Significant Riverfront
Jean Daniel Morerod (Muro’) House, c1817.

Substantial riverfront brick home restored in 1987. Steeped in history, from its early Midwest pioneer beginnings, Morerod built a handsome two-story brick house facing the Ohio River that stands proudly on 2 ¾ acres with mature trees--native beech, chines chestnut, hemlock.

The house has grown gradually over the centuries, giving the feeling of slow growth and of generation after generation living there and adapting the house to fit its needs.

Vevay was originally called New Switzerland (Swisserland), was settled in 1802 and platted by Swiss immigrants in 1813. It was named after the Swiss city of Vevey. The Swiss immigrants settled, intending on cultivating grapes and producing wine. Switzerland County is the birthplace of commercial winemaking in the United States. As one of the founders of Vevay, Jean Daniel Morerod owned large vineyards and was widely known for his wine and hospitality. Famous guests included Henry Clay.

The town, the river and the picturesque rolling countryside retain their rural charm as much as they were in the 1800s when the hay trade prospered. The town boasts over 300 homes, churches and buildings dating to the 19th century.

Vevay, Indiana is located midway between Louisville, Kentucky and Cincinnati, Ohio, and a short drive from Lexington, Kentucky and Indianapolis, Indiana. The county is primarily rural but hosts Belterra Casino resort with its world-class golf course, casino and spa. Historic Madison, Indiana is 20 miles away.

Jean Daniel Morerod House, circa 1817
* 905 West Main Street, Vevay Indiana
* Ohio River frontage
* rare 2 ¾ acres (+/-) in the town limits
* 3870 sqft boasting 12 rooms on 2 floors
* 5 bedrooms, 3 baths
* first floor laundry
* 2-car attached garage
* 1-car detached garage
* original summer kitchen
* 3 zones heating/cooling
* woodburning stove
* 5 fireplaces, decorative
* all season solarium
* abundant storage & closets
* original wine cask in brick-lined curing cellar
* careful upkeep and maintenance have preserved many of its original details


The house is featured in The American Vine-Dresser’s Guide. In Indiana Wine: A History it notes, “If any one personality deserves to be known as America’s first successful commercial wine maker, it should be Jean Daniel Morerod. He is said to have made the first wine in the colony, and he left three detailed account books covering the years 1809 to 1851. He began recording wine sales in 1811 and continued to do so in his own hand until 1835.”

One of the most notable and successful vintners in the Indiana wine industry was Jean Daniel Morerod. Mr. Morerod left a famous will, in which he directed that his burial expenses be kept as low as possible, and that the money saved should be used to buy wine for the mourners at his funeral.

905 West Main St, Vevay (268264) $299,500

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