The Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, or Benjamin Harrison Home, was the residence of the 23rd president of the United States Benjamin Harrison (1833 – 1901) and was raised, accommodating many elm and oak trees in its grounds, on what was at the time the outskirts of Indianapolis.
Built between 1874 and 1875, the Italianate 16-roomed house stands on North Delaware Street in the Old Northside Historic District of Old Northside, just outside the north boundary of Downtown. Once in place, Harrison spent his later life here save the time he served as senator (1881 – 1887) and President (1889 – 1893).
It was at the front of this house that he addressed listeners out on the street in what eventually became known as ‘Front Porch Campaign’ running for president in 1888, even though the portch itself was fashioned three years after he left office.
Harrison had the home refurbished and fitted with electricity as late as 1896, that is five years before he died, whilst the interior displays an oak-trimmed walnut staircase, butternut woodwork and parquet floors.
Breaking through History 