This California-style bungalow was constructed circa 1929 in the east end of New Albany, in an area that once had been an independent town. Silver Grove was incorporated in 1886, but was annexed by the larger city in 1915. Today Silver Grove has an active neighborhood association and has been identified as being potentially eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places as a historic district.

Irvin Weber purchased this new house from real estate developer Michael Burger on June 15, 1929 for investment purposes. This area was a replat of lot numbers 39 to 50 in Plat number 524. It was duly entered on August 4, 1927. The first listing for this home was in the 1929 New Albany City Directory, with Elmer Utz listed as the resident. Over the next 20 years the house saw numerous occupants, including the George A. Hennes family who remained in the home for almost eight years. Mr. Hennes’ occupation was listed as a sales manager.

On February 2, 1949, Carl F. Hess and his wife Elizabeth C. purchased the house. With this began over 55 years of ownership by the Hess family. Mr. Hess was a salesman for the Purity Maid Dairy Products Co. located at East 12th and Market Streets in New Albany. Purity Maid would eventually be purchased by the Bowman Dairy Co. and Carl would retire from the latter. Both Carl and Elizabeth were members of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in New Albany. Carl died in July 2002 and Elizabeth remained in the home until her death in February of 2006.

The Hess house has over 1100 square feet of living area – including two bedrooms and one bathroom – with an additional 1200+ square feet in the basement, which is currently unfinished. The full-width front porch is the focal point of the home’s exterior and offers great outdoor living space. It features tapered piers and a knee wall of raked brick, set atop a rusticated block foundation. The raked brick is repeated on a large chimney that runs up the south wall of the house and provides visual interest to the low roofline. The exterior of the house is currently clad in vinyl siding, but the clapboard likely remains underneath. The original one-over-one double hung windows are still present, with storm windows added for thermal efficiency.

The original front door leads from the front porch into the living room. The door features classic Craftsman styling, with three vertical lights and an oversized ‘cornice’ feature, set atop one wooden panel. An original storm door with a removable multi-light panel also remains. The interior of the home includes original, natural-finish woodwork throughout, as well as original two-panel doors. The living and dining rooms feature newly-refinished hardwood floors with an inlaid cherry border, with a knot design in the corners.

One end of the large living room is anchored by a (wood-burning) brick fireplace flanked by built-in bookcases and a pair of windows. French doors lead into the spacious dining room, which includes a full-length window seat in the bay window.

Beyond the dining room is the updated kitchen, which has new countertops and ceramic flooring, as well as a cozy breakfast nook.

The two bedrooms are both generously-sized, with ample closet space. In the front bedroom, steps in the closet lead to the attic, which could be finished for additional living space. An updated full bathroom with lots of natural light is also found on the main level.

The full basement currently includes a one-car garage – accessed from the alley – and a laundry area. With over 1200 square feet, high ceilings, windows and walk-out rear access the basement offers plenty of possibilities for additional living space. The yard has little grass to mow, but good-sized planting beds in the front.