Category: Complete Tour

102 Church Street

c. 1875 – Gothic

Organized in 1828, the Congregational Church has had three “meeting houses” all on the same site. The first was erected in 1833 by Charles Chamberlin and was eventually moved west on Church Street to be used as the Romeo Academy. The second was built in 1842 of Greek Revival design by Mr. Wilcox and was demolished in 1875 to make way for the present structure. The Romeo Observer noted that “a few felt disposed to shy a little when brought face to face with the matter” of replacing the old church. Nevertheless, “farewell services” were held in June, 1875 and “some very beautiful stereoscopic views of the interior . . . decorated and adorned in a beautiful manner” were taken so the parishioners could have “a picture of the old house so soon to be numbered among the things of the past.”

The designs for the present building were prepared by Charles H. Marsh, a talented 27 year old architect from Rochester, New York who was to establish a large and profitable practice in Detroit before his premature death due to heart disease in 1881. “In the whole design of the edifice,” noted the Detroit  Tribune for July 1875 “the aim has been not to sacrifice its dignity by the addition of cheap and tawdry ornaments. It is to be of the Medieval Gothic style of architecture, the exterior walls being buttressed, and the tower finishing at the height of 100′ without a spire …” The construction work was supervised by Romeo builder, R. F. Odion and the cornerstone was laid July 4, 1876. Even though the building was occupied the following spring, the interior was being completed as late as 1883 when the “Messrs. Wright and Co. of Detroit,” well known cabinetmakers, were “lettering the panels in the rear of the pulpit . . . at the expense of Mr. & Mrs. Hugh McMillan of Detroit.”

At this point in the tour, you can make a decision:

Return to the start, the Bancroft-Stranahan Museum  –>

Continue the tour by going to the Kezar Libaray –>

277 North Main Street

c. 1840 – Greek Revival

“This place is one of the most desirable in Romeo” noted The Romeo Observer in 1885. Similar praise seems to have existed ever since the Nathan Dickinson residence was completed c. 1840. Dickinson (1799-1861) a native of Amherst, Massachusetts, was a jeweler and silversmith by trade but after his arrival in Romeo in 1836, he established a prosperous dry goods store and invested heavily in timberlands. Although. self educated, Dickinson was a “firm supporter” of the Romeo Academy (1835·52) and the Dickinson Institute (1854-67) private schools in Romeo of exceptional quality. In 1872, Henry Stephens (1823-86) a native of Dublin, Ireland, and one of the most prosperous lumber barons in the state, purchased the Dickinson Residence as a “second home.” Extensive remodeling was done at this time with Victorian windows and doors, marble fireplace> and a kitchen wing being added. In 1885, dry goods merchant. Edward C. Newbury (1838-1920) acquired the property. The original craftsmanship is still apparent in the cobblestone foundation (an up state New York innovation), the finely carved entry mouldings with delicate top and side lights, and well rendered end pediments wil.h windows capped by Gothic “elbow” hoods.

295 North Main Street

c. 1841 – Greek Revival

Edwin W. Giddings (1815-1902) a native of Preston, Connecticut entered the dry goods business in 1839 and became one of Romeo’s wealthiest citizens. He helped establish both local banks and was ‘a man of great artistic taste. His Greek Revival residence was constructed c. 1841 with beautifully carved ionic columns flanking the entrance and interior mouldings of excellent quality. In 1857, a large Italianate mansion was completed for Giddings on Prospect Street (demolished July, 1967) and he sold the smaller home to his brother Alden. Marble fireplaces and Victorian windows were added at this time and in 1870 the home was sold to the widow of Dr. Neil Gray (1806·1892). The kitchen wing was altered and the Roman ionic porch added c. 1900 by the Edward Sanderson family.

317 North Main Street

c. 1890 – Queen Anne

 

349 North Main Street

c. 1901 – Late Queen Anne

This home, late Queen Anne in style, was frequently referred to as “the bird-cage bouse” because of its picturesque cupola. Leonard H. Eldred (1870-1951) a native of Bruce Township was a farmer resident in Romeo.

384 North Main Street

c. 1854 – Gothic Revival

This fine Gothic Revival residence with its angular bargeboard and stucco­ like wooden walls was constructed c. 1854 by George H. Holman a native of Marlboro, New Hampshire. Holman operated a sash and blind factory to the rear of his residence until 1854 when he “moved the building” to the business section of town and sold it to Albert Kennedy and Joseph Weller in 1865. The Holman residence changed hands severaI times during the 1860s and in May 1873 was purchased by Elijah W. Meddaugh a prominent Detroit lawyer and attorney for the Grand Trunk Railroad. The Meddaughs used the home as their summer residence during the 1870s even though they had sold it to Mrs. Meddaugh’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Aaron R. Maynard who lived one door to the north (destroyed). Maynard was ”one of the most successful jury lawyers in the state” and had served as U.S. District Attorney during Grant’s       Administration, taking several cases before the Supreme Court. In 1885, the Holman residence was sold to dry goods merchant J. J. Cochrane for $4,000.

 

372 North Main Street

1873 – Italianate

MarveI Brabb, (1847·1926) a native of Bruce Township, established “an enviable reputation in banking circles” as director and later president of the First National Bank of Romeo. His elaborate Italianate residence built by R. F. Odion in 1873 and his extensive gardens and fountains to the south (now destroyed) made the Brabb residence a “showplace” in Romeo for over a generation. Mr. Brabb and family moved to Detroit in 1903 and the home was eventually sold to William Rumsey owner of a “shoddy” (fabric made of reclaimed materials) mill in town.

298 North Main Street

c. 1874 – Victorian Gothic

Victorian Gothic in style, this residence contains one of the finest Victorian front doors in the village. “An elegant piece of workmanship ” pronounced The Romeo Observer in November, 1874. It was manufactured by the Kennedy and Waycott Mill in Romeo. James Frost, the original owner of the residence, was a merchant in partnership with William Flumerfelt for a few years and after 1880 became an agent for a Lansing Carriage firm.