Matthews Mansion/Graymont: 1880 French Second Empire in Ellettsville, Indiana

This property has sold, but it recently appeared on Hunting Vintage on HGTV. The nice, young couple in the episode said they are going to work to restore and upgrade it. Hopefully they won't go too crazy. I also hope there will be updated pictures sometime in the future to add to this post.

LISTING DETAILS

Known as the “Matthews Mansion”, this historic home of John Matthews, considered the “Father of Indiana Limestone Industry”, was constructed between 1879-1880, entirely of limestone in the French Second Empire Style. Contemporary history maintains the house was designed by architect Jean-Louis Charles Garnier, most noted for designing the Opera House in Paris, France. The house has spacious light-filled rooms and a partially finished, walk-out basement. It is constructed of very large limestone blocks laid without mortar. The limestone walls are 22 inches thick. There are 2 double-flue, capped chimneys to provide a flue in every room. Zinc-lined gutters. Dormer window frames are zinc. The walls and original ceilings are horse-hair plaster. Etched glass panels called “flash glass” originally filled the transoms and 3 remain (2 cobalt blue, 1 ruby above back door). The mansard roof of hexagonal slate tiles is topped by an ornamental cast iron railing. Most of the woodwork is black walnut. 3 working fireplaces with stainless liners. The Mansion is part of the Matthews and Sons Stone Co. Historic District in the National and State Registers of Historic Places. Smithville fiber optic ready. All city utilities. Detached, insulated 4-car garage with storage room above. Historic dry-stack stone fence. Property is zoned Light Industrial with Historic Preservation Overlay. First time on the market in 25 years. Don’t miss this opportunity to own this distinctive, historic property.

FOR SALE   $435,000   $395,000   $350,000   SOLD   $260,000 
6445 W Maple Grove Rd, Ellettsville, IN 47429
4 beds  |  2 baths  |  3686 sqft  |  2.76 acres

LINKS:
Zillow, Realtor, Wikipedia, Monon Railroad Historical Technical Society Inc.,

Featured Photos

Home of John Matthews 1806-1883, Founder Matthews Stone Company. Picture from the early 1900's.

Mathews Brothers Stone Company Employee Photo -Monroe County Library Collection

Matthews Mansion, November 1979

Backside of the Matthews Mansion