210 West Henry Street

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

Photo by Lori Swick
October 2012

Architectural Description: The Risdon house is a vernacular Federal style structure, set on a concrete block foundation. It is two stories in height, symmetrical, and side gabled. The interior was originally based on a central hall floor plan with two rooms on either side. There is an exterior chimney on the west side (gable end) and a small one-story flat-roofed porch over the entry with boxed column supports. The front door has double pilasters and narrow sidelights on either side of the door. Although the front entry has remained the same, the louvered shutters on the windows and vinyl siding have changed since the 1994 Kosky & Glynn survey photo.

History and Significance: This is a significant house in Saline; it was the home of Orange Risdon, Saline’s founder. The house was originally located on "Risdon Hill" in Oakwood Cemetery and was moved to its current location on West Henry Street in 1948, where it was remodeled into apartments. While located in its original location, many village "firsts" took place in this house. The first town meeting was held here, as well as the planning for the first school system. Additionally, the house served as the village’s first post office, bank, magistrate court, and general store. It was also a tavern for travelers along the old Chicago Road (Saline Observer, July 22, 1948). In this home, Risdon and his wife Sally raised their four daughters. This house is reported to have been a stop on the Underground Railroad. In its basement, fugitive slaves were given rest and food on their escape from the South.

The house was inherited by Mrs. Harriet Risdon Mead (Orange and Sally Risdon’s daughter), who lived in it until 1903. Harriet's son, William D. Mead, lived in the house until 1921, and Blanche Mead inherited the house in 1922. In the 1940s Blanche sold the property to the City of Saline. The City, not having the means to restore the house, made it available for salvage. Thankfully, Erwin Schmidt and his wife, Nona, saved this house from destruction and had it moved from the cemetery to its present location at 210 W. Henry Street. Once on its new foundation, work was begun to provide the house with central heat and plumbing (Saline Observer, July 22, 1948).

Risdon House, 1948
Move from cemetery on Monroe Street to West Henry Street
Photo courtesy of Saline Area Historical Society

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 Area Historical Society photos available through the Saline District Library - http://saline.lib.mi.us/

Saline Observer, July 22, 1948. 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