Historic buildings, Ann Arbor, Michigan / by Marjorie Reade and Susan Wineberg.

632 South First Street
1885 Raab-Harlacher House
Among the many historic homes designated by plaques during the Ann Arbor
Sesquicentennial celebration in 1974, this is the only one which was still
occupied by its original family. The Charles Raab family moved into their new
home in 1886. In 1915 their youngest daughter, Matilda, married William
Harlacher, and they continued to live in the family home until recent years.
Architecturally, the house is an excellent example of vernacular or "folk"
building. While architects were designing large asymmetrical Queen Anne
houses using a multitude of different ornamental materials, houses like this one
were being erected by their owners without formal plans. Based on ethnic
traditions, in this case German, the houses found throughout the Old West
Side Historic District were intended to be solid and functional. The front
porch is an addition to the original facade, and recent changes include a
contemporary wing and window replacement. It is interesting to compare this
house to the Wiegant-Hochrein house at 631 Second Street, which has been
entirely renovated. The two houses were once identical.
NRHD, OWS

195