James Omar Cole House, Second Empire style residence in Peru, Indiana.
The James Omar Cole House is a Second Empire style residence built with symmetrical red brick and two projecting bays. A mansard roof with multiple dormers along its perimeter defines the architectural character of this one-and-a-half story structure.
The house was built in 1883 during Peru's industrial boom, when the town was developing as a manufacturing center. Its listing on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984 recognized its architectural and historical value to the community.
The residence reflects how prosperous families in Peru displayed their success through architecture during the late 1800s. Such homes served as symbols of social standing within the growing industrial town.
You can view the exterior details from the public sidewalk at any time of year without needing special arrangements. The house sits on East Third Street, where you can easily stop to observe the architectural features from street level.
The original materials and construction details remain intact across the generations, allowing visitors to see genuine craftsmanship from the 1880s. This preservation level reveals how builders approached quality and durability in residential construction during that era.
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