story by GLENDA WINDERS
The current architectural trend — and a way to save time, money, and the environment — is adaptive reuse, the creative process that converts antiquated buildings for new purposes without losing their historic features. This is happening all over the country and the state, with Terre Haute a leader in saving its most significant structures.
The person leading the movement here is Greg Gibson, a local businessman and entrepreneur who was recently honored as a 2025 Living Legend by the Indiana Historical Society. “The chance to bring new purpose to old structures in Terre Haute’s downtown has been very rewarding, while also posing significant challenges,” he said. “The chance to contribute to the revitalization of my hometown, while also helping to preserve some of its history, has become a passion for me.”
One of the buildings he has reactivated is the venerable Hulman Building, built in 1893 by Hulman and Company. The Hulman family is wellknown for being wholesalers of food, beverages, and tobacco as well as for producing Clabber Girl Baking Powder.
Reactivation is the repositioning of structures for modern uses, while maintaining their historical significance. In Terre Haute, many of these structures have also become tourism assets.
In more recent times, the Hulman Family, Terre Haute natives, also owned the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Today, after its renovation, the stately edifice is already home to the Ladybird Café, the new go to place for eclectic breakfasts, lunches, and craft cocktails. Also located here are the Chamber of Commerce, Terre Haute Economic Development Corporation, the Station coworking space, and office and residential space available for lease.
Once the city’s interurban station and later a bus terminal, the Terminal Public House is now a popular downtown restaurant as a result of Gibson’s vision. The Beaux-Arts building was built between 1907 and 1911, using limestone and granite, and since that time has been a train terminal, a bus terminal and a restaurant that kept the name. In 1983 it was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
That being the case, restauranteurs Cheyne and Nikki O’Laughlin were determined to save the bar’s swanky vintage ambience as well as many of its original features. The bar is built on the original Brazil Clay Co. tiles, and the bathroom sinks are original, too. Wood from the first restaurant was salvaged to cover a wall, and another wall has been stripped back to its brick beginnings.
The menu here is bar food but with a twist. The Tweet Loaf Melt, for example, features homemade meatloaf, caramelized onions and two kinds of cheese on Texas toast, served with goat cheese mashed potatoes. Sauteed Shishito Peppers come with wonton crisps and wasabi mayo. The O’Laughlins say they want their downtown restaurants, Ladybird Cafe and Terminal Pub, to serve as community gathering places.
Located in the Wabash Avenue East Historic District is The Tribune Star Building, which until 2006 housed the Terre Haute Star newspaper. The four-story Chicago Commercial-style structure was built of bricks with limestone and terra-cotta details and in 1983 was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Now part of the space has become the Candlewood Suites, owned by the Dora Co. and Gibson, which offers long-stay accommodations with amenities such as laundry facilities, full kitchens, and a fitness center. Pets are welcome, too.
The rest of the building is the Terre Haute Children’s Museum, for which Gibson laid the groundwork and whose highlights are exhibits that span three floors. One is the state-of-the-art Ropes Course Challenge, which helps children develop both their minds and their bodies, and adults can take part, too. Adventures here include the Deep Burma Bridge, flying along on the Zipline and the Swinging Steps. At the top, participants are 20 feet above the ground, but there’s no danger because they are securely strapped in.
The other big exhibit is a Tree House that children can climb to. While they’re here, they can test their skills with the Flower Pollinator and go back down by way of the Twisted Tunnel Slide. The Bees, Butterflies and Blooms enables them to engage with nature, while the newly opened Under Construction exhibit offers hands on fun.
Other places to explore are the Fit Gym, Fresh and Fit Market, Amazing Airways, Dino Dig and much more.
Thanks to the recent donation of the historic Indiana Theater to the Vigo County Capital Improvement Board by Gibson, that building is now on its way to becoming a destination for locals and visitors alike. The historic 1920s-era movie palace, also in the Wabash Avenue-East Historic District, was designed by John Eberson, who pioneered the atmosphere-theater style of architecture that used architectural elements and ornamentation to give patrons the sense of being outdoors and a part of what was happening in the film they were watching.
For the Indiana Theater, Eberson created a Spanish courtyard design with tile and terrazzo flooring, Spanish-style windows, and a prominent display of the Spanish coat of arms. The original lights gave a blue hue to the auditorium, and scattered lights imitated stars. Local resident T.W. Barhydt built Eberson’s design.
The building, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1993, sat vacant for several years and is currently undergoing repairs for water damage while waiting for a new roof.
Once completed, the theater will again open its doors for live performances, movies and possibly the Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra – Indiana’s oldest professional orchestra which is celebrating its 100th year
“I continue to look forward to future projects in our downtown — both new and old,” Gibson said.
For more information visit: www.terrehaute.com
