Jackson Township in Converse in Miami County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

City Hall

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 14, 2023

1. City Hall Marker

Inscription. Built by
Federal Works
Progress
Administration
1937

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Charity & Public Work • Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places, and the Works Progress Administration (WPA) projects series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1937.

Location. 40° 34.777′ N, 85° 52.393′ W. Marker is in Converse, Indiana, in Miami County. It is in Jackson Township. Marker is on North Jefferson Street just south of East Water Street, on the right when traveling north. The marker is mounted at eye-level, directly on the subject building, just to the right of the front/west entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 210 North Jefferson Street, Converse IN 46919, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Converse War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Converse Commercial Historic District (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Converse-Jackson Township Public Library (about 700 feet away); Site of the First Home (about 700 feet away); Site of first election in Sims Township (approx. 4.7 miles

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away); Speedking Garfield (approx. 5.7 miles away); Conner's Mill (approx. 8 miles away); Mississinewa Battlefield (approx. 8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Converse.

Regarding City Hall. Contributing property, Converse Commercial Historic District, National Register of Historic Places #16000907.

From the National Register Nomination:
Evidence of the effect of programs resulting from the Great Depression is displayed on a limestone block embedded in the wall of the Converse City Hall (210 North Jefferson) that reads “Built by Federal Works Progress Administration 1937.” In fact, it was the PWA that funded the new city hall. The Works Progress Administration (WPA) and the Public Works Administration (PWA) were created in the 1930s to relieve the economic burden of the Great Depression. Although construction projects were coordinated under the PWA, most people were confused by the numerous acronyms used and mistakenly credited the WPA with buildings.
The Converse City Hall exhibits the forward-looking functionality intent of PWA buildings. The structure was arranged by clearly defined use: the right side for the fire department,
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 14, 2023

2. Converse Commercial Historic District Marker
(also mounted just to the right of the front entrance)
Converse Commercial
Historic District
was listed on the
National Register
of Historic Places
by the United States
Department of the Interior
December 27, 2016
Click for more information.
left side for administration, and the auditorium in the back of the building. The limestone base, sills and cartouche provide simple, pleasing ornamentation without overshadowing the municipal purpose of the building.
In Converse, the building cost $40,000; the town sold an $8,000 bond issue to cover their portion and the PWA supplied $32,000 for labor and materials. The town also asked residents to donate furnishings or equipment for the building and in return their contribution would be recognized by a nameplate attached to the item. The town hired John Horan, a civil engineer from Peru, Indiana, to act as architect and construction supervisor. The citizens of Converse benefitted from this national program and rallied together to complete and furnish the building.

City Hall Marker(s) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 14, 2023

3. City Hall Marker(s)

(markers are located between the front entrance and the utility door on the right)

Converse City Hall Building (<i>southwest elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 14, 2023

4. Converse City Hall Building (southwest elevation)

Converse City Hall Building (<i>west/front elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 14, 2023

5. Converse City Hall Building (west/front elevation)

Credits. This page was last revised on September 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 29, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 58 times since then and 7 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 29, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.