303 North Ann Arbor Street

303 North Ann Arbor Street
Date of Construction: 1910

Photo by Cynthia Christensen
April 2013

This house is listed in the National Register of Historic Places as part of the North Ann Arbor Street District.

Architectural Description: This is a two-and-one-half story, cross-gabled Queen Anne style house. There are elements of Colonial Revival classic detailing, such as the fully pedimented front gable end, which features a Palladian window and dentillated eaves on the front and side elevations. The Queen Anne influence is evident in the gables, which feature alternating rows of fishscale and diamond shaped shingles. Each of the side gables has a square window in its peak. The full-width front porch has round column supports, resting on molded concrete block piers. The flat roof above the porch has a spindlework balustrade. There is a bay window on the east-facing façade and both the north and south elevations. There is a side entry on the north elevation with a shed roof and spindlework supports. The two-car gable-front garage that is located to the rear of the house was the original carriage house to the property and contains the same color scheme and architectural features as the house.

History: The historic name of this house is the Charles Cool - Lewis Ernst House. It was built buy local builder, Elwood Rogers in 1910 for Charles Cool, after Mr. Cool purchased the lot from Frank Rose. Mr. Cool was co-owner (with his brother Lewis) of Cool Brothers Grain Company, which was located just a few blocks to the north on Ann Arbor Rd. Mr. Cool lived in the house for approximately ten years. Lewis and Lillie Ernst lived here for over forty years, from 1925-1968.

Sources:
Akmon,Devon M. "A Profile of Saline’s Historic Properties: 303 North Ann Arbor Street." Graduate Student Report, Eastern Michigan University, 2003.

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

National Register of Historic Places, North Ann Arbor Street Historic District, Saline, Washtenaw County, Michigan, National Register #85002958

Sommers, Laurie. "National Register of Historic Places Inventory - Nomination Form: Historic Resources of Saline, Michigan--Partial Inventory: Historic and Architectural Properties." National Park Service. 1985.

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

Prepared by Lori Swick
April 17, 2013