The Boneyard





The Daniel Wertz Home
808 South Kentucky Avenue

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In 1901 Daniel Wertz formed an association with his uncle Henry Maley, and the following year arrived in Evansville from Edingurgh, Indiana to take over the operation of a local lumber mill they had bought . Wertz remained in the city and became a integral part of his adopted community. His civic activities included eight years of dedicated service on the school board. In recognition, the Howell elementary was renamed in his honor in 1926.

In 1921, he commissioned (Charles L.) Troutman & (Arthur J.) Capelle to draw up the plans for his new house. The former had been associated with the Shopbell pool of talent and the latter with F. Manson Gilbert. Chris Kanzler & Son, a prominent Evansville building outfilt since the late 1800s was in charge of construction. The result in 1922 was boxy foursquare building featuring walls faced with Bedford (Indiana) ashlar limestone and a hip roof covered with green tiles. There was a porte cochere attached to the north side of the house and , at the rear of the property, a four car garage. As might be expected, choice wood was generously used on the interior, such as walnut, cherry, and quarter-sawn oak. Originally the windows and front porch were adorned with green and white striped canvas awnings
Text Courtesy of the City of Evansville



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