Terre Haute, Indiana

 

Population ~60,000 Metro ~170,000

 

 

First, have a quick aerial look at Terre Haute in 1931:

http://images.indianahistory.org/cdm4/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/P0129&CISOPTR=1232&CISOBOX=1&REC=1

 

 

Unfortunately, the downtown looks considerably less intact now. Sporadic, incohesive, and full of destroyed parcels replaced by things like fast food drive-thrus. The grand Courthouse is separated from the rest of downtown by an area plotted with things that would fit more along the Interstate exit.

 

Indiana State University is adjacent to downtown as well…although they appear to keep themselves apart from anything regarding downtown.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vigo County Courthouse!:

 

 

 

If only the locals would put the same care and enthusiasm into their downtown as they do to their shiny pickup trucks…

 

Wow at that old aerial and wow now.

Thanks for the tour!

Lovely photos. I first visited Terre Haute around 1990. It seemed at the time some sporadic urban renewal type demolitions were going on around the downtown. But then as now, the iconic Second Empire style Courthouse endures. An even grander version of a Second Empire courthouse once stood in Marion County/Indianapolis: http://www.indianahistory.org/blog/uploads/MarionCo.Courthouse.jpg.jpg  but was demolished in the 1960's. Worrisome to see the block of vacant 19th century buildings you photographed (includes the empty storefront with the "Big Sale" painted on the glass) it would not surprise me in the least to see a vacant block there soon-maybe something else will be built but you can bet it won't be nearly as interesting as what exists there now. As I recall, during my visit from a couple of decades ago there were some interesting Victorian era homes near the downtown area which are probably long gone by now. The problem of preserving the architecture of the past is not limited to Terre Haute, to Indiana, or even to the Midwest generally. Locals should stop to consider for a minute that nothing comparable to what they are tearing down will ever be built again-newer buildings now very seldom are built with a planned lifespan of more than 30-40 years. Those in the 19th century were built to last for a century or longer and they have.

This place reminds me so much of Canton about 15 years ago.  Even the aerial photo looks like Canton.  It is a shame to see. Mi think Canton has rebounded better, which is shocking considering we dont have a state university.

Yeah, that aerial is pretty amazing. Incredible density considering its small historical size. A shame so much was lost, but there are still some great buildings there. It's amazing how great so many of small city downtowns used to be in the Midwest.

ColDay and I were in Terre Haute this past weekend. These four National Register-listed buildings have been demolished:

 

 

 

More here: http://www.sardonicspectator.com/national-road-500-block/

:cry:

But don't worry, they have dealers!  LOTS OF DEALERS HELPING THE TOWN!!!  I prayed to God and he sent me some dealers to help Terre Haute!!!

^Nancy!?! I didn't know you had an account on UO.