Clinton in Lenawee County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Jira Payne House / The Smith-Kimball Family
Photographed By Joel Seewald, May 14, 2017
1. Jira Payne House / The Smith-Kimball Family Marker
Inscription.
Jira Payne House, also, The Smith-Kimball Family. .
Jira Payne House. This Greek Revival house was built around 1840 by Jira Payne, owner of the Atlas sawmill. The twin fluted Ionic columns, flanked by square Doric piers, were hand hewn from trees on this property. Emil Lorch, professor of architecture at the University of Michigan from 1906 to 1936, called the portico "one of the most monumental in Michigan." Owned by the George Pomeroy family from 1848 to 1858, the house, known as Pomeroy, Hall was a center of social life in Clinton.
The Smith-Kimball Family. In 1862, John Smith, a Clinton merchant and community leader, purchased this house where he lived until his death in 1886. Smith's son Edwin and daughter-in-law Eupania resided here with their daughter Blanche and her husband, Leander W. Kimball. In 1891-1892 they remodeled extensively by adding second stories to the wings and stained-glass windows. After Leander Kimball died in 1955, Blanch donated the property to the residents of Clinton for use as a community center.
Jira Payne House
This Greek Revival house was built around 1840 by Jira Payne, owner of the Atlas sawmill. The twin fluted Ionic columns, flanked by square Doric piers, were hand hewn from trees on this property. Emil Lorch, professor of architecture at the University of Michigan from 1906 to 1936, called the portico "one of the most monumental in Michigan." Owned by the George Pomeroy family from 1848 to 1858, the house, known as Pomeroy, Hall was a center of social life in Clinton.
The Smith-Kimball Family
In 1862, John Smith, a Clinton merchant and community leader, purchased this house where he lived until his death in 1886. Smith's son Edwin and daughter-in-law Eupania resided here with their daughter Blanche and her husband, Leander W. Kimball. In 1891-1892 they remodeled extensively by adding second stories to the wings and stained-glass windows. After Leander Kimball died in 1955, Blanch donated the property to the residents of Clinton for use as a community center.
Erected 1992 by Bureau of History, Michigan Department of State. (Marker Number L1503.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture •
Location. 42° 4.233′ N, 83° 58.222′ W. Marker is in Clinton, Michigan, in Lenawee County. Marker is at the intersection of Tecumseh Road and East Franklin Street, on the left when traveling south on Tecumseh Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 211 Tecumseh Road, Clinton MI 49236, United States of America. Touch for directions.
2. Jira Payne House / The Smith-Kimball Family Marker
Photographed By Joel Seewald, May 14, 2017
3. Jira Payne House / The Smith-Kimball Family Marker
Photographed By Joel Seewald, May 14, 2017
4. Jira Payne House / Smith Kimball Community Center
Credits. This page was last revised on November 23, 2019. It was originally submitted on July 2, 2017, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 231 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 2, 2017, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.
