Benjamin Davis House facts for kids
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Benjamin Davis House
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Formerly listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places
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| Location | 528 S. Washington Ave., Lansing, Michigan |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1889 |
| Architect | Darius B. Moon |
| Architectural style | Carpenter Gothic |
| Demolished | 1972 |
| NRHP reference No. | 72001589 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | 1971 |
| Removed from NRHP | 1972 |
The Benjamin Davis House was a special old house in Lansing, Michigan. It was once listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This list includes important historic buildings in the United States. Sadly, the house was torn down in 1972.
Contents
Who Was Benjamin Davis?
Benjamin F. Davis was born in 1844 in Elba, New York. His family moved to Michigan in 1851. He went to Michigan Agricultural College for a while.
Early Career and Family
In 1862, Benjamin started working for the Quartermaster Corps in Washington D.C. This part of the army helps supply soldiers with what they need. He worked there until 1867.
After that, he came back to Lansing. He started several different businesses. In 1875, Benjamin Davis married Eva D. Sparrow. They had two daughters together.
Successful Businesses
Benjamin Davis was a very successful businessman. In 1881, he started the Lansing Company. This company made wheelbarrows. He also founded the City National Bank in 1886. Both of his businesses did very well. This made Benjamin Davis a wealthy man.
The Design of the House
In 1889, Benjamin Davis asked a local architect named Darius B. Moon to design his house. Moon created a beautiful Victorian-style home. It was built in a style called Carpenter Gothic.
Unique Features
The house had many interesting features. It had several porches and balconies. There was even a special Chinese pagoda on the roof! Below the pagoda, there was a wide veranda. A "porte cochere" was also part of the design. This is a covered entrance where carriages or cars could drive through.
Life and End of the House
Benjamin Davis's wife, Eva, passed away in 1890. However, Benjamin continued to live in the house. He lived there until he died in 1934. His last daughter, Mrs. Edith Eva Davis, lived in the house for some time after him.
After she passed away, the house became empty. It started to fall apart quickly. In 1971, people began to tear it down. But the Greater Lansing Historical Society tried to save it. They wanted to fix it up. Unfortunately, the house caught fire soon after. It was then completely torn down.
