Parts is Parts

Parts is Parts

May 27, 2025

4–6 minutes

*Post written by Mona Meyer, Archives and Special Collections Metadata Librarian.

Once source for this phrase dates back to a 1984 commercial for Wendy’s in which the customer at another restaurant asked what parts of a chicken went into his sandwich and was told that it was all different parts….but, after all, “parts is parts.” Today we might say this to mean that one part is just as good as any other. I’m using this phrase to introduce a blog on the history of the west side of Evansville. YES, I know that could be a dissertation, and NO, I’m not foolish enough to go there. This is but a brief explanation of three areas that were once separate towns but have long been incorporated into the city we call Evansville.

Image of Lamasco from Historic Evansville website; image found here.

The first area was (and still is) called Lamasco. The original city of Evansville dates to circa 1812, but grew and spread out from that nucleus. “The roots of the area locally known simply as ‘the west side’ date to 1837, when a 480-acre tract of land northwest of Evansville was platted as Lamasco, which derived its name from the surnames of its founders: John and William Law, James B. MacCall (McCall), and Lucius H. Scott. Encompassing the area from the Ohio River north to Maryland Street and from First Avenue on the east to St. Joseph Avenue on the west, Lamasco became an area marked by
distinction, both geographically and culturally.”¹ Some 20 years later the portion of Lamasco east of Pigeon Creek was incorporated into the city of Evansville. Although no longer separate, it maintained/maintains a strong German influence and pride of place. The bank seen below still carried the name of Lamasco even though it was not established until 1914, long after incorporation.

Lamasco Bank was at 220 N. Fulton Ave., formerly 620 Fulton Ave. It was established in 1914, and moved across the street. in 1961 and merged with (then) Citizens National Bank in 1976. This building still stands. MSS 181-0134, the Darrel Bigham Collection

**Emanuel Lutheran Church at 803 W. Franklin St. (contemporary address, no location change, is 308 N. First Ave., church is on the corner) Originally known as Emanuel German Lutheran Evangelical Church**, **the basic building dates to 1856 with the tower added in 1874.** MSS 157-0428, the Schlamp-Meyer Collection

The Germania Maennerchor is located at 916 N. Fulton Ave., formerly 1316 Fulton Ave. This building opened in 1914. Evansville has a strong German heritage, and singing societies were very popular. This group, begun in 1900, is the only one left, and it still operates out of the same location and is still thriving. The house on the left is gone–now a parking lot. MSS 181-1362, the Darrel Bigham Collection

Club House in Cook’s Park at what was formerly 410 Maryland St. It was located on the east bank of Pigeon Creek, where Columbia Street now crosses. It had extensive buildings for lodging guests who came to enjoy the rest and the mineral waters. Cook Brewing took it over sometime between 1890-1895 and enhanced it by the addition of a clubhouse, lake, pavilion, and pool. It was also known as Exposition Park and later Pleasure Park. It closed during Prohibition and was subsequently razed. RH033-395, the Evansville Postcard Collection

St. Vincent’s Day Nursery at 611 N. First Ave. Built in 1884 according to the tax assessor’s database (the Historic Evansville database gives at date of 1869). This is the former William Heilman residence. Heilman established Heilman Plow Works in 1847, which was later renamed Vulcan Plow Works. This house encompasses the entire block. **It became the day care facility in 1931, and continues to operate as such today.** MSS 183-176, the Hammond Awe Collection

The area of Lamasco west of Pigeon Creek continued to be independent for several more years, renaming itself, appropriately, as Independence. It was annexed in 1870. Here are some images of buildings in the area once called Independence.

Residence of August Rosenberger at 409 N. Wabash Ave., formerly 609 Wabash Ave. Rosenberger built this fanciful Queen Anne statement in 1894, four years after the construction of his Franklin St store (see next pictutre).
MSS 184-0725, the Brad Awe Collection

You may recognize this as the Gerst Haus restaurant or before that, Heldt and Voelker Co. Hardware at 2100 W. Franklin St., formerly 1000-2 W. Franklin St. This three-story brick block, encrusted with metal and brick decorative detailing, was built in 1890 for wholesale retail grocer August Rosenberger. MSS 181-1521, the

**You probably don’t recognize the Evansville Cotton Mill, which built this new plant in 1875 at the corner of what is now the Lloyd Expressway and St. Joseph Ave.** **But look at the next picture!** MSS MSS 184-0049, the Brad Awe Collection

**Mead Johnson in the 1970s. Mead Johnson built the original company buildings on the site of the Evansville Cotton Mill.** Image courtesy of Willard Library.

The final section of the west side to be discussed in Howell. Howell was railroad town on the far west side, centered around the Howell L & N Railroad, so named after local agent Lee Howell. The railyard was laid out in 1885 and shops opened 1889. There little else there, but by 1900, 75% of this land was owned by rail employees. Howell was annexed by the city of Evansville in 1916.