Reader’s Question:
I’m curious if you know anything about the old Parry Mansion in Golden Hill. I cannot find a record of the house’s address, as most folks refer to all of Golden Hill as his estate, which it was at one time. Google Earth shows the home overgrown, even in the time of the photo. ~ Mindy H., Meridian-Kessler
HI’s Answer:
The Golden Hill mansion that started its distinguished life as the home of the Parry family is located at 3650 Spring Hollow Road. When it changed hands in the fall of 2012, the residence had previously had only four owners in more than a century of its existence. Only three families have actually occupied the home. The property received little maintenance in the four decades that the most recent of the previous owners resided there. The home and its grounds are now undergoing an extensive renovation by its new owner, Jerico Properties.
In 1900, Indianapolis manufacturer David MacLean Parry purchased 100 acres of land four miles northwest of downtown Indianapolis. The densely wooded tract was in the vicinity of what would later be known as West 38th Street and Michigan Road. It was just west of Crown Hill Cemetery and just south of the original location of the Indianapolis Country Club. In 1914, the membership of the ICC split, with Woodstock Club remaining at the original site, and the Country Club of Indianapolis building a new facility on the far west side of Indianapolis. The Central Canal and towpath are immediately adjacent to the grounds, and the property overlooks the White River, as well.
Originally, one had to pass through a gatehouse in order to enter the Parry estate. The gatehouse is now a private residence. (photo courtesy of Jerico Properties)
David Parry made a fortune with his Parry Manufacturing Company, which was established in Indianapolis in 1886. The company first made carts, then buggies, and then automobiles. At the time Parry decided to move to the outskirts of town, he and his family were living in another magnificent Indianapolis home at 1305 N. Delaware Street. Built in 1874 by Hervey Bates, Jr., the castle-like property later became home to the Knights of Columbus. Sadly, that noteworthy residence was demolished in 1963.
The Parry-Atkins-Taube Residence circa 1930 is on an elevated tract of land overlooking the Central Canal and White River (photo courtesy of Richard D. Feldman, M.D.)
As noted in the “HI Mailbag” question, David Parry named his country estate “Golden Hill.” He built an incredible residence that with additions by the subsequent owner eventually reached more than 16,000 square feet of finished rooms above ground, as well as a full basement below the living areas and a 1,100 square-foot garage. The Parrys moved into the home in 1903 or 1904. In 1915, David Parry fell ill after returning from a trip abroad and died at the age of 63.
Following his death, Parry’s widow and children divided the 100 acres of Golden Hill into residential building lots, but retained about 4.5 acres surrounding their own residence on Spring Hollow Road. After about a quarter of a century in the home, Parry’s widow, Hessie (Maxwell) Parry, sold the estate in 1927. She, as well as some of her children, lived in other nearby Golden Hill residences in subsequent years.
1916 Baist Map of the newly platted Golden Hill Addition, originally the country estate of the David MacLean Parry family (map courtesy of IUPUI Digital Library) CLICK TO ENLARGE
The second owner of the Parry-built residence was William Avery Atkins, nephew of Elias Cornelius Atkins. Members of the Atkins family operated E. C. Atkins & Co., the world’s largest manufacturer of saws and other related cutting tools. Coincidentally (or perhaps not!), a few years earlier, E. C. Atkins & Co. had purchased the city-block-long building at S. Illinois and W. South Streets that had formerly housed David M. Parry’s company, Parry Cart Works. Today, that downtown block is the location of the Main Office of the U.S. Postal Service.
Another view of 3650 Spring Hollow Road circa 1930 (photo courtesy of Jerico Properties)
William A. Atkins’s first wife was Suemma Vajen Coleman, who died in childbirth in 1924. The Suemma Coleman Home for Women was named for her. William Atkins married two additional times, to Eunice P. DuPuy and Mary Helen Sayles. Atkins remained in the Golden Hill property for the rest of his life. He hosted many memorable parties at the home over those three decades. His guests included local movers and shakers, politicians, and celebrities. During the years Atkins was the owner of the property, he made changes to both the exterior and the interior of the home that altered its original appearance considerably.
