Stony Creek Village Historic District facts for kids
The Stony Creek Village Historic District is a special area in Rochester Hills, Michigan, USA. It's like a preserved old village that shows how people lived and worked long ago. This district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972 because of its important history and old buildings.
Quick facts for kids |
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Stony Creek Village Historic District
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 Location in Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Location | On Washington Rd., Rochester Hills, Michigan |
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| Area | 35 acres (14 ha) |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 72000649 |
| Added to NRHP | June 26, 1972 |
Contents
A Look Back: Stony Creek's Story
Early Days and the First Settlers
In 1823, a man named Lemuel Taylor moved from New York to this area. He bought a large piece of land, about 400 acres, near a stream called Stony Creek. Lemuel was a pioneer! He built a dam and a gristmill, which is a mill that grinds grain into flour. This mill opened in 1824 and became the center of a new, small community.
By 1825, the village was growing. It had important places like a blacksmith shop (where metal tools were made), a store, and even a post office. A hotel was built in the 1830s. Later, after the American Civil War, a woolen mill was built. However, Stony Creek did not grow into a big city because the larger city of Rochester was very close by.
The Van Hoosen Family and Their Farm
One of the most important families in Stony Creek was the Van Hoosens. They arrived in the 1830s. Joshua Van Hoosen was six years old when his family moved here. In 1851, Joshua bought part of a farm. He then traveled to California to try and find gold during the gold rush.
Joshua returned in 1853. He bought the rest of the farm and married Sarah Taylor, who was Lemuel Taylor's daughter. By 1880, Joshua Van Hoosen owned almost 300 acres of land in the area.
Sarah Van Hoosen Jones: A Scientist and Farmer
Joshua's granddaughter, Sarah Van Hoosen Jones, was born in 1881. Joshua passed away three years later, and the family farm eventually went to Sarah. She loved farming and continued to work the land. In 1921, she earned a special degree called a Ph.D. in animal genetics. This helped her raise prize-winning dairy cattle.
When Sarah Van Hoosen Jones passed away in 1972, she gave the farm to Michigan State University. The university later gave the Van Hoosen Farmhouse and three acres to Avon Township. In 1989, the City of Rochester Hills took over the Van Hoosen Farm buildings and 13 acres around them. Today, it is a museum run by the city, where people can learn about the history of the area.
What You'll See: The Historic District Today
The Stony Creek Village Historic District has 17 old houses and their smaller buildings, like barns. Most of these homes were built before the Civil War. Many of them are built in the Greek Revival style, which means they look a bit like ancient Greek temples with columns and simple, grand designs.
The houses are arranged around a central open area with streets on all sides. Some of the most interesting buildings are the large dairy barns and silos that belonged to Sarah Van Hoosen Jones. She owned most of the land in the village, and her farm was a big part of its history.
Gallery
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House
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Inn
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Red House
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School
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Van Hoosen House
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Van Hoosen Barn
