Greensburg in Decatur County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Seitz Building

Photographed By J. J. Prats, September 19, 2022

1. Seitz Building Marker

Inscription. Once featuring a cupola at its peak, this 1867 structure displays Italianate Commercial architecture. The only building with four stories, it was first known as the Seitz House Hotel in 1886 and remained a hotel for over 30 years. It housed the South Side Theatre i 1916, and the Decatur Restaurant for 20 additional years. It also served as both a bus station for I&SE Lines and a financial institution for Decatur County National Bank from 1939-1948.

Erected by the Decatur County Community Foundation, the Indiana Humanities Council, Historical Landmarks Foundation of Indiana, Decatur County Alliance for Preservation, Historical Society of Decatur County, Students of Greensburg Elementary School fifth seminar, and the St. Mary’s Little Hoosiers.

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

Location. 39° 20.189′ N, 85° 28.974′ W. Marker is in Greensburg, Indiana, in Decatur County. Marker is at the intersection of East Main Street (U.S. 421) and South Franklin Street, on the right when traveling east on East Main Street. It is on the left-most column of the building, at the street corner. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 133 E Main St, Greensburg IN 47240, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers

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are within walking distance of this marker. Huber Building (a few steps from this marker); Decatur County Civil War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Swem Block (within shouting distance of this marker); Spanish American War Veterans (within shouting distance of this marker); Decatur County All Wars Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); The Erdman Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Reiter Building (within shouting distance of this marker); The Naegel Building (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Greensburg.

More about this marker. I&SE stood for the Indiana and Southeastern Railroad Company, an electric interurban line that reached Greensburg in 1907 and was discontinued in 1932 and replaced with a bus line of the same name. It was originally the Indianapolis and Cincinnati Traction Company but it never reached Cincinnati.

Also see . . . Remembering the grandeur of Decatur Apartments. 2006 article by Pat Smith in the Greenburg Daily News. Excerpt:

“My great-great grandfather, Christian Seitz, contracted with Benjamin Littell to built it as a splendid hotel,” said Martha [Husler]. “I remember that beautiful big lobby and the desk and leather
Photographed By J. J. Prats, September 19, 2022

2. Seitz Building Marker
chairs sitting around. Naturally I would have loved to see it returned to the original grand place it was but there’s no need for that now.” Martha, her son Fred and daughter Grace are the only descendants of Christian Seitz still living in Greensburg. When the hotel was built there were no such things as bathrooms and flushing toilets. Martha said there was a two-story outhouse in back of the hotel. If you use your imagination you can figure out how that was done.

(Submitted on October 6, 2022.)

Seitz Building in Greensburg Indiana image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, September 19, 2022

3. Seitz Building in Greensburg Indiana

Credits. This page was last revised on October 6, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 6, 2022, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 114 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 6, 2022, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.