Downtown Columbia City History Tour Stop 1
A Historic Home Comes to Life
Where once the sounds of a lively local family echoed through these rooms, today the history of our great community comes to life. Yes, one hundred sixty (160) years after construction, the Thomas Marshall home still stands. And, it is the crown jewel in what Whitley County Museum offers to area residents.
The Marshall Family Legacy
The home was built by Thomas Marshall’s parents in the 1860s. Young Marshall resided here as a youth, adolescent, early adulthood. He may be one of Columbia City’s most famous residents. Born, raised, and educated here, upon completion of Law School. Thomas Marshall returned to Columbia City to practice law. After a successful career prosecuting the criminal element of our community, Marshall turned his attention to serving his fellow citizens in Government. In 1908, he was elected Governor of Indiana, and from 1913 to 1920 Marshall served as our country’s Vice-President in the Woodrow Wilson Administration.
From Family Home to Museum
Marshall sold the property to the McLallen family in 1909. That was the year Thomas Marshall took up residence in the Governor’s Mansion in Indianapolis. Later generations of the McLallen family had the residence divided into apartments. This layout remained until the Whitley County Museum organization purchased the home in the 1960s and began a restoration project that took several years.
Preserving the Past
Over the years, Whitley County Museum has received and/or purchased numerous furniture items owned by the Marshall family, Thomas, or Lois. Those pieces remain in the home, and are on display today.
The Whitley County Museum Today
The Whitley County Museum is a not-for-profit organization that operates the home and the office building behind the Marshall home. The staff of three (3), and volunteer group of ten to twelve (10-12) keep the museum running smoothly.
A Must-See for History Lovers
Yes, if you are interested in the life and times of Thomas Marshall, the Whitley County Museum is a must see. If you have questions about what life was like in Whitley County these last one hundred sixty (160) years, Whitley County Museum has the answers! So, for an in-depth look into the life and times of Thomas Marshall and this wonderful community, visit the Whitley County Museum.
Thank you to Pam Koch and Doug Clark for their outstanding research and writing of the article and the Whitley County Historical Museum for generously sharing photographs from their collection. Thank you to Columbia City High School’s WJHS 91.5 The Eagle for producing the audio recording.
