La Porte County Historical Society - La Porte and Its Environs

Pictured here is the home of one of the founding fathers of the City of La Porte, Abraham Piatt Andrew Jr. and his wife, the former Viola J. Armstrong. This home was located on the southeast corner of West Main (Indiana Avenue) and Jefferson. Porches were thought to assist in air circulation and by the 19th century they were being added to many homes. Notice the lattice-type fence surrounding the home setting. One of the family members or a visitor is seen on a bicycle in front of the fence. The house was sold in 1907 to Dr. H.H. Long, Dr. I.P. Norton, and J. Vene Dorland for $8,000. They would not reveal their exact plans for the future of the site but indicated offices might be constructed there. Mrs. Mary Benner conducted a boarding establishment here for several years before this transaction. Mrs. Andrew died Christmas Day, 1883 and Mr. Andrew died in 1887. Both are buried in the Andrew plot in Pine Lake Cemetery. This was later the site of the Masonic Temple Building.

This picture, taken about 1890, shows the house built by Seth Eason. He and his family resided here for many years. It was later owned by Samuel Fox and the Fox children pose outside the fence. Fences played an important part in separating one lot from another and a variety of materials were used in their construction. The roof features with the ironwork are of particular interest. The house was razed in 1971.

Atop the hill by Pine Lake is one of the many cottages erected as summer homes for local and out-of-town residents. A few steps from the house lies the lake where swimming was enjoyed and often boats were launched for fishing. Many just enjoyed the cool breezes and the view from the porch.

The Thomas Jefferson Foster home was located where the First United Methodist Church is today at the corner of Michigan Ave. and Alexander St. Foster was a grocer and ran a first class bakery on Main St. Fencing with decorative corner posts surrounds the lot. The cupola and roof feature attractive ironwork to add to the beauty of the house.

This home, located at 1007 Harrison St., of Spanish Eclectic style with the notable red tile roof, was built by Aloysius J. Rumely for himself and his bride, the former Hannah Berghoff. They were married on June 9, 1909. Most recently, the home is known as the location of the Giese Funeral Home.

Known as the Truesdell home, this house was located on the northwest corner of Michigan Ave. and Alexander St. Decorative brackets on the frieze were indicative of this period. The ever-popular porch, although only on one side, was still an important part of the structure. The two visible bay windows add to the beauty of the house and the fountain on the front lawn was a particularly attractive part of the landscape.

The brick house of Dr. Landon A. Rose, 1218 Michigan Ave., also has a brick barn in the rear. The lot is surrounded with an iron fence. A son of Dr. Rose waits in a horse-drawn buggy in front of the house. Furniture on the porch indicates its usage as a place to enjoy the outdoors.

In February, 1905, the Kent M. Andrew family settled into their new home at 1408 Michigan Ave. It had the familiar colonial effect with a spacious veranda. The upper floor consisted of five commodious chambers and a tiled bathroom finished in nickel trimmings. Mr. Andrew was the son of Charles A. and Indiana C. (Andrew) Marvin who died when he was very young. He was reared by his maternal grandparents, Judge and Mrs. William P. Andrew.