Guthard, Charles, House

This residence, with its combination of classical and Queen Anne detailing, is one of local builder Elwood Rogers' finer efforts. The visual interest of the facade is highlighted by the combination of round arched, rectangular, and Palladian windows, the shingle accents of the gable ends and tower, and the hipped roof corner tower itself. The building's first owner, Charles Guthard, was a farmer and later a successful self-made businessman born in Saline Township of German parents. Guthard worked as a farm hand until he saved enough money to found his own business in 1903. The hardware partnership with Adam Hornung dissolved in 1904, but Guthard found a new and more lasting partner in Henry Schroen. Beakes writes of the partners' successful enterprise, "They conduct an extensive business as dealers in general hardware, farm implements, buggies, paints, glass and draw a large trade from the surrounding county".

Stylistically, this transitional Queen Anne/Colonial Revival frame home is an extension of the East Michigan Avenue Historic District. The home is similar in size, setback, and design, and like several E. Michigan District homes, is a product of the prolific Elwood Rogers. Like many of Rogers constructions, this building combines the rectangular plan and Palladian window typical of the Colonial Revival with Queen Anne shingle work and a squared corner tower. A full-width one-story porch with a side pediment fronts the building. The residence, which remains in virtually original condition, was recently repainted in brown and gold tones more appropriate to its period of construction. The gambrel-roofed barn/garage to the rear is typical of Elwood Rogers' buildings and also representative of many of the outbuildings preserved throughout the Multiple Resource Area.