When is a house more than a house? When it’s the Markle House. Located on Dam Mill Road, it is one of the oldest structures in Terre Haute. It sits across from the ruins of the old Markle Mill, which was destroyed by fire in 1938. Mill owner Abraham Markle built the original house, and in 1848 his son Frederick built the structure which now stands on the same site.
The Markle house remained in the family until 1982 and acquired a colorful history. In its time it served as a stagecoach station, a place for mustering militia, a prison for Confederate soldiers during the Civil War, and possibly a stop on the Underground Railroad.
In 1951, the Markle house was sold to Floyd and Georgia Larison.
The next owners, Hulman & Co., purchased the property in 1977 and donated it to the Vigo County Historical Society.
Although the Historical Society hoped to restore the house as a museum, the project proved too costly, and the building was sold to Donald and Sallie Cox in 1983.
Historical Treasure:
Sometimes a House is More Than a House
by Judy Francis
Tribune-Star Dec 26, 2010
In the spring of 2020, the property became the private residence of Ben & Rachel Porter. The current owners take the care and preservation of this historic home very seriously and welcome the opportunity to help keep a part of Terre Haute’s past alive.
The Markle House 
