Ford–Bacon House facts for kids
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Ford–Bacon House
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 Location in Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Location | 45 Vinewood, Wyandotte, Michigan |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1897 |
| Architect | Malcomson & Higginbotham |
| Architectural style | Queen Anne |
| NRHP reference No. | 97001476 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | December 01, 1997 |
The Ford–Bacon House is a special building located at 45 Vinewood in Wyandotte, Michigan. It was recognized as a Michigan State Historic Site in 1987. Later, in 1997, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. Today, this historic house serves as the Bacon Memorial District Library, a public library for the community.
Contents
History of the Ford–Bacon House
Who Built the House?
The Ford–Bacon House was built in 1897 for Edward Ford and his wife, Carrie. Edward Ford was a very important person in the glass industry. His father, John Baptiste Ford, was a pioneer in making plate glass. Edward himself founded the Michigan Alkali Company in Wyandotte. He also started the Ford Plate Glass Company in Toledo, Ohio, which later became the Libbey–Owens–Ford Company. Edward Ford hired the famous architects Malcomson & Higginbotham to design his new home.
From Family Home to Public Library
Edward Ford lived in the house for only a short time. He moved to Toledo, Ohio in 1900. His son, John B. Ford, lived there for two years, from 1900 to 1902.
In 1902, Edward Ford's daughter, Mary Ford Bacon, and her husband, Mark R. Bacon, moved into the house. They lived there for many years, from 1902 to 1942. Even though they owned the house, they spent a lot of their later years in California.
After Mark Bacon passed away in 1942, Mary Ford Bacon decided to give the house to the Wyandotte Public School System. This generous gift allowed the beautiful building to be used for the public good. Since then, the Ford–Bacon House has served as the public library for the community.
What Does the House Look Like?
The Ford–Bacon House is a large, four-story building. It is built in the Queen Anne style, which was popular for homes in the late 1800s. The house is made from light brown bricks and has red sandstone decorations.
Key Features of the Building
The house is quite big, measuring about 62 feet by 95 feet. It sits on four city lots, which means it takes up a lot of space! Inside, there are 27 rooms and 11 fireplaces, showing how grand it was when it was built.
A wide porch wraps around the front and side of the house, perfect for relaxing outdoors. The roof was originally covered with black slate tiles. At the back of the house, there is a tall, four-story bell tower. The house also has special windows called gabled dormers, a two-story bay window on the side, and square brick chimneys. All these details make the Ford–Bacon House a unique and interesting building.
Images for kids
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One of the reading rooms inside the library
