Carol Johnson | Southern Indiana Business Report
LOOGOOTEE – A house with a unique history is getting a second chance after falling into disrepair thanks to the Uplands Regional Land Bank.
The two-story house at 102 John St. in Loogootee was purchased in a tax sale by the Land Bank. The Uplands Regional Land Bank was established in 2023 and is a non profit organization administered by the Southern Indiana Development Commission. Working in six counties, the program acquires vacant, neglected or deteriorated properties with the goal of rehabbing them to create new housing opportunities.
The Land Bank doesn’t do the rehabilitation work, rather, the program looks for developers, contractors or potential homeowners who want to do the work themselves.
Bobbie Abel is program manager of the Uplands Regional Land Bank and said the Loogootee house is in rough shape, but the members of the board believe it is worth saving.
“It was a grand house at one time. The stories we are hearing are pretty interesting,” Abel said.
After Land Bank Board Vice President Jessica Potts posted a photo of the house to social media, a relative of the original owner shared some history about the house.
According to the relative, the house was built by Loogooee businessman John Wesley Crooke. Crooke was born in Dover Hill in 1844, fought in the Civil War and helped establish the Methodist church in Loogootee. Crooke’s great-grandfather, Maj. John Crooke, served in the American Revolutionary War.
The family also had an early connection with the Indianapolis 500. John W. Crooke’s daughter Claire married Chase Dawson from Odon. Their son was Joe Dawson, winner of the 1912 Indy 500, accomplishing the feat at just 22 years of age.
The house, built around 1900, was also home to Crooke’s son Charles, a well-known millwright.
The home is 2,400 square feet with five bedrooms, two bathrooms, living room and a dining room. It has 9-foot pocket doors, some original woodwork, a hidden staircase and is within walking distance of downtown Loogootee.
A hole in the roof has caused damage to the kitchen area, which Abel said will need to be addressed.
“When the Land Bank board toured the property, the initial reaction was, ‘Oh, this is a tear down,’ but after learning the history, we’d really like to see this property saved,” Abel said.
As fixer uppers go, the John Street house won’t be a simple project, but Abel said, “Its restoration would be nothing short of spectacular.”
The Land Bank acquired its first property in September 2024 and currently owns 14 properties in various stages of rehab from shovel-ready lots, rehab-ready homes, homes under demo, and a new build breaking ground this week in Shoals. The Land Bank has sold three properties which are currently being rehabilitated.
“Each property is unique and not all houses can be saved,” Abel said. “Some are torn down and a new house built on the property.”
“Our ultimate goal is to create housing and strengthen our communities,” Abel said. “The infill lots are a good source for the Land Bank. We’re not looking to do a large development, but lot by lot, hoping to improve our communities.”
The Land Bank finds properties in need of rehab from several sources including:
- The public – anyone can contact the Land Bank to evaluate a potential property
- Donations
- Private sale/acquisition
- Delinquent Tax Sales
- Foreclosure sales
Nationally, it takes on average three years start to finish for one Land Bank property to reach completion.
To learn more, contact the Land Bank, 812-295-3707 ext 5 or visit the website: www.urlanbank.com