HISTORIC SALINE HOME TO CHANGE HANDS FOR 5th TIME IN NEARLY 150 YEARS

Historic Victorian Davenport home Davenport at 302 E. Henry Street in Saline, MI rare example of Second Empire residential architecture

[ClickPress, Tue Sep 16 2008] It was love at first sight for Wendy Lyon, a current owner of Saline’s historic Victorian Davenport home on Saline’s East Henry Street. The home, named Davenport for its original owners, who built it in 1873, today stands guards over a beautiful, two-acre lot on one of Saline’s most loved streets, just a short and pleasant trot to restaurants and cafes in the town’s heart.

“We were looking for a historical home in the Ann Arbor area,” Wendy said. “The first time I looked in the paper there was a description of the house but no photo. It was for sale by owner. I drove to the home and instantly called my new husband to tell him I found ‘The House!’ We bought the house a few months later in 1996.”

Now, the Lyons are seeking new owners to enjoy their hard work and tender loving care.

With the Lyons’ help the home, in 1996 a pallid gray outside with a linoleum-laden 1960s kitchen, has been meticulously restored to its original grandeur, right down to the Victorian color schemes and hand-printed wallpaper. Though nearing the 150-year mark, the home has all the modern amenities. And throughout renovations, the owners bowed respectfully to history.

While refurbishing the kitchen, they tore out layers of linoleum to find oak. They rebuilt porches using original blueprints as guides, stripped, plastered and then painted in Victorian-era colors. They finished the attic and coaxed an original day sink they found in the attic into working again, among many, many improvements.

“It’s a rare opportunity for special potential owners,” said Andy Piper of Piper Partners, the Lyons’ realtor. “Examples of Second Empire don’t come along often. It’s a style seen in municipal buildings rather than residences. Saline actually has two, the Davenport house and the Curtiss mansion, which was built three years later. ”

Victorian-era architecture spans 1860 to 1900, and Second Empire architecture is widely considered the first true Victorian style. The style originated in France and became popular in England before reaching the United States.
Characteristics of Second Empire architecture are: Vertical proportions; a mansard roof with dormers (a steeply-sloped roof that is flat on top); arched entryways between rooms and ornamental woodwork.

This 4800-square foot home boasts four bedrooms, four full baths, two half baths, a parlor, sitting room, dining room, library, kitchen with butler’s pantry, various sunny porches and a garden room. Its fine woodwork includes tulipwood, oak, butternut, walnut and mahogany.

“It is an extraordinary example of Victorian architecture in Michigan and it has the benefit of being within walking distance of downtown Saline,” Piper says. “It is perfect for the family that wants a prominent, historic small town home.”
During renovations, the home revealed plenty of secrets to its current owners-from original velvet curtains to a hidden crawl space rumored to have been used for the Underground Railroad.

And it will continue to surprise new owners. A first surprise might be that 4,000 bulbs on the property bloom and welcome springtime.

302 E. Henry, Saline Michigan for sale. The historic home is listed with www.piperpartners.com at Keller Williams Realty at $699,900. Visit: http://www.piperpartners.com/henry or Call Andy Piper at 734-604-8242 for a private showing.