area that is now Adams County was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Miami and Potawatomi. The first white settlers arrived in the area around 1835, seeking fertile land for farming. They established several small communities, including Decatur, the county seat, which became a central hub for the region's development.
In the mid-19th century, Adams County experienced significant growth with the completion of the Wabash and Erie Canal in 1853. The canal connected the area to the Great Lakes, allowing for easier transportation of goods and fostering economic expansion. Farmers were able to ship their products more efficiently, and new businesses, such as mills and factories, emerged along the canal. This period of prosperity led to the increased settlement of the county.
Adams County played a significant role in the Civil War. Many young men enlisted in the Union Army, and the county provided soldiers for several notable regiments. The county also experienced firsthand the impact of the war, with conflicts and skirmishes occurring throughout the region. Following the war, Adams County's economy slowly recovered, and advancements in agriculture and industry brought a new era of growth and development.
Today, Adams County continues to be an important agricultural region, known for its corn, soybeans, and livestock production. It is also home to various manufacturing industries, offering employment opportunities for the local community. The county retains its small-town charm, with historic buildings, family farms, and a sense of community pride in its rich history.
The area that is now Adams County was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Miami and Potawatomi. The first white settlers arrived in the area around 1835, seeking fertile land for farming. They established several small communities, including Decatur, the county seat, which became a central hub for the region's development.
In the mid-19th century, Adams County experienced significant growth with the completion of the Wabash and Erie Canal in 1853. The canal connected the area to the Great Lakes, allowing for easier transportation of goods and fostering economic expansion. Farmers were able to ship their products more efficiently, and new businesses, such as mills and factories, emerged along the canal. This period of prosperity led to the increased settlement of the county.
Adams County played a significant role in the Civil War. Many young men enlisted in the Union Army, and the county provided soldiers for several notable regiments. The county also experienced firsthand the impact of the war, with conflicts and skirmishes occurring throughout the region. Following the war, Adams County's economy slowly recovered, and advancements in agriculture and industry brought a new era of growth and development.
Today, Adams County continues to be an important agricultural region, known for its corn, soybeans, and livestock production. It is also home to various manufacturing industries, offering employment opportunities for the local community. The county retains its small-town charm, with historic buildings, family farms, and a sense of community pride in its rich history.
Adams County Timeline
This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Adams County, Indiana.
- 1835: Adams County is established as the 42nd county in Indiana.
- 1836: The county seat is founded and named Decatur.
- 1837: The courthouse is constructed in Decatur.
- 1852: The Wabash and Erie Canal reaches Decatur, boosting the area's economy.
- 1861-1865: Many residents of Adams County fight in the Civil War.
- 1871: The Decatur Bells, a local baseball team, is formed.
- 1897: The first automobile is owned by a resident of Decatur.
- 1934: The Adams County Historical Society is established.
- 1953: The Limberlost State Historic Site, dedicated to author Gene Stratton-Porter, is opened.
- 2003: The Adams County Bicentennial Plaza is constructed to celebrate the county's 200th anniversary.