Benjamin Franklin Schenck Mansion (Vevay, Indiana)

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This 35 room mansion was built in 1874 by Benjamin Franklin Schenck, son of a wealthy "hay king" of the steamboat era. It was the marvel of its time with a four storied tower and five bathrooms. Each bathroom contains a walnut cased copper lined tub. Architecturally the house is of the "second empire" style. It has four porches, seven balconies, eight chimneys and numerous windows. The original slate roof is still intact. The exterior trim is all made of tin.
Schenck was born in Louisville, KY in 1834. He attended law school at Poughkeepsie, New York and was admitted to the bar, but instead of practicing law, he entered the mercantile business with his father, Ulysses P. Schenck. He also owned and edited the Vevay Weekly News for several years, and was in the ink business with John Henry.

"He was a man of fine personal appearance, active in his habits, sprightly and spicy in conversation, upright, prompt, accomodating and genial in all his business relations. No man in town was more universally respected by all. He was ardent in his friendship and had a host of friends in town and country. He was a very devoted husband and loving and painstaking father. He believed a man should be religious, accepting the articles of his faith. A mason, he was a member of the Blue Lodge in Vevay, Chapter in Florence, and Commandery in Madison."

Schenck died in 1877, having only spent two summers in his newly finished mansion. His three daughters gave the property and sixty-five acres to the Indiana Baptist Convention in1923. In 1945 the home was acquired by Mr. & Mrs. Clarence Wiseman who lived here and also used it as the clubhouse for the Switzerland County Saddle Club. The circular driveway at the bottom of the hill was originally a quarter mile track.

The property is now operating as a bed & breakfast:
www.schenckmansion.com/