Persise Home

Located at 206 South High in Salem is one of three houses built in the Second Empire style by Colonel Redfield, the others the Elliott Home on Market and the Shrum home on Hackberry.

Although the residence appears to be constructed of coursed limestone, it is actually yellow poplar with a tromp d'oeil finish. The property was owned by the Persise family, who were early involved with the Persise Hotel (c. 1860) and Sinclair Woolen Mills, and later the Bank of Salem, and construction of the West Baden Hotel.

The house was constructed in 1882, and its immediate environment contains many preserved nineteenth century site elements. The High Street frontage is crossed by a limestone sidewalk of massive, stone squares which is bounded by an upright limestone curb against the yard. Limestone stairs and pillars lead to a stone stoop entrance topped by an arched portico. A carriage step, noted as a contributing object, is located directly in front of the house at the curb line.