This Hovey House is circa 1875, when it was built as a home for Alvin Hovey. Alvin Peterson Hovey (September 6, 1821 to November 23, 1891) was a Union general during the American Civil War, an Indiana Supreme Court justice, congressman, and the 21st Governor of Indiana from 1889 to 1891. During the war he played an important role in the Western theatre, earning high approval from Grant, and uncovered a secret plot for an uprising in Indiana. As governor, he launched several legal challenges to the Indiana General Assembly's removal of his powers, but was mostly unsuccessful. He successfully advocated election reform before he died in office. In 1921 his granddaughter sold it to Beulah Lodge No. 578 for $$12,500. It served as a masonic lodge until late 1991, when a newer home was built. Beulah Lodge dates back to 1889, but there were other Masonic lodges in Mt. Vernon dating back to at least 1829. The location is at the corner of E 4th St. and Walnut St.