Governor Robert McClelland House facts for kids
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Governor Robert McClelland House
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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 Location in Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Location | 47 East Elm Avenue Monroe, Michigan |
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| Built | 1841 |
| Part of | East Elm-North Macomb Street Historic District |
| NRHP reference No. | 71000415 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | September 3, 1971 |
The Governor Robert McClelland House is a special old home in Monroe, Michigan. It's a private house located at 47 East Elm Avenue.
This house became a Michigan Historic Site on March 3, 1971. It was also the very first building in Monroe County to be added to the National Register of Historic Places on September 3, 1971.
The house is named after Robert McClelland, a famous politician. He owned the house from 1841 to 1853. Today, the house is part of a bigger historic area called the East Elm–North Macomb Street Historic District. It's still in its original spot, near the River Raisin in an old part of Monroe.
A Look at the House's History
The land where this house stands was first mapped out in 1836. Robert McClelland bought the property around 1841. At that time, he was the mayor of Monroe. The house was built for him in 1841.
McClelland was a very well-known politician in his local area and across Michigan. He later became famous in national politics too. He left Monroe to serve in the United States House of Representatives. He represented Michigan's 1st congressional district from 1843 to 1849.
McClelland still owned the house even after he was elected Governor of Michigan in 1852. While he was Governor, President Franklin Pierce chose him for an important job. McClelland became the United States Secretary of the Interior in 1853.
After becoming Secretary of the Interior, McClelland sold his house. A local merchant named Benjamin Dansard bought it. The entire western part of the house was added later by Dansard. This new section included a library, a bedroom, a kitchen, and a dining room.
Dansard passed away in 1888. However, the house stayed in his family until 1917. Then, Kirke G. Bumpus bought it. Today, the Governor Robert McClelland House is still a privately owned home.
What the House Looks Like
The house is built in the Greek Revival architecture style. This style often looks like ancient Greek temples.
The main front entrance of the house was originally not in the center. It used to have decorative railings called balusters around it. However, these were removed when the west wing was added to the house.