The Central Canal and White River can be seen in the background, beyond the formal garden on the west side of the house. (photo courtesy of Jerico Properties)
After William Atkins’ death in 1958, his third wife turned the property over to Indiana University, who sold it to its fourth owners, Jack and Betty Taube, in 1968. Jack Isadore Taube was an ophthalmologist. He was born in 1923 in Toronto, Canada. He came to Indiana for an internship at St. Vincent Hospital and a residency at Indiana University and wound up remaining in Indianapolis after completing his education. The Taube family household consisted of five daughters, all now grown. After first residing in the Meridian-Kessler neighborhood, the Taubes moved to Golden Hill. They owned the home for more than four decades.
Dr. Taube passed away in October of 2010, and his widow sold the property to its present owner in November of 2012. Of the four past owners, the Taubes owned it the longest, about 44 years. The Atkinses lived there more than 30 years and the Parrys about 25 years. Nonetheless, it will likely always be referred to as the Parry Mansion.
When renovations are completed, the home will be a single-family, 8 bedroom, 8 full bath, and 2 half-bath residence. The third-floor ballroom is also being restored, reducing the number of bedrooms the home had in the past.
The home at 3650 Spring Hollow Road in Golden Hill undergoing a complete restoration by Jerico Properties (2013 photo by Sharon Butsch Freeland)
The Golden Hill area has always been fascinating, so unlike the rest of Indianapolis, being hilly versus “level” in terrain. Saw on an old map that an Armstrong family owned a general area north of 30th, west of Michigan Road, and south of 38th, east of White River, and the area of the Woodstock Club was called “Armstrong Park”. That family also owned the Indianapolis Ice Company on 38th. Is there any history in that regard?
The purchaser of the land patent that included the property that eventually became Parry’s 100 acres and Golden Hill was named Thomas Bishop. He obtained the land from the U.S. government in 1822.
Appreciate it, Sharon. Still wonder how “Armstrong” got in there. Also, can’t remember the name of the man who owned what is now Crown Hill Cemetery (that includes the hill there where Riley is buried)…
I do not have access to the names of all of the owners of the land prior to David Parry’s purchasing it. According to Tom Davis of Crown Hill Cemetery, the Armstrongs didn’t come to Indiana until 1847, so perhaps John Armstrong bought the land from the original patent holder, Thomas Bishop.
Since the time this article was published in March, I have come into possession of an 1855 Atlas of Center Township and an 1889 map of Center Township. In 1855, the owners of the land that became Parry’s 100 acres were the Heirs of Noah Noble. In 1889, the land that became Golden Hill was in four sections. The northwest 23 acres were owned by George Buntler. The northeast 10 acres were owned by P. Lather. A 7-acre strip south of Lather’s land was owned by 1st National Bank. The remaining 60 acres is listed on the map as “Clfton on the River,” as if it were a little town. Several streets, including Crescent Drive, were already laid out in Clifton on the River, whether or not they actually existed then.
.
The northern boundary of John Armstrong’s 168 acres was W. 36th Street, which is to say Armstrong did not own any of the land that Parry bought at the end of the 19th century. The southern boundary of Armstrong’s land was W. 30th Street. In 1889, the road was called Armstrong Street. The 1889 map also shows a toll house at Michigan Road in the southeast corner of Armstrong’s property and an ice house in the southwest corner of Armstrong’s property, adjacent to the Central Canal.
Excellent, Sharon! That clears up the history of the Indianapolis Ice Company and Armstrong’s land.
His 1899 obituary says that Joseph Butsch, my great-great-grandfather’s brother, was the first ice dealer in Indianapolis. The Butsches came to Indianapolis in 1840, and Joseph married Cynthia Pitts in 1846, so he probably started his company in the late 1840s or early 1850s. I feel certain Joseph Butsch was in the ice business before 1858, but unfortunately the 1858 city directory is the earliest one that’s available online at the IUPUI Digital Archives. If you want to take a look, Joseph Butsch is on page 37. The Armstrongs are on page 7. http://www.ulib.iupui.edu/digitalscholarship/collections/icd.
The Armstrong family had Indianapolis Ice Company in the 1890s or ealy 1900s; but obviously your family had the FIRST one, Sharon. I appreciate the clarification. Thanks!
Great article! It is truly an honor to be working on such a beautiful and historic home! This home is built like a fortress and seems to have been built by commercial contractors. Everything is overbuilt and proving to be a challenge to deconstruct in areas that need restoration. When we purchased the home in November, the house pretty much remained untouched since 1927, in which the Atkins family had done major renovations to the Parry home. The home that remains today is mostly Atkins. Not much of the Parry home/design remains. It now stands at 21,000 square feet. One fact in the article needs to be noted. The home was donated to IU by the Atkins family in 1965. The home sat for two years vacant before IU decided to sell the home to the Taubes for $50,000 in 1967.
