Indianapolis’ Oldest Home Hits the Market for Just $400K—205 Years After It Was Built Using Mud Bricks From Local Creek

The oldest home in Indianapolis has come to the market for $400,000—more than 200 years after it was built as part of a sprawling 240-acre family farm.

Built in 1820, the four-bedroom brick dwelling is known as the William Sanders Home, named for the man who crafted the property when the state of Indiana "was just 4 years old."

While the property's age is perhaps the most intriguing aspect of its history, there are plenty of other alluring qualities about the dwelling—not least its unique dogtrot layout, which "separates the two wings" of the house, creating a "multitude of living possibilities," according to the listing.

When the dwelling was first built—using bricks that were crafted from mud taken from nearby Pleasant Creek—it's thought that the back section of the home was used as farmhands' quarters.

"The original home is in the front of the house and at some point, a back unit was added with a breezeway connecting the two," said listing agent Mike Feldman of Compass Indiana LLC. "Indianapolis was founded in 1816 and this home was built four years later."

When it was constructed, the home was angled to face southeast for extensive sun exposure in each room all day.

Much has changed since 1820, when Sanders completed work on the dwelling, which was part of an enormous estate that has slowly been broken up into pieces over the years.

"William Sanders was a businessman who owned the entire 240-acre parcel," Feldman said. "Over the years, the lots were sold off. It's interesting to note that the bricks used to construct the home were made from the mud of nearby Pleasant Creek."

While the estate was once one of the more impressive in the area, the home fell into a state of disrepair during the 1920s, before being bought by Frank Childers, a county clerk who modernized the property and brought it into a new era, according to IndyStar.

It was later bought by K.C. Cohen, who owned it for three decades and did two extensive renovations before selling it.

The "remarkable piece of Indianapolis history" last traded hands for $195,937 in 2018. Originally part of an enormous farm, the properties have since been parceled off.

Many historic details still remain throughout the thoughtfully modernized 4,006-square-foot interior. Historic highlights include preserved hardwood floors, custom millwork, window seating, exposed brick walls, vaulted ceilings, and three fireplaces.

A front portion of the home designed as the original "public" living areas boasts a modern floor plan with a bright and airy living room, a spacious dining room for entertaining, and industrial-style kitchen with stainless steel appliances.

"The current owners bought the home intending to do more extensive renovations, but decided they wanted to be closer to their family and move to the suburbs," he added. "They did light renovations on all of the bathrooms along with foundation and sewer line work and repainted the interior. It is move-in ready."

Two bedrooms can be found in the front portion of the residence while a rear section offers additional living quarters with two more bedrooms and an additional kitchen. A two-car detached garage can also be found on the fenced-in property.

"I would like to see an owner occupant buy it and pay homage to the era it was built and respect the history of the home like the sellers have with their color choices," Feldman said. "They renovated it, but made it feel as if it were 1820."

The separate dwellings located just a five-minute walk from Fountain Square could also be used for additional income.

"It could very well be an investment property," he said. "It does fall under the historic guidelines from the Landmarks Commission, but you could live in the front of the house and use the back portion as an office.

"It is zoned residential and would also be great for someone who wants separate mother-in-law quarters or another family member they want to live with."