Logansport-Cass County Memorial Center (Kendrick-Baldwin House)
The City of Logansport announced on January 16, 2025 that it has received an Efroymson Endangered Places grant from Indiana Landmarks to support the rehabilitation of the Logansport-Cass County Memorial Center, also known as the Kendrick-Baldwin House. This grant helped kick off a project to revitalize the historic structure. The building, at 706 E. Market St., serves as a cornerstone of the community’s heritage and resilience and is a tribute to Cass County’s World War I veterans.
The grant will fund an engineering study and testing of hazardous materials within the structure, including radon, lead paint and asbestos. The results of this study will determine necessary remediation efforts prior to interior rehabilitation work. The grant is for $3,500 and the total project cost is $9,000.
The City authorized about $58,000 to cover restoration of windows on the east elevation in 2025.
In August 2025, the City of Logansport was awarded a $750,000 Public Facilities Program grant by the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs.
In October 2025, the City of Logansport was awarded a $28,250 matching grant from the Jeffris Family Foundation Heartland Fund to complete an Historic Structure Report (HSR) for the Logansport-Cass County Memorial Center. The grant covers 50% of the costs for this comprehensive architectural study, marking a significant milestone in the restoration of this iconic landmark.
The HSR serves as the foundational document for major restoration projects, providing essential documentation of the building’s history, current condition, and recommended preservation treatments. It will also include detailed cost estimates for restoration work based on the building’s intended future use.
RATIO Architects, LLC, a firm with extensive preservation experience and a proven track record with Jeffris Family Foundation projects, will complete the report.
The Logansport City Council has already appropriated the necessary matching funds. With the completion of this planning phase, interior rehabilitation work could potentially begin in spring 2027.
The City of Logansport also demonstrated its commitment to the project by replacing the roof of the Memorial Center in 2024. This was a necessary step to protect the building from further deterioration.
The Memorial Center, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is one of four 19th-century structures at the historic intersection of Cass County.
The National Park Service concurred with the Indiana Department of Historic Preservation & Archaeology that the Memorial Center is significant at the State Level. In its original National Historic Places Registration, it was recognized with Local significance.
The City of Logansport recognizes the importance of the Memorial Center, and the community is actively involved in the project.
Key Facts about the Memorial Center
- The building was originally built in 1860
- It served as a private residence before becoming a war memorial in 1922.
- The building was designated a Preserve America Community by First Lady Laura Bush.
- It has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1982.
The building has a long history of use as a community gathering place and has hosted many charitable events, political gatherings and private receptions.
The rehabilitation project aims to transform the building into a vibrant cultural nexus that will serve as a catalyst for community engagement and economic vitality.
The City of Logansport became the sole owner of the building in 2022.
Project goals include:
- Structural stabilization of the building
- Making the building accessible to people of all abilities
- Historic preservation
- Creating a multi-use space including a professional hub with office space, a premier event venue and a recreational facility.
About the Logansport-Cass County Memorial Center: Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Memorial Center anchors the Riverside Historic District and has served as a vital community gathering place for celebrations and commemorations. The property was recently elevated from local to state-level historic classification.