Axford-Coffin Farm facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Axford-Coffin Farm
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| Location | 384-388 W. Predmore Rd., Oakland Township, Michigan |
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| Area | 16.7 acres (6.8 ha) |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival, Bungalow/craftsman |
| NRHP reference No. | 02000159 |
| Added to NRHP | March 15, 2002 |
The Axford-Coffin Farm, also known as Cranberry Lake Farm, is a special old farm located in Oakland Charter Township, Michigan. It's found at 384-388 West Predmore Road. This farm is so important that it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2002. This means it's a place worth protecting because of its history.
Contents
The Farm's Story
The story of this farm began in 1837. That's when John Axford bought the land. He probably built the first house on the farm in the 1840s.
Early Owners and Farm Life
In 1848, Jacob Kline bought the farm. His family owned it for a long time, until 1925. During these years, the farm was likely busy raising dairy cows and chickens. It was a working farm that helped feed the community.
After the Kline family, the farm had several different owners over the next 15 years. In 1939, a businessman from Detroit named Howard A. Coffin bought the farm. He later became a US Congressman. Howard and his wife, Abbie, turned the farm into a large country estate. They made changes and added to the buildings. It's possible that they continued to raise dairy cows there too.
Becoming a Park
In 1951, the Coffins sold the property to George and Guitenna Williamson. The Williamsons lived in California. They rented out the house and farm for different uses.
Finally, in 1996, Oakland Charter Township bought the property. They turned the whole area into "Cranberry Lake Park." The part with the old farm buildings was given its own name: "Cranberry Lake Farm."
What Does the Farm Look Like?
Cranberry Lake Farm is about 16.5 acres in size. It's part of the much larger 167-acre Cranberry Lake Park. You reach the farmstead by driving on a gravel road. This road loops around the main house.
Buildings on the Farm
The farm has several important buildings. The original farmhouse is right inside the gravel loop. Behind it, there are four main outbuildings. These include a caretaker's house, a greenhouse, a carriage house, and a springhouse. There are also two smaller buildings further back. To the west, you can see a tall silo and what's left of an old barn.
The Farmhouse Style
The main house is built in a style called Greek Revival. This style was popular in the 1840s when the house was first built. It was updated in the 1930s and 1940s. The house has a foundation and chimneys made of fieldstone. Its outer walls are covered with wood clapboard siding. Over the years, more parts have been added to the house, making it larger.
