Caswell House (Troy, Michigan)
The Caswell House is a single family house located at 60 W. Wattles Road in Troy, Michigan in the Troy Museum and Historic Village. It is an especially well-preserved example of Greek Revival architecture.[2] It was designated a Michigan State Historic Site in 1969[2] and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.[1] HistoryIn May 1823,[3] pioneering farmer Solomon Caswell and his wife Hulda[2] moved to a farm near what is now the intersection of Big Beaver and Adams Roads, and in 1823 built a log cabin to live in.[4] In 1832, the couple built this house to replace the log cabin.[4] Huldah died in 1844, and Solomon quickly remarried to Melinda Marvin.[3] The Caswells constructed an addition to the house in 1850;[2] Solomon Caswell lived in the house until his death in 1880.[3] After Solomon Caswell's death, his descendants continued to live in the house.[3] A porch was added in 1920.[2] Solomon Caswell's descendants occupied the house until 1965, when William Caswell, Solomon's grandson, died as a bachelor.[3] William Caswell willed the house and property to a friend, who sold it to North Hills Christian Reformed Church.[3] In 1968, the house was threatened with demolition, but the church donated the home to the Troy Historical Society, who moved to its present location and fully restored it.[2] The house is now part of the Troy Museum and Historic Village.[4] DescriptionThe Solomon and Hulda Caswell House is a two-story frame Greek Revival house with clapboard. The foundation is now built of concrete block faced with fieldstone. A 1+1⁄2-story addition is built on the rear. The front facade has a central entrance flanked with pilasters and surmounted with a heavy entablature.[2] References
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