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4/3/2023
By: Jack Grubaugh
You might think that you have a strange home, but trust me, it isn’t as strange as this. In Indianapolis there is a mansion called the “Kessler Mansion,” and it is known for being more bizarre than beautiful. It is located on 4915 and 4923 Kessler Blvd East Drive, and has been called “The Ugliest House in America” more than once.
This 11 bedroom, 1.66 acre home is known as a sprawling estate with a hodgepodge of windows, ornate dolphin statues, and gargoyles decorating the ground. It was last sold in February 2022 for only $660,000. But, this house used to be going for an asking price of $2.2 million in 2012, based on Marion County assessor records. It has been on a major downfall in price and interest. Aiden Williamson, A 6th Grader said, “I can’t believe that big of a house goes for that little of a price.”
These are the dolphins in the front of the house that were found in one of the 4 Ranch homes.
In June of 2022, curious crowds filled the home for an estate sale where furniture and sculptures were up for grabs. This 30,000 square foot house was originally owned by Jerry Hostetler. It is made up of 6 residential buildings. While in the house the owner, Jerry Hostetler got a second job in construction. He fixed up homes that had fire damage.
He put together the house piece by piece from 4 different ranch homes installing gargoyles, life sized gorilla statues, swimming pools, a hot tub with a grotto, and a statue with three dolphins. Cac Diehr, the interim president of Millersville at Fall Creek Valley neighborhood organization, says, “Jerry created quite the monster and when he died it was in such terrible condition.” The new owner of the estate is Eric Armstrong. He has met several of his neighbors around the estate.
Even though it seems like the estate is on a downfall, and still considered the strangest house in Indiana, they are making some new improvements to the home, which were well needed. The developers promised landscaping along the Kessler Blvd East Drive frontage to match the neighboring parcels. There will be 26 parking spaces added to the estate.
This is the original owner. He got his picture taken in a couple of different places around the mansion.
It will have a recreational green space and outdoor grilling, all using the mansion's footprint. The pool still remains, but the famous dolphin statue was put up on auction by the owner. So the building is maybe going to get major changes, but still remains the strangest house in Indiana.
Contributor's Bio:
Jack Grubaugh (or GIGAGRU) is a 12 year old boy who loves football, wants to be an author, loves to hunt and ride a 4 wheeler, and just does YouTube to see if he can make a lil' cash. :)
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