Benjamin and Mary Ann Bradford House
Also known as: Bradford, Benjamin and Mary Ann, House
Historic Photo from NRHP Filing
Benjamin and Mary Ann Bradford House — historic photograph, National Register of Historic Places filing, Detroit
National Register of Historic Places Filing
This property is significant because of its association with the early settlement of Canton Township. Canton pioneers Aruna and Mary Bradford, whose son Benjamin built this house, purchased the property in 1826. The Bradfords came from Monroe County, New York; their settlement reflected a typical pattern of settlement by people from New York to southeastern Michigan. This house is also significant because of its architecture.
It is a fine example of a Greek Revival, side-gable farmhouse typical of the period 1840-1860. It has a beautiful Greek Revival doorway with entablature and sidelights. This was a very fine house and reflected growing affluence and a sense of pride as the early settlers moved from their humble beginnings to a more cultured way of life.
Physical Description
This house is a two-story, side gabled, Greek Revival style house. It has a symmetrical three-bay front facade. There is a wide cornice line with returns on the side gables. A brick chimney is located on the west facade.
The windows are one-light-over-one. The front entry is composed of pilasters, abbreviated sidelights with wood panels below, and a simple entablature. A later concrete stoop and steps lead up to the door. Aluminum siding covers the clapboard walls.
The foundation is composed of fieldstone. The roof is covered with French method shingles (diamond pattern). A one-story shed roof addition is located across the rear of the house and has a concrete block foundation. There is a glassed-in porch on the addition.
There is also a small, one-story addition to the west facade with a concrete block foundation.
Architect/Builder
N/A
NRHP Ref# 00000648 • Data from National Park Service • Content available under CC BY-SA 4.0
Historic Photos
(4)Sourced from the National Register of Historic Places filing
Benjamin and Mary Ann Bradford House—Benjamin and Mary Ann Bradford House — historic photograph, National Register of Historic Places filing, Detroit
Public Domain (Michigan Filing)
From Wikipedia
The Benjamin and Mary Ann Bradford House is a private house located at 48145 Warren Road in Canton, Michigan. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2000.
History In 1825, Moses Bradford moved to Canton Township from Monroe County, New York, one of the first settlers to stake a claim in the area. The following year, Aruna and Mary Bradford, Moses's parents, followed their son to Canton Township. On arrival, they bought the property this house now sits on. Aruna Bradford purchased more land during the following years, and in 1835 sold the parcel where this house sits to their other son, Benjamin. Apparently the Bradfords were engaged in dairy farming, as the 1860 agricultural census reports the farm producing 1,500 pounds (680 kg) of butter and 2,000 pounds (910 kg) of cheese. In 1860, Benjamin built the house that now stands on the property; it remained in the Bradford family until 1911. The house is significant not just because of its association with one of the township's pioneering families, but also because its fine construction reflects the increasing wealth of the early pioneering families in the area.
Description The Benjamin and Mary Ann Bradford House is a two-story Greek Revival structure with a symmetrical front facade and side gables. The house sits on a fieldstone foundation, and the original clapboard is covered with aluminum siding. The front door is flanked by pilasters and sidelights, and concrete steps lead to the door. A small addition with glassed-in porch is constructed on the rear of the building, and a second small addition is on the west. The roofline has a wide cornice with returns and the roof is covered with diamond shingles. Evidence of farm outbuildings can still be seen around the house.
Content available under CC BY-SA 4.0
Building Details
- Building Type
- Residence
- National Register
- Listed 2000
- Ref# 00000648