You’ll Want To Visit These 16 Michigan Houses When You Know Their Incredible Past

The history behind many of Michigan’s most recognizable estates is truly epic. When it came to the homes of automotive tycoons, lumber barons and other chiefs of industry, these guys dreamed BIG and spared no expense in moving into their dream homes. Here are but a few of some of Michigan’s historic houses.

By Andrew Jameson (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) or GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], via Wikimedia Commons

The Brinkerhoff-Becker House, also known as the Becker-Stachlewitz House, was built between 1863 and 1869, this private estate was purchased by Charles J. Becker in 1889. In 1891, the home was remodedled to include a helmet-domed tower.

"BrooksFarmhouseTroyMi" by Andrew Jameson - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Washington Stanley, a pioneer of Troy, and his descendents called his home between 1826 and 1911. The house is now used as the headquarters of the Kresge Foundation.

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"John Chambers House St Ignace MI 2009" by Andrew Jameson - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Irish immigrant John Chambers built this house in 1870 and when his family fortune ballooned, it was remodeled in 1910 to include a Colonial Revival front section.

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By Sa magnuson33 (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

The president of Metropolitan Iron and Land Company, Solomon S. Curry built this Queen Anne house.

By Michael Tomko (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

This house was built in 1888 for George Washington Jones, founder of Marcellus.

"Hecker House - Detroit Michigan" by Andrew Jameson at en.wikipedia. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Col. Frank J. Hecker, founder of the Peninsular Car Company, had this lavish, 49-room mansion built in 1888.

"Henry Ford Square House" by Andrew Jameson - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Henry Ford built this four-room house by hand for he and his new bride, Clara.

By Mmeczarnik (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Late 19th-century lumber baron Henry Richardi had this home built. It operates as the "Grand Victorian Bed and Breakfast."

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"Hughes House Elk Rapids Michigan 2011" by Royalbroil - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Constructed around 1868, this home served as a guest house, this property is located on a stagecoach road between Traverse City and Petoskey.

Constructed in the 1880s for politician and banker Daniel Striker, this home was once considered "the handsomest residence in Hastings."

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"The Whitney" by Andrew Jameson at en.wikipedia. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Now a fancy restaurant, the David Whitney House was built between 1890 and 1894 as the home of lumber baron David Whitney Jr.

Some of these homes are grander in size than others, but that’s does not make them any less historically significant. Tell us, which historic homes in your community stand out in your mind?