National Historic District
ALBION, INDIANA
Historic Property Available
Town Hall (est.1930)
The Town of Albion issued an exploratory solicitation to seek out creative ideas in the form of a non-binding proposal and gauge specific investment interest that might exist to address the next use for this vacant historic building (not individually listed, however a "contributing" structure to the Albion Courthouse Square Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places.) The Albion STAR Team has responded with a proposal to repurpose the building to become a "community hub."
Updates!
Two proposals were received by the Town of Albion, ours and one other. The other proposal was from a businessman who expressed interest in purchasing the building. The town council voted on August 26, 2025 to move forward to seek two appraisals in order to negotiate with the potential buyer. We appreciate everyone who submitted letters of support for our proposal and, should the opportunity to pursue as proposed present itself again, will post updates here.
On October 28, 2025... minutes from the Albion Town Council meeting:
"Review Recommendation from Public Works Committee on Appraisals of 110 S Orange St and Next Steps – The PW committee met on Monday, October 27, 2025 and reviewed the two appraisals received for the vacant building. The average of the two appraisals is $145,000.
Magnuson reported while the decision was not unanimous, a majority of committee members recommend trying to sell the building. Attorney Manns provided information on the process and methods allowed for sale of the property. Council member Abby Lindsey asked about the prior RFPs that were received for the building. Manns said if the council were to proceed with selling the property, the council should reject all proposals received so far. An advertised public hearing would need to be held, and council would need to vote to sell the property and recommend to the Council President by what acceptable means (auction, online, in-
person, etc.) it is to be sold and set a minimum price.
There was some question as to whether or not setting a minimum price below the average of the two appraisals is allowable. Manns understood it to be allowable, but will follow-up with council to confirm. Council members Gray and Lindsey expressed interest in retaining the property for community use. Gray said he would like to see a pavilion constructed similar to the one in Nappanee, Indiana. Lindsey noted the proposal received from a conglomeration of community organizations, and suggested forming a committee and researching grant opportunities that might be available for the property. Both noted that if the property is sold, the Town will lose future controlof the site. After discussion, the topic was ta bled and will be revisited at a later date. In the meantime, council asked that town employees take measures to winterize the building."
History
Albion's Board of Trustees in May 1930 issued a Notice to Contractor seeking bids for the construction of "A Fire Station and Town Building." Bids of such construction would be accepted by the town’s board of trustees, made up at that time by Dr. Walter Carver, John F. Gatwood and Fred B. Moore. It stated that this building would be constructed on South Orange Street in “strict accordance with plans and specifications prepared by and under the direction of Architect Alvin M. Strauss," a famous Hoosier architect born in Kendallville and responsible for designing many well-known structures in Northeast Indiana including the Embassy Theatre, Lincoln Bank Tower, Clyde Theatre, Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, and others in Fort Wayne. The historic performing arts theater at the Community Learning Center in Kendallville, also designed by Strauss, was recently named in his honor. It is now called the Strauss Theatre for Performing Arts. Read more about the building's history from the late Bob Gagen, long-time Noble County historian, here.
The Albion Town Hall building is one story tall and has a limestone foundation. Its walls are composed of auburn-colored bricks; stone coping is at the top of the walls. The building's front wall is divided into three parts; each part is separated by a brick pilaster. The corner pilasters are capped by stone capitals that are carved with Art Deco designs. The south part is the widest part; it (formerly formed) a garage bay opening with a large (aluminum) garage door (today, the wall features five windows installed during a repurposing of the building.) The north part has three 1/1 metal windows with stone sills (this may have been modified.) The middle part is narrow and has the entry. The entry has a stone surround. The top of the surround is pointed like an abstract form of a pediment. "Town of Albion" is carved into the pediment. Between the top of the pediment and the top of the wall are seven vertical rows of bricks that are stepped to the center, tallest row. The building (formerly had) a metal tower with a fire alarm on a platform above the building. (The tower was removed during a renovation and repurposing; the bell is reportedly retained by the Town of Albion.)
(Excerpt from the National Register of Historic Places application for the Albion Courthouse Square Historic District, 2013.)
The interior of this building has been remodeled within the past 15 years and features three distinct spaces: Two offices and a half bath on the north end and a conference/meeting room and accessible half bath on the south end. The building is accessible via a ramp on the south side of the building, adjacent to a "pocket park" maintained by the Albion STAR Team and an interior ramp for access to the slightly lower-level conference/meeting room and restroom. The building features a large, full basement with ample space for storage. The basement is serviced by two electric sump pumps. More detailed information, including a commercial building inspection report, is contained with the Request for Proposals. The Albion STAR Team has independently confirmed that a new, commercial roof was installed on the building in 2017 and an inspection of its condition in June 2025 revealed a little dirt on the roof, but otherwise the roof remains in very good condition.
Thank you, community partners!
The following individuals and organizations have provided letters of support of the Albion STAR Team's proposal:
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Albion Chamber of Commerce
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Albion Rotary
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Be Noble Inc.
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Black Pine Animal Sanctuary
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Burr Oak Baptist Church
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Central Noble School Corporation
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John Bry, CMSM
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Indiana Landmarks
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Loree Sprague (resident)
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Newman & Newman LLC
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Noble County Convention and Visitors Bureau