Jackson-Weller House
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S5280ft
N 43° 17.492 W 084° 36.538
16T E 693968 N 4795965
Located on the southeast corner of Maple and Center Streets. Parking available on Maple Street.
Waymark Code: WM124N
Location: Michigan, United States
Date Posted: 12/21/2006
Views: 19
From the State of Michigan Historic Preservation Office website:
Narrative Description:
The Jackson-Weller House is a two-story, compound massed, T-plan dwelling constructed of brick and shielded by a cross-gable roof. The original house was erected in 1881, and an asymmetrically pitched, gable, one-and-one-half-story unit was added to the rear elevation in 1906. One of the most notable features of the facade is a wrap-around entry porch displaying classically-inspired columns linked by a balustrade and supporting a wide frieze. A pedimented gable shields the entry steps, while the porch apron is composed of spindles creating broad open arches. This veranda, which extends along the entire east elevation, is marked by a single, shallow bay window. The rear elevation generally replicates the features of the original house, including segmental-arched windows and an extension of the veranda. The architect for the original portion of the Jackson-Weller House is not known, but E.M. Wood of Alma designed the rear addition in 1906 and it is possible that he also designed a single story, gable-on-hip roofed brick office added at the northwest corner of the house in 1897. It too features segmental arched windows and an entry porch with milled columns.
Statement of Significance:
The Jackson-Weller House is an excellent example of a sturdy, vernacular dwelling with hints of Queen Anne stylistic influences typical of late nineteenth century residences. It was erected and occupied by prominent Ithaca business and professional men, and has survived to the present in a virtually unaltered state. The Jackson-Weller House was built for Oscar F. Jackson in 1881. Jackson was a member of the Fourth Michigan Cavalry during the Civil War, received a medical discharge, and learned the tinsmith trade. He rose to salesman, bookkeeper, and eventually partner in hardware stores in St. Louis, Michigan, where he also served terms as town treasurer and clerk. He moved to Ithaca in 1879 and bought out the stock of the G.C. Smith Hardware store. He was active in the community, serving as a town trustee and, for an extended period of time, as city fire chief. After Jackson moved from Ithaca, Dr. Willard Weller purchased the house in 1881. He had begun practice in Ithaca in 1887 after graduating from the University of Michigan Medical School and post-graduate studies at Bellevue Hospital in New York City. He also was very active in the community, city health officer, a member of the board of education, and as a Deacon for the Baptist Church. He was one of the organizers of the Gratiot County Medical Society. He also was a director of the Commercial National and Ithaca Savings Bank. Jackson practiced medicine in Ithaca until he retired due to ill health in 1927. After his death the house passed into the hands of the Gratiot County Historical Society and serves as a museum today.
Historical Name: Oscar F. Jackson, Dr. Willard Weller
Description:
Parking nearby?: yes
D/T ratings: 
website: [Web Link]
Registered Site #: Local Site #1703
Historical Date: Not listed
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