List of the oldest buildings in Indiana

This article lists the oldest extant buildings in Indiana, including extant buildings and structures constructed prior to and during the United States rule over Indiana. Only buildings built prior to 1820 are suitable for inclusion on this list, or the building must be the oldest of its type.

In order to qualify for the list, a structure must:

  • be a recognizable building (defined as any human-made structure used or intended for supporting or sheltering any use or continuous occupancy);
  • incorporate features of building work from the claimed date to at least 1.5 metres (4.9 ft) in height and/or be a listed building.

This consciously excludes ruins of limited height, roads and statues. Bridges may be included if they otherwise fulfill the above criteria. Dates for many of the oldest structures have been arrived at by radiocarbon dating or dendrochronology and should be considered approximate. If the exact year of initial construction is estimated, it will be shown as a range of dates.

List of oldest buildings

BuildingImageLocationFirst builtUseNotes
Grouseland Vincennes, Indiana1802-1804ResidenceHome of president William Henry Harrison[1] It is the oldest standing building in Indiana.
Indiana Territorial Capitol Vincennes, Indiana1804GovernmentFirst territorial capitol of Indiana; moved from original foundation in 1949[1]
Mont Clair FarmhouseKnox County, Indiana1806Residence
The French House Vincennes, Indianaca. 1806-1809ResidentialBuilt by an early French fur trader, also known as the Michel Brouillet House[1]
Westfall HouseCorydon, Indianaca. 1807Residential
Branham TavernCorydon, Indianaca. 1808Commercial
Kintner-McGrain House Corydon, Indianaca. 1808Residential
Thomas Downs House Charlestown, Indianaca. 1809ResidentialBuilt for Thomas Downs, Clark County's first treasurer
316 Ferry Street Vevay, Indianaca. 1810Commercial
Veraestau Dearborn County, Indianaca. 1810Residence
John Work House Charlestown Township, Clark County, Indianaca. 1811ResidentialBuilt for miller John Work
Old Salisbury CourthouseCenterville, Indianaca. 1811CourthouseOne of the oldest remaining courthouses in the Northwest Territory.
Little Cedar Grove Baptist Church Mound Haven, Indianaca. 1812ChurchOldest church on its original foundation
Scribner House New Albany, Indianaca. 1813-1814ResidenceOldest building in New Albany. Built by one of the town's founders Joel Scribner
Aunt Lucy Detraz HouseVevay, Indianaca. 1814Residence
Barrett-Gate HouseNew Harmony, Indianaca. 1814Residence
David McCormick TavernVevay, Indianaca. 1814Commercial/ Residence
Eigner BarnNew Harmony, Indianaca. 1814Outbuilding
Potter's BarnNew Harmony, Indianaca. 1814Outbuilding
Potter's CabinNew Harmony, Indianaca. 1814Residence
Weber CabinNew Harmony, Indianaca. 1814Residence
346 Granary StreetNew Harmony, Indianaca. 1814Residence
Old State Capitol Corydon, Indianaca. 1814-1816GovernmentThe second territorial capitol and the first state capitol of Indiana.
Blue River Friends Hicksite Meeting HouseWashington County Indianaca.1815ChurchThe oldest Quaker meeting house standing in the state.
505 Granary StreetNew Harmony, Indianaca. 1815Residence
Armstrong TavernVevay, Indianaca. 1816Commercial/ ResidenceOldest known meeting place of the Masonic Lodge in Indiana.
Benjamin Ferguson House Charlestown, Indianaca. 1816ResidenceBuilt for state senator Benjamin Ferguson
Empire HouseRising Sun, Indianaca. 1816Residence/ Commercial
Perret Dufour House Vevay, Indianaca. 1816Residence
Adams-Payne HouseCorydon, Indianaca. 1817Residence
Governor Hendricks' Headquarters Corydon, Indianaca. 1817Residence/ Government
Heth House Corydon, Indianaca. 1817Residence
Israel Whitehead HouseVevay, Indianaca. 1817Residence
Old Treasury BuildingCorydon, Indianaca. 1817Government
Posey HouseCorydon, Indianaca. 1817Residence
Schofield House Madison, Indianaca. 1817ResidenceThe location of where the Grand Lodge of Indiana was formed in 1818.
Harmonist GranaryNew Harmony, Indianaca. 1818Commercial
James Brown Ray Home Brookville, Indianaca. 1818Residence
James N. Tyner HouseBrookville, Indianaca. 1818Residence
Jeremiah Sullivan House Madison, Indianaca. 1818Residence
Old Perry County Courthouse Rome, Indianaca. 1818Courthouse
Richard Talbott InnMadison, Indianaca. 1818Commercial/ Residence
Talbott House Madison, Indianaca. 1818Residence
Vance-Tousey House Lawrenceburg, Indianaca. 1818Residence
Eigner CabinNew Harmony, Indianaca. 1819Residence
George Keppler HouseNew Harmony, Indianaca. 1819Residence
Jesse Hunt Hotel Lawrenceburg, Indianaca. 1819Commercial
Porter Law OfficeCorydon, Indianaca. 1819Commercial
Salomon-Wolf HouseNew Harmony, Indianaca. 1819Residence
510 Church StreetNew Harmony, Indianaca. 1819Residence
Sanders-Childers HouseIndianapolis, Indianaca. 1820ResidenceOldest house in Indianapolis, built by William Sanders around 1820[2]
St. Francis Xavier Cathedral Vincennes, Indianaca. 1826ChurchOldest Catholic Church in Indiana
Richardville House Fort Wayne, Indianaca. 1827ResidenceOldest building in Fort Wayne, built for Chief Richardville

See also

References