Have you noticed the unique blend of styles? This is the Charles G. Curtiss Sr. House. It stands as a testament to Plymouth’s past. The Charles G. Curtiss Sr. House is a private residence. It is located at 168 S. Union St.
This home earned a spot on the National Register of Historic Places in 1993. The Charles G. Curtiss Sr. House became a Michigan State Historic Site in 1994. Let’s delve into its story.
Around 1890 Charles G. Curtiss Sr. built this house. Curtiss was a Plymouth builder. Born in Connecticut in 1823 he moved to Plymouth. He worked moving and building houses. Though not certain it is likely Curtiss designed this house himself.
Sadly Curtiss passed away just a few years later in 1893. His wife Caroline remained in the house until 1901. The mix of architectural details makes this house unique in Plymouth.
Now let’s examine the Charles G. Curtiss Sr. House’s design. It is a two-story wood-framed house. A fieldstone foundation supports it. The house features a cross-gabled ell shape. Within the ell stands a three-story square tower. A shed-roof verandah graces the front. In the rear a single-story hipped-roof addition exists.
Clapboard patterned shingling and wood panels adorn the exterior. These are beneath the verandah. The decorative elements truly set the Charles G. Curtiss Sr. House apart. Shingling turned posts on the verandah and stickwork under the gables add charm.
The gabled ell with tower design was once regionally and nationally popular. That was from the 1850s onward. However by 1890 when this house was built it was out of fashion.
The Charles G. Curtiss Sr. House stands as a reminder of Plymouth’s history. It reflects the life and work of Charles G. Curtiss Sr. Its unique design elements tell a story of changing architectural tastes. Take a moment to appreciate this piece of Plymouth’s heritage before we move on.