History of Home

Certified on September 14, 1992 for the Indiana Register of Historic Sites & Structures
& on Sept 27, 1992 for the National Register of Historic Places by
United States Department of Interior in cooperation with Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of Historic Preservation & Archaeology

     The official name of this historic home is the Crawford-Whitehead-Ross House giving honor to the three primary owners which have made significant changes to the structure. Over the past 177 years this home has had many owners, occupants, and even four apartments. Hopefully, the following brief history will clarify the significance of its documented name.

The first owner, Mr. Samuel Crawford purchased and built the original section of the house in 1833, which later became part of the service wing. This section was built in the middle of the lot close to the west property line with only one window on the west side of the house. The style appears to have been Federalist, built with red bricks (double wythe laid in American common bond) and a 20 inch thick rough cut limestone foundation over a sandy alluvial floor as most other homes in historic Madison Indiana. It was built in a long narrow rectangular shape except for the southeast corner, which is rounded from the first through the second floor. This unique feature is only available in a few vintage houses in Madison Indiana and is assumed to be a creative design of the historic architect, Francis Costigan. The original section of the home was built with 4 walkout doors/windows and a cantilever porch as a second story balcony. The cantilever porch was replaced in the 1990's; but most of the original doors, woodwork and windows still remain.

In 1852, the home was purchased by Jesse Whitehead, who proceeded to add on to the home and more than double its size. He built a large addition taking the front within a few feet of Main Street. Mr. Whitehead excavated under the house to create a full basement with large oak beams providing the support for the interior of the house. He added ornate woodwork throughout the newer part of the house. Also added were a pair of large curved solid wood doors, a wooden paneled vestibule, and recessed front doors flanked with side windows for light.

In 1871, Isom Ross purchased the house and proceeded to make more decorative changes, including adding Italianate upgrades to the exterior of the house. At the front entrance he added a large curved cornice and ornate metal lintels above the five large front windows. The exterior was changed drastically and started to look more like a cross between the Italianate and Greek Revival architectural style.

In 2007, the Smalley family purchased the Crawford-Whitehead-Ross House after falling in love with Madison , the community's historic preservation, and finding the home of their dreams. Initially the home required four years of major restoration to bring it to an appropriate traditional condition. Then the decision was made to turn it into a bed & breakfasts, which brought about the Azalea Manor B & B. Significant on-going care is stilled necessary to maintain the home. Now the end results of this labor of love are being enjoyed by both the Smalley family and their guests.

Whether you are coming from Cincinnati to Nashville, or St. Louis to Columbus, or anywhere in between, Azalea Manor is a beautiful place to stop and rest.

Investigate online:
The house is listed in the National Register of Historic Places, under the name "Crawford--Whitehead--Ross House." Those interested in searching go here, try searching by city & state, then browse your own neighborhood for historic places.

Please visit Historic Madison, Inc a non-profit historic preservation organization dedicated to preservation, restoration, education and the development of Madison’s 133 block historic district. The historic district of Madison is one of the premiere historic sites between southern Indiana and northern Kentucky.

Learn more on Wikipedia Links:
Wikipedia referance to the home turned into a bed and breakfasts:
Crawford-Whitehead-Ross House, Historic Madison Indiana, Madison Historic District.
References to Madison Indiana in Popular culture.

Learn more about Azalea's at the Azalea Society of America or at Wikipedia.

For serious historic preservation fans see page 24, here.