University Courts Historic District Explained

University Courts Historic District
Nrhp Type:	hd
Nocat:	yes
Location:	Roughly bounded by 7th St., Indiana Ave., 10th St. & Woodlawn Ave., Bloomington, Indiana
Coordinates:	39.1696°N -86.5242°W
Architect:	John Nichols (architect) Alfred Grindle; Burns & James; Edwin C. Doeppers & Co.; Merritt Harrison; Lowe & Bollenbacher; Nichols & Nichols
Architecture:	Colonial Revival, Classical Revival, Craftsman, Tudor Revival
Added:	December 26, 2007
Refnum:	07001308^[1]

The University Courts Historic District is a historic district and neighborhood in Bloomington, Indiana, United States.

Greek houses

The Sigma Chi house at 601 E. Seventh Street, built in Free Classic style, was enlarged in 1925 by Granger, Lowe & Bollenbacher in a manner sympathetic to the original design.^[2]

The northeast corner of Indiana Avenue and Eighth Street was originally the site of a Tudor Revival house built by Maude Showers. Situated on three lots and designed by Carlisle Bollenbacher, the house was sold to Delta Tau Delta and used for a fraternity until destroyed by fire in February 1935. The fraternity rebuilt on the same site. The new house was designed by Burns & James and retained the same placement on the three lots as the original house. The general contractor was Charles A. Pike.^{[3] [4]}

Delta Zeta at 809 East Seventh Street was designed by John Nichols in 1923 in the Classical Revival Style. The general contractor was Charles F. Johnson.^[5]

Demolished houses

Before the district was first nominated for the National Register, four houses on the east half of the block bounded by Indiana Avenue, Fess Avenue, Eighth Street and Ninth Street were demolished. Joseph Smith of the Showers Brothers furniture factory engaged John Nichols to build a two-story brick Colonial Revival house at 403 North Fess in 1914. J. Neill was the general contractor.^[6] Clarence Neill, general contractor, built a house for Charles F. Johnson at 421 North Fess in 1916. Edwin C. Doeppers and Company were the architects.^[7] Indiana University's Mathers Museum of World Cultures and the Glenn A. Black Laboratory of Archaeology now occupy those two lots, among others.^[8]

Table of contributing properties

Appearing in the table below are the buildings included within the boundaries of the city-designated historic district.

