Reclaimed materials from four different buildings were used to build this house overlooking Lake Papakeechie. The project began about 10 years ago.

SYRACUSE  — There can be a new twist on the old phrase “if these walls could talk.” If the walls for a Lake Papakeechie home could talk, they would tell multiple stories from different eras.

On Saturday, June 11, a unique and quite historical home on Promontory Point Drive on the east side of Lake Papakeechie was auctioned at a public sale by Scheerer McCulloch Auctioneers Inc. The home had been owned by Thomas Roebuck for 14 years. It was purchased by Cynthia Bauer and her daughter, Haley Bannister.

Roebuck and Tom Wade, a master wood carver, partnered for a project spanning roughly 10 years on what was termed a “fun project.” When the project began, the intent for Roebuck was to eventually sell the home.

What sets this two-story house apart is the different approach used to reconstruct it. Materials were salvaged from four different historical buildings in northern Indiana. A log home was built in 1853 between Milford and Nappanee and then eventually dismantled and reassembled during a 10 year period.

Wade said he was driving in a rural area one day between Milford and Nappanee and saw a dilapidated structure he thought was probably a log home at one time. It turns out he was correct.

David Meyers, auctioneer and broker, noted the interior walls are made up of the logs from the 1853 home. In addition, lumber was used from the old Falstaff Brewery in Fort Wayne, bricks, beams and flooring from the former Studebaker plant in South Bend and barn siding from the first post office livery station in North Webster were used.

Meyers said Wade “thrives” on using salvaged materials and is known for carving and restoring carousel horses and also crafting creations out of trees. Wade said he was aware the Studebaker plant was being remodeled and eventually was able to discover salvageable materials would be available. And he heard through word of mouth the livery barn was for sale in North Webster and the warehouse was being torn down for the Falstaff Brewery.

Wade noted as much as possible, reclaimed historical materials were used for the project though, for example, the doors and windows are new. And wood from nearby oak trees cleared to make room for the house was used in the project.

Typically house auctions may attract up to a few hundred interested buyers, but Meyers said for this house, “public interest was off the charts” and attracted thousands of hits on the website.