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History · Evansville

A history of Evansville,
since 1817

Postcards, papers and photographs of Evansville from public archives, woven together by decade. Neighbors fill in the gaps.

1817established
15old images & papers
92historic places
0recent photos
From Evansville’s archive · credits on each photo

The story

from WikipediaRead it all ↗

There has been a continuous human presence in the area that became Evansville from at least 8000 BC by Paleo-Indians. Archaeologists have identified several archaic and ancient sites in and near Evansville, with the most complex at Angel Mounds. This was built and occupied from about AD 900 to about 1600, just before the arrival of Europeans to North America.

Establishment and early history18th and 19th centuries20th and 21st centuries

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

Timeline

built from the dates on the items below
1817Established
1865South-western view ofCommons
1880s5 items · Panoramic View of Evansville, Indiana…Commons
1890s6 items · Evansville, Indiana [map] / compiled …Map
1900s3 items · River front, Evansville, IndCommons
1910–1999Nothing yet. Family albums go here.
Help out

Finish Evansville’s story

Most archives stop around 1920. The photos from after that are in family albums, not libraries.

1 of 10 decades since 1900 have photos 🔁Retake an old viewSouth-western view of, 1865: stand where they stood+15 📦Share a family photoSign in to add one+10
Famous people from EvansvilleWriters, athletes, leaders and more who were born in Evansville.Meet them →
By decade

Evansville, decade by decade

1860s1 item
South-western view ofCommonsSouth-western view of1865
1880s5 items
Panoramic View of Evansville, Indiana, 1880CommonsPanoramic View of Evansville, Indiana, 18801880Panoramic view of Evansville, Ind., 1880CommonsPanoramic view of Evansville, Ind., 18801880Leeotolis Hardy, half-length portrait, seated, facing frontLOCLeeotolis Hardy, half-length portrait, seated, facing front1884David Braud, head-and-shoulders portrait, facing frontLOCDavid Braud, head-and-shoulders portrait, facing front1884Perspective map of the city of Evansville, Ind. 1888MapPerspective map of the city of Evansville, Ind. 18881888
1890s6 items
Evansville, Indiana [map] / compiled from official records and surveys by J.D. and M. S. SaundersMapEvansville, Indiana [map] / compiled from official records …1890Evansville, Indiana [map] / compiled from official records and surveys by J.D. and M. S. SaundersMapEvansville, Indiana [map] / compiled from official records …1890Evansville, Indiana [map] / compiled from official records and surveys by J.D. and M. S. SaundersMapEvansville, Indiana [map] / compiled from official records …1890Evansville, Indiana [map] / compiled from official records and surveys by J.D. and M. S. SaundersMapEvansville, Indiana [map] / compiled from official records …1890Haynies corner fountainCommonsHaynies corner fountain1899Ohio river sunsetCommonsOhio river sunset1899
1900s3 items
River front, Evansville, IndCommonsRiver front, Evansville, Ind1907River frontLOCRiver front1907Birds eye view of Evansville, IndLOCBirds eye view of Evansville, Ind1907
1910s–
1990s
Nothing in the archives for these yearsWeddings on Main Street, storms, parades, school pictures, the old store. If it’s in your family album, it belongs here.
📷 Add from your album
National Register of Historic Places

92 historic places in Evansville

Evansville has 92 listings on the National Register, and they protect 2,017 historic buildings, because Washington Avenue Historic District alone counts 711.

#2
Among Indiana’s most-listed townsby listings · most towns there have none
92places listed79 buildings · 9 districts · 4 other
0National Historic LandmarksNone here yet
2,017historic buildings protectedcounting each building in a district
1970first listedOld Vanderburgh County Courthouse · newest: Baptisttown Historic District, 2023

