Charles and Mary Kempf Penhaligen House facts for kids
The Charles and Mary Kempf Penhaligen House is a special single-family home located at 1203 W. Sugnet Road in Midland, Michigan. It was built in 1941 and is known for its unique design by the famous architect Alden B. Dow. This house is so important that it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2004, which means it's recognized as a historic landmark.
Quick facts for kids |
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Charles and Mary Kempf Penhaligen House
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| Location | 1203 W. Sugnet Rd., Midland, Michigan |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1941 |
| Built by | Alden Dow Building Co. |
| Architect | Alden B. Dow |
| Architectural style | Modern Movement |
| MPS | Residential Architecture of Alden B. Dow in Midland, Michigan MPS AD |
| NRHP reference No. | 04000640 |
| Added to NRHP | June 22, 2004 |
Contents
History of the Penhaligen House
Who was Charles Penhaligen?
Charles Penhaligen was born in 1901. He started working for the Dow Chemical Company in 1936. Dow Chemical is a very large company that makes many different products. Charles worked as an accountant, helping to manage the company's money.
In 1941, Charles became an auditor for the main Dow Chemical Company. This meant he checked the company's financial records. He also helped start a credit union for Dow employees.
Building the House
In 1941, Charles Penhaligen decided to build a new home. He hired Alden B. Dow to design it. Alden B. Dow was a very famous architect from Midland, Michigan. He was known for his modern and unique house designs.
The Alden Dow Building Company built the house. It was finished in late 1941. This house was one of the first homes built by Dow's own construction company.
Later Years
Charles Penhaligen passed away in 1959. His wife later sold the house in 1990. The new owner, Mr. Richard Payne, updated parts of the house. He made the main bathroom and bedroom bigger. He also changed some of the inside spaces. The house was sold again in 2000.
What Does the House Look Like?
The Charles Penhaligen House is a single-story home. It has a special "L" shape. The house is made of brick with wood details. It has a hip roof, which means all sides slope downwards to the walls.
The house is set far back from the road. It is located on a quiet street called a cul-de-sac. A driveway runs along the side of the house. It leads to a two-car garage. The garage is built into a small hill.
A large chimney sticks out from the roof. It is located where the garage meets the main part of the house. The front of the house has few windows. There is one window and a kitchen door. A brick planter separates the front from the driveway. A roof extension, like a trellis, covers a raised patio area.
The back of the house faces a golf course. It has many windows that wrap around the corners. This allows for great views of the golf course.
