Ole Olsen Memorial Theatre Project

Ole Olsen TheatreWe are currently helping the Ole Olsen Theatre troupe in Peru, Indiana with repairs to the dormers on the old railroad depot that they use as their base.  The old wood siding on the dormers have gaps to the point that our crew said you could see from one side of the dormers out through the other side!  We are replacing the old siding with vinyl and wrapping the existing window trim with new rot resistant materials.  The window glass will be protected and insulated with Lexan covers.

Ole Olsen Theatre Dormer (before)It’s unfortunate that the previous roofing project was poorly executed.  Flashings were not installed properly around the dormers causing damage over the years.  The shingles were not properly laid out, so the lines are uneven and do not match on either side of the dormers and there is a round turret where the shingle line waivers up and down as it rises.  All this detracts from what is an impressive historic structure.  The details on the building are quite impressive, though as is often the case with historic structures, neglect has taken its toll over the years.  Bob Cooper and Ken Stiles have been our crew on site and they are struggling to fix past mistakes and blend the new work to fit with the historic structure.

This postcard supposedly shows the first CR&M (C&O) depot in Peru, Indiana. I would rather think this really the freight house, even though it resembles a depot. The brick and stone depot was built in 1901, which was the year the CR&M started running to Peru. I can’t explain the train order board. I did talk with a C&O retiree and he said he remembered the building as a yard office after it had been moved near the river. I am open to comments on this one. Postcard from Bob Albert collection.

Apparently there have been a plethora of gawkers sharing their comments and perspectives with Bob and Ken.  One of them spoke very authoritatively on the structure and stated as fact that the structure was over 200 years old.  The guys found that a little suspect since the State won’t be celebrating its 200th birthday until next year.  I did a little internet research, which I admit is also always a little suspect, but I found references to the railroad first coming to the Peru in 1854 on the Indiana Transportation Museum site.  Since is seemed a little unlikely that the depot was built in anticipation of the railroad that didn’t arrive for another 40 years, I did a little more digging.  I found the picture to the right showing a picture of the original depot with a reference to the current brick and limestone depot being constructed in 1901 on the Hoosier Valley Railroad Picture page.  114 years old is still impressive, but a little short of the 200 year claim.

Historic structures are always interesting and challenging.  We are attempting to be cognizant or the theatre troupe’s limited funds, where more extensive work might be appropriate.  We want to thank the Ole Olsen Theatre Troupe for their faith and confidence in Easterday Construction Co., Inc.

 

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