Living on the right side of the rail road tracks...

So a guy and his family comes to the wild landscape of the western side of a new small but growing village of Ann Arbor from Rhode Island in the early 1800's. (I bet you’re thinking... why in the HELL would he do that?! Unless you’re like a hard core frontiers man, he'd have to be crazy. I bet his wife was PISSED.  I can just imagine how long her evil stare lasted. LOL In his defense the wonderful Mr. Allen, who largely lays claim to founding A2 was a MASTER mind {planner}. He would send these overzealous advertising dealos to large newspapers in New England area making the new village look and sound like this super sweet place. Suckers.. hehe) So, on the fertile Huron river valley that is now becoming full of farms-He Builds a mill.. It kicked ass. Mr. Samuel Willis Foster, big bad miller, not only is becoming an important part of the Agriculture community, he also lays out the Village of Scio Township. Apparently a little bit too driven to have more, he up and sells the mills in Scio Township. ((That poor town only really lasted like 60-70 years. More to come when I review a Zeeb road house.... ))

Mr. Foster go moves up river just a tad... to what is near the current Barton Hills area. He builds yet another mill. ((Glutton for punishment?)) The difference is the TRAIN happened. The ability to transport goods to and fro from local farms and mills created with a quickness a little town called Newport Village, or "Fosters station". For reals, he gets a village named after him! ((When the city lines expanded in 1846 of A2, it encompassed not only A2, but villages of Geddes and Fosters. Yea, by one- get two free!! It’s almost as good as a Kohls 25% off coupon on the 75% off rack. Almost. ))

Yea, so he sells that one too (I would have divorced him at this point. LOL) so he can move with the great rush to California......where he soon thereafter died.

So whats left of  Foster you ask?! Not much really. A sweet bridge that was recently restored. A few older houses-one of which I got to preview the listing with one of my Realtor buddies. We will call it the Foster house for giggles.

The nitty gritty-  3051 Foster is a 1546 sq foot house with 3brd/2baths. Built in 1875. Top floor has a bedroom and full Bath. Main floor has a small bedroom and bath. Basement has large bedroom. $499,000  **as of 09/03/13 it is temporally off the market.

Sitting up/back on the old river bank of the Huron River, on a nice patch of earth, the Foster house has been standing guard over the river for more than 140 years.  Its Greek revival exterior has for the most part holds true with clapboard siding, now painted a lovely shade of yellow. I suspect that there are a few layers of boards as the Freeze board at the top is flush/partly recessed. ((But hey, better that then to rip it off!))  To the left of the main body of the house is an addition which is also sided in the same material for continuity. It drives me bonkers when people slap some vinyl shit on to an addition of an old house, while the rest of the house is still….well,  old lookin’.

The thing that I always look for is how much of these beauties are left intact. Is it rocking old plaster walls and well warm floors and trim? Is it totally gutted and just the bones are old?? One thing I really liked is that these sellers are doing something I like to call “Bringin’ it back”.  This wonderful addition has large picture window on two sides, letting in a LOT of light. It has a repurposed fire place mantel sitting as a focal point. Fantastic crackled off-white paint lets is age shine through. I wonder if it was part of the house that was just re-used.. or from a local Architectural Salvage place.  (Side bar.. I HEART this place --> <3 ) 

During the renovation, they were able to keep the old plank flooring in the entry, bedroom and Kitchen. Although most of the other original details are gone from the kitchen, check out the stove top they put in an antique dresser.. Sweet right?! By blending the repo-pieces with open shelving and stainless steel, this kitchen is a place I can totally see myself cooking up some KFC in here! A second bonus-it’s open floor plan to the large Living room. Perfect for yelling at the boys to stop beating on each other with I’m “cooking”. (( I bet you didn’t know that is what open floor plans are for, did ya?! Lol))









 

In another fantastic example of the current owners bringin’ it back, check out how they reuse the old doors in the basement bedroom under the addition! With the egress window letting in a great amount of light, you can see the aged paint in the 2 panel doors. Not to mention the old hardware! I love the fact that they are slightly mismatched. J Ohhh, and the Pine log post. Now, keep in mind I’d much rather see a real old growth support post, but this is a nice touch!! I can totally see my cat and their toe-nails having a hay-day with this. {{squirt bottle!!}} I’d do things like carve the kids heights in it.. or MS+JP in a cute crude heart so that people 100 years from now will say “aww!”.

This room screams teenage haven. I can totally see some 15 year old busting out in tears because they can’t have the newest gadget. After screaming the typical “I hate you!”, there would be a mad dash to their room. This room.  Go ahead sister, keep on crying. It’s in the basement and I can’t hear you! If you think tears will magically bring you an Iphone, then cry me up a unicorn.

Going outside, you’ll see the green veil that surrounds this property. On the North side of the property, you have peeking views of the Huron River and Foster Bridge. On the main part of the property, south of the house, there is a lawn full of plantings, trees of every sort and even a little rock garden area with a Bi-level pond. Very tranquil.  (Until the Sand Hill Cranes eat the fish! Lol) There is ample space to do a bit of gardening should you like to.

One of the out buildings, we’ll will call it the potting shed, is centered in the property. I love how the owners have decorated the whole place, even in this little old shed. Warm tones that eclectically blend together and make it feel modern yet high light the age and beauty. This would make an excellent Artistic studio or a getaway cabin for the kiddos.. when mommy’s wine glass is far to empty and patience is wearing thin. Hey, I’m not judging.

The Carriage Garage is near foster road, just perfect for your….. Carriage? LOL  More like lawn mower or that crap you keep telling yourself that you’ll sell in a garage sale,  but never get to it.  I was fixated on how beautify the outer boards are with their weathered paint.. *sigh*

OH! And the last out building.. a 2 seater out house is near the potting shed. Yea know, in case you want to pee with a friend. I do not know if it is in “working condition”, but I suspect not. Fun fact: did you know that you can dig in old out house pits and find all kinds of sweet stuff in it? People used to use it as a catch all for trash. Dudes get drunk, hit the head and chuck their booze bottle down the hole. I’ve found plates, bottles, cups, shoe leathers, buttons… YES, I have done this.  It’s called Privy Digging. Check out these folks digging for stuff. I’d do it again if I the chance came about. Want me to call you?? ;)

If I were to rate Foster house as a historic homestead (5 being near original and 1 being totally gut job and full replacement), I’d give it a 3/3.5. Lemme give the Realtor disclaimer… I’m not a contractor or historic preservationist. {Yet}. I would have loved to have seen some features like more hardwood floors, or trim, or re-pro windows. But I love what the owners have done with blending old with new, or bringin’ it back to maintain some age in the home.  It is a fantastic property and a great part of Ann Arbors History. If you would like to see the Foster house, or other homesteads in the area, please feel free to give me a call!
 734-660-6561.