Abbott-Johnson Home

Title of Building: Abbott Johnson Home
Address: 328 E. Washington Street
Year Built: 1900
Architectural Style: Second Empire
National Register: Goldsmith C. Gilbert Historic District; NR # 88002113; Listed 11/14/1988.

Abbott Johnson contracted the Cincinnati firm Crapsey and Lamm to design his home.[1] Built entirely with limestone, the house is adorned with a pitched hip roof topped with clay finials.[2] The lavish details advertised Johnson's wealth, status, and sophistication, reflecting Crapsey's desired portrayal. In 1919 an additional apartment, designed by Cuno Kibele was added to the house. The interior of the house is largely original; most of it is made from plain sawn oak, cherry, and maple. The most notable features of the interior are the nine fireplaces. The home was privately owned until 1950, when it was sold to the Muncie school system and served as their primary administration office until 1989.[3] Currently, the house is used as a single-family home.

[1] Front elevation drawing for A.L. Johns[t]on residence, Muncie, IN, 1900, G-84.009, General Collection, Andrew Seager Archives of the Built Environment, Ball State University, Muncie, IN.

[2] Historic Structures Report, Abbott L. Johnson House, Muncie, Indiana, 1989, DOC-89.015, Documentation Collection, Andrew Seager Archives of the Built Environment, Ball State University, Muncie, IN. Please note, this source is student-created.

[3] Chain of Title Search, 2005, DOC-85.121, Documentation Collection, Andrew Seager Archives of the Built Environment, Ball State University, Muncie, IN.