212 South Ann Arbor Street

212 South Ann Arbor Street
Date of Construction: ca. 1910

Photo by Lori Swick
February 2013

Architectural Description: This two-and-one-half story house was built at the end of the Queen Anne period. It is a transitional style between the late nineteenth and early twentieth century styles. The Queen Anne characteristics include the overall shape and the use of bays: a one-story bay on the south elevation and a rectangular bay on the north elevation between the first and second stories. There are Colonial Revival characteristics as well, such as the Palladian window in the front gable and multi-paned windows. Additionally, the Craftsman style influence is evident by the combined use of shingles and brick on the exterior.

History: This house was built in ca. 1910 by Carl Curtiss, who later became president of Citizen's bank. The architect/builder was Henry Rentschler. Curtiss and his wife Vera lived here until at least 1935. Carl and Vera then moved to 300 East Michigan Ave (the Davenport/Curtiss house). The Curtiss' son, Bliss, and his wife (also named Vera) then lived at 212 South Ann Arbor Street until approximately 1970. After the Curtiss family moved, the house at 212 South Ann Arbor Street served as a parsonage for the First Presbyterian Church until 1987 (Kosky & Glynn).

Sources: "Historic District Study Committee Report for the South Ann Arbor Street Local Historic District." 2007.

Kosky & Glynn Associates. "Intensive Survey, South Ann Arbor Street, Saline, Michigan." 1994.

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