History: The Journal Courier Building
The Journal Courier Building originated as two buildings - The Painters and Decorators Building, and the Journal Courier. They have since come to be known collectively as The Journal Courier Building through popular use over the past 50 years.
The Journal and Courier Building is significant because it is an example of the work of architect, Walter Scholer. Scholer was an Indiana architect who is best known for designing the National Fowler Bank of Lafayette, the Tippecanoe Loan & Trust Company Bank, and the Mars theatre, the latter of which was built in 1902; the same year as the Journal and Courier Building. Having served as the former president of the Indiana Society of Architects and a member of the American Institute of Architects he has designed over 16 buildings in Lafayette and the surrounding area, 12 of which consist of educational buildings on Purdue University. His work was often commended for its excellence and many buildings in Indiana exemplify his particular skill as an architect of school and hospital construction. Therefore, the Journal Courier Building is also significant as the work of a master.
The Journal Courier Building is also significant because the construction, growth and additions of the building reflect the growth and prosperity of Lafayette through its town development as a transportation and commerce center. From 1920 to the present day, the building has adapted to the needs of the town's newspaper company, an important and significant business for the community.
The Painter's & Decorator's Building
This glazed and marbled terra cotta building is owned and occupied by the Journal and Courier, a Gannett media company, who purchased the building around 1970 and moved here from an adjacent 1920 building.
Originally, this building was used as the National Headquarters of the Brotherhood of Painters, Decorators & Paperhangers of America. They published monthly newsletter, The Painter and Decorator, “The Official Monthly Magazine Devoted to the interests of house, sign, pictorial, coach, car, carriage, machinery, ship and railroad equipment, painters, decorators, paperhangers, hard wood finishers, grainers, glaziers, varnishers, enamelers and guilders.” This facade features beautiful iconographic details showing the tools of decorating trades including wallpapering equipment, paint, brushes, a ladder and an artist’s palette.
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