211 North Ann Arbor Street

Historic Photograph, ca. 1931
Source: Dan Gallio, Eastern Michigan Graduate Student Report, 2003.

Photo by Robert Lane
October 2012

Architectural Description: This is a gable-front and wing Folk house, set on its original stone foundation. The house contains three separate segments, built in three different eras. The front gable section is two stories high and has a steeply pitched roofline with a wide cornice band. The southern wing section contains a front partial width porch with a shed roof and has turned wood supports. The decorative spindlework wood balustrade and frieze that were on the porch at the time of the 1994 Survey have been removed. The single story addition to the rear of the house was built in approximately 1881. The segmental arched windows are original. According to the Study Committee Report from 2004, the overall appearance of this house is similar to its appearance in 1881, documented by photos taken over several eras. The survey by Kosky and Glynn states that the barn behind the house to the south (209 North Ann Arbor St.) likely belonged to the house at 211 North Ann Arbor originally.

History: This house has historically been known as the Forbes-Burmeister House and is listed on The National Register of Historic Places. It is one of the earliest surviving houses in Saline and was originally built by Orange Risdon prior to 1856, possibly as early as the 1840s (Study Committee Report). Jortin Forbes was a prominent Saline resident and served as an officer for a number of village posts. The abstract for this house shows no evidence that Jortin Forbes ever lived here, however. On the Everts and Stuart 1874 Combination Atlas Map of Saline, Forbes was listed on the property to the south of this house, at what is now 209 North Ann Arbor Street. According to the abstract, Orange Risdon was granted the original patent deed in April, 1835 (Saline was platted in 1838, but the area where this property is located was not divided into individual lots at that time). Henry Johnson was listed on the warranty deed, dated 1866. Johnson’s name appears at this location on the 1874 Plat Map, and Henry Johnson was listed on the 1870 Census as living in this area. Johnson’s occupation was listed as "blacksmith." Early owners after Johnson included Orrin Parsons, Sarah Schleh and Sarah Ennis.

Sources:

Christensen, Cynthia. Deed Research, 211 North Ann Arbor Street. 2012.

Everts and Stewart. Combination Atlas Map of Washtenaw County, Michigan. Chicago: Dural and Hunter, 1874.

"Historic District Study Committee Report of North Ann Arbor Street Local Historic District." 2004.

Gallio, Dan. "A Profile of Saline’s Historic Properties: 211 North Ann Arbor Street." Graduate Student Report, Eastern Michigan University, 2003.

Kosky & Glynn Associates. "Historical and Architectural Survey." Saline, Michigan. 1994.

Sommers, Laurie. National Register of Historic Places Inventory - Nomination Form. 1985

Suggested Reading: McAlester, Virginia & Lee. A Field Guide to American Houses. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. 1984.

Prepared by Lori Swick
April 17, 2013