Not far from downtown Flint is the ornate brick house. The historical marker standing in front of it gives some of its history.

The central portion of this handsome Victorian home was built in the late 1850s. Several prominent Flint families lived in it before Robert J. Whaley purchased it in 1884. Whaley a local lumberman and banker, remodeled the house extensively. Three bays, the library alcove and a west-end addition were among the exterior changes. The interior was enhanced by adding ornate woodwork and colorful tiled fireplaces. In 1925, Whaley’s wife endowed the house, making it a home for elderly women. In 1975 it became a public museum.

Robert J. Whaley was born in Castile, New York, in 1840. He moved to Wisconsin with his family in the 1840s, then returned to New York. There he met and married Mary McFarlan of Flint. Whaley and his bride moved to Flint in 1867. Here, he joined his father-in-law in lumbering and later banking. He purchased this gracious structure in 1884. Serving as president of Flint’s Citizens Bank for forty-one years, Whaley was also a trustee for the Michigan Charitable Schools, a Mason, an Elk and a 1912 Democratic candidate for state treasurer. He died in 1922.

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This grand old brick Italian Revival house stands proudly in the South Street Historic District in Kalamazoo. William A. Wood built this home for his family in 1877. Unfortunately, he died shortly after moving into the new house but his widow Sarah lived in the home until her death in the early 1900s. in 1905, William E. Upjohn Purchased the home on South Street.  Upjohn was a physician who patented a new type of pill that was easier to crush into a powder and created the Upjohn Corporation. I love the tower with the round porthole style window. It must be a beautiful view out the windows of the ornate brick tower. If you are ever in Kalamazoo take a trip down South Street, there are some beautiful old homes in the neighborhood.

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Ornate victorian era homes painted in spectacular fashion are known as “Painted Ladies.” A spectacular example of such a house can be seen on Military Street in Port Huron. This stately residence was built in 1888 for lumber dealer John Jenkinson.  It is one of only three “Hyde Park Villa” homes built in the U.S. designed by Chicago architect George O. Garnsey. The house is still a private residence today.

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If you have ever driven through Saline along US-12 you have probably seen this big Victorian house not far from downtown Saline.  The historical marker next to it reads:

This handsome two-and-a-half story residence, constructed in 1875, was the home of William H. Davenport (1826 – 1909), prominent Saline citizen. In 1851, Davenport entered into a partnership with H. J. Miller in a general store. He bought out Miller’s interest in 1853 and became a leading city merchant. Later, Davenport started a private bank in 1885. Since 1902 this bank has been known as the Citizens’ Bank of Saline. Well-known Detroit architect William Scott designed Davenport’s elegant Second Empire home, built at a cost of $8,500.

They don’t build houses like this anymore.

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