The History of 102 John St. in Loogootee with Uplands Regional Land Bank Purchase

An aerial view of John Street in Loogootee

A house with a unique history is getting a revitalization thanks to the Uplands Regional Land Bank's purchase of 102 John Street in Loogootee, Indiana. The Land Bank is a nonprofit organization started in 2023 that covers 6 of Southern Indiana's counties, and acquires vacant, dilapidated, and neglected properties with the goal of revitalizing them for new housing opportunities.

When the Land Bank posted a photo of the house for the upcoming project- a relative of the original owner of the home shared prior inspiring history. The house was built by businessman John Wesley Crooke, born in Dover Hill in 1844 and fought in the Civil War. He also established the Methodist church in Loogootee. Crooke's daughter, Claire, later married Chase Dawson from Odon, Indiana, and their son, Joe Dawson, won the 1912 Indianapolis 500 race at only 22 years of age.

The home is 2,400 square feet with five bedrooms, two bathrooms, living room and a dining room. It has 9-foot pocket doors, some original woodwork, a hidden staircase and is within walking distance of downtown Loogootee.

Current photograph of 102 John St. in Loogootee

While the Land Bank was touring the John Street home, the initial reactions were that the house was unfortunately unsavable, and that it needed to be demolished. However, once the fascinating history was uncovered, the Land Bank concluded the property needed to be saved. But it's not a simple project, Land Bank program manager Bobbie Abel reminds this project won't be easy, but remarks that "Its restoration would be nothing short of spectacular".

The Land Bank acquired its first property in September 2024 and currently owns 14 properties in various stages of rehab from shovel-ready lots, rehab-ready homes, homes under demo, and a new build breaking ground this week in Shoals.

Abel shares with us that, “Our ultimate goal is to create housing and strengthen our communities,” “The infill lots are a good source for the Land Bank. We’re not looking to do a large development, but lot by lot, hoping to improve our communities.”

We are thrilled to see the opportunity for storytelling in our community and seeing a blighted property become something just as inspiring as it was in its prime.

A generated rendering of what the home could look like after the project is completed.