Culver's [†] streetscape is unlike that of any other district in Evansville. The tract of land on which the district developed was laid out with little continuity or precision. Its layout features relatively short blocks with streets running on both cardinal points and obliquely. Buildings observe different setbacks, generally depending upon the pretentiousness of the owner. The result is a picturesqueness absent in the long vistas and gridlike uniformity of other districts. The landscape is grassy and umbrageous after the better part of a century of growth, a feature which belies the barreness of Culver's early use as farmland. The greatest period of historical development for the Culver district occurred around the turn of the century, from about 1890 to 1910, when the majority of its 79 primary buildings were erected. By 1929, except for a handful of more recent intrusions, the Culver district had been fully developed. The basis for Culver's architectural collection rests upon a mix of late Victorian and early 20th century styles. In this respect. Culver is a transitional phenomenon.
As a turn-of-the-century residential enclave, the character of the Culver district embodies an architectural diversity peculiar to that time. The Queen Anne, the Shingle Style, the American Foursquare featuring Arts and Crafts or Adamesque detailing, the Craftsman Bungalow, the Stick Style, the Colonial Revival, and the later Prairie School can be found side-by-side in the district. Somewhat out of the ordinary is the credible 1916 rendering of the Swiss Chalet. Most of the houses are of frame construction, and although many have been repainted white (or, in some cases, clad with white aluminum siding), a few bear authentic period colors. While frames predominate, there are a number of brick residences, and one house is entirely veneered with native Indiana limestone. The compact district is exclusively residential, devoid of any churches and public buildings (although the school from which the district and the neighborhood takes it name is adjacent). The only institutional building is the Rathbone Home, an imposing Colonial Revival residence built for elderly women in 1905. A disturbing trend in the last few decades has been the conversion of some of the larger homes into sleeping rooms or multi-family dwellings. However, this trend seems to have been arrested in the last few years. The integrity of the district can be ranked fairly highly. The declaration of the neighborhood as a conservation area by the City of Evansville follows renewed interest in the area by a combination of long-time and newly established residents. A few of the frame houses have fallen victim to aluminum siding and other earlier forms of artificial siding, but happily these are infrequent and do not substantially detract from the character of the district. The trend toward conversions mentioned above seems to have been arrested in the last few years, though even in Riverside—a more highly developed historic district—, this has proven to be a thorny problem. In short. Culver possesses a sound housing stock whose marginal decline has been met with private and public rehabilitation efforts.
Significance
Culver contains important works of architecture by nearly every designer active in the city at the turn of the century. The high standards of design evident in Culver, however, are not alone in supporting architectural significance, for in Culver those structures combine to form a streetscape unlike any in Evansville. The setting for early 20th century urban growth, made possible by the arrival of the streetcar but abetted by high land values close to the city center. of architecture by nearly every designer active in the city at the turn of the century. The high standards of design evident in Culver, however, are not alone in supporting architectural significance, for in Culver those structures combine to form a streetscape unlike any in Evansville. The second major component in the district's significance is as the setting for early 20th century urban growth, made possible by the arrival of the streetcar but abetted by high land values close to the city center.
The architectural history of the Culver district encompasses a number of different issues. Although sparsely populated since the 1860's, Culver experienced intense development in the decades framing the turn of the century. As such, its basic housing stock is a transitional mix of styles, embracing the Victorian Queen Anne as well as the emerging and distinctive designs of the 20th century like the Craftsman and the Prairie School. Many of the district's works show the hand of popular architects—Frank J. Schlotter and the team of Harris and Shopbell, to name two. In concert with these talented and versatile architects were the city's principal builders, such as Christ Kanzler, whose reputation for constructing quality buildings was well established.
Art historicism aside. Culver remains a significant and distinctive historical environment. Its short streets, compact vistas, mix of large and small building sites—all characteristics detailed elsewhere in this nomination—combine to give the Culver district a sense of time and place which distinguish it from the essentially 19th century ambience of adjacent historic areas.
The establishment and development of what is known as the Culver Historic District followed a pattern rooted in the late 19th century. The extension of the street railroad line to Haynie's Corner just north of the district—and then beyond by 1895—made residence in the area feasible. Culver is, after all, well to the south of the Central Business District and places of employment.
But the factors which resulted in the popularity of the Culver Historic District and the erection of its fine homes were products of land economics elsewhere. By the end of the 19th century, the choice building sites within the older, fashionable Riverside Historic District were largely all taken. Culver's relatively undeveloped lands, therefore, presented an attractive alternative for up-and-coming entrepreneurs and businessmen who sought select residential sites in close proximity to the center city.
Adapted from: Douglas L. Stern, Joan Marchand and Amy W. MacDonell, Department of Metropolitan Development, Culver Historic District, nomination document, 1983, National Register of Historic Places, Washington, D.C.
