Historical Treasure: Sycamore Building know as ‘elite’ in its era

By Michaela Hatfield
Special to the Tribune-Star

TERRE HAUTE June 27, 2009 06:46 pm

— The Sycamore Building stands between Wabash Avenue and Ohio, on the west side of Sixth Street. It’s hard not to notice its stature. Known as “elite” in the era, the 12-story Sycamore Building has stood the test of time in its original state.
Determining the actual date of groundbreaking is difficult; nonetheless, excitement was the air. The underlying steel beams began to take shape as level after level astounded onlookers.
Built by the Citizens Bank and Trust, the structure was completed in the fall of 1922. The Sycamore Building was considered to be the first of the city’s “Skyscrapers.”
At that time, there was expectation of others like it to follow. With monumental stature, it stands alone as being the tallest in the downtown business district. The lower façade of the structure hosts the ornamentation of the Renaissance Revival style. The interior elements of design are that of Art Deco, which was so popular in the 1920s.
The business tenants over the years are too numerous to mention here. Ownership of the building has changed hands twice. In 1950, Emma Herber took over the Sycamore Building as a memorial to her late husband, Conrad Herber. On each side of the entrance, stone insets are etched in his honor, with his name.
The Sunset Harbor Company purchased the building in 1967. This business is a local property developer. Metal plaques now cover the stone, reading “Sunset Harbor.” The Sycamore Building has been, for many years, the symbol of challenge for the development of Terre Haute. As of today, that challenge has been met only by the 15-story high-rise dormitories on the campus of Indiana State University.