Where they are

Tap a dot for a photo and link. Districts show at their center.
Old Vanderburgh County CourthouseFormer Vanderburgh County Sheriff's ResidenceEvansville Post OfficeWillard LibraryJohn Augustus Reitz HouseWillard Carpenter HouseRiverside Historic DistrictWilliam Bedford Sr. HouseLiberty Baptist ChurchSoldiers and Sailors Memorial ColiseumAlhambra TheatoriumGreyhound Bus TerminalMcCurdy Building (Sears, Roebuck and Company Building)Ridgway BuildingGarvin ParkBitterman BuildingOld Bittermann BuildingSmith, Robert, MortuaryWashington Avenue Historic DistrictIndependence Historic DistrictHose House No. 10Michael Schaeffer HouseHose House No. 12Albion Flats (Additional Documentation)American Trust and Savings Bank (Indiana Bank) (Additional Documentation)August Kuehn HouseBusse House (Additional Documentation)Cadick Apartments (Plaza Building) (Additional Documentation)Central Library (Additional Documentation)Citizens National Bank (Additional Documentation)Eagles Home (Additional Documentation)Evansville Brewing Company (Additional Documentation)Evansville Furniture Exchange-Court Building (Additional Documentation)Evansville Journal News (Additional Documentation)Geiger, Fred, and Sons National Biscuit Company (Additional Documentation)German Bank (Additional Documentation)Haller T. Chute Building (Additional Documentation)Harding and Miller Music Company (Additional Documentation)Hulman Building [Morris Plan (Central Union Bank)] (Additional Documentation)Indiana Bell Building (Additional Documentation)Ingle Terrace (Additional Documentation)Leich, Charles, and Company (Additional Documentation)M. G. Newman Building (Additional Documentation)Masonic Temple (Additional Documentation)McCurdy Hotel (Additional Documentation)National City Bank (Additional Documentation)O'Donnell Building (Additional Documentation)Orr Iron CompanyParson and Scoville Building (Additional Documentation)Puster, L., and Company Furniture Manufactory (Additional Documentation)Rose Terrace (Additional Documentation)Salem's Baptist Church (Additional Documentation)St. John's Evangelical Protestant Church (Additional Documentation)Van Cleave Flats (Additional Documentation)Victory Theater and Hotel Sonntag (Additional Documentation)YMCA (Additional Documentation)YWCA (Additional Documentation)Zion Evangelical Church (Additional Documentation)Siegel's Department Store (Additional Documentation)Montgomery Ward Building (Additional Documentation)Peter Augustus Maier HouseEvansville CollegeJohn W. Boehne HouseKoester/Patburg HouseEvansville Municipal MarketAuto Hotel Building (Additional Documentation)Barrett's Britz Building (Additional Documentation)Conner's BookstoreFellwock Garage (Additional Documentation)Firestone Tire and Rubber Store (Additional Documentation)Gemcraft-Wittmer BuildingHuber Motor Sales Building (Additional Documentation)John H. Roelker House (Additional Documentation)Kuebler-Artes Building (Additional Documentation)Lockyear CollegeOld Fellwock Auto Company (Additional Documentation)Pearl Steam Laundry (Additional Documentation)Michael D. Helfrich HouseCulver Historic DistrictMead Johnson River-Rail-Truck Terminal and WarehouseBayard Park Historic DistrictBernardin-Johnson HouseLincolnshire Historic DistrictEdgar A. Igleheart HouseSunset Park PavilionOhio Street BridgeGeneral Cigar CompanyOak Hill CemeteryUSS LST 325 (tank landing ship)Evansville Downtown Historic District (Additional Documentation)Hebron Meadows Historic DistrictBaptisttown Historic District
BuildingsDistrictsSitesStructures

Architectural styles

From each listing’s National Archives record · 59 of 92 name a style
Prairie School9
Italianate7
Beaux Arts5
Gothic Revival4
Colonial Revival4
Vernacular3

