Pendleton Historic District (Pendleton, Indiana)
Encyclopedia
The Pendleton Historic District is an area in Pendleton, Indiana
roughly bounded by Fall Creek, the Conrail right-of-way, Madison and Adams Sts.. Sites of interest include a relatively intact 19th-century Business District, Fall Creek Park, the Grey Goose Inn (built in 1820) and a large variety of homes in Federal, Greek Revival and Craftsman styles. The structures within the district are described in detail in the 1984 Madison County Interim Report, which was part of the Indiana Historical Sites and Structures Inventory (IHSSI). The historic district includes the original 1821 plat by Thomas M. Pendleton and several of the subsequent plat additions.
Most importantly, the historic district includes the historic portion of Falls Park. Pendleton, the first settlement in Madison County, was originally formed by homesteaders attracted to the scenic beauty--and hydrologic potential (for water mills)--of the falls.
In 1825, an important milestone was marked in Native American rights when the perpetrators of the Fall Creek Massacre
were hung near the falls.
In 1843, Frederick Douglass
spoke in Pendleton as one of the American Anti-Slavery Society
's Hundred Conventions. The gathered crowd was dispersed by an armed mob that chased Douglass and then overtook and beat him just on the south side of Fall Creek, near the falls. He was saved by local Quakers, whom he remained friends with throughout his life.
Falls Park is also historically significant as a famous recreational destination between 1921 and the 1950s. During this time, the area below the falls was made into a natural pool declared in 1923 to be one of the best, if not the best, swimming location in the state.
The district was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
in 1991.
Pendleton, Indiana
Pendleton is a town in Fall Creek Township, Madison County, Indiana, United States. It is part of the Anderson, Indiana Metropolitan Statistical Area...
roughly bounded by Fall Creek, the Conrail right-of-way, Madison and Adams Sts.. Sites of interest include a relatively intact 19th-century Business District, Fall Creek Park, the Grey Goose Inn (built in 1820) and a large variety of homes in Federal, Greek Revival and Craftsman styles. The structures within the district are described in detail in the 1984 Madison County Interim Report, which was part of the Indiana Historical Sites and Structures Inventory (IHSSI). The historic district includes the original 1821 plat by Thomas M. Pendleton and several of the subsequent plat additions.
Most importantly, the historic district includes the historic portion of Falls Park. Pendleton, the first settlement in Madison County, was originally formed by homesteaders attracted to the scenic beauty--and hydrologic potential (for water mills)--of the falls.
In 1825, an important milestone was marked in Native American rights when the perpetrators of the Fall Creek Massacre
Fall Creek Massacre
The Fall Creek Massacre was a slaughter of nine Indians of uncertain tribal origin in 1824 by white settlers in Madison County, Indiana. Seven white men participated in the crimes. Four were captured and charged with murder...
were hung near the falls.
In 1843, Frederick Douglass
Frederick Douglass
Frederick Douglass was an American social reformer, orator, writer and statesman. After escaping from slavery, he became a leader of the abolitionist movement, gaining note for his dazzling oratory and incisive antislavery writing...
spoke in Pendleton as one of the American Anti-Slavery Society
American Anti-Slavery Society
The American Anti-Slavery Society was an abolitionist society founded by William Lloyd Garrison and Arthur Tappan. Frederick Douglass was a key leader of this society and often spoke at its meetings. William Wells Brown was another freed slave who often spoke at meetings. By 1838, the society had...
's Hundred Conventions. The gathered crowd was dispersed by an armed mob that chased Douglass and then overtook and beat him just on the south side of Fall Creek, near the falls. He was saved by local Quakers, whom he remained friends with throughout his life.
Falls Park is also historically significant as a famous recreational destination between 1921 and the 1950s. During this time, the area below the falls was made into a natural pool declared in 1923 to be one of the best, if not the best, swimming location in the state.
The district was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1991.