City honored as a 'Best Old-House Neighborhoods'

Saturday, March 5, 2011
Banner Graphic/JARED JERNAGAN The Towers at 701 E. Seminary St. played an important role in the social life of Putnam County for many years. It was also the home for DePauw University presidents prior to the Elms.

GREENCASTLE -- The editors of This Old House magazine have named 64 great neighborhoods in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.

These neighborhoods have promising futures, strong communities and homes that truly deserve a long-term commitment, the magazine states. The "Best Old-House Neighborhoods" appear in the April issue, which will be on newsstands on March 11 and online at www.thisoldhouse.com/best-places.

Among the 64 chosen neighborhoods this year is Greencastle, nominated by the Heritage Preservation Society (HPS) of Putnam County. HPS and its president Phil Gick have been in the lead in getting recognition for three, historic residential districts in Greencastle by applying for National Register status.

The application to This Old House "Best Old-House Neighborhood" notes that the Historic Old Greencastle District, the city's original residential settlement, is the most modest, with a prevalence of Stick-style and Craftsman bungalow homes.

The Eastern Enlargement District, largely developed by railroad and industry tycoons at the turn of the 20th century, offers more upscale finds: Italianates, Queen Annes, Tudor Gothic Revivals, and slightly smaller homes with Eastlake details.

The later Northwood District has a cache of early-to-mid-1900s homes, mostly Colonial Revivals, Tudors and bungalows, with a sprinkling of mid-20th century Minimal Traditional and Ranch.

The average price among the homes sold in 2010 was just under $100,000.

This Old House magazine and thisoldhouse.com feature 64 great locations that fit the criteria of old-house neighborhoods -- architectural diversity, craftsmanship of the homes and the preservation momentum in the area, as well as neighborhood amenities including walkability, safety and community.

With the help of PreservationDirectory.com, neighborhood groups, real estate agents, and preservation societies, This Old House compiled its list of the best places to track down, fix up and fall head over heels for.

The winning neighborhoods are also divided into categories such as Best for Bargains, Best for Urbanities, Best for Waterfront Views and more. The National Association of Realtors is the sponsor of the 2011 Best Old-House Neighborhoods list.

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  • Surprise! Your link doesn't work. Looks like you lost your trailing "s."

    -- Posted by Balding Eagle on Sat, Mar 5, 2011, at 9:16 AM
  • Hey, "BaldingEagle" the link worked for me.

    -- Posted by BrutallyHonest on Sat, Mar 5, 2011, at 11:42 PM
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