Parry was an extremely powerful man in his day. He was one of the Titans of Indiana industry. He was the president of the National Association of Manufacturers. He founded the Overland Automobile Co. He allegedly gave Henry Ford his first financial assistance. He was the President of the Industrial Association of America. He was the owner of Parry Manufacturing Co., which produced horse drawn buggies and carts. They produced 1000 buggies and carts a day. The world’s largest buggy manufacturer! At one time, Parry Manufacturing Co. employed 2,800 people. He was president of the Indianapolis Southern Railway. He was also touted as a possible running mate for Theodore Roosevelt in the 1904 presidential election. The name David MacLean Parry has unfortunately been forgotten by Indianapolis but he played an important role in making Indy what it is today.
You can follow the progress and see many more pictures of the mansion renovation on Facebook. Just search for Jerico Properties and “like” our page.
Thank you for the correction. I was not aware that the Atkinses donated the home to IU, or that Dr. and Mrs. Taube purchased it from IU. I don’t have access to the actual real estate transactions. I went on the fact that there was no other name listed at that address in city directories of the time period. I made an assumption that the Taubes bought the property from the Atkinses (and you know what “they” say about making assumptions). I appreciate your providing the correct information to HI readers, as well as to me.
.
The Taubes were neighbors of my family, before they moved to Golden Hill. Barb Taube and Kate Taube were childhood friends of my youngest sisters, Cathie Butsch and Maria Butsch (I’m the oldest girl in a family of five sisters and two brothers). The Taubes continued to own their previous house in the 4300 block of N. Pennsylvania Street for several years after they purchased 3650 Spring Hollow Road.
I’m enjoying the photos on your Facebook page, which are helping to tell the story of the home’s reincarnation.
Thank you! It is quite a story to tell!
For Basil regarding the Armstrongs: Armstrong, John (1811 – 1902) Buried Section 5 Lot 10
In 1847, John Armstrong moved from Ohio and purchased 240 acres along the west side of Michigan Road northwest of Indianapolis and started farming. Naturally, he took a great deal of interest when the land just east of his farm was purchased from his neighbor Martin Williams and others to form a large cemetery, Crown Hill Cemetery, and his interest resulted in his becoming one of the original board members, a post he held until his death in 1902. His being so close by may have also contributed to his being one of the only corporators on record as having attended the cemetery’s first funeral, that of Lucy Ann Seaton, on June 2nd of 1864. He took with him a fourteen-year old neighbor boy who had stopped at his farm that day on an errand, telling him prophetically: “You are the youngest person here today and you may see the time when you are the only one living who was present at this first burial service.” The boy, Frank P. Johnson, was buried himself on June 11, 1940 in Section 42 Lot 66.
As a neighbor, as well as a board member, he also became close friends with Superintendent Frederick Chislett, who lived in a house on the cemetery grounds with his family. But eventually he sold his land to real estate developer William Elder, who himself became a board member in 1908. Elder turned the farm into one of the many subdivisions he added to the city.
Appreciate this information on the development of North Indianapolis through the Armstrong family and the family who originally owned most of Crown Hill, and later developments. Enlightening!
VERY impressive! Right “up there” with the Lillys and Fortunes!
Basil, Martin Williams owned land that included the hill that is now called Crown Hill. The Crown Hill Cemetery Association purchased about 240 acres in September 1863, including 156 acres from Williams and 40 acres each from two Quakers, James Trueblood and Jonathan Wilson.
Thank you very much! i cannot remember the farm owner who owned the land now occupied by the State Fairgrounds on 38th, when it relocated from the former Camp Morton (ironically, Camp Morton was purchased by the state for a state fairgrounds just before the Civil War; I think it was called “Henderson’s Grove, a popular out-of-town picnic ground…)
John Johnson bought 80 acres of land on the west bank of Fall Creek, a portion of which is now part of the Indiana State Fairgrounds. John was the son of Jeremiah Johnson, who moved to Indiana from Kentucky in about 1800. When land became available for purchase from the federal government, Jeremiah and his three sons went to Marion County to look at the properties available for purchase, and all of the Johnson men bought land. As their purchases were considerable in size, over the years they donated quite a bit of their land for public use — like the Indiana State Fairgrounds, IPS School 70, Meridian Heights Presbyterian Church, and the land alongside Fall Creek that became parkland and Fall Creek Boulevard (now Parkway).
