Landrigan & Company Realtors

Private Estate? Country Get-Away? Corporate Retreat?

Peru | Northern Indiana | $ 4,499,900

The historic Wallick House (c. 1923-27) is set on approximately 119 acres of open and wooded land in North-Central Indiana. It is located five minutes from a jet airstrip and the town of Peru, 45 minutes to Culver Military Academy, 60 minutes to South Bend, 90 minutes to Indianapolis, and 2 1/2 hours to Chicago.

Among many other features, the property includes:

* A main house (9,954 square feet per assessor)
* A large guest house/conference center
* A heated automobile pavillion large enough for (apprx.) eight-plus cars, trucks, or motorcoach
* Additional garage/storage building
* A detached building converted to office space
* Two ponds, an open gazebo, and an enclosed hot tub gazebo
* Industrial equipment barn
* Pole Barn

Possible uses for the property include continuing as a private estate, a corporate retreat, potential equestrian outfit, professional athlete or artist's getaway, bed and breakfast, or educational facility. All are very real possibilities for this very rare property.

Located near Peru, Indiana, home of Cole Porter and the famed Peru Circus, the property is also conveniently located within a short distance to Grissom Air Force Base which allows use by private individuals. Also nearby is the summer community of Lake Maxinkuckee and Culver Military Academy.

The history of Wallick House (or Carriage Manor Estate) begins with Rutherford Wallick. The American Stationery Company relates that he was "a young orphan who arrived by train from New York City and found Peru welcoming. He apprenticed at a local print shop for a few years before opening his own shop in the downtown district. Wallick was a pioneer in his day, in that he was not content to serve only the local printing market. In the early stages of his life, he placed ads in newspapers and magazines around the country offering 'The finest personalized stationery for only $1.00!'" The firm grew to include The New York Times, Boy's Life, and Scouting Life as customers.

In 1899, shortly after his marriage to Dora M. Shively, Wallick purchased his initial 25 acres of land on what is now Wallick Road. Miss Shively was the daughter of a prominent farmer who lived and owned the land across the road. During their early years of marriage, the Wallicks lived in a smaller house that was already on the property (since removed). They began the construction of the large home in 1923. The new large residence was finished in 1926. Both of the Wallicks enjoyed gardening, particularly organic gardening and cross breeding/grafting of various plants and trees. Much of the Wallicks' work is still in evidence, with the fifteen acres of nut and fruit trees being most obvious.

The Colonial Revival main house is described by the Miami County (IN) Interim Report (of historic properties) as the "best example of the style in the county." It is in the "outstanding" category for future designation by state and national historic registers. The main house offers three floors of living space, not including its largely-finished walk-out lower level. Most of the original architectural quality and design remains intact. The green tile roof, copper fittings, special mouldings, and well-proportioned spaces emphasize the detail and care expended during its construction. Fabulous Jean Zuber et Cie design mural wallpaper, thought to be original to the house, is found in the dining room. Zuber papers have been used since 1797, perhaps most famously in United States at the White House.

Much renovation has occurred during the current owners' tenure. Utlizing the services of a master woodworker, the owners greatly enlarged the kitchen to encompass a large hearth room, constructed a finely panelled (and separately ventilated) smoking room, and converted one of the many bedrooms to a significantly-crafted library.

The 14 Rooms of the main house are arranged in a way that provides great versatility. The main floor consists of the oversized living room (with Adam-style fireplace), dining room suitable for large dinners, an enlarged reception hall, and the greatly expanded kitchen/hearth/family room. The second floor, with its six/seven bedrooms, is divided in a way that allows separation between the family and guests/staff, if desired. Designed in a linear floorplan, sound in one area fails to carry through the remainder of the floor.

The Third Floor contains the original billiards room, the master bathroom suite, and the new "hidden" smoking room (which is separately vented). The lower level offers the fitness room and sauna, laundry facilities, and a large family/recreation room, in addition to the mechanical equipment for the house.

The 119 Acre Property is divided into two sections. The smaller parcel closer to the main house includes a 3-acre (apx) stocked pond, gazebo with kitchen and bathhouse, a multi-purpose tennis/basketball court, and designated areas for entertaining. The larger portion consists of a larger (apx.) 7-acre pond, open fields, and wooded areas descending to a valley below. Possible visions for the property include use as a Midwestern "get-away" for those avoiding publicity, an equestrian farm, organic or specialized farming, expansion to further create a corporate retreat, or even use for educational purposes. Due to its 1/2 mile proximity to north-south US 31 and the nearby Grissom airfield, a buyer may also wish to investigate light-industrial/warehouse possibilities.

The Conference Center / Complete Overnight Executive Suite, separate from the main house, offers a large open space with a loft overlooking the main level, ktichen, as well as a large bedroom and full bath for overnight accommodations.

The Automobile Pavilion is attached to the Conference Center. It can comfortably hold 8 cars in presentation-style and is also large enough for motorcoach or truck purposes. In addition, another four-car garage is located on the property.

For futher information, please contact: G.B. Landrigan, 317.255.0255, gb@landrigan.com.