Caswell House | |
| |
Location | 60 W. Wattles Rd., Troy, Michigan |
---|---|
Coordinates | 42°34′40″N 83°9′3″W / 42.57778°N 83.15083°W |
Area | less than one acre |
Built | 1832 |
Built by | Solomon Caswell |
Architectural style | Greek Revival |
NRHP reference No. | 72000650 [1] |
Significant dates | |
Added to NRHP | January 13, 1972 |
Designated MSHS | November 14, 1969 [2] |
The Caswell House is a single family house located at 60 W. Wattles Road in Troy, Michigan in the Troy Museum and Historic Village. It is an especially well-preserved example of Greek Revival architecture. [2] It was designated a Michigan State Historic Site in 1969 [2] and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. [1]
In May 1823, [3] pioneering farmer Solomon Caswell and his wife Hulda [2] moved to a farm near what is now the intersection of Big Beaver and Adams Roads, and in 1823 built a log cabin to live in. [4] In 1832, the couple built this house to replace the log cabin. [4] Huldah died in 1844, and Solomon quickly remarried to Melinda Marvin. [3] The Caswells constructed an addition to the house in 1850; [2] Solomon Caswell lived in the house until his death in 1880. [3]
After Solomon Caswell's death, his descendants continued to live in the house. [3] A porch was added in 1920. [2] Solomon Caswell's descendants occupied the house until 1965, when William Caswell, Solomon's grandson, died as a bachelor. [3] William Caswell willed the house and property to a friend, who sold it to North Hills Christian Reformed Church. [3] In 1968, the house was threatened with demolition, but the church donated the home to the Troy Historical Society, who moved to its present location and fully restored it. [2] The house is now part of the Troy Museum and Historic Village. [4]
The Solomon and Hulda Caswell House is a two-story frame Greek Revival house with clapboard. The foundation is now built of concrete block faced with fieldstone. A 1+1⁄2-story addition is built on the rear. The front facade has a central entrance flanked with pilasters and surmounted with a heavy entablature. [2]