The King House

This story appeared in the Ypsilanti Commercial of Saturday, April 18, 1885, and informed the public about the new house Julia Ann King had built. King Hall on the campus of Eastern Michigan University is named in her honor. The King house still stands at 611 Pearl Street.

By the first of May, Messes C. S. Warner, and Charles Fleming will have completed their contract for building that handsome and convenient residence on Pearl Street, of Miss Julia A. King, preceptress at the Normal. The house is situated on south side of Pearl Street just above Perrin. It has a frontage of 45 feet and depth of 52 feet, two stories high all but the woodshed under one roof with four ornamental gables, entirely American in style.

The front entrance into the spacious hall is through a portico 7 x 20 feet. Rolling back the doors to the right, we find ourselves in a large, yet cozy appearing dining room with a register, and neat mantel piece, dish cupboard etc. This opens into a pantry, conveniently arranged, leading into the kitchen, which in turn opens into the woodshed. From the kitchen there is a back stairway, and also a door leading into a handy bath room which is connected with the bedroom situated on the east side of the house.

Going back to the front entrance and opening the folding doors to the left we enter the parlor, to be separated from the library by curtains, and from the bedroom before mentioned by rolling doors. In the library is a bay window and a mantel which for neatness is not often surpassed, the work of Mr. Fleming.

At the further end of the hall is winding staircases leading to a large hall upstairs where are found one double room, or suite of rooms and three single bedrooms, in al of which are arranged shelves and closepresses of ample dimensions. There is also a pump for raising water to the second story and a large tank which can be filled if desired.

The entrance to the cellar is through the kitchen. Here we find a Fuller & Warren hot air furnace which heats the entire house. Besides the division containing the furnace, and the coal room, there are three apartments, separated by brick partitions.

The house is finished after the latest and most approved patterns; on the first floor entirely in butternut, and above in butternut finish. The house is well lighted the panes of glass being of first class quality and good size gas pipe connections.

Mr. J. W. Martin drafted the plans for the house. The work has been done entirely by home parties. The mason work by Mr. Rob’t Curtis. Parson Bros. furnished part of the material for the house, and did the outside painting; the finishing work was made up in the house from planed boards. Mr. Chas. Hubbard of Amsdem & Hubbard did the inside painting and finishing. Mr. J. H. Sampson furnished the hardware and put in the hot air furnace, making the necessary pipe and connections.

For the present the ceiling and walls will be left in the white. Messes. Warner and Fleming have reason to feel gratified at so successful a completion of their contract.