Loren Andrus Octagon House, Historic octagonal residence in Washington Township, Michigan.
The Loren Andrus Octagon House is an eight-sided residence featuring a central spiral staircase that rises to a rooftop cupola. Located in Washington Township, this home displays the unusual geometric design characteristic of mid-19th century architecture.
The house was built in 1858 by Loren Andrus and David Stewart during the era of the octagon house movement that spread across America. During the Civil War, the property served as a station on the Underground Railroad, providing shelter to those seeking freedom.
The Andrus family used the house as a gathering place for community events and musical performances. The spaces hosted dances and games, with piano music playing a central role in the family's social life.
The house sits on Van Dyke Avenue in a rural area of Michigan, so having your own transportation is helpful for a visit. The octagonal layout with the central spiral staircase makes it easy to navigate the home's interior spaces.
The bricks used to build this house came from clay found and processed right on the property itself. This shows how the builders relied on local resources to construct a building that would last.
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