INDIANA – Indiana’s rich history received a significant boost in September with the addition of 12 new listings to the National Register of Historic Places. The latest listings, which encompass a wide array of historical resources, have collectively added approximately 127 historic resources to the National and State Registers.
The newly recognized sites comprise a diverse collection of historic properties, including a house, commercial historic districts, a school, churches, a farm, a manufacturing building, a railroad terminal, a bridge, and a military site.
One notable addition is the Loogootee Commercial Historic District in Martin County, which was officially listed on September 2, 2025. Dating from 1880 to 1969, the district is recognized for its significance in Architecture and Commerce.
The district is concentrated around roughly four blocks on either side of John F. Kennedy (JFK) Avenue, showcasing a vibrant collection of late 19th and early 20th-century commercial architecture. Architectural styles highlighted in the area include Italianate and Neoclassical, many of which front a small public square at the heart of the district. A distinctive feature of the area is the presence of several Mesker Brothers Iron Works cast iron storefronts.
“Commerce played the most important role in the development of the district,” according to the listing information.
A Tale of Two Booms
Loogootee’s commercial growth is deeply rooted in its transportation history. Initial development was tied to the railroad boom era following the completion of the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad in 1857, which connected the town to major markets in Cincinnati and St. Louis. The town, platted in 1853 by Thomas Gootee in anticipation of the railroad, quickly transformed from a small settlement into a connected commercial hub.
The district experienced a second major economic boom in the mid-20th century, driven by the construction of Crane Naval Base, located north of the city. This growth spurred the construction of additional commercial buildings, including examples of the Modern movement in architecture, extending north along JFK Avenue (US 231).
The new listings cover a wide geographical area and include a mix of property types such as commercial districts, churches, a school, a farm, a house, and significant infrastructure.
| County | Listing Name | City/Vicinity | Property Type | Listing Date |
| Allen | Pennsylvania Produce Terminal Historic District | Fort Wayne | Railroad Terminal, Commerce, Manufacturing | September 2, 2025 |
| Carroll | Meridian Line Road Iron Truss Bridge | Camden | Bridge, Engineering | September 9, 2025 |
| Dearborn | Walker Hill Farm | Aurora | Farm | September 2, 2025 |
| Dubois | Indiana Desk Company | Jasper | Manufacturing Building | September 2, 2025 |
| Fountain | Veedersburg First Christian Church | Veedersburg | Church, Architecture | September 2, 2025 |
| Grant | Marion First United Methodist Church | Marion | Church, Architecture | September 2, 2025 |
| Lake | St. Mark A.M.E. Zion Church | East Chicago | Church | September 2, 2025 |
| Marion | John Hope School No. 26 | Indianapolis | School | September 2, 2025 |
| Porter | Edward Astoria and Margaret Wilson House | Porter | House | September 2, 2025 |
| Porter | Nike Missile Site C-32 | Porter | Military Site | September 11, 2025 |
| Pulaski | Francesville Commercial Historic District | Francesville | Commercial Historic District | September 2, 2025 |
These properties, combined with the Loogootee Commercial Historic District, complete the total of 12 new listings for the month.
The new additions ensure the preservation and recognition of these critical structures and sites for future generations. For comprehensive information on all Indiana properties listed in the National Register of Historic Places and the Indiana Register of Historic Sites and Structures, the public is encouraged to visit on.IN.gov/SHAARD.
