Sheldon Inn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Sheldon Inn
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 Location in Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Location | 44134 Michigan Avenue, Canton Township, Michigan |
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| Nearest city | Sheldon, Michigan |
| Area | 0.2 acres (0.081 ha) |
| Built | 1825 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| MPS | Canton Township MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 00000618 |
| Added to NRHP | June 02, 2000 |
The Sheldon Inn is a two-story building located in Canton Township, Michigan. You can find it at 44134 Michigan Avenue, in a small area called Sheldon Corners. This building has a long history! It used to be a family home and a place where travelers could stay. Today, it's an apartment building. Because of its important past, the Sheldon Inn was added to the National Register of Historic Places in the year 2000.
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The Story of Sheldon Inn
The Sheldon Inn was built by a couple named Timothy and Rachel Sheldon. They moved all the way from Monroe County, New York, carrying everything they owned in a wagon. They planned to settle even further west.
However, one night they camped on the Chicago Road, which was about two days' travel from Detroit. They really liked the area around them. So, they decided to make their new home right there in Canton Township.
On June 6, 1825, the Sheldons bought 160 acres of land. This land included the spot where the Sheldon Inn now stands. They were among the very first people to own land in Sheldon Township. In fact, they bought their land only a week after the first two landowners.
Building a Home and an Inn
The Sheldons built a home on their new land in the Greek Revival style. This style was popular back then, with features that looked like ancient Greek temples. Almost right away, their home also became an inn. It was a perfect stop for all the travelers and settlers moving west from Detroit.
The Sheldons also farmed the land around their home. Soon, a small community started to grow around the inn. This community became known as Sheldon Corners.
Sheldon Corners Grows
Sheldon Corners quickly became a busy place. A new road helped it grow even more. In 1829, South Territorial Road (now called Geddes Road) was created. This road started right at Sheldon Corners.
The government of the Michigan Territory decided to build this road. It was meant to help people travel west. The road would go through places like Ann Arbor, Michigan and continue all the way to the St. Joseph River of Lake Michigan.
In 1830, Timothy Sheldon became the postmaster for the area's post office. This made Sheldon Corners even more important. The next year, Rachel Sheldon bought another 80 acres of land next to their property.
Over time, Sheldon Corners had many important buildings. It had a schoolhouse made of logs, two general stores, and two churches. There was also a cemetery, a cobbler (someone who fixed shoes), and three blacksmiths (who worked with metal).
Later Years and Changes
In the 1830s, the Sheldons added a one-story section to their house. This was for Timothy's unmarried sister. Timothy Sheldon was also involved in local government. He served as a state legislator in 1839. He also helped people in need as a Director of the Poor in 1841 and 1845.
Eventually, the Sheldon Inn was passed down to Charles Sines, who was Timothy Sheldon's nephew. Around 1890, Charles Sines sold the house to Charles and Anne Morton.
Today, the historic Sheldon Inn is no longer an inn. It has been changed into a building with two separate apartments.
What Does Sheldon Inn Look Like?
The Sheldon Inn is a two-story house with a roof that slopes down on two sides (called a side-gable roof). It's built in the Greek Revival style. The house sits on a quarter-acre piece of land. It's also a few feet behind where it originally stood.
The house has been changed over the years since it was first built. However, you can still see some of its original Greek Revival style. Look for the special "cornice return" details on the side of the roof.
The one-story section that the Sheldons added in the 1830s is still there. In the 1930s, a porch was added that runs along the entire front of the house. There are also two smaller additions at the back of the building.
