Jeffersonville in Clark County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Monumental Memories
The Lewman Store Building - circa 1940
Look closely at the photograph in the middle and see if you can find the flying bicycle! This was a creative way to advertise for the bicycle repair store within. The building directly south of the bicycle shop is the old Elk's Building. The Elks were a fraternal organization in town whose mission was charitable and through their donations, they made communities stronger, educated children and ensured that widows and orphans were supported. There were many fraternal organizations in Jeffersonville whose meeting rooms were on the upper floors of downtown buildings. Some of these organizations included the International Order of Odd Fellows, the Masons, the Knights of Columbus and the Fraternal Order of Police. The members of these organizations could buy insurance at low rates with benefits going to the survivors. This system encouraged personal responsibility before government welfare was created.
Cast your eyes across the street at our lovely Glossbrenner Garden. This garden was once the site of the first “sky scraper” four story building in Jeffersonville. If you look closely at the third picture above, the building to the left is the side of the “sky scraper” also known as the Louis Building. The sky scraper met its fate in 1940. It was torn down and an appliance store called Ehringer's was erected in its place. That building met the same fate. The space is now our beautiful Glossbrenner Garden. The other building in that picture is the Grisamore House, built in 1837 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it was originally intended to be a block long row house.
Erected by Jefferson Main Street.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1940.
Location. 38° 16.313′ N, 85° 44.411′ W. Marker is in Jeffersonville, Indiana, in Clark County. Marker is at the intersection of East Chestnut Street and Spring Street, on the right when traveling east on East Chestnut Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 256 Spring St, Jeffersonville IN 47130, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Grisamore House (within shouting distance of this marker); The History of Preservation Station (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Wall Street United Methodist Church (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named Monumental Memories (about 500 feet away); Steamboats and Shipyards (about 700 feet away); Big Four Pedestrian/Bicycle Path (about 700 feet away); Flooding (about 700 feet away); U.S. Quartermaster Depot (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Jeffersonville.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 30, 2022. It was originally submitted on September 30, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 76 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 30, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.