Ferdinand in Dubois County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Historic Wollenmann Home

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 29, 2025

1. Historic Wollenmann Home Marker

Inscription.
One of the most unique homes in Ferdinand, the Wollenmann House was built in 1903 by Ben Seufert Construction for Dr. Alois Wollenmann and his family to the good doctor's specifications. Born in Switzerland, in 1864, he wanted his home to replicate those found in his native land. Its style combines elements of the late 19th and early 20th Centuries Swiss Cottage Eclectic Revival with Craftsman detailing. Andrew Jackson Downing, an influential, mid-19th Century architectural writer and critic, popularized this style of architecture. The building demonstrates a high level of craftsmanship and represents an unusual Indiana example of the work of Walter J. Keith, an architect who practiced in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and published Keith's Magazine. Exterior elements include decorative shingles, turned balustrades and brackets, and a sandstone foundation The interior features Late Victorian/Craftsman style wood finishes, a brick fireplace and period elements.

All features were European in design, including the windows, each with four vertical panes, one pane of which had a latch and opened sideways in every room to allow

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for a cross draft. The front door contained a sliding panel for Dr. Wollenmann to determine how sick a patient was before bringing him into the house without opening the front door. Some of the rooms were paneled in horizontal bead-board, thought to allow more air flow, above the wainscoting because Dr. Wollenmann had contracted tuberculosis, and the common wisdom of the day held that free-flowing air circulating through the rooms helped with a cure. Sadly Dr. Wollenmann died from the disease in 1912. His son, Werner, and his wife were the next occupants, raising 11 children there until the last remaining, Verna Wollemann, could no longer care for the property.

This landmark is integral to the history of Dubois County and Ferdinand through its original owner, Dr. Wollenmann, and his family. A consortium of private individuals, the Town of Ferdinand, and the Ferdinand Historical Society saved the home from demolition and restored it through a grant from the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs. The house was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2013.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 29, 2025

2. Historic Wollenmann Home Marker

in these topic lists: Architecture • Science & Medicine. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1903.

Location. 38° 13.53′ N, 86° 51.689′ W. Marker is in Ferdinand, Indiana, in Dubois County. It is at the intersection of Main Street (State Road 162) and East 12th Street, on the right when traveling north on Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1150 Main St, Ferdinand IN 47532, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Tri-State Region

and in Southern Indiana.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Ida P. (Hagan) Whitaker (within shouting distance of this marker); Huntingburg Town Hall and Fire Engine House (approx.

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7.1 miles away); Freedom Train (approx. 7.7 miles away); Santa Claus Land Railroad (approx. 7.7 miles away); America's Everyday Heroes (approx. 7.7 miles away); Mother Goose Land Train (approx. 7.8 miles away); The Raven (approx. 7.9 miles away); William A. Koch Memorial Plaza (approx. 7.9 miles away).

Also see . . .
1. Wollenmann House History. Dr. Aloysius “Alois” Wollenmann’s house was not the first to be located at 1150 Main Street in Ferdinand, Indiana. (Ferdinand Historical Society) (Submitted on December 15, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

2. Dr. Alois Wollenmann House (PDF). National Register nomination for the property. (Prepared by Camille B. Fife; via National Park Service) (Submitted on December 15, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Credits. This page was last revised on December 23, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 8, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 91 times since then and 63 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 8, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.