Near Gagetown in Tuscola County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

House

Photographed By Joel Seewald, August 27, 2021

1. House Marker

Inscription.
In 1919 James & Cora Purdy hired local builders, John and George Munro, of Gagetown, MI to begin building this Arts and Crafts style home. This home features 15 rooms including three full bathrooms (which was very uncommon in rural Michigan during 1919), eight bedrooms, a fieldstone fireplace, built-in kitchen ice box, five room basement set-up as living space for hired help, a porte-cochere (covered porch at the north entrance), and a large covered porch that was used for entertaining and dancing. This was a very elegant home in its time and Mr. & Mrs. Purdy loved to show it and entertain guests during their years at the Mud Lake Estate.

The Purdy Family moved into their new home on May 19, 1922 and resided here until 1942 when they moved back to the Village of Gagetown.

Erected by Thumb Octagon Barn Agricultural Museum.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical date for this entry is May 19, 1922.

Location. 43° 40.251′ N, 83° 13.009′ W. Marker is near Gagetown, Michigan, in Tuscola County. Marker can be reached from Richie Road , 0.9 miles north of Bay City Forestville Road, on the right when traveling north. Marker is at the Thumb Octagon Barn Agricultural Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6948 Richie Road, Gagetown MI 48735, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers

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are within walking distance of this marker. Garage (a few steps from this marker); Octagon Barn (within shouting distance of this marker); Powerhouse (within shouting distance of this marker); One Room Schoolhouse (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Sugar Shack (about 600 feet away); Blacksmith Shop (about 600 feet away); Sawmill (about 600 feet away); Cider Mill (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gagetown.

Also see . . . History. History of the Thumb Octagon Barn Agricultural Museum on the Friends of the Thumb Octagon Barn website. (Submitted on September 6, 2021, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)

House and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Joel Seewald, August 27, 2021

2. House and Marker

View of the backside of the house with the marker next to the porte-cochere.

Photographed By Joel Seewald, August 27, 2021

3. House

View of the front (west) and north sides of the house.

Thumb Octagon Barn Agricultural Museum Sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Joel Seewald, August 27, 2021

4. Thumb Octagon Barn Agricultural Museum Sign

Credits. This page was last revised on September 6, 2021. It was originally submitted on September 6, 2021, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 143 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 6, 2021, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.