Outstanding! Sounds like some of that land was developed as part of Johnson’s Woods addition north of 38th (maple Road), west of what became the Monon RR. I think school 70 was the site of a Washington Township school, too; could be wrong.
Yes, Johnson’s Woods was owned by Jeremiah Johnson’s son, Oliver Johnson. Oliver’s own home still stands today. Some of the land that was his farm was eventually divided into the building lots on which the Johnson’s Woods homes now stand. It was Oliver who donated the land for School 70 and Meridian Heights Presbyterian Church. My father and aunt (who passed away yesterday at the age of 92) went to School 70.
My condolences, Sharon. That’s interesting info on the Johnsons. There was, according to some old maps I saw in the downtown library branch, a farm on the now “Near East Side” along Washington Street that was owned by some Johnson, as well…west of Rural. North of there was also a farm owned by the Rupp family, who then moved east around Emerson between 10th and 16th sometime around 1900…when I was “little”, my Mom and I would walk up to 16th and Emerson (southeast corner) to shop at Grace Rupp’s general store. That site became Walt’s supermarket and then a pawn shop, where my late wife and I bought her another wedding ring that reminded her of her Dad’s ring when he was alive. That was in 2006 when we were up in Indianapolis for my Mother’s funeral; the lady at the pawn shop gave us a good price, too. Just trivia here! I’ll stop digressing!
Sharon — Once again, thanks for work well done.
Have you ever written about each of the old houses on the property of Marian Univ.? I have a bit of info for you personally about what I think is the “Allison” mansion on the far northeast corner of the school grounds. I have also attended meetings in another one of the houses farther south on Kessler Blvd. And at one time the English as a Second language operation that was housed in Marian Collelge’s quarters, but not run by them, may have used an old house to the north, between the library and the administation building , although the house faced Kessler.
My late sister Gloria (1953-2004) worked for the ESL group of which you speak that operated out of Marian College. I forget now who ran the program, but it must have been part of a nationwide network. I remember Glo came to Colorado for a conference at Denver’s Regis University during the years that Mike and I lived in Boulder (1990-2005). She made some wonderful friendships with young people and their families from all over the world. While she was helping them learn English, they taught her some of their language and customs. Glo even visited some of the ESL students in their native countries. You’re right that Marian allowed them to use one of its buildings for the group’s operations, but the ELS program was not officially a Marian-sponsored program. I just don’t remember the particulars right now, and sadly, I can’t ask my sister. I’ll have to dig out some old correspondence from Glo to jog my memory.
Thanks for the confirmation, Sharon. We had a young woman from Japan who was in that program and lived with us for a few weeks one summer. Funny — her name was Yoko, and her birthday, which she celebrated while she was here, was Aug. 6 — the date of the bombing of Hiroshima, although she was born many years late.
We also her a a friend. who was also in the program and came from Venezuela, to visit the Illinois State Fair. It was a fun day.
Unrelated, but on another occasion we had a young social worker from Paraguay who stayed with us. We went hiking at McCormick’s Creek St. Park and along the way met a stranger whom we did not know, but who greeted us with “Howdy Doody!” This young woman was so taken by the expression that for days after that she would say it and then laugh and laugh. I guess that fellow must have been a rustic Hoosier original.
With the history brought forth, question: I lived with my wife in a house that a neighbor said was moved from what is now is Garfield Park. As she told my wife, the first three houses on the east side of Ringgold Avenue (2100 block) were relocated from the park. I have seen the house in the attic and basement and there is a history that shows a definitive footprint that shows additions over time. 2165 Ringgold in the attic has wood shake shingles(bark on the rafters @ 30″ o/c) on two rooms and horse hair plaster in those rooms. In addition, the basement is of a frame to support a two room house. I have seen steps in Garfield Park that lead me to believe they are the remnants of those homes. They definitely have been altered as time and use changed. We have since moved, I know this is here say, but history has a way of being timeless and somewhat hidden. I don’t expect much to be discovered, it is revealing how we overlook the simplest of signs as being out of place and yet wanting to be found. Really a treasure to connect with our heritage. Not a lot to go on,I know, I appreciate history. Thank you for taking the time.
