Walking Tour of Historic Northville, Michigan Preview

Mill Race Historic Village

History is preserved at Mill Race Historical Village, a gem of the Northville community. Created in 1972 by the Northville Historical Society, Mill Race Village serves as a focal point for the Northville community. A living museum, the Village was built on land donated to the City of Northville by the Ford Motor Company. Once the site of a grist mill, the Village is home to a church, gazebo, school, rustic wooden bridge, blacksmith shop, general store, interurban train station and several homes reminiscent of an era gone by. The New School Church was built in 1845 by a splinter group of the First Presbyterian Church of Northville. The Church exhibits a Greek Revival architectural style with a columned entrance portico. Moved to the Village in 1972, the Church is currently used for meetings, classes and weddings.Mill Race Historic Village has its own virtual walking tour, also available in the PocketSights app.

371 East Main Street

This house was built by James A. Dubuar in 1875. Dubuar owned the J. A. Dubuar Lumber Company just across Griswold. Dubuar constructed the home for his daughter and son-in-law when they were married. When Dubuar died in 1919 the company and house were sold to Henry Ford. Ford used the house as a residence for his plant manager, Harry Marburger. In 1941 ford sold the home to Mike Allen who lived in the main portion and ran Allen Monuments from the ground level basement. Although the interior has been extensively remodeled throughout the years, it retains many original features

The Marquis Theater

The Marquis Theater, currently Northville's legitimate theater. The building was built in the late 1920's after a fire destroyed much of that section of Main Street. The clock has been added to the center of Main Street and further enhances the small town image.

Masonic Lodge

facing east The Masonic Temple on Main Street's south side was built in 1880 on the second floor of a general store owned by Barton Wheeler. This double occupancy arrangement was Northville's first "condominium."

Northville Civic Center

Built in 1963, the Northville City Hall sits on property once owned by the Lapham family. In 1989 the location also houses the Northville police department and the community library.

Old Village School

This was formerly used as the Northville High School. Bui It in 1916, it replaced an earlier building which burned. It was built at a cost of $75,000.

547 W Main St.

The property on which this lovely brick home. Was part of Ira Rice's land grant. ice sold the land in 1830 Hiram Robinson. It was sold many times, until Elizabeth Scott bought it in 1882. Varying reports identify Winfield and Elizabeth Scott as the first owners of this home. The same reports vary as to when it was built. plac-ing the building between 1866 and 1886. If indeed Scott's were the first owners, it had to have been bui It after 1882 Perhaps an earlier landowner built the home, but sale price seem to deny this likelihood. It has a slate roof and large bay window. Interior features include a solid marble fireplace and walnut stair-case and woodwork.

109 N Rogers St

Built in 1880, this home was owned by Mrs. L. Thompson Murray. The use of stars for ornamentation in the peaks of the dormers may be seen in several other homes near-by. The style has been called Second Empire which is hallmarked by a high mansard roof with a curve around all visible slope in this style, dormer windows were univer-sal with ornamentation about all windows. Mansard American homes also added porches and verandas. The home was first restored in 1967.

536 W Main St.

The entrance hall of this home, which was originally part of the living room, has a gray slate floor. The interior has been extensively remodeled. The architectural style appears to be Homestead.

530 W Main St.

The exterior of this home has been recently renovated; changes have been made to the porch that appear to return it to its original design. This home of Queen Anne style features stained glass, natural woodwork and gingerbread.

502 W Main St.

The houses along this block were all part of a small medical center including this house that was the residence of Dr. Linwood Snow. No. 508 was his office, with the nurses' residence next to that at 514. The nursing home at 520 was the original site of Sessions Hospital, later Northville Communi-ty Hospital. Dr. Snow's house is in the Italianate style, and has been remodeled. The property was sold ·to Alva Smith in 1831, the house and its remodeling date 1860. It was owned by John Blackwood earlier. Black walnut woodwork and hard carved doors distinguish the interior.

418 W Main St.

Classified as Queen Anne, this home was built and originally owned by Charles L. Dubuar in 1885. The interior has been remodeled. Remaining interior features include an open stairway, sliding doors, and all original bulls-eye type woodwork. The dining room floor has parquet oak and walnut edging, surrounding pine which was intended to be covered by an area rug. Each of the three large windows on the first floor has a distinct decorative upper pane.

