Knights of Pythias of Indiana

Knights of Pythias of Indiana sits at 1501 S. Eighteenth Street in Lafayette, and it's a building with a long history, having first opened its doors to residents in October of 1927 after the cornerstone was laid the year before and the dedication was held in August 1927, and it was all made possible by money raised by Indiana Knights of Pythias lodges. The building, designed by the Indianapolis firm McGuire & Shook and constructed by A. E. Kemmer, rests on beautiful, park-like grounds and served first as a home for orphans, then later as a nursing home for Pythian members and for seniors in need of some help with daily living. The community offered options for seniors who want to stay independent but sometimes need support with things like bathing, dressing, keeping track of medicines, or even help moving from a bed to a wheelchair, and there's staff there 24 hours a day if someone has an emergency. Residents could choose from several room types, including studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and semi-private options, so folks had choices depending on what suited them best, and the common indoor spaces gave people room to spend time together, talk, and join in on group activities that helped everyone keep moving and feel less alone. Meals were provided to make daily life simpler and more affordable, and there were also devotional activities and offsite trips for those interested. Knights of Pythias of Indiana took care of special health needs, like diabetes management and incontinence care, and had provisions for respite stays when a primary caregiver needed a short break. Fees covered different levels of care, and folks could pay through private means, social security, veterans benefits, or insurance, with the fees including things like a community fee, respite fee, buy-in fee, and extra charges for extra care as needed. Though the facility closed in 1992 due to declining patient numbers and was sold to the local school corporation afterward, people still remember it for its park-like setting, its tradition of serving seniors, and its long history as a helpful place right in Lafayette.