Newton–Allaire House facts for kids
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Newton–Allaire House
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 Location in Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Location | 337 Dresser Street, Cheboygan, Michigan |
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| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1871 |
| Architectural style | Italianate |
| NRHP reference No. | 83000840 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | February 10, 1983 |
The Newton–Allaire House is a beautiful old home located at 337 Dresser Street in Cheboygan, Michigan. It's a private house, meaning people live there. This special house was officially named a Michigan State Historic Site in 1979. A few years later, in 1983, it was also added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's recognized as an important historical building for the whole country!
Contents
A Look Back: The House's History
The Newton Brothers' Big Idea
The story of the Newton–Allaire House begins with two brothers, Archibald and Carl Newton. They were related to the famous scientist Sir Isaac Newton. In 1853, they bought an island called Saint Helena. This island is near the Straits of Mackinac, which is a busy waterway.
The brothers had a clever plan. They turned their island into a place where ships could stop. Ships traveling through the straits needed fuel and supplies. The Newton brothers' business was very successful. They used the money they earned to start other businesses in Cheboygan.
Archibald Newton's Role in Cheboygan
Archibald Newton became an important person in Cheboygan. In 1870, the people of the village elected him as their president. This shows how much he was respected in the community.
A Special Wedding Gift
In 1871, Archibald Newton built this house. He was a widower, meaning his first wife had passed away. He built the house as a wonderful wedding present for his second wife, Cornelia Allaire.
Archibald Newton lived in the house until he passed away in 1892. Cornelia continued to live there until 1916. When Cornelia passed away, she left the house to her brother, Joseph Allaire Jr. He moved into the house that same year.
Staying in the Family
The Newton–Allaire House stayed in the Allaire family for a very long time. It was owned by members of the family for 127 years! Then, in 2013, the house returned to the Newton side of the family. Archibald Newton's great-great-grandson bought the home.
What Does the House Look Like?
The Newton–Allaire House is a two-story building made of red brick. It's built in a style called Italianate. This style was popular in the 1800s and often features fancy details.
Key Features of the House
The front of the house is symmetrical, meaning it looks the same on both sides. It has three sections, called bays. The windows are rounded at the top, like an arch. They have special brick designs above them.
The roof of the house is a hip roof, which slopes down on all four sides. Under the wide edges of the roof, there are decorative carved supports called bracketry.
The Cupola and Porch
At the very top of the roof, there's a small tower called a cupola. Sometimes it's also called a belvedere. This cupola also has rounded arch windows and its own small hip roof. It's supported by brackets, just like the main roof.
A wide porch wraps around the first floor of the house. This would have been a lovely place to sit and relax. One side of the house has a part that sticks out. This section holds a bay window and the main entrance to the house.
Modern Additions and Mysterious Stories
A modern garage with a gable roof is connected to the back of the house.
Over the years, some interesting stories have been told about the house. Members of the Allaire family and other people in Cheboygan have reported seeing or feeling strange things. These include lights flickering, rooms suddenly becoming very cold, and objects moving by themselves.
