Benjamin Cushway House facts for kids
The Benjamin Cushway House is a very old family home in Saginaw, Michigan. It was built way back in 1844, making it the oldest house still standing in Saginaw County. Because it's so important to history, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.
Quick facts for kids |
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Benjamin Cushway House
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| Location | Rust Ave. and Fordney St. Saginaw, Michigan |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1844 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| MPS | Center Saginaw MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 82002865 |
| Added to NRHP | July 9, 1982 |
History of the Cushway House
Benjamin Cushway moved to Saginaw with his family in 1810. He was just a boy at the time. As he grew up, he worked on a farm. Later, he learned the skills of a blacksmith.
In 1833, Benjamin married his wife, Adelaide. About 11 years later, in 1844, Benjamin and Adelaide built this house. It was first located near what is now Court and Hamilton Street. This spot was actually inside the old Fort Saginaw, which was no longer in use.
A few years later, in 1848, the Cushways moved to a farm. In 1850, they sold their house to Jacob Voght. He was a grocer and also a farmer.
In 1869, the old Fort Saginaw was taken down. Because of this, the Cushway House was moved to a new spot at 1404 South Fayette Street. After the year 1900, the Narcarto Family bought the house. They owned it for many years, at least until the 1980s. The house was moved one more time in 2001 to where it stands today.
What the House Looks Like
The Cushway House is built from strong timbers. These timbers were shaped by hand using an axe. The house is designed in a style called Greek Revival. This means it has features similar to ancient Greek temples. It has "return eaves," which are parts of the roof that wrap around the corners. The roof also has a moderate slope, which is called a "gable roof."
