At first glance, this hardly interesting set of doors sits in what looks to be one of the many Art Deco limestone buildings peppering Indianapolis. But is it?
Research of address usually reveals origins, but with this building, I got shorted. Limited information includes being directed to an ad on page 22 from the 1958 Indianapolis Recorder:
“SAFELY INSURING INDIANAPOLIS FOR OVER 70 YEARS” If Your Home Is Worth Insuring For $8000 or more. You are Eligible For The “Home Owners Package Policy” House Insurance • Personal Property Insurance % Burglary & Theft Insurance • Personal Liability Complete Coverage in ONE POLICY For LESS MONEY GREGORY & APPEL INC. 120 E. VERMONT ST.
That company is still in business — at another location.
Of course, I’ve found no way to discern what building was located at 120 E Vermont in 1958.
A real estate site contends this building was erected in 1972 and lists no building materials. It does mention air conditioning.
I am providing a link to the Recorder because like me, some people enjoy old newspapers.
This page is the current link to my disappointment.
#ThursdayDoors is part of an inspired post series run by Norm Frampton. To see other doors of interest, or to share your own, click the link and find the frog.
joeyfullystated 
That is so frustrating when there is nothing to be found about a building. You look at it and just KNOW there’s story in there, but somewhere along the line, it got forgotten.
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Truly. I was certain I’d stumbled onto a gem.
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I know the feeling!
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A very bare deco. Someone seems to be trying to hide it.
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Isn’t it odd? It’s for rent, but the rate isn’t listed.
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I find these buildings fascinating. They remind me of some ancient structures in South America. Maybe 3000 years from now some archaeologist will “discover ” it and declare it a temple from some ancient race.
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Hah! I see your perspective, with the sort of pyramidal structure. Egyptian was of course, all the rage — Unless it was really 1972, if that’s right, it had to be a throwback.
I’m sorta sad it’s just sitting there. Almost 9000 square feet in prime real estate and all it has are upturned flower pots and old phone books.
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I know of a couple of banks that look like that and they were built in the 1930’s. And they are still being used. I wonder how I can find out more?
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No idea. I follow a few local historical pages on FB, and often times they show an old building from someone’s archives. I like that, but there isn’t a search feature. Historical Indianapolis is a great resource, but even they don’t have everything.
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One site gives the construction date as 1974 and the est. value as $489,600; and it is off market. Odd that they would use limestone blocks in the 1970’s.
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My thoughts exactly. Limestone in the 70s seems pretty extravagant for a building of this size.
LoopNet said 1972 and no rate, no value given, so your additional information only makes me curiouser and curiouser!
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I tried to check the property tax records but I need the parcel number. Searching by address doesn’t work. Another source says it is an apartment building with 7 tenants. All last name Murray. That has to be a glitch.
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It’s definitely not inhabited.
You have to go to the tax assessor’s office to find the parcel number/ property owner.
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I get so frustrated when I can’t find information on a building that someone should clearly have historified by now. I like the doors and I am a fan of Art Deco. Sometimes, the best you can do is put the picture out there , glorify the doors and tell your story – you did that, so you’re good.
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Well there is that, thanks. Thirst for knowledge is hard to quench!
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Well, this is a shame. No one in town has ever written to the newspaper for a feature on this forgotten building? They should.
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I agree!
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https://books.google.com/books?id=bg13QcMSsq8C&pg=PA645&lpg=PA645&dq=120+East+Vermont+Street+Indianapolis&source=bl&ots=aiNRMhQRpm&sig=mIoVYD61wV2Fw2vig6dh950Z4lI&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiBi531rcPXAhVD_WMKHTApAz04ChDoAQhGMAY#v=onepage&q=120%20East%20Vermont%20Street%20Indianapolis&f=false
Not that this is any different than what you found, but it does say that after the war in 1947, Appel passed it to his son and two years later they moved to 120 E Vermont, adding additional office space in 1973.
What an intriguing find! I do like Art Deco. 🙂
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Right, well it’s still a business now, said it’s on it’s 10th address in 133 years. Still run by the Appels.
But the add-on bit, regarding the building, that does imply change. Was the frontage original 20s-30s and they added on the rear with levels? Will we ever know?
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Hopefully! Maybe? I think we should. Perhaps someone who knows will stumble upon your post and tell us. 🙂
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What struck me…the home + possessions worth a whole $8,000. Wow. But of course, it was the 1950’s. My parents bought their first home in 1952 for $10,000. I’m sure it must have seemed like a mansion at the time. Their rental home had outdoor plumbing.
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I agree, it must have been wonderful. 🙂
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There’s something sad about buildings like this one, forlorn and forgotten. I hope you find more info on it when you least expect it. Someone somewhere must know its story.
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I enjoy old newspapers as well – you never know what you’ll find.
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My eyes went first to the door handles, and thought how sturdy they looked. Then when I read your text that it was an insurance building, I smiled. Frustrating not to be able to find more info!
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It looks a little tatty and unloved, doesn’t it?
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It does. Sad stuff.
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So maybe I should stay away from embarking the Thursday Door Challenge, after all 🙂
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Goodness no! There are far more surprises than disappointments 🙂
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Looks like it or not do many of you would participate, right?
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Right.
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Nice set of doors, Joey, and thanks for the link to the old newspaper I enjoyed that read.
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My pleasure 🙂
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Doesn’t the city have records? I know. That’s a LOT of effort.
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It really is. Dooring is a hobby 😉
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I know. On my family history blogs, people sometimes give me really great advice that is labor intensive or takes an actual trip somewhere. I love hearing their ideas, but honestly, genealogy IS a hobby. hahaha
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Looks bomb-shelterish!
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Ooher!
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There’s so little Art-Deco left around here that I would have been very excited to come across something like this. And I would have been equally disappointing to find so little online info about it 😦
So frustrating isn’t it? Nice try though.
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Thanks 🙂
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Hey, that’s when I was living there!
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🙂
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