Oscar and Irene Nelson Property: Cultural Landscape Inventory, Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore

Regions 3, 4, & 5 Park Cultural Landscapes Program

The Oscar and Irene Nelson Property (formerly Nelson Residence) is a part of the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, located near the southern shore of Lake Michigan in Northern Indiana. Also referred to as the Johnson property, the 3.28-acre landscape is an impressive example of the rural, residential Swedish-American subsistence property type typical to this region during the late-nineteenth and early-twentieth century. The period of significance for the Johnson/Nelson Residence is identified as 1904 to 1953, reflecting the years of the Johnson’s occupation and the time when the landscape experienced the most architectural and agricultural development. It is locally significant for associations with Swedish heritage and agricultural trends. The site has retained an extensive array of both natural and built landscape features, continuing to offer an image of its historical uses. The summer kitchens, barn, privy, shed, workshop, and corn crib are all contributing outbuildings that are either attached to or located in a cluster around the house. Construction technique and family oral history suggests the house predates the 1904 Johnson occupation and was possibly built around 1880, although an exact date is unknown. The cabin was enlarged and altered in 1908, using building trends common throughout rural America at the time and materials that communicated the relative style and wealth of the family. Throughout its years of operation, other structures were added and adapted at the site. Additional contributing built features include the root cellar, incinerator, and three water pumps. Characteristics of the landscape retaining the highest level of integrity are its spatial organization, vegetation, buildings and structures, and cluster arrangement. In addition to the contributing buildings and structures, the vegetation at the property is a principle defining characteristic of the landscape. The variety of trees throughout the residential portion of the property including those likely planted during the period of significance, as well as specimens that have been planted since that time. Indicative of the self-sufficiency valued by the Johnson family, an assortment of old fruit trees still remains, including apple, peach, and cherry. These trees are considered to be contributing features, as is the diversity of mature trees and shrubs surrounding the house. There are several patches of lily-of-the-valley, perennial flower beds, trumpet vines growing on the front porch columns, and a cultivated vegetable garden area. The periodic removal of older diseased or dying specimens and introduction of newer trees and plants reflects the dynamic, evolving nature of the domestic landscape, from the early twentieth-century continuing through the current day. In addition to the site’s structures and vegetation, other important landscape characteristics include the spatial organization that has persisted at this property, the circulation patterns, and the numerous remaining small-scale features. The Johnson/Nelson property landscape retains many integral features that convey its historic character and use. The retention of the vegetative setting, various man-made features, and the spatial relationship among the buildings, structures, and open space all contribute to the high degree of historic integrity. Based on the current existence of the numerous integral characteristics listed, the Johnson property landscape retains integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association, helping to convey the property’s historic character. The property was later owned and given its current name by Oscar and Irene Nelson, she being a descendant of the Johnson family. The couple remained in the house under a life estate until 2004, when Oscar’s death and Irene’s relocation to a nursing home led her to relinquish ownership to the National Park Service.

Oscar and Irene Nelson Property: Cultural Landscape Inventory, Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore

Series