Terre Haute history recognized at ISU

A famous piece of history will be remembered and recognized this Thursday here at ISU.

The Terre Haute House, which used to exist on seventh and Wabash, was demolished and torn down this past spring. After countless days of driving and walking by the memorabilia area, some of the community feels as if it's a great time to refresh minds and remember this great piece of history that was once here in Terre Haute.

The Terre Haute House was built in 1927 and was once recalled as the social place for the city to get together. The building back in its day provided fantastic electric appliances, as well as a meeting room and a fully built ballroom. It's been said that some famous faces even stayed at the building, one being Al Capone. After many years of financial difficulties, the building closed its doors in the 1970's and throughout the decades became an abandoned shelter.

This past year the hotel has been sold and demolished by local developers, Greg Gibson and Tim Dora, and is being recreated to a $12 million project, the Hilton's Garden Inn. The new hotel is expecting to have six stories, 127 guest rooms, and many up-to-date amenities, one being high-speed Internet access, in each room, keeping the area a place of rest and relaxation for travelers.

Since the demolishment many faces around Terre Haute would like to help others remember the building and it's history here at ISU.

"Many people may forget that the property was first developed in 1838 when Chauncey Rose built the predecessor to the Terre Haute House," University Art Gallery Director Kaz McCue said in a June 9 press release.

"From the Prairie House to the Terre Haute House, that spot has been a center for hospitality for many, many years. And, although it's demolition was sad, I hope that revisiting that history will generate a spirit of optimism for the future of that location and its importance to the downtown."

This Wednesday and Thursday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. the University Art Gallery will host a reception in the hotel's historic honor. The reception will be held in the Art Gallery of the Center for Performing Arts building located on Seventh and Chestnut streets. The event is open to the public and free refreshments and snacks will be provided.

The University Art Gallery is also open to the community weekdays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

For more information concerning this event, contact the Art Gallery at www.indstate.edu/artgallery or call (812) 237-3720. You can also contact Kaz McCue, Gallery Director, at (812) 237-3787 or arkaz@indstate.edu.