National Register of Historic Places

Benton House

Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana
Listed
March 19, 1973
Type
Building
Period
Industrial
Ref No.
73000034

About this property

The Benton House is a historic home located in Irvington, a historic neighborhood in Indianapolis, Indiana. Constructed in 1873, the home housed Allen R. Benton, a former president of Butler University, then known as North Western Christian University. Erected on a rugged stone foundation, the two-story, Second Empire style brick house has a picturesque tower entrance and mansard roof. The twelve rooms feature fine woodwork, oak flooring, and ornate windows. Restored to its original appearance both inside and out, the only alterations are those necessary for contemporary public use such as modern restrooms, kitchen, heating, and air conditioning. The Irvington Historic Landmarks Foundation was formed in 1966 to oversee the purchase and restoration of the Benton House. The house now serves as a meeting place for the foundation and can be rented for private parties. Benton House annual events include a Used Booksale in the summer and Tour of Homes and Classy Car show in the fall. All proceeds from events go toward the maintenance of the Benton House and future renovations. The home was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. In the same year, the IHLF also acquired the Kile Oak Tree. The Benton House is also listed as an Indiana museum. It is the only house on the Indianapolis East Side listed in the Historic Register that is available to the public.

Location

312 S. Downey Ave.
Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana
39.76492, -86.07639

Categories

ARCHITECTURE
National Register nomination ›
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Overview
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The Land
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Geology
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LiDAR Terrain
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Conflict & War
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The Civil War
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The Soldiers
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Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
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Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
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Historical Maps
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Finds & Access
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Literature
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Nearby Historic Sites

Graham, William H. H., House
Industrial
0.1 mi
Horner-Terrill House
Industrial
0.4 mi
Julian-Clark House
Industrial
0.4 mi
Irvington Historic District
Listed
0.5 mi
Recker, Carlos and Anne, House
Industrial
0.7 mi

Questions about this property

When was Benton House listed on the National Register?

Benton House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on March 19, 1973.

What type of historic resource is Benton House?

Benton House is classified as a building in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for Benton House?

The period of significance for Benton House is recorded as the industrial era.

Can I research the history near Benton House?

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