The Markle House

I have always had a love of art, even though I (Rachel) have very little artistic talent of my own. I participated in the fine arts academic team all four years of high school and thoroughly enjoyed studying various works and learning about the artists that created them. So when I learned that there was artwork of the home we were about to purchase I was thrilled. We immediately purchased a print of “The Old Markle House” by D. Omer “Salty” Seamon (see post). Since then, I have become quite a fan of Salty’s work, which largely depicts Indiana homes, historic sites, bridges, mills, and landscapes. I’ve even met a few locals who actually knew him and have been in his studio! We’ve collected several Salty prints related to Terre Haute history, and I was excited to come across this book showcasing his works. I quickly thumbed through it looks for the Markle House.

I didn’t have to look far. The famous depiction of the house in red brick with a horse-drawn carriage out front was font on page 4! It says it is from the “Terre Haute First National Bank Collection”, so I’m wondering if the original is hanging on display in one of the branches.

Page 36 includes the Markle Mill in a collage of mill drawings and paintings:

But my very favorite find in this book is page 50. It is the only time I have seen this painting of the Markle House. It is from the vantage point of the other side of Otter Creek, capturing the dam and old mill site in the foreground. I have never come across this painting in prints or any other books, but I would LOVE to have this framed on our wall.