The GoodRich
A historic grain elevator opening in phases in Farmland, Indiana
Preserving a landmark. Bringing it back to use, one step at a time.
Where History Meets Renewal
Built in 1919, The Goodrich once milled grain for the heartland. For generations, it stood as a working symbol of Farmland’s agricultural roots.Today, the building is under new stewardship and undergoing a careful, phased restoration focused on safety, preservation, and long-term use.
OPENING IN PHASES
The Goodrich is being brought back to life through a thoughtful, phased restoration.Certain areas of the building will become active sooner, while others require additional work over time. This approach allows the project to move forward responsibly while preserving the integrity of the structure as a whole.As each phase is completed, new uses will be introduced and shared publicly.Initial spaces are already well along and will open as soon as the appropriate milestones are reached.
WHY FUNDING IS NEEDED NOW
While the loft is ready, the grain elevator and other portions of the building require additional repair, engineering, and stabilization.Planning and approvals are not optional steps — they are what make safe public use possible. Funding at this stage supports the professional work that unlocks the next phase of opening.
Brick Legacy Initiative
The Brick Legacy Initiative is a way to permanently recognize the people who help preserve The Goodrich during this critical phase.Supporters sponsor newly engraved bricks that will be installed on site as a lasting record of this generation’s stewardship.- New bricks, professionally engraved
- Installed permanently on site
- Limited availability
- Funds support planning and stabilization work
Future Spaces at The Goodrich
Once restoration milestones are completed, The Goodrich is intended to host small gatherings, creative events, and community use.These spaces are not yet bookable. This section exists to share the long-term vision as the project moves forward.
The Story:Built in 1919. Still standing strong.
The StoryBuilt in 1919. Still standing strong.The Goodrich Brothers Grain Elevator rose from Farmland’s railroad line at the height of Indiana’s agricultural boom. More than a building, it was a symbol of small-town progress — where local farmers brought their harvest to be milled, stored, and shipped by train to markets across the Midwest.The Goodrich LegacyThe Goodrich family’s roots ran deep in Randolph County. The brothers were part of a larger network of Goodrich enterprises — from grain and milling to utilities and civic leadership. Their relative, James P. Goodrich, even served as Governor of Indiana from 1917 to 1921, championing industry and infrastructure that connected rural communities like Farmland to the rest of the state.By the early 1900s, Goodrich Brothers Company operated dozens of elevators across Indiana. Their mills brought stability and opportunity to small farming towns, linking local livelihoods to a growing regional economy.A Living LandmarkOver a century later, the Goodrich elevator remains one of the last standing witnesses of that era. The trains still roll past daily — the same tracks that once carried grain now echoing with new purpose.Today, The Goodrich is being reborn: part guest loft, part retail hub, and part creative community. The original timbers, brickwork, and faint “Cole & Occident” lettering on the façade serve as reminders of where it began — and inspiration for what comes next.A New ChapterThis isn’t a restoration for nostalgia’s sake. It’s a continuation of the story — where history becomes hospitality, where industry becomes creativity, and where the heartbeat of Farmland carries forward in every passing train.
Future Spaces at the GoodRich
The Loft
Intimate gatherings and creative use
Booking Soon
1919 Gathering Space
Community and cultural events
Requires further restoration
Retail Spaces -Shops in the Making
Rooted in History. Ready for Revival.The Goodrich was once the heartbeat of Farmland’s grain economy — a place where farmers, merchants, and neighbors met by the tracks to trade and talk. We’re bringing that spirit back through spaces made for connection, craft, and community.Three ground-floor retail units are being reimagined inside the original mill. Each one carries the texture of time — raw wood, weathered brick, and the hum of trains passing just outside. The goal isn’t to erase the past, but to build with it.These spaces are ideal for:
• A coffee shop or bakery that serves locals and travelers — a morning gathering spot beneath old beams and rail-line light.
• A small restaurant that captures the warmth of Midwestern hospitality, featuring local ingredients and simple, soulful food.
• A gift and general shop — part mercantile, part curiosity cabinet — offering handmade goods, art, and keepsakes that reflect the spirit of the region.Each space will retain its historic charm while gaining modern function, creating a place that feels alive again — where stories are shared over coffee, meals, and conversation.The Goodrich isn’t just being restored — it’s being reimagined as the social center of Farmland once more.
The Goodrich Brick Legacy Initiative
A Permanent Way to Help Preserve the ElevatorThe Goodrich grain elevator has stood over Farmland for more than a century.
It is one of the town’s most recognizable landmarks — and also the most complex part of the building to preserve.The Brick Legacy Initiative is a community supported effort to fund architectural planning, engineering, and early stabilization work needed to ensure the elevator and the gathering space beneath it can stand safely for generations to come.This initiative offers a permanent, visible way to be named among those who made that work possible.A clear action with a lasting result.---About the BricksBricks used in the Brick Legacy Initiative are new, professionally engraved bricks created specifically for this project.Each brick is engraved off site and installed permanently at the Goodrich as part of a designated brick installation area.
These bricks are not replacements for historic materials.They are a new layer added to the site — marking the current generation’s role in preserving the building.The purpose is simple:
to visibly record who helped carry the Goodrich forward.---How Brick Sponsorship Works- Bricks are new and custom engraved
- Engraving is completed professionally prior to installation
- Bricks are installed permanently on site
- Installation occurs in scheduled phases
- Brick availability is limitedOnce installed, bricks become a lasting part of the Goodrich grounds.---Brick Sponsorship OptionsBrick tiers reflect when and how supporters choose to show up — not status or hierarchy.Standard Brick – $150
Name or short dedicationInstalled within the central field of the brick installation area.For individuals and families who want to be part of the whole.---Founders Brick – $350
Name or dedicationInstalled in arrival and threshold areas.Recognizes early supporters who help initiate the work.For those who step in at the beginning.---Legacy Brick – $1,000
Family name, business, organization, or memorialInstalled along edges and framing zones.Anchors the space long term.For lasting presence and long range stewardship.---What Brick Sponsorships SupportFunds raised through the Brick Legacy Initiative are used exclusively for preservation related costs, including:- Architectural planning and state submissions
- Structural and engineering assessments
- Roof and envelope stabilization
- Preservation consultants and professionals
- Brick engraving and installationFunds are held in a dedicated preservation account.
They are not used for general operating expenses.---Other Ways to SupportNot everyone wants or needs a brick.Preservation Fund ContributionsSupporters may contribute any amount to the Preservation Fund to support the same architectural, engineering, and stabilization work.Suggested amounts:
$25 · $50 · $100 · $250 · CustomNo engraving or physical placement is included.---In Kind SupportProfessional services, materials, or equipment may also be contributed on a case by case basis.---Important Notes- Brick sponsorships are not tax deductible
- This initiative is operated through the Goodrich LLC, not a nonprofit
- Bricks are newly manufactured and engraved for this project
- Installation locations are predetermined
- Brick installation occurs in phases
- Availability is limited---Why This MattersHistoric preservation does not happen all at once.
It happens when a community makes clear, practical decisions.These bricks mark that moment.Sponsoring a brick is a simple decision
with a lasting footprint.
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