Daniel B. Eldred House - Climax, MI
N 42° 14.291 W 085° 19.916
16T E 637630 N 4677568
The Daniel B. Eldred House is a simple, one-and-one-half-story, Greek Revival residence.
Waymark Code: WM6YEJ
Location: Michigan, United States
Date Posted: 08/05/2009
Views: 10
The Daniel B. Eldred House is a simple, one-and-one-half-story, Greek Revival residence. The principle facade is a symmetrical composition with a centrally placed entrance flanked on either side by two rectangular windows. The main entrance features a narrow transom light over head and sidelights on both sides of the door opening. To the eastern exposure of the house, a lean-to porch was added, which has since been totally enclosed. The building has been reclad with aluminum siding.
The Daniel B. Eldred House has local historical significance as one of the oldest standing structures in the Village of Climax and as the home of two of the village's pioneers, Daniel B. Eldred, and Edward Sheldon. Daniel B. Eldred settled permanently in Climax in 1835 and built his house the same year. In 1837, Eldred opened the first store in the village on a site near his home. In 1838, the township was officially organized under the name of Climax. The very first township meeting was held at Daniel B. Eldred's house on April 2, 1838. At the meeting, Eldred was elected "Fence-Viewer and Pound-Master, District No. 1." On July 4, 1838, the first Fourth of July celebration in Climax Township took place at Eldred's home. Eldred sold his house in 1845 to Edward Sheldon. Sheldon considered the Climax Prairie a suitable site for a village and commenced the selling of lots from the original property for the construction of homes. Sheldon reserved a parcel of land for a school building and also donated a site for a Methodist Church building. The Daniel B. Eldred House remained in the Sheldon family for forty-five years as the Village of Climax grew around it.
Historical Date: 01/01/1835
Historical Name: Daniel B. Eldred
Description:
DANIEL B. ELDRED HOUSE In 1835, New York native Daniel B. Eldred built this house, which is believed to be the earliest frame dwelling in Climax. Eldred's house, with its delicate Federal entrance, was the site of the first Climax Township meeting in 1838. Eldred first came to the area in 1831 with his father, Judge Caleb Eldred, to found a new settlement. He is credited with naming the area Climax Prairie because he said it "climaxed" the end of their search.
Parking nearby?: yes
D/T ratings: 
Registered Site #: P23699
website: Not listed
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