Former US Life Saving Station
The site of this home is literally rich with history (see note below). It sits on the former location of the U.S. Life Saving Station for Fort Gratiot and Port Huron.
The owners wanted an East Coast appeal, with architecture similar to homes in Nantucket or Martha’s Vineyard. It has an array of cottage like appointments including beadboard storage cabinets, white oak floors, a handmade knotty alder front door, and bluestone porch. The exterior is finished with eastern white cedar siding, copper sauce gutters, and round pipe downspouts. This home is energy efficient with spray foam insulation. Originally, a third floor was not planned. During construction, we were able to incorporate extra space in the form of a third floor (extra playing room for future grandchildren).
A History Note:
We knew there had once been a historic structure here but were surprised to discover the whole Life Saving Station foundation intact when we started earth work. Coincidentally, a man from the Coast Guard Auxiliary, David Benice, showed up with the original station plans in hand. He had previously asked the neighbors to notify him of any construction on the property.
The property owners were kind enough to allow us two days to document the find. We notified local historians who informed the Coast Guard, who immediately came out to view the site. We marked locations of windows and doors and the Coast Guard took pictures and videos of the former foundation. At the end of the documentation, the Commander ordered their largest helicopter to fly over the site in honor of the men that had gone before them.
When asked why the Coast Guard had taken such care and interest, the Commander replied that it was like finding their Great Grandfather’s grave (because U.S. Life Saving Stations were predecessors of the Coast Guard). To find out more about the maritime history, I suggest a visit to our local museums.
The site of this home is literally rich with history (see note below). It sits on the former location of the U.S. Life Saving Station for Fort Gratiot and Port Huron.
The owners wanted an East Coast appeal, with architecture similar to homes in Nantucket or Martha’s Vineyard. It has an array of cottage like appointments including beadboard storage cabinets, white oak floors, a handmade knotty alder front door, and bluestone porch. The exterior is finished with eastern white cedar siding, copper sauce gutters, and round pipe downspouts. This home is energy efficient with spray foam insulation. Originally, a third floor was not planned. During construction, we were able to incorporate extra space in the form of a third floor (extra playing room for future grandchildren).
A History Note:
We knew there had once been a historic structure here but were surprised to discover the whole Life Saving Station foundation intact when we started earth work. Coincidentally, a man from the Coast Guard Auxiliary, David Benice, showed up with the original station plans in hand. He had previously asked the neighbors to notify him of any construction on the property.
The property owners were kind enough to allow us two days to document the find. We notified local historians who informed the Coast Guard, who immediately came out to view the site. We marked locations of windows and doors and the Coast Guard took pictures and videos of the former foundation. At the end of the documentation, the Commander ordered their largest helicopter to fly over the site in honor of the men that had gone before them.
When asked why the Coast Guard had taken such care and interest, the Commander replied that it was like finding their Great Grandfather’s grave (because U.S. Life Saving Stations were predecessors of the Coast Guard). To find out more about the maritime history, I suggest a visit to our local museums.