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VEVAY
Vevay, the county seat, is located along The Ohio River Scenic Byway. This historic rivertown was settled in 1802 by Swiss immigrants intending on cultivating grapes and producing wine. Thus giving Vevay, Switzerland County it's name and also the heritage of being the site of the first commercial winery in the United States.
Much of the original architecture still survives with the whole town listed on the Indiana State Historic Register. The town of Vevay boasts over 300 homes, churches and buildings dating to the 19th century.
Step back into the past in Vevay, Switzerland County and let the River Valley and Rolling Hills take you back to a time where life was simple, relaxed and cherished.
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"LIFE ON THE OHIO" RIVER HISTORY MUSEUM
Reflect upon the rich heritage of Switzerland County in the river history museum. The museum houses a high-quality collection of river related artifacts, photos, maps & documents, along with a unique array of boat models. Open April through October 12 - 4pm daily. |
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SWITZERLAND COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM
The Switzerland County Historical Museum is located in a lovely old Presbyterian church, built in 1860. The Presbyterians are said to be the first organized church in Switzerland County. Our Knowledgeable guide will be glad to give you a personal tour. Open April through October 12 - 4pm daily.
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SWITZERLAND
COUNTY COURTHOUSE
In 1814 the residents of Vevay assembled a petition for the site
of a courthouse. August 1822 a final agreement and the deed for
the property were turned over to the county. Members of the Dufour
family were the leading land holders and the wealthiest clan in
Vevay. Samuel Davis was hired to clean up the lot for $25.00. The
original building lasted about 45 years and during that time it
required constant repairs and rebuilding. Joseph Peelman constructed
the buildings on the county square to house the offices of the clerk,
auditor, and recorder.
In
1841 the commissioners contracted to replace the shade trees they
had chopped down in 1815. In 1841 the citizens of the county petitioned
the commissioners for a new courthouse that would be large enough
with proper vaults to protect the records. |
John
Haley was a resident of Frankfort Ky. and was a prominent contractor
in that state. He began construction in 1861. He completed his work
in 1865. The columns on the building are corinthian type. In 1864
when the courthouse was near completion the commissioners entered
into an agreement with Israel Fowler, a clockmaker of Madison, to
make and construct a good and correct timepiece to be put in the
cupalo (sic) of the courthouse, at a cost of $1,000. At about the
same time a bell was purchased from the coffin company of Cincinnati
for $800.00 and installed with the clock.
In the late 1880's the commissioners ordered an iron fence which
was placed around the square. At the beginnings of both world wars,
the fence became a center of controversy as to whether or not to
sell it for old iron. During the clamor, preceding the second world
war, the commissioners had announced their intentions to sell the
fence. But many protests of womens clubs and civic groups stopped
the action.
Building materials of the courthouse include limestone slabs about
18 inches thick, yellow poplar floor joists and red brick on the
exterior walls. The courthouse has Greek columns and a classic portico.
Extensive restoration took place in 1991. The original courtroom
is still intact and one of the finest interior spaces in the country.
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THE
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN SCHENCK MANSION
This
35 room mansion was built in 1874 by Benjamin Franklin Schenck,
son of a wealthy "hay king" of the steamboat era. It was
the marvel of its time with a four storied tower and five bathrooms.
Each bathroom contains a walnut cased copper lined tub. Architecturally
the house is of the "second empire" style. It has four
porches, seven balconies, eight chimneys and numerous windows. The
original slate roof is still intact. The exterior trim is all made
of tin.
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Schenck
was born in Louisville, KY in 1834. He attended law school at Poughkeepsie,
New York and was admitted to the bar, but instead of practicing
law, he entered the mercantile business with his father, Ulysses
P. Schenck. He also owned and edited the Vevay Weekly News for several
years, and was in the ink business with John Henry.
"He was a man of fine personal appearance, active in his habits,
sprightly and spicy in conversation, upright, prompt, accomodating
and genial in all his business relations. No man in town was more
universally respected by all. He was ardent in his friendship and
had a host of friends in town and country. He was a very devoted
husband and loving and painstaking father. He believed a man should
be religious, accepting the articles of his faith. A mason, he was
a member of the Blue Lodge in Vevay, Chapter in Florence, and Commandery
in Madison."
Schenck died in 1877, having only spent two summers in his newly
finished mansion. His three daughters gave the property and sixty-five
acres to the Indiana Baptist Convention in1923. In 1945 the home
was acquired by Mr. & Mrs. Clarence Wiseman who lived here and
also used it as the clubhouse for the Switzerland County Saddle
Club. The circular driveway at the bottom of the hill was originally
a quarter mile track.
The property is now operating as a bed & breakfast. For a step
back in time or book a group tour call Lisa at 877-594-2876. |
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THE
U. P. SCHENCK HOUSE
The original owner of this home was Ulysses P. Schenck, a Swiss
riverboat captain who owned a fleet of flat bottom river boats.
These boats, used in the export of tons of hay from Switzerland
County, earned Schenck great wealth and the name "Hay King."
Schenck spent approximately $40,000. to have the house built during
the years 1844 through 1846. The architect was George Kyle who used
the popular Greek Revival Style. He employed the famous Francis
Costigan to design the three-story self-supporting, cherry stairway.
This unique stairway is rare, but a similar one built by Costigan
can be seen at the Shrewsbury House in Madison, Indiana.
Another unique characteristic of the Schenck House is that the front
of the house faces the river, whereas, the back faces on Market
Street. Majestic, two-story, white pillars were built on the front
of the house which to this day are used as landmarks by passing
river boat captains.
The Schenck house has remained in the family throughout the years
and is much the same today as it was in 1846. David Griffith, the
present owner, is the great-great nephew of Ulysses P. Schenck.
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THE
ARMSTRONG TAVERN
This
two story, weatherboarded log house was built in Vevay in 1816 by
Thomas Armstrong. The original shutters are still at windows and
doors out front. There is a two story porch at the side and rear
of the house, overlooking the Ohio River. Throughout the house are
double "T" doors. The mantels are white and handcarved
in fluted design. There is a fireplace in each room, of which there
are eight. The floors are of wide blue ash. The servants quarters
were in the basement. In the kitchen is a handcarved stone sink.
For more than forty years the property served as a tavern. It also
served as a meeting place for a Masonic Lodge. Before the War Between
the States the servants employed there were slaves hired from their
owners in Kentucky. Every night the slaves were required to return
across the Ohio river. By this means the owners retained title to
them; otherwise they might have obtained their freedom. This house
was in the Siebenthal family. The dwelling adjoining this property
is where Madam Henderson, a French woman, once taught a dame school.
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