Hi Sharon, I am a resident of Golden Hill. Thank you very much for the historical information on the Parry Mansion. Do you happen to have information on “Westerley”? The mansion that once owned by Allen Crowes, and now gifted to IMA. I am interested in how the name “Westerley” come about and all its history. Thanks.
And what is IMA doing with Westerly these days?
To Sharon—great article and great comments. You must do a Bodner piece and it so happens a great NYC photog and local autnor did a hard cover book on our house–anecdotally, it too has had only 3, perhaps 4 owners since Bodner built it–said to be for his own residence so it has amazing architectural details (see IHLandmarks Wash Twp census for picture and its eligibility for national register.) But records show that apparently mid-stream Bodner sold it to George Settos, who became first resident, then to Richard Perk, from whom we purchased it. There is a great story in the Bodner DNA strain in homes in this Wash Blvd,Westfield,Kessler triangle.
Oh Sharon, the lead picture for this article, the gatehouse on West 36th St., brings back a “painful” memory. Until I was age ten, my family lived a block away on West 35th, and we kids were always exploring in Golden Hill. One summer day, I climbed up onto the rock fence and then on up to the top of the stone pillar to the right of the driveway. After enjoying the view from the top for awhile, I began the descent on the somewhat slippery stones, panicked, and dropped to the top of the wall directly on my back. It was my first time to ever have “the wind knocked out of me,” and have the sensation of being unable to breathe for awhile. Luckily (debatable), I was not seriously injured, but was pretty slow to get up and wander home, promising myself to never attempt that stunt again. Thanks for the flashback!
I also lived on west 35th and played on the rock wall or gate of golden hill from 50 to 56
Hi Sharon,
I was born in 1956 in Indianapolis to Judith Stein Kay. Judith was the eldest child of Sidney and Jane Stein who lived in Golden Hill. Sidney was known as “Musty”, and was a developer and attorney.
I spent the first 6 months of my life in that Golden Hill house. I was in Indianapolis today and took a drive out there. I believe the house is now known as “Westerly” on Spring Hollow…although my mother swears that the address was 1314 W. 36.
Interesting stuff! Thanks.
Thanks for leaving a comment. I appreciate your taking the time. I hope you enjoyed your visit to the neighborhood where you spent the first six months of your life. I can provide you with some information that may help to explain the confusion surrounding the address of your grandparents’ home.
.
When David McLean Parry’s one-hundred acres were divided into building sites, some of the lots were adjacent to the acreage surrounding the Parry residence. There was no street inside the boundaries of Golden Hill to which those lots could front. Three of the lots were located on the north side of W. 36th Street, west of the gatehouse (now a private residence). Those lots were given street addresses of 1306, 1314, and 1320 W. 36th Street. The first owners of the property that eventually became your grandparents’ home were Ward and Katherine Hackleman. Their address in city directories was 1314 W. 36th Street throughout the years they occupied the home.
.
Below is a link to an early map of Golden Hill, showing how the lots were laid out. Your grandparents’ property was part of Lots #2 and 3.
http://indiamond6.ulib.iupui.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/SanbornJP2/id/1916/rec/36.
.
It would appear from entries in old city directories that your grandparents bought the property in about 1946. For the first few years they lived there, I. Sidney Stein and Jane Stein were listed as living at 1314 W. 36th Street. However, from 1950 until 1965, their address was listed as 3630 Spring Hollow Road. When the home was sold to William and Marcia Atcheson in about 1965, the Atchesons changed the address of the property to 1316 W. 36th Street. I don’t know why they did not use the house’s original number, 1314, but the address of the home has been 1316 W. 36th Street for nearly fifty years now. Maybe they liked the repetition of the 3 and the 6 in the address.
.
In looking at an aerial view map of the property, I note that there are two driveways to the property at 1316 W. 36th Street — one from W. 36th Street and one from Spring Hollow Road. The following is just a guess on my part, but I’m thinking your grandparents felt an address on W. 36th Street was not as impressive as an address on Spring Hollow Drive, as the latter is more obviously located in the prestigious Golden Hill neighborhood. It would appear they obtained an easement over the former Parry property for the installation of a driveway from Spring Hollow Road to their house. During that time period, the owner of the former Parry mansion would have been William A. Atkins.
.
Here’s a link to a current map in which you can see how there are still driveways to your grandparents’ former residence from both W. 36th Street and Spring Hollow Road: http://binged.it/18y3092 .
