109 West Henry Street

109 West Henry Street
Date of Construction: pre- 1880

Photo by Lori Swick
September 2012

Architectural Description: This house has a few characteristics of a Colonial Revival style; however, the house does not fit well into a particular style category. There is a two-story gabled section on the west end of the façade and a one-and-one-half story wing on the east end. The original house may have been modified with Colonial Revival details, such as the center gabled dormer on the wing section. The 1872 Bird’s-Eye View of Saline shows a two-story side gabled dwelling in this location with a different wing than is present today (Kosky & Glynn).

History: This house was reported to have been built in ca. 1880, although it may have been built earlier, due to the image on the Bird's Eye View. Further deed research will be necessary to establish the complete history of this house. According to the Kosky and Glynn survey data, William Larzelere was living in this house in 1914, followed by Frances and Sarah Gould (1920-1926). Charles Carven owned the house in 1927 and his wife Julia inherited it after his death in 1934. The Carvens’ daughter, Bessie Collins owned the house from 1941-1947. Bessie was a well-known local historian.

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

"Historic District Study Committee Report of West Henry/South Lewis Local Historic District." 2001.

Kosky & Glynn Associates. "Historical and Architectural Survey." 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