It was September, 2014. The Fishers Board of Zoning Appeals had just approved a plan to move the Kincaid House from its long-time location dating back to Fishers as a farm town, to another plot of land near I-69. I asked the group organized to save the house what their plans were once the structure was moved. They asked me, “Do you have any ideas?”
When you ask a reporter covering the meeting for suggestions on what to do with the old house, I knew the whole situation was in trouble. There was no plan on what to do.
You can see the old Kincaid House, sometimes referred to as the Morris-Flanagan-Kincaid House, as you drive along I-69 north in Fishers. Most people around Fishers just call it the Kincaid House. Driving by you can spot the disrepair. The house has no utility hookups and no road for easy access.
More than a year ago, I recorded a podcast with some of the relatives related to the past owners of the Kincaid House, along with Fishers PR Director Ashley Elrod. There was still some hope for the future of the house, perhaps as the centerpiece of a roundabout. That never happened. You can listen to that podcast at this link.
John Tuohy of the Indianapolis Star has written a deep dive into the Kincaid House, posted to the Star Web site July 26. You can read the article at this link, but a subscription may be required.
The Kincaid House was saved from demolition in 2014 when it was moved, very carefully and meticulously. It now stands stranded, abandoned and in disrepair. It is sad a part of Fishers history has ended up this way.
Can the house be moved to Conner Prairie?
My understanding is any move of that structure at this point is very risky.
maybe the agripark can take the house!
I wish a technology company would move into that house. Fishers likes tech companies. Or maybe a competition or contest could be held, and the winner gets to move into the house and receive funds to renovate it.
this is so typical Fishers. this is similar to what they did to the nickel plate building. They pretend they’re going to save it, do nothing to protect it for 2 years, and then declare it too far gone to save. They were never going to save it. this is what Fishers does, or more pointedly, Scott fadness.
I remember sneaking into that house as a teenager in the mid 90s. It was in disrepair then and it was fiscally irresponsible to move it in 2014. I understand the history behind the house, but not everything can be saved.