Henry W. Baker House facts for kids
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Henry W. Baker House
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| Location | 233 S. Main St., Plymouth, Michigan |
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| Built | 1875 |
| Architectural style | Italianate |
| NRHP reference No. | 82002922 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | April 22, 1982 |
The Henry W. Baker House is located at 233 S. Main St. in Plymouth, Michigan. It was built in 1875 as a private home for Henry W. Baker. Today, it is used for businesses. This important building was named a Michigan State Historic Site in 1981. It was also added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982, which means it's recognized as a special historical place in the United States.
Meet Henry W. Baker
Henry William Baker was born on February 10, 1833, in New York. When he was nine years old, in 1842, his family moved to a farm near Plymouth, Michigan. Henry was the oldest of ten children.
Henry first studied photography. During the American Civil War, he worked as a photographer in Ypsilanti, Michigan. In 1866, he came back to Plymouth and started his own business. He also served as the Justice of the Peace for Plymouth in 1876. This was like being a local judge or official.
In 1882, Henry Baker and several partners started the Plymouth Iron Windmill Company. Henry was the president of this company from 1887 to 1888. At first, they made windmills. However, in 1888, the company started making something new: the metal Daisy Air Rifle. This air rifle was designed by Clarence J. Hamilton. The air rifle became very popular, and the company did very well.
In 1895, the company changed its name to the Daisy Manufacturing Company. They became famous for making air rifles. Henry W. Baker was the president of Daisy Manufacturing Company until he passed away. After his death, his nephew, Charles H. Bennett, took over the company. In 1904, Henry Baker and his business partners also invested in the Ford Motor Company of Canada.
Henry Baker was married twice. He died at his home on November 24, 1919. His house was known as "a beautiful home; a costly brick structure."
What the House Looks Like
The Henry W. Baker House is a two-story building made of brick. It has a unique Italianate style. This style often includes fancy details and tall windows. The house was a landmark in Plymouth because of its unusual tower. This tower was shaped like a pagoda and sat on top of the roof.
The house has an interesting, uneven shape. It has a strong stone foundation. At the back, there was a kitchen wing, and later, a carriage shed and garage were added. The main part of the house has bay windows, which stick out from the wall, and porches. There are also gables on the upper floor, especially on the front of the house. The main entrance has double doors with an arch at the top, under a small porch. Above the doors is a window with a gabled pediment, which is a triangular shape.
History of the Henry W. Baker House
Henry W. Baker built his house in 1875. He lived there until he died in 1919. His sister, Anna, continued to live in the home until 1943. Around that time, the unique pagoda tower was removed from the house during a renovation.
In the 1970s, the building was changed to be used for businesses and was not well cared for. However, the house was later restored to its original beauty. The pagoda tower was even put back on the roof! Today, the building is used by a law practice. There is a historic marker in front of the house, but it incorrectly states that Henry Baker died in 1920 instead of 1919.