404 W Main St.

This is known as the William Pitt Hungerford House, c. 1860. It is a fine example of Italianate style architecture, with 10-foot ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows. The building has served as a center for the Yarnall Gold Cure and Ebert and the Schrader Funeral Homes before being returned to a private residence. Its cube-shaped cupola gives it a definite air of distinction. Hungerford was born on his parent's farm in Novi in 1829. His parents were early settlers in this area, having arrived in 1825. He established a dry goods store at the cor-ner of Main and Center in 1857. He died in 187 4 and is buried in Rural Hill Cemetery.

312 W Main St.

This house was built in 191 2 for the Nelson Schrader family. The Schrader's operated a funeral home and a furniture store. Schrader·s Home Furnishings was located on North Center and closed in 1987. The interior of this home has oak woodwork throughout. The style of architecture is American Foursquare, a common home style after the turn of the century. The basement cistern remains.

302 W Main St.

The Balden House was built in 1917-18 of brick, with a cut stone foundation. In later years the interior was remodeled as a doctor's office. Adolph Balden owned the ski jump at his farm south of town, now part of Hines Park along Hines Drive near Seven Mile Road.

401 W Dunlap St

Built in 1873 by Edward R. Kellogg, this home was built in sections. The oldest portion is that which faces the West-Dunlap corner. The original building had a flat top roof. The property dates from Alva Smith's-land grant and was sold to Kellogg for $325. He added the wing in 1888 after borrowing $1,000. The building originally fronted West Street. The cur-rent owners found remnants of earlier small porches while restoring the property.

317 W Dunlap St

This restored brick Italianate home was built in 1882 as the home of the Dean Griswold family. The old summer kitchen still exists, having large beams and wide floor boards. All bedrooms had wash basins. There are twin parlors downstairs. The front porch has been removed, as well as a large carriage house in the rear.

501 Dunlap

Known as the Atchison House, this home was built in 1882, with Darius Knapp as the first owner. Dr. R. E. Atchison purchased it in 1926. The. second floor acted as a hospital until 1960; the building continued in use as a medical clinic until 1987. A number of local residents were born here. It was restored to its Victorian grandeur, as Northville's first bed and breakfast inn.

523 W Dunlap St

William Stark was a Northville store owner who had this home built in 1880. Though it originally had only four rooms, Stark's son-in-law James Congo, added more to the house. It contains a Michigan basement and a carriage house is located behind the house. The house is designed in the Cottage Gothic style.

527 W Dunlap St

Built around 1880 this house boasts narrow, steep stairs, rough cut studs and stringers and square cut nails in its construction. Its Michigan basement has typical two foot thick walls and a dirt floor, with three stone cisterns. The wing, garage and front door are later additions.

537 W Dunlap St

Built for John and Mary Kellogg in 1885-90, the home was noted for several features. Besides its unusual curved corners and detail in the door and window frames, the gables also include gingerbread scroll and star fretwork and solid oak woodwork throughout the interior. However, its most important claim to fame was its car barn, pictured here. This garage was built to house North-vi lle's first automobile, a Maxwell.

543 W Dunlap St

Built between 1885-1890 by Dr. Yarnall who operated the Gold Cure clinic on Main Street for alcoholics and smokers. The home cost $5,000 to build. Mr. and Mrs. Ben Filkins were later owners. It is an elaborate home with fine moldings throughout, three stained glass windows in the staircase wall, a bronze statue on the newel post and a handsome fireplace. The front exterior is altered because an upstairs porch was enclosed to make a bathroom.

552/548/542 Dunlap Street

These houses, if examined closely, can be seen to resemble each other. Built by Frank Beal in 1880, they are typical of many homes seen in the downtown area. They were designed in the Carpenter Gothic Style. Original owners included Charles Filkins, Frank Beal and Mr. Johnson. The Johnson House, 548, had a front porch added in 1915-20. It was also the home of Thad J. Knapp, one of Northville's Superintendents of Schools. The owners at 552 have been in their home over 45 years and possess some furnishings left by the previous owner. a relative of the first owner.

