George B. and Amanda Bradish Horton Farmstead facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
George B. Horton and
Amanda Bradish Farmstead |
|
 |
|
 Location in Michigan
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | 4650 West Horton Road Fairfield Township, Michigan |
|---|---|
| Area | 40 acres (16 ha) |
| Built | 1888 |
| Architectural style | Queen Anne |
| NRHP reference No. | 06001333 |
| Added to NRHP | February 1, 2007 |
The George B. Horton and Amanda Bradish Farmstead is a historic farm in Fairfield Township, Lenawee County, Michigan. It's a special place because its main farmhouse was built way back in 1888. This farmstead is so important that it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2007. It sits on 40 acres of land and includes the main house and other old farm buildings. The main house was built in the beautiful Queen Anne Style.
Contents
History of the Horton Farm
The Horton Family's Start
George B. Horton was born in 1845 in Ohio. His family moved to Michigan in 1851. They started a farm right across the road from where this farmstead is today. George's mother, Lucina Horton, knew a lot about making cheese.
Building a Cheese Business
The Horton family began making cheese in 1853. By 1866, they had opened their own cheese factory. George worked hard on the farm. When his father passed away in 1872, George took over the family farm. It was about 350 acres at that time.
Growing the Farm and Family
In 1878, George Horton married Amanda Bradish. Together, they continued to expand their farm. By the early 1890s, they owned 710 acres of land. Around 1888, George and Amanda built the large brick house you see on the farmstead today. This new house was across the road from his parents' original home.
A Successful Farmer
George Horton became a very successful farmer and businessman. By the early 1900s, he owned over 1,400 acres of farmland. This land was spread across four different farmsteads in the county. By 1914, he owned seven cheese factories. These factories could produce a huge amount of cheese: 1.5 million pounds every year!
Later Years of the Farm
George Horton passed away in 1922. His children continued to manage his property. His son, Norman B. Horton, moved into the house with his mother, Amanda. Over time, the farm's size became smaller. It was sold several times after the Horton family owned it. In 1982, Fred and Carolyn Holden bought the farm. Then, in 2004, Ed and Joann Allen became the owners.
What Does the Farmstead Look Like?
The George B. and Amanda Bradish Horton Farmstead includes a large house, a barn, and a shed. The house was built around 1888. The barn and shed were built around 1900. The farmstead is set back from the road. The main area of the farm covers about four acres.
The Main House
The house is a big, two-and-a-half-story building made of brick. It has a central roof that slopes down on all sides, called a hipped roof. There are also four cross gables, which are parts of the roof that stick out. A round tower, called a turret, is at one corner of the house. Most of the windows are tall and narrow, with concrete sills and brick frames.
The front of the house has a porch that wraps around to one side. This porch has a hipped roof and is supported by square columns. There's another porch on the other side of the house. The front of the house also features a gable with a bay window and balconies on the upper floor.
Inside the House
When you step inside, you enter a central hallway. From here, you can find two sitting rooms at the front of the house. A staircase leads upstairs from the hall. Towards the back of the house, there's a library and a bathroom on one side. On the other side, you'll find the dining room and kitchen. A cozy sitting room completes the downstairs layout.
Upstairs, on the second floor, there are four large bedrooms. There are also two smaller bedrooms, which were originally for servants. You'll also find a bathroom and a laundry room on this floor.
