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Towner House

From ArborWiki

206 N. Huron St. OR 303 N. Huron St., Ypsilanti, MI 48197 (disputed!)

The Towner House is the oldest house in Ypsilanti on its original foundation.

This 1837 Greek Revival house is the oldest house on its original foundation in the City of Ypsilanti. The house was originally owned by the Cross family, before the Towner family's ownership, which stretched from 1851-1951.

The Towner House's exterior has been recently rehabbed, but the building stands empty, and has repeatedly faced demolition. The First Presbyterian Church of Ypsilanti purchased the house in 1972, intending to expand their church in the future, and offered up the building to anyone who wished to move it; no purchaser came forward, and, with the creation of the Ypsilanti Historic District, the Church was denied permission to move or demolish the house in 1982 and again in 1992. In 1994, after multiple building code violations were discovered in the house, the City of Ypsilanti took court action against the Church to mandate repairs. While area historic preservationists consider the salvation and rehabilitation of the house to be a significant victory, this contentious history, and the continued vacancy of the house, has led to frustration on the church's part.

3/30/93 Front	3/30/93 Front & N. side	3/30/93 Rear & N. side
3/30/93 Rear & S. side	Towner House	303 N. Huron
Fireplace & Towner Chair 1953	Living Room 1953	Living Room 1953
Dining Room 1953	Dining Room 1953	Kitchen 1953
Kitchen 1953	Side Porch 1953	Rendering
Rendering	Rendering	Church Presses To Remove 1993
Church Can’t Raze 1994	Room For Museum ‘92	Ruling Delayed
Towner House	Face Lift ‘83	Century Old Shoe 1936
EMU Greeks raise $1,000 1989	’For Sale’	Christmas Time
5/5/82	Towner Decision Due Next Month ‘82	Church To Raze Towner House 1981
Future As Museum Assured ‘82	Grant Application ‘97	Church Go To Court 1994
Church Halts Request 1982	Church Offers Proposal 1982	Wrecking Ball 1992
Problems Block Proposed Museum 1982	Tax Status 1995	Renovation History 1999
Rendering c. 1837	History Of Towner House 1982	Historic House May Get New Location 1981
Historic District Commission 1998	Legal Battles Drains Money 1998	Foundation Aids Early House 1975
Ypsi Commission Followed Law 1995	Church Can’t Raze 1995	Request To Demolish 1993
EMU 1996	History	Timbers & Support Posts
Floor Joists	Contact Prints Of Exterior Views	Door Types
Front Door Molding	Interior Window	Fireplace & Mantle
Site Map	303 N. Huron	303 N. Huron