512 Dunlap

The Welch (Welsh) House was built in 1883 in the Italianate style. It is notable for its third-floor tower and widow's walk. The interior has large rooms and high ceilings. Andrew Jackson Welsh, who preferred to be call-ed John, was born April 15, 1824. He married Laura Dennis in the Northville Baptist Church. She died of lockjaw May 3, 1885. His second wife was Helen Chapman, also of Northville. Welsh died in 1907.

504 Dunlap

This house was built by Mr. Woodman, a local carpenter, for Edwin B. Thompson in 1880-82. It is decorated with Victorian barge boards. The stained glass window in the hallway came from an 1866 Methodist Church in Mason, Michigan.

418 W Dunlap St

The builder and original owner was Mark Ambler in about 1890. The scroll supports to the roof and porch decoration distinguish its Queen Anne Style. It displays Gothic gables, non-symmetrical facade, se-cond floor wooden shingles, window projections and gabled roof line typical of the style. Queen Anne style in America dates from 1876 and was popular in the growing suburbs as a reaction to earlier Victorian styles.

412 Dunlap

The builder and original owner was Mark Ambler in about 1890. The scroll supports to the roof and porch decoration distinguish its Queen Anne Style. It displays Gothic gables, non-symmetrical facade, se-cond floor wooden shingles, window projections and gabled roof line typical of the style. Queen Anne style in America dates from 1876 and was popular in the growing suburbs as a reaction to earlier Victorian styles.

404 W Dunlap St

Built in 1880 in the Italianate style, its bay win-dows extend to the floor and its woodwork is marked with wide grooves. The garage was once part of the house, acting as a summer kitchen. It was once owned by the Detroit Edison Company, serving as home for the local supervisor.

310 W Dunlap St

Built in 1875, this home has been thoughtfully renovated, preserving the unique and characteristic details of the Victorian period yet updated with premium and stylish decor. This beautifully landscaped home has a dark mystery behind it. It has been rumored to have con-tained a cemetery in the backyard. Most likely, the two old ladies who lived there just liked having a commemorative headstone adorning their garden. However, longtime residents do not recall ever hearing this rumor.

223 High St

Known as the T.G. Richardson House, this was built in 1 91 2 in the bungalow style popular at that time. The exterior white glazed brick, or tile, makes the home particularly unique.

First Baptist Church

This building dates from 1858, when it was remodeled. Since then it has undergone many changes. The bell was added in 1879, the baptistry in 1887, and major reconstruction took place in 1928. It was again remodeled in the 1950's. Later additions occurred in the 1960's and 70's.

132 Randolph St

This was bui It in 1858-60 on land that was part of the Dunlap farm. Lakes Captain Solomon Gardiner (Gardner) who reportely gave Northville the town clock, may have been the first owner. The detailing above the porch is of special interest on this home.

208 Randolph St

239 High Street

The Edward H. Lapham House was built around 1835-40. Originally 1 ½ stories high, it now stands a full three stories on the south side. The central core chimney served fireplaces in the basement, dining room and kitchen, with a bake oven behind the kit-chen chimney. Pottery was fired in the basement kiln. Hand hewn beams and a typical barn frame with mortise and tenon construction, and wooden pins are further evidence of early handiwork.

247 West Street

This is another one of Northville's oldest homes. Perched stately atop its own hill in im-posing splendor, this home was built by Daniel C Cady who arrived in Northville with his father in 1826. Although other publications have dated the structure from a later period the current owners believe the first portion was built in 1830.

312 Randolph St

Built in 1872, this is known as the Dr. Mark Gardiner (Gardner) House. The home is the Homestead style not entirely typical of that era.

318 Randolph St

This may well be the oldest house in Northville. It was once a wing of the William Dunlap home which faced Center St. Dunlap, one of the community's earliest settlers, is said to have built Northville's first frame structure in 1831. This may have been it, or a part of it. This structure was moved to this loca-tion when the Dunlap home was turned to face Dunlap Street. Dunlap, along with Daniel Cady, filed Northville's first plat map in 1840 and is a city founding father. He purchased his land from John Miller in 1831.

