Bell-Spalding House

The Bell-Spalding House, located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, is a well preserved early farmhouse that reflects the change in local architectural tastes in the decade between about 1854, when the house's rear ell was constructed for George W. and Jane E. Bell, and 1864, when the present front section was built for Frederick A. and Almina S. Spalding. The house typifies the better class of frame farmhouse of the 1850-1865 period in the Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County area in its center-entrance, central-hall-plan form and transitional Greek Revival/Italianate finish, but in its form and finish and its overall fine state of preservation is unique today within the city of Ann Arbor.

The Bell-Spalding House is located on Washtenaw Avenue in the City of Ann Arbor, Michigan. It faces west onto this busy thoroughfare but, due to its ample setback and pine-filled property, maintains a feeling of quiet seclusion. The original one-and-one-half-story, timber-framed and wood-sheathed portion of the house is Greek Revival in styling and faces south. Most likely built in 1854, it is now almost completely surrounded by additions, the most prominent of which is a two-story, three-bay, front section that is balloon-framed and sheathed in clapboard. Most likely built in 1864 off the west elevation of the original home, this Italianate-styled addition reoriented the home's formal entrance toward Washtenaw Avenue and introduced somewhat more sophisticated design to the otherwise simple farmstead. The other additions of similar vintage are single-story in height and visible off the south, east, and north elevations of the original home.