width = 10%	Rating	width = 11%	Image	width = 18%	Address	width = 8%	Year	width = 20%	Style	width = 29%	Comments
	Contributing		39.1685°N -86.527°W	1906	Georgian Revival	Chapter house for Sigma Chi
	Notable		39.1689°N -86.526°W	1932	Gothic Revival
	Notable		39.1686°N -86.5256°W	1915	Craftsman
	Notable		39.1686°N -86.5253°W	1911	Spanish Colonial RevivalDormer Front Bungalow	Attorney Thomas J. Sare engaged architect John Nichols when he built this house.^[9] ^[10]
	Notable		39.1686°N -86.525°W	1925	Tudor RevivalCraftsman
	Notable		39.1686°N -86.5248°W	1924	Spanish Mission Revival	Attorney Thomas J. Sare engaged architect John Nichols when building this house.^[11] ^[12]
	Contributing		39.1686°N -86.5244°W	1920	Tudor Revival
	Contributing		39.1697°N -86.5267°W	1935	Georgian Revival	This building was designed by Indianapolis architects Burns & James and built by Charles A. Pike for Delta Tau Delta fraternity. Their previous house on this site was destroyed by fire.
	Contributing		39.1693°N -86.5258°W	1916	Tudor RevivalCraftsman	John T. Schuman built two duplexes at 8th and Fess (see 315-317 N. Fess Ave.). Edwin C. Doeppers was listed as architect.^[13]
	Contributing		39.1697°N -86.5256°W	1914	Prairie StyleFoursquare	Built for Herman Grant by general contractor J. O. White. Edwin C. Doeppers was listed as architect in the construction press.^[14]
	Contributing		39.1697°N -86.5254°W	1922	Colonial Revival	John Nichols designed this house for Ward Johnson of Johnson Creamery.
	Notable		39.1693°N -86.5253°W	1916	California Bungalow	Architect John Nichols was engaged by Herman Bowman of the Bowman-King Stone Co. to build this house.^[15]
	Contributing		39.1693°N -86.5253°W	1916	Colonial RevivalFoursquare	Dr. J. C. Vermilya engaged engineer Edwin C. Doeppers when building this house.^[16]
	Contributing		39.1697°N -86.5249°W	1915		Originally built by Thomas J. Sare, who contracted with John Murphy for masonry and Alex Robinson for carpentry to build two duplexes at 8th & Park (see 405-407 N. Park Ave.). Nichols & Nichols were architects.^[17] ^[18] ^[19] ^[20] ^[21]
	Contributing		39.1693°N -86.5248°W	1924	CraftsmanFoursquare	John Nichols was architect for this house built by general contractor J. O. White for Herman Bowman of Bowman-King Stone Co.^[22]
	Contributing		39.1693°N -86.5244°W	1930	Colonial Revival
	Contributing		39.1697°N -86.5243°W	1913^[23]	Prairie Style Colonial Revival	Built by general contractor W. S. Delapp for Monroe County treasurer Joseph D. Hensley. Nichols & Nichols were the architects.
	Contributing		39.1693°N -86.5243°W	1930	CraftsmanFront Gabled Bungalow
	Contributing		39.1697°N -86.524°W	1930	Colonial Revival
	Contributing		39.1693°N -86.524°W	1922	Carpenter Builder Cottage
	Contributing		39.1697°N -86.5239°W	1923	Colonial Revival	Built by general contractor Joe Neill and Son for the jeweler Ray Wingert and his wife Leafy. John Nichols was architect.^[24]
	Contributing		39.1693°N -86.5239°W	1925	CraftsmanAmerican Foursquare
	Notable		39.1697°N -86.5237°W	1921^[25]	Prairie Style	Alfred Grindle drew plans for Indiana University football coach Ewald O. Stiehm, who let contracts and supervised construction himself.^[26]
	Contributing		39.1703°N -86.5256°W	1930	Colonial Revival
	Contributing		39.1703°N -86.5253°W	1930	CraftsmanAmerican Foursquare
	Contributing		39.1703°N -86.5251°W	1916	CraftsmanAmerican Foursquare	Doeppers & Co. let contracts to Clarence Neill for masonry and George Torrence for carpentry when Willis Akins had this house built.
	Contributing		39.1703°N -86.5249°W	1930	CraftsmanAmerican Foursquare
	Contributing		39.1705°N -86.5244°W	1920	CraftsmanCross Gable Bungalow
	Contributing		39.1705°N -86.5242°W	1920	Craftsman
	Contributing		39.1715°N -86.5256°W	1930	Colonial Revival
	Contributing		39.1715°N -86.5253°W	1930	Dutch Colonial Revival
	Contributing		39.169°N -86.526°W	1916	Tudor RevivalCraftsman	John T. Schuman built two duplexes at 8th and Fess (see 622-624 E. Eighth St.). Edwin C. Doeppers was listed as architect.
	Contributing		39.1699°N -86.5256°W	1915^[27]	BungalowFoursquare	Built by general contractor Val Hatfield as a rental property for Herman Grant (see 701 E. 8th). E. C. Doeppers and Company where the architects.^[28]
	Contributing		39.1703°N -86.5256°W	1930	Colonial Revival
	Notable		39.1707°N -86.5256°W	1917	Colonial RevivalTudor Revival	Indianapolis architect Merritt Harrison designed this house for Indiana University professor Wm. F. Book.^[29] ^[30]
	Contributing		39.1708°N -86.526°W	1920	Colonial RevivalFoursquare
	Notable		39.1708°N -86.5256°W	1930	Colonial Revival
	Notable		39.171°N -86.526°W	1925	Spanish Colonial Revival	Designed by Cecil and Inez Harlos
	Notable		39.171°N -86.5256°W	1930	Colonial Revival
	Contributing		39.1711°N -86.5256°W	1930	Tudor Revival
	Notable		39.1711°N -86.526°W	1925	Spanish Colonial Revival	Designed by Cecil and Inez Harlos
	Contributing		39.1713°N -86.5256°W	1930	Colonial Revival
	Contributing		39.1713°N -86.526°W	1925	Colonial Revival	Designed by John Nichols
	Contributing		39.1714°N -86.526°W	1915	Foursquare
	Contributing		39.1714°N -86.5256°W	1930	Colonial Revival
	Contributing		39.1715°N -86.526°W	1920	Foursquare
	Contributing		39.1703°N -86.5268°W	1912	Dutch Colonial Revival	The Chicago firm of Lowe & Bollenbacher drew plans for a residence for department store owner Wyatt W. Wicks, who originally intended to take bids himself.^[31] But, later John Nichols took bids for Wicks.^[32]
	Contributing		39.1706°N -86.5268°W	1915	Foursquare
	Contributing		39.1708°N -86.5268°W	1913	CraftsmanFoursquare	Built by general contractor J. O. White for Dr. A. M. Snyder. The firm of Nichols & Nichols was listed as the architect.^[33]
	Contributing		39.1689°N -86.5248°W	1924	Colonial Revival	This duplex was designed by Alfred Grindle for Allen Buskirk.^[34]
	Contributing		39.1689°N -86.5244°W	1924	Colonial Revival	Edwin C. Doeppers drew plans for Almer Henry, who originally intended to take bids himself.^[35] He later engaged John L. Nichols to take bids and supervise construction.^[36]
	Contributing		39.1697°N -86.5244°W	1920	Georgian Revival
	Notable		39.1699°N -86.5248°W	1915	CraftsmanTudor Revival	Originally built by Thomas J. Sare, who contracted with John Murphy for masonry and Alex Robinson for carpentry to build two duplexes at 8th & Park (see 715-717 E. Eighth St.). Nichols & Nichols were architects.
	Contributing		39.17°N -86.5248°W	1928	Tudor RevivalEnglish Cottage Revival
	Contributing		39.17°N -86.5244°W	1930	Colonial Revival
	Contributing		39.1702°N -86.5248°W	1930	Colonial Revival
	Contributing		39.1703°N -86.5248°W	1925	CraftsmanFoursquare
	Contributing		39.1706°N -86.5248°W	1922	CraftsmanBungalow
	Contributing		39.1707°N -86.5248°W	1930	Colonial RevivalAmerican Foursquare
	Notable		39.1711°N -86.5248°W	1926	Tudor Revival
	Notable		39.1713°N -86.5248°W	1930	Colonial Revival	Designed by John L. Nichols
	Contributing		39.1714°N -86.5248°W	1920	Colonial Revival
	Contributing		39.1715°N -86.5248°W	1925	American Foursquare
	Contributing		39.1689°N -86.5236°W	1930	Colonial Revival
	Contributing		39.1693°N -86.5236°W	1935	Colonial Revival	Originally named the O'Harrow House, it is now the Indiana University School of Journalism Annex.
	Contributing		39.1693°N -86.5236°W	1935	Tudor Revival	This building was designed by Indianapolis architects Burns & James and built by Charles A. Pike for Kappa Alpha Theta sorority.