When they were listed

The Register began in 1966. Evansville’s busiest decade was the 1980s.
Old Vanderburgh County CourthouseListed 1970Old Vanderburgh County CourthouseBeaux ArtsArtPoliticsArchitectureFormer Vanderburgh County Sheriff's ResidenceListed 1970Former Vanderburgh County Sheriff's ResidenceGothic RevivalArchitectureEvansville Post OfficeListed 1971Evansville Post OfficeRuskinian GothicArchitectureWillard LibraryListed 1972Willard LibraryVictorian Gothic · Built 1885ArchitectureJohn Augustus Reitz HouseListed 1973John Augustus Reitz HouseBuildingArchitectureWillard Carpenter HouseListed 1978Willard Carpenter HouseGreek RevivalArchitectureSocial historyRiverside Historic DistrictListed 1978Riverside Historic DistrictFrench Second EmpireArchitectureWilliam Bedford Sr. HouseListed 1978William Bedford Sr. HouseBuildingArchitectureLiberty Baptist ChurchListed 1978Liberty Baptist ChurchGothic Revival · Built 1887Black historyArchitectureSocial historySoldiers and Sailors Memorial ColiseumListed 1979Soldiers and Sailors Memorial ColiseumNeo-Classical · Built 1916CommerceArtPoliticsAlhambra TheatoriumListed 1979Alhambra TheatoriumBuilt 1913RecreationArchitectureGreyhound Bus TerminalListed 1979Greyhound Bus TerminalArt ModerneTransportationArchitectureMcCurdy Building (Sears, Roebuck and Company Building)Listed 1979McCurdy Building (Sears, Roebuck and Company Building)BuildingCommerceArchitectureRidgway BuildingListed 1980Ridgway BuildingRichardsonian RomanesqueCommerceArchitectureGarvin ParkListed 1980Garvin ParkSiteTown planningLandscape designPoliticsBitterman BuildingListed 1980Bitterman BuildingChicago SchoolCommerceArchitectureOld Bittermann BuildingListed 1980Old Bittermann BuildingItalianateCommerceArchitectureSmith, Robert, MortuaryListed 1980Smith, Robert, MortuarySpanish Colonial RevivalCommerceArchitectureWashington Avenue Historic DistrictListed 1980Washington Avenue Historic DistrictVernacularArchitectureIndependence Historic DistrictListed 1982Independence Historic DistrictRomanesque RevivalCommerceArchitectureHose House No. 10Listed 1982Hose House No. 10Italianate · Built 1888PoliticsArchitectureMichael Schaeffer HouseListed 1982Michael Schaeffer HouseQueen Anne · Built 1894ArchitectureHose House No. 12Listed 1982Hose House No. 12BuildingPoliticsArchitectureAlbion Flats (Additional Documentation)Listed 1982Albion Flats (Additional Documentation)Prairie School · Built 1911ArchitectureSocial historyAmerican Trust and Savings Bank (Indiana Bank) (Additional Documentation)Listed 1982American Trust and Savings Bank (Indiana Bank) (Additional Documentation)Beaux ArtsCommerceArchitectureAugust Kuehn HouseListed 1982August Kuehn HouseBuildingArchitectureBusse House (Additional Documentation)Listed 1982Busse House (Additional Documentation)Queen Anne CommercialArchitectureCadick Apartments (Plaza Building) (Additional Documentation)Listed 1982Cadick Apartments (Plaza Building) (Additional Documentation)Neo-RenaissanceArchitectureCentral Library (Additional Documentation)Listed 1982Central Library (Additional Documentation)Modernistic · Built 2006EducationArchitectureCitizens National Bank (Additional Documentation)Listed 1982Citizens National Bank (Additional Documentation)Vernacular · Built 1916ArchitectureEagles Home (Additional Documentation)Listed 1982Eagles Home (Additional Documentation)BuildingArchitectureEvansville Brewing Company (Additional Documentation)Listed 1982Evansville Brewing Company (Additional Documentation)BuildingArchitectureIndustryEvansville Furniture Exchange-Court Building (Additional Documentation)Listed 1982Evansville Furniture Exchange-Court Building (Additional Documentation)Beaux ArtsArchitectureIndustryEvansville Journal News (Additional Documentation)Listed 1982Evansville Journal News (Additional Documentation)Beaux ArtsArchitectureGeiger, Fred, and Sons National Biscuit Company (Additional Documentation)Listed 