203 West Henry Street

203 West Henry Street
Date of Construction: 1900

Photo by Lori Swick
October 2012

Architectural Description: This is a two-and-one-half story, gable front Folk House with a stone foundation. The full-width front porch contains square support columns leading to two separate entry doors. There are smaller entry porches on the east and west elevations. The north-facing façade has paired windows on the lower and upper stories. The house currently has aluminum siding.

History: This house was built in 1900. Early occupants include Harvey and Jennie McMichael, who owned it from 1910-1920. The house was used as a small hospital for a short time (1933-35), after Cora Dickson discontinued the hospital at 106 West Henry. According to a Saline Observer article dated October 14,1954, Nurse Hilda Wacker (formerly Hilda McHenry) ran the hospital from this house with the assistance of her husband, Ralph. Dr. Gordon Prout agreed to be paid ten dollars in cash for a delivery at this hospital. The first baby born at this location was James Levleit (Saline Observer).

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

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

Saline Observer, October 14, 1954. Clark Historical Library Newspaper Collection. http://condor.cmich.edu/cdm/landingpage/collection/p15076coll5.

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

Prepared by Lori Swick
April 17, 2013