Oldfields National Register of Historic Places Listing

Hugh Landon wanted an escape. In 1913, he got his wish on a bluff overlooking the White River. He built a massive 22-room mansion. It featured cream-colored stucco, grand terraces, and a steep slate roof. They called it Oldfields. But Landon didn't just build a house he imported European aristocracy straight into the Hoosier heartland. He hired Percival Gallagher. Gallagher, a partner at the famous Olmsted Brothers firm, spent years shaping the 26-acre estate. He added a winding ravine garden, stone bridges, and formal alles. It felt like a secluded French valley, right in Indianapolis.

Then came J.K. Lilly Jr. in 1932. He ran Eli Lilly and Company, but his real passion was collecting. The pharmaceutical heir stuffed the rooms with rare books, historic firearms, and gold coins. He loved gold. Under Lilly, the estate became a private sanctuary of immense wealth. In 1967, his children gave the entire 26-acre property to the Art Association of Indianapolis, which eventually built the city's main art museum next door. Today, it is known as the Lilly House. Visitors wander through the restored French-style salons to see exactly how a 1930s tycoon lived. The federal government recognized its importance in 2003, designating it a National Historic Landmark. Why Because it is one of the most intact country estates left in the United States.