Tippecanoe Treasures

A miniature collectible series showcasing local historic landmarks

Collect History in Miniature

Tippecanoe County’s history is marked by majestic architecture, now collectible in miniature, thanks to the Tippecanoe Treasures Series created by Tippecanoe County Historical Association.

Each year since 1997, the association has commissioned the creation of two miniature replicas of local buildings of historical significance. Cast in porcelain, each detailed, hand-painted treasure carefully captures the landmarks’ features. Buildings may be displayed with lighting from the inside.

The treasures come together as attractive home or office streetscapes for holiday décor or all-year displays. And they make thoughtful gifts for residents and those now living away from their Hoosier roots.

New treasures are released in time for the winter holidays each year, with limited quantities of early releases available year round at the Tippecanoe County Historical Museum Gift Shop, 1001 South Street, Lafayette, Indiana and the Tippecanoe Battlefield Museum, 200 Battle Ground Ave., Battle Ground, IN 47920.

Bring a treasure of a beloved local building home today and enjoy years of memories.

2006		Pythian Home Lafayette Built 1926
2006		St. Elizabeth Hospital Lafayette Built 1876
2005		Commandant's House West Lafayette Built 1895 The Commandant’s House was built as part of the Indiana State Soldiers’ Home. The building was rescued from decay, renovated and is now operated as a Bed and Breakfast.
2005		Von's Shops State St., West Lafayette Built mid-1890s The Stinespring- Murdock Building was built as apartments with a later part dating from 1899-1907. It was occupied by the Lewis Grocery around 1910, and Deac’s, the major Purdue bookstore of the early-to-mid 20th century. The corner has been occupied by Harry’s Chocolate Shop since 1919.
2004		Mars Theater (Long Center for the Performing Arts) 111 N. Sixth St., Lafayette Built 1920 The Luna Amusement Company tapped local talent, including the Nicol, Scholer and Hoffman architectural firm, to design and build this neoclassical vaudeville house seating 1,200. It was given to the city in 1977 and renamed The Long Center.
2004		St. John’s Episcopal Church 600 Ferry St., Lafayette Built 1857-58 This Gothic revival church, expanded a number of times over the years, once served as a stop on the Underground Railroad.
2003		Falley-Wright House Now John Phillip Sousa Foundation New York and 6th St., Lafayette Built 1862 Lafayette’s only house built in the true Italian villa style, this home was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.
2003		Fort Ouiatenon Blockhouse 3129 South River Road, West Lafayette Built 1930 Constructed of timbers from the Monon Shops, the blockhouse was a gift of Dr. Richard Wetherill. It replicates the original Ouiatenon blockhouse and serves as the centerpiece of the Tippecanoe County Historical Association’s activities at Fort Ouiatenon.
2002		The Frozen Custard Main and Wallace streets, Lafayette Built 1949 Built to replace a former igloo-style building and utilizing the original neon roof logos, this building was influenced by the art deco movement and continues to be a local tradition.
2002		Potter-Haan Mansion State Street, Lafayette Built 1904 Constructed and displayed at the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair, this colonial revival masterpiece was purchased after the fair by William Potter. It was disassembled, shipped by train and reassembled in Lafayette for his family home. It has since been purchased and restored by the Haan family.
2001		McCord Candies Fifth and Main streets, Lafayette Built 1865-70 Generations of residents have sipped chocolate sodas at this Second Empire building in the heart of downtown’s arts and entertainment district.
2001		Morton School (Morton Community Center) 222 N. Chauncey, West Lafayette Built 1929 Lafayette architect Walter Scholer Sr. designed this classical revival school, deemed the most appropriate image for public buildings associated with knowledge, learning and the arts. It served as West Lafayette’s only elementary school until 1955, and continued operating as a school until 1985. It’s now owned and operated as a community center by the city.
2000		Five Points Fire Station (Historic Five Points Fire Museum) 1511 Main St., Lafayette Built 1922 Operating as Fire Station No. 3 for nearly 80 years and serving downtown, this building is a prime example of craftsman architecture.
2000		Jefferson High School Now Historic Jeff Centre Ninth and Brown streets Lafayette Built 1912 This neoclassical design with elaborate limestone trim operated as Jefferson High School from 1912 until 1969, and then as an Ivy Tech State College facility. It was renovated in 2004 and is now a 74-apartment residential complex.
1999		St. Mary’s Cathedral 1207 Columbia St, Lafayette Built 1866 A grand steeple and soaring sanctuary mark this cathedral on what was once known as Seminary Hill. It’s been renovated and expanded several times since its original construction.
1999		Albert A. Wells Memorial Library (Wells Community Cultural Center) 638 North St., Lafayette Built 1927 Albert Wells funded this neoclassical style library, designed by Lafayette’s Walter Scholer Sr. It served as a public library until 1989 and now houses Tippecanoe Arts Federation Offices, IN Fiddlers’ Gathering Office, three art galleries, meeting rooms, and performance spaces.
1998		Cyrus Ball Mansion South Ninth St., Lafayette Built 1865-69 The centerpiece of historic Ninth Street Hill, the Ball home blends Second Empire and Italianate architectural styles and includes elaborate brick, wood and wrought iron details. The home has been occupied by members of the Ball family since its construction.
1998		Big Four Depot Now a transportation, community facility at Riehle Plaza 200 N. Second St., Lafayette Built 1901-2 This brick and limestone building constructed at Second and South streets by two railroads, including one nicknamed the “Big Four,” served as a train station until the early 1970s. It was partially restored in 1979, given to the City of Lafayette in 1983, and in 1994 moved to its present location at Riehle Plaza.
1997		Moses Fowler House (Currently Out of Stock) 909 South St., Lafayette Built 1851 Local merchant Moses Fowler built this Gothic revival mansion for his home in 1851. It’s considered the best residential example of the style in Indiana.
1997		Tippecanoe County Courthouse 301 Main St., Lafayette Built 1882-84 The third courthouse on the site, this building combines several architectural styles. It has 100 columns, nine statues and a dome with four clocks.