Rockport in Spencer County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Mathias Sharp House

Circa 1867

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 25, 2022

1. Mathias Sharp House Marker

Inscription. This house was built by Mathias and Katherine Sharp on property once owned by Judge John Pitcher, Spencer County's first lawyer and Abraham Lincoln's close friend. It was the first house in Rockport to be designed by an architect and the first bluff house to be built with the front facing the river. Mathias died here from poisoning as did Katherine's second husband. Katherine was later prosecuted for the poisonings. Some believe the ghost of the two men still inhabit the house.

In 1877 the noted ichthyologist Dr. Carl H. Eigenman came here to reside with his uncle, the prominent Rockport businessman, Capt. John Eigenman.

National Register of Historic Places 1983

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Law Enforcement. A significant historical year for this entry is 1867.

Location. 37° 52.803′ N, 87° 2.719′ W. Marker is in Rockport, Indiana, in Spencer County. Marker is on South 2nd Street, 0.1 miles north of Clark Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 319 S 2nd St, Rockport IN 47635, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Historical Site – Lankford Cave (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); A Rocky Beginning (about 500 feet away); Abraham Lincoln

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(about 500 feet away); Jan. 29, 1937 (about 600 feet away); Spencer County, IN (approx. 0.2 miles away); A Visit Home (approx. 0.2 miles away); Revolutionary War Honor Roll - Spencer County (approx. ¼ mile away); Abraham Lincoln was a Guest in 1844 (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rockport.

Regarding Mathias Sharp House. According to the National Register nomination, Catherine Sharp was acquitted of murder in the deaths of both husbands and Mathias Sharp's first wife, but lost the house in the process. Despite the Italianate house's gruesome past, it was listed in the National Register for its architectural significance.

Also see . . . Mathias Sharp House. National Register nomination (PDF) and photographs (separate PDF) of the house, which was listed in 1983. (National Park Service) (Submitted on October 4, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Mathias Sharp House image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 25, 2022

2. Mathias Sharp House

West (rear) side of the house.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 4, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 4, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 224 times since then and 70 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 4, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.