William Culbertson was once the richest man in Indiana. He started out a clerk in the dry goods business, then in 1854, he began his own utility company.
His 20,000 square foot home was built in 1867 and completed in 1869 for $120,000 which is about $2 million these days. It was built by brothers William and James Banes with locally-sourced materials and was one of the most striking homes on Main Street. The original mansard tin roof was imported from Scotland and inside you find hand-painted ceilings and walls and hand-carved staircases. The railroad used to run right behind this home and a streetcar ran from his house into downtown.
Culbertson was married three times with his last marriage being at the ripe old age of 70. After his death, his wife auctioned off the home and all the contents inside for just $7,100.
Fast forward to the 1960s, the mansion was in danger of being torn down so that a gas station could be put in its place. Thankfully, Historic New Albany, a local historic group, purchased the mansion in 1964 from the American Legion for $24,000.00. It was put on the National Register of Historic Places shortly after.
It’s now a State Historic Site and provides public tours. It’s one of only 12 Indiana State Museum Historic Sites. You can find this home at 914 E. Main Street in New Albany, Indiana.