Notes and References

1. Web site: Indiana State Historic Architectural and Archaeological Research Database (SHAARD) . Department of Natural Resources, Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology . Searchable database. 2016-05-01. Note: This includes Web site: National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination Form: University Courts Historic District. 2016-05-01. Cynthia Brubaker. PDF. December 2007., Site map, and Accompanying photographs.
2. News of the Week, Indiana Construction Recorder, Vol. VI No. 47, 1925-02-21
3. "Burns & James" Architecture and Design, 1938-06-01
4. "Fire Razes Fraternity Home" p. 1 Bloomington Evening World, 1935-02-12
5. News of the Week, Indiana Construction Recorder, Vol. V No. 1, 1923-04-07
6. American Contractor, Vol. XXXV No. 1, p. 79, 1914-01-03
7. American Contractor, Vol. XXXVII No. 23, page 97, 1916-06-03
8. Indiana Historic Sites and Structures Inventory. City of Bloomington Interim Report. Bloomington: City of Bloomington, 2004-04.
9. "Bloomington, Ind." p. 74 American Contractor, 1911-10-07
10. "Central Western States” Construction News, 1911-09-23
11. "News of the Week" p. 7 Indiana Construction Recorder, 1924-05-10
12. "News of the Week" p. 5 Indiana Construction Recorder, 1924-05-03
13. "Bloomington, Ind." p. 97 American Contractor, 1916-06-03
14. "Indianapolis, Ind." p. 98 American Contractor, 1914-05-02
15. "Bloomington, Ind. - Contracts Awarded" p. 93 American Contractor, 1916-06-17
16. "Bloomington, Ind. – Contracts Awarded" p. 78 American Contractor, 1916-10-28
17. "T. J. Sare Lets $7,000 Building Contract" p. 1 Daily Telephone, 1915-03-21
18. "Bloomington, Ind." p. 57 American Contractor, 1915-01-23
19. "Bloomington, Ind." p. 66 American Contractor, 1915-03-13
20. "Central Western States" p. 15 Construction News, 1914-12-26
21. "Central Western States" p. 18 Construction News, 1915-04-10
22. "News of the Week" p. 14 Indiana Construction Recorder, 1924-05-03
23. News: Central Western States. Construction News. 1913-10-04.
24. "News of the Week" p. 9 Indiana Construction Recorder, 1923-04-07
25. "News of the Week" p. 7 Indiana Construction Recorder, 1921-03-26
26. "Bloomington, Ind." p. 70 American Contractor, 1923-04-23.
27. "Central Western States" Construction News, 1915-07-17.
28. "Bloomington, Ind. – Contracts Awarded" p. 69 American Contractor, 1915-07-24
29. "Indianapolis, Ind." p. 69 American Contractor, 1917-09-01
30. "Indianapolis, Ind." p. 53 American Contractor, 1917-07-14.
31. "News of the Week" p. 25 The Construction News, 1911-10-07
32. "Bloomington, Ind." p. 57 American Contractor, 1912-01-20
33. "Central Western States" p. 28 The Construction News, 1913-10-04
34. "News of the Week" Indiana Construction Recorder, 1924-07-12
35. "News of the Week" p. 7 Indiana Construction Recorder, 1923-03-03
36. "News of the Week" p. 13 Indiana Construction Recorder, 1924-03-22