Tempting Two-fer

Two houses in Wabash’s National Register-listed North Wabash Historic District offer a unique opportunity for a creative preservation-minded investor. Indiana Landmarks acquired the large Dutch Colonial-style home and an adjacent c.1890 house from the estate of Mary Crosby, a longtime community leader who passed away in 2019. After making improvements to both properties, we are offering the pair for sale as a package for $110,000.

Noted Fort Wayne architect A.M. Strauss designed the imposing 1920 Dutch Colonial at 458 N. Cass Street for Wabash lawyer Frank Plummer. Strauss’s original blueprints show the house was built on top of the foundation of a previous residence, and hand-hewn timbers in the basement suggest the older house was of a much earlier vintage. The Plummer family occupied the home until 1960.

In the 1970s, James and Mary Cosby and their family took up residence in the house, where Mary also operated a childcare business. She eventually expanded the successful business into the second home next door at 426 N. Cass Street.

These Cass Street houses are part of Indiana Landmarks’ ongoing work to increase homeownership in the North Wabash Historic District, where we have acquired several historic houses and made stabilizing repairs before selling them to buyers to finish the work.

Our improvements at the Dutch Colonial-style house include a new roof, a rebuilt covered front porch, and repairs to stucco on the exterior and chimney. The neighboring c.1890 house only requires minor updates to be move-in ready, offering an opportunity for a new owner to live in it while restoring the large Dutch Colonial’s fine features.

Strauss’s design for the larger house offers a traditional exterior with a light and bright interior, including original windows and fireplace, and a staircase that should please any old house aficionado. The house will require upgrades to utilities, along with a new kitchen and bath. The sale price for the two homes includes three garages.

The neighboring properties offer a great live/work opportunity, or the possibility of living in one house and renting the other for additional income. The houses will be sold with protective covenants by Indiana Landmarks requiring the exteriors to retain their historic appearance.

For more information, contact Paul Hayden in Indiana Landmarks’ Northeast Field Office, 260-563-7094, phayden@indianalandmarks.org, or visit lundquistrealestate.com.