Vigo County Historical Society

1910 photo displays old Terre Haute House

The most recent donation to the Vigo County Historical Museum is a wonderful, large (3-foot by 5-foot) photocopy of a print of the original Terre Haute House. Darrell Felling made this gift to the Vigo County Historical Society.

Made from a glass negative produced by the Martin Studio in 1910, the picture arrived just in time to be a focal point for our "Celebrate the Century" exhibit. We are using it as the introduction to the past 100 years in Vigo County. Throughout the exhibit are enlarged reproductions of photographs from our collection, which tell the story of the landscape of Wabash Avenue.

The magnificent old hotel graced the corner of Seventh and Wabash Avenue that is now occupied by the present, endangered Terre Haute House. The massive structure featured wonderful turrets at various points along the roof and certainly was the focal point of the downtown area.

The picture is alive with the hustle and bustle of a typical business day. Thirty-seven people are hurrying to their destinations. Assorted horse-drawn vehicles, automobiles and a trolley car fill the streets. Paperboys hawk their wares and a uniformed police officer surveys the scene.

Every man, woman and child is wearing hat--anything from cap to derby to elegant chapeau. Businessmen seem to be discussing important dealings and one dapper gentleman is simply standing on the corner watching the world go by.

Plan to stop by the museum and linger before this fascinating photocopy and, of course, enjoy the rest of our "Celebrate the Century" exhibit.