Historical Homes
Situated in Salem, Indiana, just 50 miles away from Louisville, this Queen Anne Victorian home, fondly referred to as The Gladden House, has five bedrooms and three-and-half baths.
House background: The Gladden House was constructed in 1898 and has a storied past. Mattie Gladden, the original homeowner, was said to have been a madam in the Nashville, Tennessee, area before returning to her hometown with the intention of continuing her trade. Sparing no expense, Mattie had a fine Victorian mansion constructed right on the main street of town and opened her business to the delight of wealthy businessmen traveling from Chicago to Louisville via the Monon Railroad. For a time, all went well until the town mothers “convinced” the town fathers to close her down. From legends of lost diamonds to connections with P. T. Barnum — along with hidden passages and Victorian intrigue — Gladden House has stirred curiosities for more than a century.
Distinctive elements: Elaborate woodwork; ornate fireplaces; exterior spindle work; library; collectibles, both sentimental and historical; renovated kitchen that includes a breakfast room; gardens that are colorful and bountiful in the spring and summer; and a second-floor landing sitting area.
