P. O. Box 1377
Martinsville, IN  46151

Old Morgan County Jail

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P. O. Box 1377
Martinsville, IN 46151

2005 Top Ten Most Endangered Historic Properties in Morgan County, as voted by fairgoers at the 2005 Morgan County Fair

1. Pioneer Cemeteries. Despite the efforts of the Morgan County History and Genealogy Association to locate, document and publicize the plight of our pioneer cemeteries, they largely remain ignored, neglected and unprotected.
    
2. Goethe Link Observatory. This 1937 observatory and the surrounding 20 acres of daffodil breeding beds kept by the late Helen Link are owned by Indiana University. The Observatory itself is no longer used by Indiana University because of light pollution and is leased to the Indiana Astronomical Society. The entire property is maintained by Indiana University.
    
3. Grassyfork Fisheries Office and Showroom. Built in 1939, this building has been vacant and neglected for several years. It is in need of a new owner with a vision for reuse and the financial means to secure it.
    
4. Martinsville City Hall and Fire Station. The City of Martinsville has outgrown its home and has purchased a West Morgan Street property for future expansion. Alterations to the this building have not been overly sympathetic to its original character and seem to forewarn a similar future.
    
5. William Landers Farm, Madison Township
    
6. Martinsville Sanitarium/Kennedy Home. The Community Service Center (CSC) is the current owner of the remaining historic portion of the Martinsville Sanitarium built in 1925. The building is vacant, lacks heat and as in need of a new roof. A new owner/occupant is being sought.
    
7. All Historic Properties in Proposed I-69 Corridor
    
8. United States Post Office, Martinsville. The federal government’s search for a larger location for the city’s post office, built in 1935, has been put on the back burner. Uncertainty lingers about this building’s future. The post office’s relocation out of downtown would have serious implications on the entire historic commercial area.
    
9. House, 340 E. Washington Street, Martinsville
    
10. Norman T Cunningham/Buskirk Building, Martinsville. A much-needed facelift in the fall of 2003 accompanied the restoration of the neon sign on the roof, but long-term vacancy keeps this anchor of the courthouse square on the county’s list of most endangered historic properties.

2004 Top Ten Most Endangered Historic Properties in Morgan County, as voted by fairgoers at the 2004 Morgan County Fair

1. Martinsville Vandalia Depot. The roof of the Craftsman style depot, built in 1911, has been leaking for several years. An engineering study has determined that the fault lies less in the roof than in the building’s sagging eaves, an oversight in the original design. The eaves need to be rebuilt and the roof repaired or replaced.
    
2. Goethe Link Observatory. This 1937 observatory and the surrounding 20 acres of daffodil breeding beds kept by the late Helen Link are owned by Indiana University. The Observatory itself is no longer used by Indiana University because of light pollution and is leased to the Indiana Astronomical Society. The entire property is maintained by Indiana University.
    
3. Martinsville City Hall and Fire Station. The City of Martinsville has outgrown its home and has purchased a West Morgan Street property for future expansion. Alterations to the this building have not been overly sympathetic to its original character and seem to forewarn a similar future.
    
4. United States Post Office, Martinsville. The federal government’s search for a larger location for the city’s post office, built in 1935, has been put on the back burner. Uncertainty lingers about this building’s future. The post office’s relocation out of downtown would have serious implications on the entire historic commercial area.
    
5. Grassyfork Fisheries Office and Showroom. Built in 1939, this building has been vacant and neglected for several years. It is in need of a new owner with a vision for reuse and the financial means to secure it.
    
6. Pioneer Cemeteries. Despite the efforts of the Morgan County History and Genealogy Association to locate, document and publicize the plight of our pioneer cemeteries, they largely remain ignored, neglected and unprotected.
    
7. Martinsville Sanitarium/Kennedy Home. The Community Service Center (CSC) is the current owner of the remaining historic portion of the Martinsville Sanitarium built in 1925. The building is vacant, lacks heat and as in need of a new roof. A new owner/occupant is being sought.
    
8. Wilbur Schoolhouse, Gregg Township. Built in 1883, the one-room Wilbur Schoolhouse has stood vacant and idle for more than twelve years. It was considered and endangered when this list was created in August 2004, but since then, the newly reorganized Wilbur Community Center Corporation has replaced the roof and belfry (complete with a bell), installed limestone steps and cleaned up the school yard. Additional work is ongoing. Much work remains, but we can count the Wilbur Schoolhouse as a SAVE!
    
9. BRADFORD DOUBPLE-PEN HOUSE, Bradford Estate, Clay Township. Built circa 1850, this two-room log house was the Bradford family’s first home. It has been stabilized but is in need of restoration. The house is located on the Bradford Estate and is owned by Indiana University.
    
10. Norman T Cunningham/Buskirk Building, Martinsville. A much-needed facelift in the fall of 2003 accompanied the restoration of the neon sign on the roof, but long-term vacancy keeps this anchor of the courthouse square on the county’s list of most endangered historic properties.