On the National Road in western Indiana, overlapping the Hendricks-Putnam County line you’ll find Rising Hall. It’s an Italianate home built 1870-72 by Melville McHaffie, a son of pioneer Putnam County settlers. McHaffie and later his son farmed the surrounding land.
In the decades after the McHaffies owned the house, it passed through several owners before being abandoned. It was in deplorable condition by the early 1980s when Walt and June Prosser bought it, completely restored it, and got it listed on the National Register of Historic Places. (Here is its nomination application.)
In 2000, the house and its restoration was profiled on television. The video tells the house’s story and shows the stunningly beautiful restoration the Prossers undertook.
As the video explains, the Prossers gave the home its current name, after all of the staircases (“rising halls”) inside.
It’s not common to see a barn made of brick in Indiana.
Walt passed away in 2010 at age 86. I am unable to find information about his wife, June, so I presume she is still alive. Here’s hoping the Prosser family continues to give this home loving attention.
I’ve driven the National Road from its beginning in Baltimore, MD to its end in Vandaila, IL. To read everything I’ve ever written about it, click here.
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It will be interesting to see what happens with the house in the coming decades. I get the feeling that there is much less interest in strict preservation among younger generations, who seem to like the classic look outside but prefer a total gut and modern reconfiguration inside.
You definitely do see that a lot more now. Frankly, in many older homes that were fairly common, I’m not sure it bothers me that much. But a house like this deserves to be fully preserved for the ages.
I have always loved these type of homes, but always balked at the expenditure of money, labor, and time it takes to maintain them as they deserve.
Agreed. I’d love to own an older home, but it’s a time and money commitment to be sure.
They did a wonderful job, hopefully it will be looked after as it deserves!
I’m so glad this couple found this house and gave it the care it deserves. This video is wonderful!!
How fortunate that the video exists! Someday I’d love to go inside this house.
It certainly is fortunate to have this video, especially since the gentleman passed on. His enthusiasm is inspiring.
And I always want to see what’s behind a closed door- especially when it leads to an amazing old home!