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Comments:
Brian - 2004-03-08 19:41:24 You're right, that is an interesting distinction. I do love the well-preserved homes in the Old 4th Ward, but now that you mention it, they do seem to be past homes of workers, unlike, say, the fabulous baroquely Victorian-Gothic (?) confection now housing the Historical Museum, imperiously overlooking Riverside Park. What a jewel.* * * * * * * * * * * * Laura - 2004-03-08 19:55:34 Ypsi in addition to being a manufacturing center as you say, Brian, (underwear) was also as you know a hot spot for its healthful mineral waters which to my understanding bubbled up from springs now covered by EMU. It was a destination spot for those who wished to partake of Ypsi's healing waters, in a way not unlike Battle Creek in its day (Road to Wellville).* * * * * * * * * * * * Jim Manheim - 2004-03-09 11:13:56 Why Ann Arbor has so few houses of historical significance is an interesting question. Someone (could have been Marwil's history of Ann Arbor) once contended that there was an ethos among the professorate for a while that big houses were too ostentatious. And Ann Arbor never had much heavy industry.* * * * * * * * * * * * Lynne Fremont - 2004-03-09 11:53:25 I love Ypsilanti's historic district. I live in it. Ok, one has to jump through some extra hoops whenever one wants to do any work on the house (which had me pulling out my hair in frustration when I first bought my house) But, it is nice knowing that things are being preserved. * * * * * * * * * * * * Laura - 2004-03-09 18:50:43 Jim, that is odd, now that you point it out. The only really stately house that immediately comes to mind is the U-M president's house. Even the Kempf house is very modest...and used to have a loo in its tiny back yard, before AA had a sewer system. Lynne, it must be so cool to live in an historic home. I wonder if you found any historical tidbits...old pictures or artifacts...tucked away in some dusty corner. When the beautiful purple-and-blue gingerbread 1900s home at the top of the hill on Cross was for sale a year ago, I salivated every time I passed it...but of course it was way out of my price range and I work so much that it's doubtful I'd have the time to do all the work to keep it in tiptop shape. I am curious to know more about the restrictions you mention...what kinds of things does the city stipulate, if you don't mind my asking?* * * * * * * * * * * * Larry Kestenbaum - 2004-03-10 09:09:22 I don't know about Ypsilanti, which has stricter historic district rules, but in Ann Arbor, if you want to change the sides of the house visible from the street, you have to get a permit. If it's a major change, you may have to go to the Historic District Commission to get approval. The Commission (in Ann Arbor) says "yes" about 99% of the time, but the process helps you to think carefully and specifically about what you want to do, rather than leaving it up to the contractor and ending up with his cheapest and sloppiest stuff. Also, the historic district staff can help you figure out the easiest and cheapest and most appropriate ways to do things, and to find the more reputable contractors, sources for materials and so on.* * * * * * * * * * * * Brian - 2004-03-10 09:11:53 I've never had an issue with the HDC. Most of the time when I have to get a permit, I turn it in and never show up at the meetings and it still gets approved. Here's a link to their guide sheet: http://www.cityofypsilanti.com/VHosts/Ypsilanti/boards/bd_historic/factsheets* * * * * * * * * * * * Laura - 2004-03-10 20:17:54 Very interesting link; thanks Brian. I note that chain link fences (like mine) aren't allowed in the district...that would look awfully tacky around one of those gingerbread Victorians.* * * * * * * * * * * * Anna - 2004-03-10 21:10:20 There are quite a few grand old houses in Ann Arbor, it's just that a lot of them aren't particularly well-preserved (and aren't in the OFW). The area all around frat row is filled with big old houses. I lived in a co-op that had been a grand old house, but because of years of neglect and renovation, really doesn't look like much (it's on Baldwin, near the corner of Hill & Washtenaw, on frat row). Incidentally, while I lived there an electrician found a post-card, dated 1910, addressed to a former occupant. He found it tucked in the wall.* * * * * * * * * * * * OldAndCranky - 2004-03-11 13:31:25 I always figured EMU didn't have the same student-ghetto problem U-M did. Its history is different, and isn't it smaller? There are some lovely homes in Ann Arbor that are all carved up into apartments and have been that way for years (probably from back when people didn't care so much about preservation). * * * * * * * * * * * * Laura - 2004-03-11 18:59:26 I imagine EMU's student ghetto is as proportionately big to the university as U-M's is to U-M. As you say O&C there are many huge old houses that have been subdivided into apartments...I lived in one for awhile...there were still some nice touches here and there in woodwork and in the presence of a hideaway rainy-day-reading tower room, but overall it had seen hard abuse.* * * * * * * * * * * * add your comment: |