"The Cotton-Ropkey House, at 79th Street and Marsh Road just west of Interstate 465, sits on 95 acres that Kite Realty Group bought in 2004. Five years later, facing a tepid development climate, Kite agreed to let Landmarks search for a buyer. Kite would sell the house for $1 if the buyer would agree to move it to another site."
One of the oldest houses in Marion County, it's listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The original owner, Isaac Cotton, was a Pike Township clerk and assessor who served as the township's Civil War draft enrollment commissioner and was a beekeeper, swine breeder and wool grower. The home was sold to the Ropkey family in 1937. The Ropkeys sold the house and land in 2004 when zoning issues forced a move of their hobby, the Ropkey Armor Museum out of town.
This Indianapolis Observer would hope that St. Nicholas Serbian Orthodox Church, located across 79th Street, would purchase the home for a parsonage. Another option is moving it to a site further west on 79th Street in the Normandy Farms development. Any architecture angels out there?
The Cotton-Ropkey house at 6360 West 79th Street dates from 1850 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The original owner, Isaac Cotton, was a Pike Township clerk and assessor who served as the township's Civil War draft enrollment commissioner and was an accomplished beekeeper, swine breeder and wool grower. Most recently the antique farmhouse was home to the Ropkey family which maintained a collection of military equipment relics, including tanks and airplanes. The Ropkey Armor Museum has since moved to Crawfordsville.
3 comments:
If I had the money I would buy this house in a heartbeat. It is a part of history that cannot be replaced. To tear it down would be a crime. I hope someone that has the money will rescue it!
My name is not important, but I am a 29 year old man with roots in indianapolis (part of my family began there) and as of this moment I am actually trying to raise the money needed to buy and move this house.
I love architecture, history, craftsmanship, and art. it would break my heart if this place gets torn down before i can get to. please pray that I can accomplish my goal so that i may save this house.
This is a home that embodies the meaning of craftsmanship and elegance. The home is beyond beautiful, it had a presence that demands attention and it "responds" to appreciation in kind. I was examining a window and when I turned, I (literally) ran into a rose bush easily 6' in diameter, covered in deep pink English-style roses (the scent is incredible). Such an enduring icon should not be allowed to die just for the sake of another strip mall/industrial park/eyesore.
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