A House That Captivated You for Any Reason

Saw a photograph of Mrs. Potbury’s house in “Pontiac Township (1827-1983) The End of an Era – A New Beginning” (available through Auburn Hills Historical Society, by the way, a fascinating read with pictures). The snapshot of 312 S. Squirrel Road was taken when the house was the Adams’ farm tenant house. At that time, thanks to my brother, my niece, and the historical society, I learned that Squirrel Road was “Adams Road,” and the area was the Henry J Adams’ farm, while my neighborhood streets were named for his granddaughters (Caroline, Margaret) and wife (Bessie), and Henrydale after himself? (His son was named John.)

Anyway, that farm tenant house was later the famous child-friendly home of Mrs. Potbury, who told Bible stories and sold you pots of seedlings that were affordable for any child. We trailed to her house on lunch breaks from Auburn Heights Elementary School, always welcome.

Her house was built in 1862 and Zillow mentions that the Adams’ children were born there. In the tenant house?

Fascinating, anyway, which made me think about houses, besides my childhood home, which drew me and made me curious to see the inside and learn more.

Besides your own home, name a house that fascinated you as a child for any reason.

Extra points, if that house is in the Heights.

My magnet was the Hall house across the road from us on Caroline Street.

3147 Caroline was a large, two-story frame house with a cool front porch, shady maple trees, a side yard, an apartment over the garage that I longed to explore, and a mysterious and beckoning garden in the back. I could see the trellis from the sidewalk, and dreamed about walking through it into enchantment.

As a child, I thought it possible that when I was old enough to have a job, the Halls would let me rent that delectable garage apartment. Since I’d never seen the inside, I was able to design it as I pleased.

Once a year, at Halloween, I could peek into the living room of the house at trick-or-treat time, and was fascinated by the tiny rooms and number of doors, since the house had been constructed to manage cold winters with its 12 rooms and 5 bedrooms.

Never did the house feel haunted, in spite of its age and size. I never entered the garden, although I’m not sure why now, since it must have been a temptation. Maybe I feared the wrath of Mom for disturbing the old couple.

The Halls were, to me, ancient, but they couldn’t have been at that time. We respected them, though, and years later, when the last one died, their belongings were arranged on their front lawn for an estate sale. My heart ached that rich, full lives could end up as fragments for sale to strangers.

I knew nothing about the couple or the family, but their house was coveted.

We kids were convinced that the Hall’s house had to be the oldest on Caroline Street, but actually our house (Evans’) was built in 1928, as was Vicki’s at 3196 Caroline. (And I don’t know about Vicki, but we definitely had a ghost or two in our house that played the piano, moved up and down the stairs, and showed herself at least twice. And the fruit cellar was s-p-o-o-k-y. Maybe more about that another time.)

But I digress from the delicious Hall house. My brothers and I would debate whether houses were summer houses or winter/Christmas houses. The Hall’s house was summer—shade, leaves, green grass, garden, front porch, and room to dream. I used the mysterious garden in more than one fantasy story.

Maybe it’s a blessing that I never explored the yard as a kid. I’m free to create the Hall’s house, yard, and garage apartment any way I choose today.

All right, your turn.

Which house, besides your own, fascinated you as a kid, and why?