In May 1888, George Cline and his wife sold this house to Mary Gale, a widow, for $3,700. The Clines had purchased the property in July 1869 and were listed as living in this block of East Spring Street as early as 1871, but it remains a mystery whether this house dates to the early 1870s or they were living in a different home. Cline and his brother Daniel were proprietors of a New Albany building-materials establishment located on East Market Street in the downtown.
 
Mary Gale, the widow of Joseph, lived in the home until shortly before her death in July 1902. The next owner was Amos Atkins, who served at one time as Floyd County Treasurer. In later years, Atkins was a blacksmith and worked for several New Albany foundries.
 
In the mid-1920s through the mid-1930s, physician Mary McKamy had her residence and medical practice here, after moving from the c.1883 M.A. Weir Mansion at 1109 East Spring Street. Numerous occupants followed until the mid-1970s, when Thomas Spudich began a forty-year residency of the property.


 
The Cline-Atkins House provides 2096 square feet of living space, including four bedrooms and two full bathrooms. The two-story frame house has a T plan, with a front porch that wraps around the front and east side. The house is clad in wide artificial siding, with fishscale shingles in the front and side gables and prominent cornice returns. The original, one-over-one double hung windows remain and are topped with prominent, projecting drip caps. Storm windows have been added for increased efficiency, and other updates include new air conditioning systems both upstairs and down, and all new wiring.


 
A period, 15-lite door topped with a transom opens from the front porch into the centrally-located living room. This large room has strip-oak flooring with an inlaid border and also boasts a decorative fireplace with an iron mantelpiece. Original woodwork remains here and throughout the house, as well as the tall ceilings. Original, ornate radiators also remain, lending more historic character throughout the interior.



A wide opening with double doors added leads into the spacious front room, which has a second fireplace with an iron mantelpiece of a slightly different design. The room has an attached full bathroom, as well as a good-sized closet with additional storage above, making it ideal for a first-floor owners’ suite or a guest bedroom.



The dining room is located behind the living room and includes a large closet. The kitchen is located adjacent and has been updated with a period feel. French doors open from the kitchen onto a large, covered back deck, offering a perfect spot to enjoy morning coffee.


 
An enclosed staircase leads from the dining room to the second level. The two front bedrooms on this level are both good-sized, with strip oak flooring and lots of natural light, and one includes a walk-in closet.



The full bathroom on this level has lots of natural light and charm, with a clawfoot tub, subway tile and a linen closet. Three additional rooms are found on the second floor – one currently used as an exercise room, one with plumbing and cabinets from its past use as a kitchen, and the third used for storage. Some or all of these spaces could potentially be reconfigured or combined to create another bedroom, a third bathroom, an upstairs laundry room, a family room or a home office – the possibilities are endless!


 
The home sits next to East Spring Street Park, a charming pocket park with flowering trees and public art. The landscaped rear and side yards of 1014 are enclosed with a privacy fence and overlooked by a two-story, partially covered deck, creating a private oasis within the city. Paved off-street parking is available at the alley, while a large garage provides lots of outdoor storage.


 
The Cline-Atkins House is listed in the National Register of Historic Places as a contributing part of the East Spring Street Historic District, and the owner would therefore be eligible to take advantage of tax credits to help recoup qualified rehabilitation costs. For more information, visit https://www.in.gov/dnr/historic-preservation/financial-assistance/residential-tax-credit/. The neighborhood is also a locally designated historic district. Because of this local designation, any exterior alterations must be reviewed and approved by the New Albany Historic Preservation Commission. For more information about the NAHPC and a copy of the City of New Albany Design Guidelines for the local historic districts, please visit www.newalbanypreservation.com.