Smith House (Vassar, Michigan) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Smith House
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 Location in Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Location | 113-115 Prospect St., Vassar, Michigan |
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| Area | 0 acres (0 ha) |
| Built | 1851 |
| Built by | James Saunders |
| NRHP reference No. | 72000656 |
| Added to NRHP | March 16, 1972 |
The Smith House is a special old house in Vassar, Michigan. It's located at 113-115 Prospect Street. This house is so important that it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. This list helps protect buildings that are important to history.
Contents
History of the Smith House
Who Built the House?
The Smith House was built in 1851 by a man named Joshua D. Smith. He was born in New York in 1821. When he was four years old, his family moved to Michigan.
In 1850, Joshua Smith moved close to where Vassar is today. A year later, in 1851, he built this house. It was the very first house in Vassar made with a wooden frame! Another early settler of Vassar, James Saunders, helped build it.
Life in the Early House
Joshua Smith lived in this house for many years. He worked with land, farmed, and made things. He lived there until he passed away in 1883.
Later Owners and Changes
In 1908, a different family bought the house. Their names were Howard and Clara Smith, but they were not related to Joshua D. Smith. They changed the house so that two families could live there.
Later, in 1914, they added some new parts to the house. They built four porches, two at the front and two at the back. They also added a den, a cellar, a new kitchen, and two bathrooms. Howard and Clara passed the house down to their son, Howard L. Smith. His family continued to live there for many years.
What Does the Smith House Look Like?
Outside the House
The Smith House is a 1-1/2 story building. This means it has one full floor and a half-story above it, usually with sloped ceilings. It also has a tall, tower-like part on one side. The house was built using a special type of wood called corkpine, which grew in the Vassar area.
The roof has a pointed shape called a gable. Part of the front roof is also slightly sloped, known as a hip roof. The outside of the house is painted white with green trim around the windows. The front porches have strong square columns holding them up.
Inside the House
When you go inside, you'll find a living room, a bedroom downstairs, a dining room, and a kitchen. Upstairs, there are more bedrooms. These parts of the house are original, meaning they were there when the house was first built.
The den, cellar, new kitchen, and two bathrooms were added later in 1914. The inside of the house is in great shape. It also has a beautiful staircase!
