Lilly Biological Laboratories
Lilly Biological Laboratories is a building complex in Hancock County featuring Spanish Colonial Revival style, consisting of three structures with red tile roofs and characteristic arches. The central tower rises 80 feet (24 meters) high with five levels, while two shorter side buildings are connected by open pergolas.
The complex was built between 1913 and 1914 by architect Robert Frost Daggett for Eli Lilly and Company. In 1977, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places, recognizing its importance as an example of early pharmaceutical industry architecture.
The complex carries the name of its founder and reflects the importance of pharmaceutical development to the region. The architecture with its red tile roofs and arches conveys warmth, connecting scientific work with craft tradition.
The complex is located west of Greenfield, near US Route 40, on several acres of land. Visitors can explore the exterior grounds and appreciate the architecture, with guided tours and informational signs explaining the history and design.
The pyramid-shaped red tile roof crowning the tower was an unusual architectural choice for a laboratory building and made the site visually distinctive. This decorative element shows how early pharmaceutical companies designed their buildings with dignity and visual care to underscore their place in the community.
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