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May 23, 2023

The birdhouse man of Loogootee: Bill Larkin has thousands in his yard

Bill Larkin's property, off the beaten path in rural Loogootee in Martin County,

Bill Larkin's property, off the beaten path in rural Loogootee in Martin County, is easy to spot. There are 3,900 colorful birdhouses — he keeps a sign with the tally on the fence — plus rocks, wooden birds, statues, gnomes and eerie tree faces that grace the property like a fairy tale landscape. Quite frankly, one doesn't quite know where to look first. It's sensory overload.

A variety of birds chirp and cackle from the trees as if even they don't know what to make of this bird wonderland. It's a strange hobby for a man who's not that fond of birds and notes that at certain times each year, the sound of birds is deafening.

Larkin retired from nearby Crane Division, Naval Surface Warfare Center as a computer programmer. "I was locked in a room with no daylight, no color and I didn't like it that much, but it sure is giving me a retirement check," Larkin says as he chuckles. He's surrounded by color now.

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After a drought in 2011 wiped out his garden of 30,000 annuals, he pulled them all out. He needed something to keep busy. The next winter he built a thousand birdhouses and put them around the property.

Larkin wasn't satisfied. The yard needed color. So he brought in rocks and painted those and put them throughout the property in patterns and spirals and even tried to dress up his propane tank. Once he finished with the outside, that's when he started filling his house with birdhouses.

"I want to keep busy. I’m not a person that can sit around and watch TV much."

Larkin's geodesic home can be described as delightfully eclectic with a touch of whimsy, much like Larkin himself. He calls it "Bill's Crazy Place."

The home is decorated with lights, butterflies and 1,900 brightly colored birdhouses that fill every room in the house, which is open to visitors. It's not unusual for guests to pop in while Larkin's in the shower or fixing a meal.

In his paint-splattered T-shirt and shorts, Larkin surveys the property with pride. He's as happy as a lark, though he admits his body has forced him to slow him down a bit. His arthritis, artificial knee, two bad hips and balance issues keep him painting his birdhouses on the porch rather than wandering through the hilly property.

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Larkin gave away nearly 5,000 birdhouses in 2019. He won't hit that number this year. The coronavirus has put a kink in the availability of supplies but not in the joy he gets showing off his yard to visitors. Buses, Amish wagons and visitors from the nearby West Boggs Lake stop to marvel at his creations and each person takes home a free birdhouse. Larkin's affable nature is a compliment to his color-filled wonderland.

"I enjoy doing it, and I like making people happy," Larkin said.

5024 N. 1215 E., Loogootee, IN

Directions: From US Hwy 231 turn west at the white St. Mary's Catholic Church sign onto County Rd 350 N. Drive west 1.5 miles. When you see the church on the right, turn right onto County Rd 1200 E. Drive north. After crossing Boggs Lake, take the first right onto County Rd 500 N. It will be on the left — you can't miss it.

Follow IndyStar Visuals Manager and Retro Indy writer Dawn Mitchell on Twitter: @dawn_mitchell61.