Area less than one acre Architect Perkins, Fredrick NRHP Reference # 75000027 Added to NRHP 10 October 1975 | Built 1857 (1857), 1901-1905 Architectural style English Manor Phone +1 219-873-1520 | |
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Location 631 Washington St., Michigan City, Indiana Address 631 Washington St, Michigan City, IN 46360, USA Similar Old Michigan City Light, Washington Park Zoo, Blue Chip Casino - Hotel and, Washington Park Beach, Michigan City East Light | ||
The John H. Barker Mansion is a historic home located in Michigan City, LaPorte County, Indiana. The original house was built in 1857, and is a two-story, brick structure that now serves as the rear wing. Between 1901 and 1905, the main block was constructed. The main house is a 2 1/2-story, maroon brick with limestone trim designed as an English Manor house, with 38 rooms, 10 bathrooms, and seven fireplaces.
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. It is located in the Haskell and Barker Historic District.
John H. Barker
In 1836, at the age of 22, John Barker Sr. arrived in Indiana from Andover, Massachusetts, looking for new business opportunities. He began as a general merchant, expanded into grain brokerage, before opening a commission house to receive and forward merchandise from ships on the lakes. During this time, he married and raised a family. Two children survived him, daughter, Anna, and son, John H. Barker.
Seeing the potential of railroads, he bought an interest in the manufacture of freight cars. Shortly after his purchase in 1855, the company was renamed Haskell & Barker Car Co. The onset of the American Civil War helped the business prosper through government contracts. As the Car Company prospered, Michigan City prospered. When he retired in 1869, his son left Chicago to return as the general manager of the company. By 1910, the Car Company was prospering such that John H. was worth an estimated fifty to sixty million dollars. In 1922 "Haskell & Barker" merged with the Pullman Company, and is now known as Pullman-Standard, a division of Pullman, Inc.