Hendricks County is full of historic homes, districts and unique places. If you’re a fan of Greek Revival, Italianate or Queen Anne architecture, Hendricks County has you covered. Personally, rather than just looking at the actual structure, which is interesting by itself, I really love having the backstory or history of the building, bridge or home to pair with it’s beautiful exterior.
According to the National Register of Historic Places, Hendricks County is home to 21 locations on their list. In addition, I reached out to our Hendricks County historical librarians to gather some of the history that makes some of these locations so special. The next time you visit, be sure to stop by and check out one of these unique features in each town across the county.
Danville's Two Historic Districts 
The Danville Main Street Historic District is bound between East, Main, Cross and Marion streets and includes everything from Greek Revival to Queen Anne architecture with homes dating back to the early 1800s.
The Hendricks County Courthouse Square Historic District is bound by Clinton, Tennessee, Broadway and Cross streets and also dates back to the 1800s. The Courthouse itself features Italianate and Second Empire architecture and a beautiful rotunda inside.
Hendricks County Historical Museum
The Hendricks County Historical Museum not only boasts an 1850’s historical home as the old sheriff’s residence and county jail, but a stop inside will give visitors a glimpse of artifacts and history from the county.
Royal Theater
The Royal Theater is also on the square and has been in operation for more than 100 years since 1914. The theater remains in operation today showing current release films and have a regular schedule of live music and other performances. They've even preserved a few rows of the original seats in the back of the theater.
Blanton House
Don’t miss The Blanton House at 625 W. Washington St. The Georgian Colonial Style mansion has been restored to maintain it’s original beauty and now offers opportunities for weddings, baby showers, anniversary parties and other community gatherings. Visitors can schedule a tour or learn more here.
Plainfield’s Historic District 
The Plainfield Historic District is bound by Lincoln, Ash and Mill streets and features Mid 19th Century Revival and Late Victorian architecture dating back to the early 1800s.
Drive on the Old National Road or U.S. 40 and find a variety of shops, restaurants and churches that clearly have a history, including the Oasis Diner and The Prewitt Restaurant & Lounge.
Barlow/McClain Home
Nearby, the Barlow/McClain home at 220 Krewson St. was built in 1873 for Quaker Asa Hunt. In 1895, the property was sold to James Barlow and kept in the family for 118 years.
Barlow served as a State Representative and Senator for Indiana. One of Barlow’s daughters married Charles McClain, a descendant of one of the early Avon settlers. It’s sprawling acreage and beauty is a great backdrop to the new Barlow Apartments in Plainfield’s booming downtown district.
Ezra Cox Home
The Ezra Cox home at 134 N. Center St. stands out with it’s Greek Revival pillars and a 135-year history. Cox’s parents were one of the earliest settlers of the Plainfield area. After more than six decades, Dr. Milo Aikman purchased the home but only lived there for about five years before permanently settling in the house next door at 140 N. Center St.
For more information and many other locations regarding Plainfield’s historic buildings, the 2022 book, 50 Historic Buildings of Plainfield, Indiana: The Places and the People by Sarah Wright is a great resource.
Avon History 
You can’t talk about history and architecture in the Town of Avon without mentioning the bridges.
Avon Haunted Bridge
The most famous or perhaps infamous of those bridges, the Avon Haunted Bridge, can be found towering over County Road 650 East. You can learn more about the legend surrounding this bridge here.
Whipple Bridge
If bridges keep you mesmerized, Avon is also home to the Whipple Bridge. Built in 1875, the Whipple Bridge once served as the main road between Danville and Indianapolis.
It features cast and wrought iron and now sits in the Washington Township Park just before the haunted bridge. Many believe the last vehicle to cross over the bridge was a fire engine in the 1970s.
Alvah Gossett Home
Historical homes include 1307 S. County Road 625 East, Avon, called the Alvah Gossett house or the Colleen Carter house. This beautiful home was built in the early 1850s and was shrouded in mystery after Mary Gossett died by apparent suicide in 1869. Alvah was charged with her murder and retained Gen. Benjamin Harrison as his defense lawyer. Alvah was eventually acquitted.
John McClain Home
The John McClain home at 1443 S. County Road 525 East features Italianate architecture and was built around 1876. The home had a one-story addition built on just a few years later and a one-story wraparound porch was added in the early 1900s.
For more information on Avon's historical buildings, check out the digital collection at the Avon-Washington Township Public Library.
Western Hendricks County 
Two Interurban Depots remain in Hendricks County. One in Plainfield and the other at 4985 Railroad St. in Amo. The Interurban lines provided residents accessibility to Indianapolis as early as 1902.
Amo Interurban Depot
The Amo location features Romanesque and Queen Anne architecture dating back to the early 1900s and has served as a reading room to the town for the past several years.
Pittsboro One-Room Schoolhouse
In addition, Pittsboro is home to an 1883 one-room school house.
Drive by to see the late 1800s architecture of the historical structure at 206 N. Meridian St., Pittsboro. There are no open visiting hours at this time, but groups can schedule a tour of the building through the North West Hendricks Community School Corporation.
