Jane Ross Reeves Octagon House, Historical residence in Shirley, Indiana
The Jane Ross Reeves Octagon House is a two-story wooden structure with 16 rooms arranged in a circular pattern around the central space. Each room includes its own closet, which was an advanced feature for residential homes of that period.
The house was built in 1879 as a residence for Jane Ross Reeves. In 1997, it was relocated from its original site to its current location on Railroad Street to preserve it for future generations.
The octagonal design reflects how builders in the 1870s thought about making homes more efficient and bright. This shape allowed rooms to catch light from multiple directions, which was valued in home design of that era.
The house underwent adjustments during its relocation, with chimneys rebuilt to accommodate modern utilities while keeping the exterior unchanged. Visitors can observe how the original structure was preserved despite these practical updates.
Jane Ross Reeves financed the entire construction herself using silver coins she had saved in a shoe box over many years. This remarkable story shows how she accumulated and used her own savings to build her home.
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