To the editor:
I’ve been asked by Peaceful Valley Heritage Inc. to provide an assessment of the historical and architectural importance of the Calvin House.
The house at 169 E. Main St. was constructed sometime between 1872 and 1882 by John Dennis Calvin, a member of a prominent Nashville family who were early residents of the town.
Dennis’ grandfather, Timothy D. Calvin, came to Brown County in 1854, served as a lieutenant in the 120th Indiana Infantry during the Civil War, and was appointed postmaster of Nashville in 1885.
Dennis’ father, John B., established a prosperous hardware and furniture store on Main Street, while his uncle, Timothy Jr., opened a dry goods store. Dennis and his brother, Duard, took over the hardware and furniture business at young ages and operated it until their deaths in the 1930s and 1940s.
Dennis built his house on Main Street east of the settled area of town. The original frame dwelling was two stories with the gables on the ends possessing the in-turning trim commonly found on Greek Revival houses of the pre-Civil War period. The original house is still the focal point of the residence, despite one-story recent additions to the front and the rear.
The section of Main Street on which the Calvin House stands was part of Old State Road 46, and before it, a pioneer road leading to Columbus. In the 19th century, when Dennis Calvin built his house, the surrounding area was occupied by farms, including the Brown County Poor Asylum farm a short distance to the east.
The current house is one of the last buildings associated with the late 19th century in the East Main Street section of Nashville. It also recalls a family that played key roles in the retail history of the town. The house, thus, has historical importance.
Architecturally, the original section of the house illustrates the vernacular tradition in house design and building in Nashville after the Civil War. Its Greek Revival-inspired trim shows the late survival of such features in Nashville long after they had disappeared elsewhere.
The original house is clearly visible and could be restored after removing the additions.
Sincerely,
James A. Glass, Ph.D., principal, [email protected]
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