Charles and Elizabeth Hassenmiller – who lived next door at 517 East Main – owned this vacant lot, and hired noted local builders Stephen Day & Sons Contractors and Carpenters to construct this home. The Day family archives include an original blueprint of this American Foursquare-style house, dated July 29, 1912. It is believed that either Charles or Elizabeth was related to Louisa Weber Day, wife of Clem Day, who likely created the plans. Clem was also one of the namesake sons in the Stephen Day & Sons company.
 
After completion of the house, the Hassenmillers sold the property to Benjamin E. and Nelle B. Rowe for $5,500. Mr. Rowe was president of the Rowe-Fawcett Company, wholesale grocers, located at 128-130 West Main Street in downtown New Albany. The postcard image below shows the house (second from left) soon after its construction, during the time of New Albany’s 1913 centennial celebration