307 North Ann Arbor Street

Presbyterian Parsonage, ca. 1870
Photo Courtesy of Saline Area Historical Society,
taken from the southeast corner of the building.
(The porch on the south elevation has since been removed)

1994 Survey Photo by Kosky & Glynn Associates  - Copyright held by the City of Saline

Photo by Lori Swick
February 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-story, hipped-roof Italianate "cube" house with a wide cornice band and wide eaves. Paired brackets, typical of the Italianate style, are visible under the eaves. As seen in the historic photo, brackets had been on the structure originally. They were removed (see 1994 survey photo) but have since been replicated with smaller double brackets. The full-width porch (also with hipped roof) has square wood supports with Italianate-style brackets. Probable original features include the multi-paned transom and sidelights surrounding the front door (Study Committee Report). The two-car garage in the rear of the property has been altered to include a hipped roof and details that are similar to the house. Former owner, architect Leo Babcock, said the original garage was called a "Model T Garage", which had a flat roof (see 1994 survey photo).

History: Built in 1861, this structure was formerly the Presbyterian Parsonage (from 1870-1945). At the time of the 1994 Survey by Kosky and Glynn, the house had been substantially altered, yet had retained some of the original features, including include the transom and sidelights at the front door. The house and garage were completely renovated in 1997. The exterior is now clad in a tan vinyl siding, accented with wood trim in white, gray and mauve colors.

Sources:
Babcock, Leo. Personal Interview, May 9, 2013.

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

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.

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