Washington Street Historic District (Valparaiso, Indiana)
The Washington Street Historic District is north of Valparaiso's downtown. The neighborhood has tree-lined streets with many examples of late nineteenth- and early twentieth-century houses and public buildings. Valparaiso began to expand after the railroads came through the township in the 1860s; Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne and Chicago Railroad, the New York, Chicago and St. Louis Railroad and the Grand Trunk Railroad. Residential neighborhoods grew up between the business district and the railroads. On Valparaiso's south side industrial and transportation area expanded, thus residential development was north of downtown. The district 's earliest remaining houses date from the mid-nineteenth century. The Letherman House is the area's finest example of the Gothic Revival style. The Italianate style is also well represented in the district. The A. J. Buel House and the Colonel Mark DeMotte House are particularly noteworthy examples of the style. A collection of five houses (see North Franklin Street), were built in the Italianate style by local builder John D. Wilson. The early twentieth century brought a building boom to the area. Many of the district's most significant homes were built during this period. The Dr. David  J. Loring House and Clinic was designed by local architect Charles Lembke in 1906 an example of the Free Classic style. The Colonial Revival style is represented by four houses on Washington Street (410, 507, 603, 703). The Tudor Revival style is represented by houses at 505 and 406 North Washington. In addition to the district's residential buildings, a number of noteworthy public buildings also remain. Immanuel Lutheran Church was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This outstanding Gothic Revival style church was constructed in 1891. St. Andrew's Episcopal Church is now a condominium rebuilt in  2010 from its early twentieth-century roots. The Valparaiso High School is an elementary school. The Washington Street area remains as one of Valparaiso's most cohesive and architecturally significant neighborhoods. Significant buildings. All structures are historically contributing towards the Historic District Status, unless otherwise noted. An 'O’ rating signifies that the structure had enough historic or architectural significance to be considered for individual listing in the National Register of Historic Places. The 'N’ rating signifies that the structure is above average and may, with further investigation be eligible for an individual listing. The 'C’ or contributing rating signifies that  the structure meet the basic inventory qualifications, but fails to meet individual merit, but in combination with other closely placed similar structures warrants inclusion in an historic district. West Erie Street North Lafayette Street North Washington Street North Franklin Street