Jefferson Township in Vevay in Switzerland County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Roxy House - 1814

Historical Site

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 30, 2023

1. Roxy House - 1814 Marker

Inscription. Built in 1814, was the home of “Aunt Lucy” Detraz, daughter of Jean Morerod, and the fifth white child born in the county. “Twonnet,” a character in Eggleston's novel, “Roxy” was her daughter.

Erected by Switzerland County Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music. A significant historical year for this entry is 1814.

Location. 38° 44.662′ N, 85° 4.198′ W. Marker is in Vevay, Indiana, in Switzerland County. It is in Jefferson Township. Marker is at the intersection of Market Street and Vineyard Street, on the right when traveling east on Market Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 405 Market St, Vevay IN 47043, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Hall House - 1842 (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Stevens House (about 300 feet away); a different marker also named Stevens House (about 400 feet away); Hall House (about 400 feet away); Craig House (about 500 feet away); Ruter Chapel Methodist Church (about 500 feet away); McCrellis House (about 500 feet away); Porter House (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Vevay.

Regarding Roxy House - 1814. “Aunt Lucy” was Lucille Marguerite

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Morerod Detraz, who was born in Vevay in 1806, a decade before Indiana became a state. Her daughter, Antoinette Detraz Titus (1830-1854), was affectionately known as “Twonnet.” It was Lucille who first dressed a newborn Edward Eggleston, who would later be a frequent guest at her house while growing up. He drew upon those experiences in creating characters and settings in his works, including his 1878 best-selling novel Roxy.

In an article published in the December, 1929 issue of Indiana Magazine of History, Julia LeClerc Knox wrote of this house:

The old Detraz homestead, a venerable brown frame, has long been one of the chief objectives of tourists to Vevay. It is a queer, rambling house with low ceilings and full of surprises, turning off here and there, into a closet, or room, or a porch which one does not expect to find. The doors have the "raise-up-the-latch-and-walk-in" fastenings like those of Red Riding Hood's grandmother. This is the house where the Rev. Whittaker, a character in Roxy boarded. The quaint overhanging back porch recalls the morning conversations of the minister and Twonnet.

Also see . . . Lucille Marguerite “Lucy” Morerod Detraz. Find a Grave entry includes excerpts of several news articles about "Aunt Lucy's" long and memorable life. (Submitted on May 11, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 30, 2023

2. Roxy House - 1814 Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on May 11, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 11, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 100 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 11, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.