627 W. Oak St., Oakland City, Indiana. County/parish: Gibson.
Added to the National Register of Historic Places September 13, 1978. NRIS 78000031.
2 contributing buildings.Also known as:
William M. Cockrum House, also known as Cockrum Hall, is a historic home located at Oakland City, Indiana. It was built in 1876, and is a two-story, Italian Villa style brick dwelling with a one-story wing. It features a three-story square corner tower set at a 45-degree angle, round and segmental arched windows, and bracketed cornice. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.
The building was built to replace the original home of the Cockrums which was a wood-frame structure that was burned down in 1875 by saloon supporters in retaliation against the Cockrums for their influence and support of the dry movement. The original home was an active stop on the Underground Railroad. and was located roughly the same location as the current building.
Colonel William M. Cockrum (1837–1924) built the home with his wife Lucretia (Harper) and himself. The family had a relationship with Oakland City University, with William and Lucretia both supporting the establishment of the Baptist college. The family donated several acres to the college on which the first college building was built. Furthermore, after the death of one of William and Lucretia's children, Zoe Cockrum Aldrich, the property was bequeathed to the college in the late 1950s.
The home has served Oakland City University as the Music and Fine Arts Building, and most recently, after extensive renovations, as the Development and Alumni Offices. Cockrum Hall is the oldest building on the college campus.
(read more...)National Park Service documentation: https://catalog.archives.gov/id/132003114