Old Timbers, Historic residence at Jefferson Proving Ground, United States
Old Timbers is a residence in Shelby Township featuring a jerkinhead roof design with a kitchen wing, situated on the grounds of Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge. The structure occupies less than one acre and received National Register designation in 1996.
The house was built in 1932 for Alexander Thompson of the Champion Paper Company and was acquired by the U.S. Army in 1940. The purchase occurred during the establishment of Jefferson Proving Ground, a military ammunition testing facility.
The building shows Bungalow and American Craftsman style elements designed by architect Alfred Oscar Elzner from Hamilton, Ohio. This blend of styles shapes the exterior and gives the house its distinctive character.
The house sits about a half mile southeast of the K Road junction and is reachable by car. The location is within a wildlife refuge, so check ahead whether tours or visits are permitted.
The house sits on a former military site where ammunition was tested at high volumes each month. Today the area has become a wildlife refuge, making this location remarkable for its unusual history.
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