124 Randolph St

Probably built in 1873 by Howard Stark, this is another Carpenter Gothic example showing intersecting bargeboards.

American Legion

Walking toward Main Street, heading south, you will pass the American Legion building, originally the William Dunlap home, the original portion of which was built in 1831. At the southeast corner of Dunlap and Center the old Opera House once stood. It was torn down in 1950. ln 1989 a flower shop marks the spot where it stood. In the 1930s Detroit Edison headquarters were located in the building on the Northeast corner of Dunlap and Center.

First Presbyterian Church

Northville's Presbyterian Church was founded in 1829. The present building dates from the 1870's. It has undergone extensive renovation throughout the years. The church house was built in 1929, with a fellowship hall added a few years later. The new sanctuary was built in 1970. The congregation is Northville's oldest religious assembly

Wagon Wheel Lounge

Originally the home and grocery store of Anthony H. Kohlers, this building was constructed in 1887. As it was located directly across the road from the railroad depot, its transition to an inn came about naturally. Now the building is a popular bar with lunch specials, pool tables, karaoke night & a jukebox.

327 Yerkes Street

The street is named for the Yerl<es family, a longtime prominent family in this city. The Yerkes were among the area's first settlers. This house built in the 1880's, was the home of the Briggs family during the 1930's

333 Yerkes St

This home is typical of many of its period. At some time in its past the front porch has been enclosed.

413 Beale Street

Built in 1883, this home has 10-foot-high ceilings, ornate wood trim and original transoms. The roof was originally tin. The back porch was converted in the 1920's for year-round use. The garage was built to house a Model T and today is too small for most full-sized automobiles

Cady Street Cemetery

Northville's earliest cemetery, once known as Oakwood Cemetery, has today taken the street name. Graves here date back to the early 19th century. Many of the community's early settlers are buried here. Ancestors say the property was donated to the village for a cemetery by Daniel Cady. He is buried here with one of his wives and some of his children

4723 West Cady Street

This was built by William Ambler probably in the 1850s. Ambler moved with his wife to Northville in 1854. He purchased property at Main and Center St. (Southwest Corner). In 1858 he constructed a balloon-construction style hotel first named the Ambler House, which stood for 70 years until destroyed by fire. This address was his family residence. Ambler also bought mill rights and owned Ambler Pond which is now filled in as part of the Hines Parkway System. The house was substantially remodeled in 2012.

495 West Cady Street

This home has been beautifully restored. The stained glass in the exterior windows and natural woodwork are typical of the home's interior features. It is Queen Anne style. It was probably also first built by the Ambler family.

504 West Cady Street

Built in 1926 for Mrs. Angell and her three children, this home is bungalow style, typical of the period. It remained in the same family until 1988. In 1959 a training jet crashed behind this and adjoining homes, miraculously with no loss of life, although two children were seriously injured. Property damage was minimal, but the event brought numerous sightseers to our quiet community.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/May_1959

521 West Cady Street

This house was built between 1836-62 by David Rowland. Floor timbers are logs with the top side adzed to take subf looring. The carriage house was built at the same time.

221 South Rogers

Built by Henry Waid in 1892, additions have been made through the years, but the home maintains many of the original characteristics and Queen Anne style. Waid brought his family to Northville in 1869, living first on First Street. The Rogers Street home was described in the May 27, 1892 issue of the Northville Record.

306 South Rogers Street

The Babbitt House was built in 1926. in the bungalow style typical of the period. The American bungalow is an expansion of its Indian origin. The term is applied to any low, picturesque house with large porches and a low pitched roof. This home has the first concession to the automobile a portecochere.

332 South Rogers Street

This home is believed to have been first built in t 859. It later became the Levi Eaton Home, homestead for Eaton Orchards. Eaton first took possession of the property in 1916. Two other Eaton homes have been located directly behind this home on Eaton Drive. The Orchard Heights subdivision takes its name from the Eaton Orchards. Apples were grown here.

Northville Laboratories

Opened in the early 20th century to produce chemicals, it continues to be a major producer of food flavoring. Next to the laboratories is the road which leads to Rural Hill Cemetery where many former residents are buried.