Our company has evolved over the past 57 years from its modest start in 1950 when Walter Anderson was charged with the task of settling the estate of Marie Earnhart. Her dry goods retail business, located in Ligonier, Indiana, was known as the Stansbury Store. Clifford Pettit, fresh out of World War II, was finishing his business schooling at Ohio State University and, on a blind date, met Susan Anderson. As you may have guessed, Susan was the daughter of Walter and a marriage quickly took place. Walter, being the competent businessman he was, saw many possibilities for young Cliff, the budding business protégé. Cliff and Sue, with Walter’s assistance, purchased the Stansbury Store and their business career was launched.
Cliff and Sue bought the building which housed the Stansbury Store. They resided in the apartment above the store for 3 years. In 1950 their first son Steven was born and David, their second son was born in 1952. In 1953 Cliff and Sue built a house in Ligonier to accommodate their growing family. John, their youngest son, was born in 1956.
They continued their entrepreneurship when they started the Banner Drug Store in the early 50's. The Stansbury Store, later, became known as Pettit's Department Store and was operated into the early 1970's. Along the way Cliff and Sue continued their purchase of real estate and their tenant list included Danner Stores, and PN Hirsch (later acquired by Dollar General Stores). In the late 1960's and early 1970's a major remodeling effort transformed 11 storefronts in downtown Ligonier into 3, much larger, storefronts housing Danner, Hirsch and The Village Market. The Banner Drug Storefront was also expanded and remodeled during that era. The Pettit holdings included 50 + apartments, 30 + mobile home lots and 10 + storefronts.
Being community minded, Cliff Pettit was one of the founding members of the Ligonier Industrial Development Corporation. In the 1950's, the downtown merchants in Ligonier saw the need to increase the amount of industry to bring more jobs to the town. Cliff served as president of this non-profit organization on multiple occasions. The success of LIDC continues today with new industry continually being added.
Today, John Pettit serves as the General Manager of Pettit Property Management. The company continues to offer our residential apartment tenants a stable safe and secure environment in which to raise their family. This along with quick maintenance service, no utility bills and fair pricing make living with us an enjoyable and affordable experience. Contact us today for an appointment to see your new “home.”
If you own (or would like to own) a late model manufactured home we offer a community which is transforming itself from a sleepy “trailer park” into being a progressive and exciting community in which to live. We offer, both, lot rentals and “gently pre-owned” homes at affordable prices. Let us show you how affordable owning your own manufactured home can be.
Click on the Contact Us link for a complete list of addresses and numbers so you can begin enjoying better living today!!! We look forward to hearing from you!!
-John Pettit
General Manager
(260) 894-3145