1982Geiger, Fred, and Sons National Biscuit Company (Additional Documentation)BuildingArchitectureIndustryGerman Bank (Additional Documentation)Listed 1982German Bank (Additional Documentation)Victorian CommercialCommerceEuropeanArchitectureHaller T. Chute Building (Additional Documentation)Listed 1982Haller T. Chute Building (Additional Documentation)Art NouveauArchitectureHarding and Miller Music Company (Additional Documentation)Listed 1982Harding and Miller Music Company (Additional Documentation)BuildingArchitectureHulman Building [Morris Plan (Central Union Bank)] (Additional Documentation)Listed 1982Hulman Building [Morris Plan (Central Union Bank)] (Additional Documentation)Art Deco · Built 1929ArchitectureIndiana Bell Building (Additional Documentation)Listed 1982Indiana Bell Building (Additional Documentation)Art DecoArchitectureCommunicationsIngle Terrace (Additional Documentation)Listed 1982Ingle Terrace (Additional Documentation)BuildingArchitectureSocial historyLeich, Charles, and Company (Additional Documentation)Listed 1982Leich, Charles, and Company (Additional Documentation)BuildingIndustryArchitectureM. G. Newman Building (Additional Documentation)Listed 1982M. G. Newman Building (Additional Documentation)BuildingCommerceArchitectureMasonic Temple (Additional Documentation)Listed 1982Masonic Temple (Additional Documentation)Neo-Classical · Built 1913ArchitectureSocial historyMcCurdy Hotel (Additional Documentation)Listed 1982McCurdy Hotel (Additional Documentation)Colonial RevivalCommerceArchitectureNational City Bank (Additional Documentation)Listed 1982National City Bank (Additional Documentation)Second Renaissance RevivalCommerceArchitectureO'Donnell Building (Additional Documentation)Listed 1982O'Donnell Building (Additional Documentation)BuildingArchitectureOrr Iron CompanyListed 1982Orr Iron CompanyIndustrialIndustryArchitectureParson and Scoville Building (Additional Documentation)Listed 1982Parson and Scoville Building (Additional Documentation)BuildingCommerceArchitecturePuster, L., and Company Furniture Manufactory (Additional Documentation)Listed 1982Puster, L., and Company Furniture Manufactory (Additional Documentation)BuildingIndustryArchitectureRose Terrace (Additional Documentation)Listed 1982Rose Terrace (Additional Documentation)Prairie SchoolArchitectureSocial historySalem's Baptist Church (Additional Documentation)Listed 1982Salem's Baptist Church (Additional Documentation)Romanesque RevivalEuropeanArchitectureReligionSt. John's Evangelical Protestant Church (Additional Documentation)Listed 1982St. John's Evangelical Protestant Church (Additional Documentation)Jacobethan RevivalArchitectureReligionVan Cleave Flats (Additional Documentation)Listed 1982Van Cleave Flats (Additional Documentation)Prairie SchoolArchitectureSocial historyVictory Theater and Hotel Sonntag (Additional Documentation)Listed 1982Victory Theater and Hotel Sonntag (Additional Documentation)Built 1921RecreationArchitectureYMCA (Additional Documentation)Listed 1982YMCA (Additional Documentation)Tudor RevivalArchitectureSocial historyYWCA (Additional Documentation)Listed 1982YWCA (Additional Documentation)BuildingArchitectureSocial historyZion Evangelical Church (Additional Documentation)Listed 1982Zion Evangelical Church (Additional Documentation)Gothic RevivalArchitectureEthnic Heritage-EuropeanSiegel's Department Store (Additional Documentation)Listed 1982Siegel's Department Store (Additional Documentation)BuildingCommerceArchitectureMontgomery Ward Building (Additional Documentation)Listed 1982Montgomery Ward Building (Additional Documentation)BuildingCommerceArchitecturePeter Augustus Maier HouseListed 1982Peter Augustus Maier HouseItalianateEuropeanPoliticsArchitectureEvansville CollegeListed 1983Evansville CollegeTudor Gothic · Built 1854EducationArchitectureJohn W. Boehne HouseListed 1983John W. Boehne HouseColonial