From The Archives

Elegant Victorain home

This home was built in 1886 by the Chandler family and was one of the prominent homes in the area. The Chandlers came from the Detroit area and fought in the Civil war. It has the original abstract which has the complete history of this home. It was designed by Asbury Buckley, who designed many notable homes including some on Mackinac Island and in the Chicago area. This home has been extensively remodeled to accommodate today’s living, but keeping the charm of the Victorian era. It is in move in condition with no repairs needed. It could be occupied in a short amount of time.
This home has 7 fireplaces, (done in oak and tile imported from Germany)all different and very ornate, 3 full bathrooms, 1 with a Jacuzzi tub.
It has 4 large bedrooms upstairs, 3 with fireplaces, (17x15, 18x14, 20x12, 18x14) plus a separate maids quarters with 3 rooms. In the maids quarters there is a separate stairway leading to the kitchen and also a separate outside entrance.
There are 2 detailed stained glass windows downstairs, 1 on the stairway which shines hearts on the stair walls, and a few more in the attic. We believe these to be Tiffany stained glass. The library has built in bookcases with glass doors, 3 108” windows, one picture window with stained glass on top of it, a fireplace, oak parquet flooring, and a ceiling decoratively trimmed in gold. The entry way into the library from the hall has decorative spindles with a velvet curtain to pull for privacy and the entry into the dining room has a double pocket door.
The parlor has flocked wallpaper, 3 108” windows with one picture window and stained glass on top of it, a fireplace, and carpet. This room is very large 27 x 16 and open and inviting.
The dining room is 18 x 15 and features a fireplace, flocked wallpaper, a table leaf closet and 2 pocket doors (one single and one double) and has carpet.
What we were told was a baking kitchen is now an office.
The formal dining room is 21 x 12 and has oak wainscoting and oak parquet flooring around the edges with carpet in the middle, a fireplace and a closet which has an outside entrance.
The kitchen was remodeled in 2004 and has stainless appliances, a JenAir stove, an eat in bar, original built in pantry, and tile floor.
The attic is unfinished and quite large. The basement is unfinished and has 6 rooms. It also has an outside entrance and storage room for lawnmower, etc. There is a laundry room in the basement.
The lot size is 115’ x 139’. The roof was replaced in 2005, hot water heater in 2006, 200 Amp panel in 2007, vinyl siding, outside trim painted in 2007, main chimney rebuilt w/ stainless steel liner in 1999, new gutters 2005, foundation tuck pointed in 2007, walls are insulated. It has 2 furnaces, the main level is hot water heat, new in 2001. The upstairs furnace is forced air and was new in 1999. This home does not have central air, but it could be easily added. Taxes are approximately $2000.00 per year. This home is in a central location of Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois. It is within 1 hour of Lansing, Kalamazoo, Fort Wayne, and Jackson. 1 1/2 hours from Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor, Toledo, and South Bend. 2 hours from Detroit and 3 hours from Chicago.
This home has very ornate woodwork consisting of oak, maple, butternut and cherry, crown moldings, hand carved stairway, and much more detailed craftsmanship. This is without doubt one of the areas finest homes.