718 Court Street

Architecture:

Style: Gothic

Description: This is a symmetrical, two-story wood frame building with a cement coated foundation and vinyl siding. The roof is side gabled roof, with a center gable enclosed by a pent roof. The floor plan is “I” shaped. Decorative elements include a small window in the center gable with a triangular pediment, a small centered porch with boxed columns where a full frontal porch existed at the turn of the century.

Significant Period:

Construction Date: circa 1870’s

Architect/Builder: Unknown

Context: Cyrus M. Stockwell (resided elsewhere) paid property taxes on this home from 1873 to 1887 and beyond. The first documented resident was DeWitt Walker in 1888, at that time a Customs Officer. DeWitt C. Walker, elected in 1864 as Judge of Probate, served four years for the county. He founded Capac, was Capac’s President in 1873-74 and also 1903. William George lived there from 1890-94. He was born January 4, 1831 and was a native of Pembrook, South Wales. He was a ship carpenter for ten years in one of the largest shipyards in London, then came to Port Huron in 1871. On July 1, 1882 he was appointed as Deputy Collector of Customs. Thomas George, clerk for Fraser & Fish, then bookkeeper for Port Huron Engine & Thresher Co., boarded there. Dr. W. J. Olds, physician and Observer for the Weather Bureau, lived there in 1901. William Sutherland lived there in 1902-04. Mrs. Jenny K. Stockwell, widow of Cyrus M. Stockwell, lived there from 1902 to 1910. Arthur and Cora Frantz were there from 1915-19. He was vice president and general manager of Independent Motors Co. Wm. F. Ricketts, of Wills Lee Co., and wife Hazel I. lived there 1920 to 1940. Robert and Gladys Aylesworth, of Wills Lee Co., lived there in 1920, and Norbert & Ruby Ullenbruch in 1921. Wallace and Angeline McIntyre lived there from 1923 to 1940.