323 North Ann Arbor Street

323 North Ann Arbor Street
Date of Construction: 1909

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, gable front, Folk Victorian style house. The wrap around porch consists of boxed supports, spindlework balustrade and railings, and latticework below. The porch spans the front and wraps around to the south. The upper story has molded wood lintels over the windows. There is a one-and-one-half story addition on the rear of the house and a two-story barn behind the house.

History: The house was built in 1909 by Julius Henry Lindenschmidt and his wife Clara (Sturm) Lindenschmidt. In the 1910 U.S. Census, Julius' occupation was listed as "builder." At one time, he had owned a “dray business”, according to a note in the Saline Observer, dated November 14,1901 (a dray is a cart or wagon without sides, used for hauling). By 1920, the Lindenschmidts were no longer living in this house. The previous address for this house had been 321. The 1922 Saline City Directory lists Arthur Armbruster residing at 321 North Ann Arbor Street. Arthur and his wife Emma were listed were still listed at address 321 in the 1930 U.S. Census. Mr. Armbruster was secretary-treasurer of the Saline Co-operative Association. According to an article from the April 23, 1931 issue of the Saline Observer, the Armbruster home came close to burning in a fire that had begun at the Saline Mercantile across the road. Thanks to the heroic efforts of Alvin Armbruster (Arthur's son) and neighbor Reuben Lambarth, the house was saved. The men poured water on the shingles to prevent the flying sparks from igniting. The paint was scorched and several of the windows cracked, but no damage was done to the interior of the house, fortunately. The addresses in this area changed around 1937. After that time, the address for this house became 323 North Ann Arbor Street.

Sources:
"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

Saline Observer, November 14, 1901, & April 23, 1931. Clark Historical Library Newspaper Collection. http://condor.cmich.edu/cdm/landingpage/collection/p15076coll5.

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

"U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989." http://www.ancestry.com/

United States Federal Census. Year: 1910; Census Place: Saline, Washtenaw, Michigan; Roll: T624_677; Page: 4A; Enumeration District: 0137; FHL microfilm: 1374690.

United States Federal Census. Year: 1930; Census Place: Saline, Washtenaw, Michigan; Roll: 1029; Page: 1A; Enumeration District: 25; Image: 917.0; FHL microfilm: 2340764. http://www.ancestry.com/

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