Orrin White House

Orrin White House
Location 2940 Fuller Rd., Ann Arbor, Michigan
Coordinates 42°16′41″N 83°42′7″W / 42.27806°N 83.70194°W / 42.27806; -83.70194Coordinates: 42°16′41″N 83°42′7″W / 42.27806°N 83.70194°W / 42.27806; -83.70194
Area 0.8 acres (0.32 ha)
Built 1836 (1836)
Architectural style Cobblestone construction
NRHP Reference # 71000421[1]
Significant dates
Added to NRHP April 16, 1971
Designated MSHS November 6, 1970[2]

The Orrin White House, also known as the Orrin and Ann Thayer White House or the Robert Hodges Residence , is a private house located at 2940 Fuller Road in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It was designated a Michigan State Historic Site in 1970[2] and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971.[1]

History

Orrin White lived in Palmyra, New York, where he worked as a merchant and married Ann Thayer.[3] In 1823, White journeyed to Michigan and claimed land along the Huron River. He wrapped up his affairs in New York, then returned in 1824 with his wife and father-in-law to permanently settle his land. White built a small shanty where Huron High School now stands, becoming the first settler of Ann Arbor Township outside the village of Ann Arbor. White was very active in the Ann Arbor community, serving as Washtenaw County Commissioner in 1827, sheriff in 1832, associate Circuit Court judge from 1833–37, constitutional convention delegate in 1835, and on the state legislature in 1842.

Between 1836 and 1840, Orrin and Ann White built this house out of cobblestones, one section at a time, using patterns typically found in New York.[2] The Whites may have had help from local builder Steven Mills, who built the nearby Ticknor-Campbell House.[4] Orrin White died in 1864.[5]

The Orrin White House was fully restored by Robert and Nan Hodges in the 1970s and 1980s.[3] The structure remains in excellent condition and is still used as a private residence.

Description

The Orrin White House is a two-story frame house covered with coblestones, built in an L shape with a side-gable rectangular portion and an addition to the rear[2] The front facade features herringbone-patterned cobblestones, while on the remaining elevations the cobblestones are laid randomly. The center front entrance is recessed and surrounded by incised columns and handmade glass sidelights.[3] Stone quoins are on the corners. The ends of the gables feature pierced trusswork[2] in the form of hexes.[3]

References

  1. 1 2 National Park Service (2010-07-09). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "White, Orrin, House". Michigan State Housing Development Authority: Historic Sites Online. Retrieved March 13, 2013.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Marjorie Reade; Susan Wineberg (January 12, 2007). "2940 Fuller Road". Ann Arbor District Library. Retrieved August 1, 2013.
  4. ↑ Grace Shackman (December 5, 2008). "Cobblestone Houses in Washtenaw County". Ann Arbor Observer. Retrieved August 1, 2013.
  5. ↑ Ezra D. Lay (1892), "Condensed Early History of Washtenaw County", Michigan Historical Collections, Michigan Historical Commission, 17: 454
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