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Jortin Forbes House
Jortin Forbes House Saline MI.JPG
Location 211 N. Ann Arbor St., Saline, Michigan
Area less than one acre
Built 1860 (1860)
Architectural style Stick/eastlake
MPS Saline MRA
NRHP reference No. 85002954
Added to NRHP October 10, 1985

The Jortin Forbes House is a historic home located at 211 North Ann Arbor Street in Saline, Michigan. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. This means it's an important building that is protected because of its history and unique design.

History of the Jortin Forbes House

When Was the House Built?

The Jortin Forbes House was built by a person named Orange Risdon. It was constructed before 1856, and some think it might have been built as early as the 1840s.

Who Was Jortin Forbes?

Even though the house is named after him, it seems Jortin Forbes never actually lived in this specific house! He likely lived right next door. Jortin Forbes was an important person in the village of Saline. He helped run things in the town.

  • He was the street commissioner in 1866 and 1867. This job meant he helped manage the town's streets.
  • He was an inspector for the first village election in 1866.
  • He served as the Marshal in 1866 and 1867, which is like a police chief for the town.
  • Later, in 1878, he became a Justice of the Peace. This role involves dealing with local legal matters.

Jortin's wife, Matilda Forbes, also had a business. She owned a milliner shop, which sold hats and other accessories.

Other People Who Lived Here

While Jortin Forbes might not have lived here, other people did. A blacksmith named Henry Johnson lived in the house during the 1860s. Later on, the house was owned by Orrin Parsons, Sarah Schleh, and Sarah Ennis.

What Does the Jortin Forbes House Look Like?

The Jortin Forbes House is a two-story brick home. It has a special design that mixes two styles: Stick and Eastlake architecture. These styles were popular in the late 1800s and often feature decorative wooden details.

Key Features of the House

The house sits on a small piece of land. It has a main two-story section that stands tall, and a one-story section (called a "wing") attached to its side. Both parts of the house have gabled roofs, which means the roofs have two sloping sides that meet at a ridge.

  • Roof Details: The house has a wide decorative band (called a frieze) just below the roofline.
  • Windows: The windows are set in openings that have a slightly rounded top, known as segmental-arched heads.
  • Front Porch: The front of the house has a porch with a hipped roof. This porch has decorative railings with small spindles and fancy brackets. This porch was likely added to the house later on.
  • Back Addition: There's also a one-story addition at the back of the house. This part was probably built around 1881.
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