Palace Lodge (Winslow, Indiana)

Palace Lodge

Company type	Historic commercial building
Industry	Retail, office, residential
Founded	1892
Headquarters	Winslow , United States
Products	Retail (clothing and leather goods), office space, residential apartments

The Palace Lodge stands as a notable historic commercial structure located in the town of Winslow, Indiana, United States. Since its establishment in the late 1800s, this edifice has hosted various enterprises, served as the gathering place for two distinct secret societies, and acted as a focal point within the town’s commercial area. It has been officially recognized as a historic site due to its architecturally significant design.

History

During the late 19th century, Winslow was home to two separate fraternal organizations: the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. Recognizing the advantages of collaboration, these lodges jointly commissioned a building in downtown Winslow, situated at the corner of Main (present-day State Road 61) and Center Streets. Completed in 1892, the structure accommodated both groups: their meetings took place on the first story, while the upper floor was utilized as office space.

Shortly after construction, financial troubles burdened the lodges, compelling them to sell the property by 1898. Local entrepreneur Logan Robling acquired the building and transformed it into a general store. Following his son Monroe Robling’s departure from peddling, they jointly operated under "L. Robling and Son." Their business continued until 1946 when ownership transferred to Monroe’s daughter Winifred and her husband Neil Brown, who ran a grocery store there for thirty-five years. Both retail ventures occupied only the first floor; meanwhile, the second level was commonly used for offices or residential apartments.

Architecture

The Palace Lodge is a two-story rectangular building designed in the Italianate style. Its main facade faces west onto Main Street, while its northern elevation fronts Center Street. Measuring approximately 23 feet (7.0 m) in width and extending 90 feet (27 m) deep, the front side is divided into two bays and the northern side into six bays. A distinctive architectural feature is found at the building’s northwest corner, where instead of a standard right angle, there is a small section angled at 45°, distinct from other corners. Entry points include three doors: one located at the rear, another centrally positioned on the north side, and one situated within this angled corner. The fenestration varies in size—first-floor windows along Center Street are small and positioned high above ground level; second-floor windows on both sides are large; and two sizable first-floor windows facing Main Street are topped with prominent transoms.

Constructed primarily from brick, many decorative elements of the Palace Lodge are crafted from cast iron. The original cast-iron storefront remains intact on the western first floor, complemented by iron brackets supporting the cornice over that facade and at the northwest corner. In contrast, the northern side consists entirely of brickwork, including its cornice and two notable chimneys.

Internally, the building preserves its initial layout: an open large room occupies the entire first floor, while six separate rooms are arranged on the second floor. Interior walls are finished with plaster, floors comprise a combination of oak and pine, and substantial oak beams provide structural support.

Recent history

Following the shutdown of the Brown Grocery Store, the Palace Lodge remained unoccupied for a period, until a new proprietor acquired the property and initiated plans to renovate it, aiming to accommodate office spaces, residential apartments, and maintain its traditional retail function. Currently, the lodge houses Outfitters Station, a retailer specializing in clothing and leather products established in 2007.

As the oldest commercial edifice in Winslow, the Palace Lodge represents the most intact example of late 19th-century business blocks within the town. Its exceptionally preserved architectural features earned it a place on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984; this distinction marked it as the inaugural listing in Pike County and remained unique until the Patoka Bridges Historic District received similar recognition in 2005.