Looking Back – 5840 Summit Street

This house was built on Lot No. 4 of the Briggs Place subdivision in 1910 by George and Lottie (Chandler) Cook. They were married in 1894. Lottie’s brother was Dana Chandler who owned and operated a cement block manufacturing company in Sylvania. In 1910, each brother-in-law built the exterior of their homes on Summit Street entirely of “Chandler” block. These blocks were made to give the effect of cut stone, and just about every house in Sylvania, built before 1930, has a foundation built of this Sylvania-made block. Continue reading Looking Back – 5840 Summit Street

Sylvania Then & Now – Highland Meadows Gof Club

In three years, the Highland Meadows Golf Club will be 100 years old. In 1925, a group of Ottawa Park golfers got together and decided they wanted to establish a low-cost, no frills, golf-only private club. They hired the necessary attorneys to handle the purchase and the formation of their organization. Then a charter was formed, and the group was incorporated. They purchased an 80 acre parcel of land on Erie Street in Sylvania from Edwin B. Parker, and 43 acre parcel from Fred O. Peak, which led to the start of the Highland Meadows Golf Club. At first, both properties were transferred into the name of Charles B. Scott. The dues were set at $25 per year, payable semi-annually. Its inaugural meeting was held in February of 1926. Continue reading Sylvania Then & Now – Highland Meadows Gof Club

Sylvania Then & Now – 5810 Summit St.

This house was constructed in 1915 while the property was in the name of Elizabeth Elg. She was the former Elizabeth Harrwaldt who married George M. Elg in 1899. They lived in Ottawa Lake, Mich., and all the census records show them farming there. Early Sylvania directories never show them living in our subject house, so they must have rented this house to tenants during the four years that they owned it. In 1919 they sold this house to Dale and Katherine West. Continue reading Sylvania Then & Now – 5810 Summit St.

Sylvania Then & Now – 5804 Summit Street

This catalog home was built in 1909 and owned by John and Rose Grout. Records show that a detached garage was also constructed in 1909. The Grouts were listed living in Whiteford Township, Mich. as of the 1900, 1910 and 1920 census records. He was listed as a farmer, so they must have been renting out this home from 1909 through 1926 while they owned it. Continue reading Sylvania Then & Now – 5804 Summit Street