.
You have mentioned the name Westerley. The property that your grandparents once owned was not Westerley. Westerley’s address is 3744 Spring Hollow Road. It is a few lots north of your grandparents’ former residence. Westerley was owned continuously by the Clowes family for nearly seventy years, from the 1930s to the 2000s. George H. A. Clowes and Edith Whitehill Clowes left the property to their son, Allen Whitehill Clowes. Allen then donated Westerley to the Indianapolis Museum of Art in his will. Westerley is now the residence of the Director and CEO of the IMA.
Mystery solved, Sharon! For most of its life, the Steins’ home on 36th Street was only accessible from 36th Street itself. A visitor to the property would need to drive through Golden Hill, exit out the 36th Street entrance, turn west, and, finally, amble up the driveway. The Spring Hollow Road driveway was installed only a few years ago. My understanding is that an easement connecting the property to Spring Hollow Road through a neighboring property had always been available, but that a bridge and other expenses would have been necessary to install a driveway. I’ve not seen the home’s interior in twenty-odd years, but I remember it most for a very large beamed “great room” where one could easily imagine Henry VIII feasting at the head of a grand table. My grandparents were frequent visitors to the Steins back then.
Glad to help shed some light on the mystery surrounding the access to 3630 Spring Hollow Road aka 1316 W. 36th Street. Perhaps the driveway had to be rebuilt in recent years, but I think you are mistaken that the Spring Hollow Road to the Steins’ former residence was installed only a few years ago. If you look at the 1937 aerial view of the property that appears on the MapIndy site, you can clearly see a sizable driveway leading from Spring Hollow Road to the property. Also, the fact that the Steins’ address in city directories was Spring Hollow Road for fifteen of the eighteen years they lived there would suggest there was access from Spring Hollow Road. You probably already know it, but if not, here’s the link to MapIndy: http://maps.indy.gov/MapIndy/.
Great link to mapindy. I had seen that site awhile ago, but had failed to bookmark it. I know that when it was for sale in the 80s/90s, there was no driveway. It was the key reason my clients didn’t buy it. We spent some time going over the site plans to see how it could be done. That said, it would certainly make sense that there was one there when it was first built — and why there would have been an easement already in place. Thanks Sharon!
I hope I didn’t seem unkind by suggesting that you were mistaken. Based on my having seen that aerial view map at the time I wrote this article, your sentence about the driveway’s being installed only a few years ago didn’t ring true. However, if an earlier driveway had deteriorated and/or had been removed, then of course any driveway installed in more recent years could be considered new. It would appear that there was indeed a driveway between the house and Spring Hollow Road prior to the time that the Steins owned the property.
You were hardly unkind! It’s a neat property and hope that Jeffrey (above) will be able to see it again at some point.
Sharon — I know you are mostly into buildings, streets, addresses, etc., but there is one obit in the Tues Indy Star which I think you and some others should note: Mabel Clara Fricke Hohlt who died at the age of 97 and who had been physically present at North U. Meth. Ch. as recently as Oct. Her father E.J. Fricke might
have been pres. of Indpls. Life Ins.
I’m not sure why you think I am “. . . mostly into buildings, streets, addresses, etc.” The subjects of the articles I write for Historic Indianapolis are not of my own choosing. They are dictated by the people who send in the questions. Even when a submitted subject is not technically about a person, my discussion inevitably winds up including people associated with the subject. My interest in — and my knowledge of — Indianapolis history is a direct result of my family tree research, which has involved thousands of people.
.
I just reviewed the topics covered in the HI Mailbag articles I have written thus far. I found that 19 have been about commercial buildings, 18 have been about private residences, 11 have been about people, 10 have been about parks or bodies of water, 10 have been about businesses, 4 have been about events, 3 have been about streets, and 1 has been about a holiday.
.
While I’m sure Mabel Clara Fricke Hohlt led an exemplary life and is worthy of note by Historic Indianapolis, your mention of her obit in the comments section following an article about the Parry Mansion is probably not the best location for it. If you’d like to see something discussed on the HI website, please send your ideas to historicindianapolis(at)yahoo(dot)com.
So do we know what happened to DM Parry’s fortune, which must have been substantial? Are his heirs of prominence and enjoying it or has it diminished and disappeared?
I grew up playing with the Taubes at this home a few times! I moved away shortly after they moved here. They were the loveliest of families, and I had such fun there!