RevivalPoliticsArchitectureKoester/Patburg HouseListed 1983Koester/Patburg HouseItalianateCommerceArchitectureEvansville Municipal MarketListed 1983Evansville Municipal MarketPrairie SchoolCommercePoliticsArchitectureAuto Hotel Building (Additional Documentation)Listed 1984Auto Hotel Building (Additional Documentation)Georgian Revival · Built 1929CommerceTransportationArchitectureBarrett's Britz Building (Additional Documentation)Listed 1984Barrett's Britz Building (Additional Documentation)ItalianateCommerceEuropeanArchitectureConner's BookstoreListed 1984Conner's BookstoreCommercial VernacularCommerceArchitectureFellwock Garage (Additional Documentation)Listed 1984Fellwock Garage (Additional Documentation)BuildingCommerceTransportationArchitectureFirestone Tire and Rubber Store (Additional Documentation)Listed 1984Firestone Tire and Rubber Store (Additional Documentation)Art DecoCommerceTransportationArchitectureGemcraft-Wittmer BuildingListed 1984Gemcraft-Wittmer BuildingVictorian CommercialArchitectureHuber Motor Sales Building (Additional Documentation)Listed 1984Huber Motor Sales Building (Additional Documentation)BuildingCommerceTransportationArchitectureJohn H. Roelker House (Additional Documentation)Listed 1984John H. Roelker House (Additional Documentation)VernacularKuebler-Artes Building (Additional Documentation)Listed 1984Kuebler-Artes Building (Additional Documentation)Prairie SchoolArchitectureLockyear CollegeListed 1984Lockyear CollegeNeo-Classical RevivalCommerceEducationArchitectureOld Fellwock Auto Company (Additional Documentation)Listed 1984Old Fellwock Auto Company (Additional Documentation)PrairieCommerceTransportationArchitecturePearl Steam Laundry (Additional Documentation)Listed 1984Pearl Steam Laundry (Additional Documentation)IndustrialCommerceArchitectureMichael D. Helfrich HouseListed 1984Michael D. Helfrich HousePrairie SchoolCommerceArchitectureCulver Historic DistrictListed 1984Culver Historic DistrictQueen AnneTown planningArchitectureMead Johnson River-Rail-Truck Terminal and WarehouseListed 1984Mead Johnson River-Rail-Truck Terminal and WarehouseBuildingCommerceEngineeringBayard Park Historic DistrictListed 1985Bayard Park Historic DistrictDistrictTown planningArchitectureBernardin-Johnson HouseListed 1989Bernardin-Johnson HouseBuildingCommerceMedicineArchitectureLincolnshire Historic DistrictListed 1989Lincolnshire Historic DistrictDistrictTown planningCommerceArchitectureEdgar A. Igleheart HouseListed 1990Edgar A. Igleheart HouseBuildingArchitectureSunset Park PavilionListed 1992Sunset Park PavilionBuildingArchitectureOhio Street BridgeListed 1998Ohio Street BridgeStructureEngineeringTransportationGeneral Cigar CompanyListed 2000General Cigar CompanyArts and Crafts · Built 1906Social historyIndustryOak Hill CemeteryListed 2004Oak Hill CemeteryClassical RevivalArchitectureTown planningLandscape designUSS LST 325 (tank landing ship)Listed 2009USS LST 325 (tank landing ship)Military Transport ShipMilitaryEngineeringListed 2000Evansville Downtown Historic District (Additional Documentation)DistrictArchitectureCommerceListed 2020Hebron Meadows Historic DistrictDistrictArchitectureTown planningListed 2023Baptisttown Historic DistrictDistrictArchitectureEducationEthnic Heritage-Black
National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places (05/22/2026) · styles from the National Archives catalog · photos from Wikimedia Commons, credited on each place

Then & now

No then-and-now pairs yet. Take a photo from the same spot as South-western view of (1865) and it appears here side by side.

🔁 Retake this view · +15

Stories next door

nearby towns’ history
📜 Pigeon📜 Knight📜 Center📜 Perry

From Wikimedia Commons (11), the Library of Congress (4) and the National Register (3). Images are copied here with their credits and licenses, shown on each photo’s page. Refreshed monthly.

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