The Fredösphere

Der Drübermensch wanted to look at houses last night. This is a desire he doesn't express every day, so I wanted to act on it. I concluded the best way to do it and keep the whole family entertained was to take them all to downtown Saline, Michigan, which is about 10 minutes away. We would look at a few houses, then get treats at the Drowsy Parrot, an ice cream parlour on Ann Arbor Street right at the heart of down town.

First thing, we stopped and photographed this landmark on the west side. It and its lawn and outbuildings occupy an entire large block; you simply can't miss it as you drive in on Michigan Ave. It is the one unforgettable building in the whole town.

It must have been at the outer edge of town when it was built. Now it is still near the edge but well within a residential neighborhood. The historical marker says William H. Davenport, a leading merchant built the house in 1875, at a cost of $8500. William Scott was the designer.

Because of the presence of the marker, and because the house is so well maintained, it has the feel of something owned by a historical society. Yet we were shy about walking up the drive for a better view. This sign had a lot to do with it.

Der Drübermensch is nothing if not a relentless quantifier. He asked me how many stories are in the tower. I told him three and a half. That bumping up of the top windows is odd, but a good move to get the proportions of the facade right.

Labels: Architecture