Babs Young writes: Lots of snow around here now. This house along Atwood Road is ready for the Holidays. I’d like to go back and get it when the holiday lights are on, but too windy and too much snow falling tonight for me to venture out after dark. Maybe later this week I’ll venture up that way. This is another of the great houses in the area. This one was probably built in the late 19th or early 20th century.
Posted in: Babs Young photos
Torch Lake Views 
Fee
December 13, 2010
That’s such a pretty house, even without the Christmas decorations. The untouched snow gives it even more appeal (as much as I hate the stuff when it’s my side of the Atlantic!).
Gerry
December 13, 2010
It is appealing, isn’t it! That snow will remain untouched for the rest of the winter, as hardly anyone uses the front door of a rural house. Over at the right of the photo you can just glimpse the vehicles. The entry is over there somewhere, at the side or back of the house, and it’s all shoveled out. We all go in and out of each other’s houses through the pantry or the kitchen or the utility room–except at the summer cottages.
kanniduba
December 15, 2010
Reminds me of the saying, “Back door guests are best.” 🙂
I love old houses, as you already know, and am ever aware of the families that made our house their home before us. Every little change we make, we make with thought and care, and I always say a little prayer to Mr. Loveland (the original owner) saying, “I hope you like it!” lol. 🙂
P.j. grath
December 13, 2010
I’m sure those double dormers tell a very specific story to an architectural historian. My only guess is that a house like this would have been all at once, not in two stages like so many Michigan farmhouses. Sign of prosperity?
Gerry
December 13, 2010
I think you’re right. There are a number of houses of this design over here. I was noticing them in Central Lake recently. The architectural history of the place is something I’ve never thought about much. Now I won’t be able to stop thinking about it. I am so distractable.
Giiid
December 13, 2010
What a pretty little house, captured nicely with the big black tree. No houses like that over here, as far as I have seen untill now.
Gerry
December 13, 2010
That high-peaked double gable is a design we see around here in villages and on farms–I’m pretty sure it was a popular style of the 1880s, but I’m going to ask my favorite architect about it.
Babs Young
December 13, 2010
Someone wrote me to say that the front facing gables are called “cat’s ears”. I like that. They thought this house was from the 19th Century and maybe around the time of the Civil War.
Gerry
December 14, 2010
I like “cat’s ears” too! I won’t buy the Civil War for any house still standing in Antrim County–if there is one, it would be a log cabin and I want to know all about it! Maybe the 1870s though. I’m inclined to think the 1880s. Now I have to find out.
I have a project for the winter. Let’s see if we can identify the oldest house in Antrim County.
Nye
December 14, 2010
It looks very charming with the snow and huge tree in the background.
Gerry
December 14, 2010
A nice old place that’s sheltered family life for a long time. With a bow on it!
Anna
December 14, 2010
I love this photo. My kind of scene with that old house. We have similar style farm houses like that around here…. familiar.
Gerry
December 14, 2010
Thanks Anna. It does look a lot like some of the houses you and Preston photograph out in Kansas.
isathreadsoflife
December 16, 2010
A charming house that is certainly filled with history and family life. It looks as if it grew out of the snow ! A beautiful picture, Gerry.
Gerry
December 16, 2010
That Babs definitely has an eye.