History
Historical Treasure: Sycamore Building know as ‘elite’ in its era
TERRE HAUTE — The Sycamore Building stands between Wabash Avenue and Ohio, on the west side of Sixth Street. It’s hard not to notice its stature. Known as “elite” in the era, the 12-story Sycamore Building has stood the test of time in its original state.
Determining the actual date of groundbreaking is difficult; nonetheless, excitement was the air. The underlying steel beams began to take shape as level after level astounded onlookers.
Built by the Citizens Bank and Trust, the structure was completed in the fall of 1922. The Sycamore Building was considered to be the first of the city’s “Skyscrapers.”
At that time, there was expectation of others like it to follow. With monumental stature, it stands alone as being the tallest in the downtown business district. The lower façade of the structure hosts the ornamentation of the Renaissance Revival style. The interior elements of design are that of Art Deco, which was so popular in the 1920s.
The business tenants over the years are too numerous to mention here. Ownership of the building has changed hands twice. In 1950, Emma Herber took over the Sycamore Building as a memorial to her late husband, Conrad Herber. On each side of the entrance, stone insets are etched in his honor, with his name.
The Sunset Harbor Company purchased the building in 1967. This business is a local property developer. Metal plaques now cover the stone, reading “Sunset Harbor.” The Sycamore Building has been, for many years, the symbol of challenge for the development of Terre Haute. As of today, that challenge has been met only by the 15-story high-rise dormitories on the campus of Indiana State University.
- History
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Historical Treasure: German immigrants arrived in TH in the 1840s
It is fitting for German ancestry to be highlighted in “The Immigrants: Celebrating the Ethnic Heritage of Vigo County” exhibit at the Vigo County Historical Society Museum. First arriving in Terre Haute in the 1840s, the German immigrants became the largest ethnic influence in the development of the area.
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Historical Perspective: Theodore Dreiser returns to his roots (Part III)
Though Terre Haute native Theodore Dreiser spent several hours trying to find the places he lived as a child, he also sought other landmarks from his childhood.
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Geneaology: French Revolution briefly resulted in new, different calendar
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Bruce's History Lessons: The 1st (11th) Amendment to follow Bill of Rights
So … what was the very first amendment to the Constitution to follow the original 10, our immortal Bill of Rights? Was it about protecting natural rights? Was it about life, liberty and happiness? Was it about allocating power in a republican government?
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LOOKING BACK: 2000: Pancakes, maple syrup on tap in Fowler Park
Dorothy Jerse looks back at local history from 10, 25 and 50 years ago as reported in the Tribune and Tribune-Star.
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GENEOLOGY: New TV shows may fire up generation on genealogy
When Alex Haley’s 1976 novel Roots was published, and then a year later premiered as a TV mini-series, it sparked the flame of interest in genealogy for many Americans, including myself.
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HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: Theodore Dreiser returned to his roots in 1915 (Part I)
It was at an evening reception in New York City for Edgar Lee Masters, “a new poet of renown,” on Sunday, Aug. 4, 1915, that Terre Haute native Theodore Dreiser and artist Franklin Booth first talked about visiting Indiana.
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HISTORICAL TREASURE: The Hungarian heritage of Terre Haute
In the early 1900s Terre Haute saw the arrival of immigrants from Hungary. They were seeking a better life for themselves and their families. Terre Haute offered opportunity for new beginnings with it industries, mines and railroads.
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HISTORICAL TREASURE: Museum celebrates Ethnic Heritage of Vigo County
The Vigo County Historical Museum re-opened this February with a special exhibit called “The Immigrants: Celebrating the Ethnic Heritage of Vigo County.”
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Historical Treasure: German immigrants arrived in TH in the 1840s
