Criffield-Whiteley House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Criffield-Whiteley House
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 Location in Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Location | 601 Main St., Dowagiac, Michigan, USA |
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| Built | 1897 |
| Architectural style | Queen Anne |
| NRHP reference No. | 16000818 |
| Added to NRHP | December 6, 2016 |
The Criffield-Whiteley House is a special old home located at 601 Main Street in Dowagiac, Michigan, USA. This beautiful house was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2016. This means it's recognized as an important historical building in the country. In 2019, it was also named a Michigan Historic Site, showing its importance to the state's history.
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Discovering the Criffield-Whiteley House History
This interesting house was built a long time ago, in 1897. A businessman and farmer named Charles Criffield and his wife, Cora, had it built. Imagine living in a house that's over 125 years old!
Who Lived in the Criffield-Whiteley House?
Over the years, many families have called this house home. In 1920, Ethel and Harry Whiteley bought the house. Harry Whiteley was an important person in Michigan. He worked for three years in the Michigan Senate, which is where laws are made for the state. He also spent 21 years on the Michigan Conservation Commission, helping to protect nature and wildlife. Ethel Whiteley was also very active in her community. She helped start a local group called the Captain Samuel Felt Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Later, in 1960, Leroy and Martha Cox became the owners. Then, in 1981, Leon and Jane Anderson moved in. Most recently, in 2019, Matthew and Allexia Money purchased the house. Each family has added to the story of this historic home.
Exploring the Criffield-Whiteley House Design
The Criffield-Whiteley House is a great example of Queen Anne style architecture. This style was popular in the late 1800s and is known for its unique and fancy details.
What Makes the House Special?
The house has 2-1/2 stories, meaning it has two full floors and an attic space that can be used. It sits on a strong foundation made of large, carefully placed stones called rubble fieldstone. This type of foundation is very sturdy and adds to the house's old-fashioned charm.
Right across from the house, there's a triangular city park. In this park, you can see a monument that honors soldiers from the Civil War. This shows how the house is connected to the history of its town.
