A Rising Tide

Properties for sale in two Ohio River communities offer preservation-minded house-hunters a chance to buy into the region’s rich history.

The Rumpe House, at 510 Main Street in Rising Sun, earned a lot of attention when Indiana Landmarks first put it on the market in 2014. Named for the family who owned it for more than 80 years, the 1867 house remained remarkably untouched by modern alterations. Tilly Rumpe remained in the home until the 1980s and introduced few of the amenities we take for granted today. Tilly never installed a furnace, air conditioning, or the indoor plumbing most people expect.

A new owner completed a number of important updates, and now the 1867 Carpenter Gothic house is back on the market and ready for buyers to complete rehab and make it a fine new home.

The house checks in at more than 2,400 square feet over two floors, perfect as a starter home or a retreat for empty nesters. Three bedrooms and a large upper hall make up the second floor. Downstairs, four large rooms and a kitchen area offer loads of configuration options, with decorative faux-grained painting on the windows, doors, trim, and even the floors.

Part of the home’s appeal is its charming storybook quality, something any preservation-sensitive owner will undoubtedly want to maintain. Indiana Landmarks previously completed exterior rehab, including rebuilding the intricate gingerbread porch, restoring the original windows, installing a new roof, and adding new paint. The house will be sold with protective covenants covering the exterior, so additional work will require prior approval from Indiana Landmarks.

To find out more about the Rumpe House or contact the realtor, visit www.rider-realty.com. And learn how our easement and covenants can protect historic properties.

About 20 miles down-river, McCormick’s Tavern at 306 Walnut Street in Vevay presents another opportunity for the right buyer. First licensed as a tavern in 1815, the two-story frame house offers potential for residential or commercial use. A more recent addition to the rear adds extra square footage. Downtown Vevay is only steps away, and the Ohio River is a short walk from the property. The house retains a number of features hinting at its more than 200-year history, including a remarkable original stone fireplace.

The structure will require interior and exterior rehab, including a new roof and gutters, repairs to siding and wood windows, new paint, and a few strengthened floor joists on the ground floor.

The property is also protected by a covenant requiring exterior work to be approved by Indiana Landmarks. To find out more, visit www.fctlynchgroup.com.