Mathias Sharp House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Mathias Sharp House
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Western facade of the house
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 Location in Indiana
Location in the United States
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| Location | 319 S. 2nd St., Rockport, Indiana |
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| Area | Less than 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1867 |
| Architectural style | Italianate |
| NRHP reference No. | 83000148 |
| Added to NRHP | June 16, 1983 |
The Mathias Sharp House is a special old home in Rockport, a city in the southwestern part of Indiana. It was built in the late 1860s. This house became famous because of a big court case that happened not long after it was finished. Today, it is known as a historic site.
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History of the Sharp House
Mathias Sharp was a very important person in Spencer County a long time ago. After the War of 1812, he moved from his home state of New Jersey. He settled near where Rockport is now. There, he bought a lot of land along the Ohio River.
Mathias Sharp's Life
Mathias Sharp became a very successful farmer. He was also a well-known person in the county. By the mid-1850s, he was important enough to help start a local high school. He bought some of the first shares to help build the school.
Unusual Events at the House
Mathias Sharp's first wife, Mary, passed away in 1854. Less than two years later, he married Catherine Shumaker. She was much younger than him. About ten years after they married, the Sharp House was built. Family stories say he built it especially for her.
Mathias did not get to enjoy his new house for very long. Just two years after it was built, he died under unusual circumstances. Only one year later, Catherine married a local merchant. He also passed away in early 1871, less than a year after their wedding. His death also happened under puzzling circumstances.
The Big Court Case
Because of these events, Catherine was arrested. She was involved in a very public and talked-about court case. Newspapers at the time wrote a lot about it. It was one of the most exciting court cases in the area. The trial was even moved to Cannelton in Perry County at Catherine's request.
Catherine could not pay for her legal help. So, a businessman from Rockport named John Eigenmann helped her. After the court case was over, he took ownership of the house. This was in exchange for his help. His family owned the house until 1913. Then, Francis Posey bought it. His family owned the house for many years, into the late 1900s.
Architecture of the House
The Sharp House is made of brick. It is shaped like a cross. Most of the house has two stories, except for the back part. The main door is at the back of the house. You reach it by a fancy porch. The door has special windows on top and on the sides. Many windows are found all over the back part of the house.
Exterior Design
Even though the main door faces west, the house mostly looks to the east. This is because it sits on a high hill overlooking the Ohio River. Big parts like a bay window and a large front section make the eastern side look very grand. Other parts of the house include decorative porches and stone window sills. There is also a detailed decorative trim under the roof. Many windows have special frames above them.
Inside the House
Inside, there is a grand entrance with a beautiful stairway made of walnut wood. The house has a very high ceiling in some areas. There are eight fireplaces, some with iron and some with wooden decorations. You can also see fancy wood carvings and a lot of poplar wood used throughout the house.
Preservation of the House
The Mathias Sharp House was built a long time ago in the 1800s. But its owners took very good care of it for over a hundred years. Its Italianate style makes it special. Also, its location on a bluff above the river makes it one of Rockport's most important buildings. In 1983, the house was added to the National Register of Historic Places. It earned this honor because of its important and well-preserved architecture.
