Jacob Hoffstetter House, Ann Arbor
Jacob Hoffstetter House stands as a striking testament to late Victorian elegance. Built in 1887 for German immigrant Jacob Hoffstetter, the two-story red鈥慴rick residence sits proudly on a coursed ashlar foundation. Guests will be drawn to its Queen Anne details鈥攕egmental-arched windows capped with carved stone keystones, oculus attic windows, king-post gable ornaments adorned with pierced trefoils, and bracketed cornices gracing the bay windows.
Jacob Hoffstetter emigrated to Ann Arbor at five years old in 1854, joining a wave of German settlers who shaped the city鈥檚 cultural character. By 1872, he had built a thriving grocery and saloon on Main Street, living above it with his wife and two sons. With the success of his business, Hoffstetter sold it in 1887 and commissioned this elegant home. Within a year, parts of the house began to serve as lodgings, most notably housing members of the newly formed Alpha Tau Omega fraternity from 1888 to 1894.
In 1937, the house underwent adaptation, converted into apartments with a new southeast entry. Nonetheless, many original wood trims were preserved. Then, in 1980, Peter Heydon restored the structure for mixed commercial and residential use, earning recognition from the Historical Society of Michigan for his careful work.
Today, the Jacob Hoffstetter House endures as one of Ann Arbor鈥檚 most handsome late-19th鈥慶entury structures and a rare relic of the neighborhood that once surrounded it. Visitors traversing Washington Street are invited to pause and reflect on its architectural flourishes鈥攁 tangible echo of the city鈥檚 immigrant heritage and the success stories that helped shape its history.
Jacob Hoffstetter emigrated to Ann Arbor at five years old in 1854, joining a wave of German settlers who shaped the city鈥檚 cultural character. By 1872, he had built a thriving grocery and saloon on Main Street, living above it with his wife and two sons. With the success of his business, Hoffstetter sold it in 1887 and commissioned this elegant home. Within a year, parts of the house began to serve as lodgings, most notably housing members of the newly formed Alpha Tau Omega fraternity from 1888 to 1894.
In 1937, the house underwent adaptation, converted into apartments with a new southeast entry. Nonetheless, many original wood trims were preserved. Then, in 1980, Peter Heydon restored the structure for mixed commercial and residential use, earning recognition from the Historical Society of Michigan for his careful work.
Today, the Jacob Hoffstetter House endures as one of Ann Arbor鈥檚 most handsome late-19th鈥慶entury structures and a rare relic of the neighborhood that once surrounded it. Visitors traversing Washington Street are invited to pause and reflect on its architectural flourishes鈥攁 tangible echo of the city鈥檚 immigrant heritage and the success stories that helped shape its history.
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Jacob Hoffstetter House on Map
Sight Name: Jacob Hoffstetter House
Sight Location: Ann Arbor, USA (See walking tours in Ann Arbor)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Ann Arbor, USA (See walking tours in Ann Arbor)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Ann Arbor, Michigan
Create Your Own Walk in Ann Arbor
Creating your own self-guided walk in Ann Arbor is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Ann Arbor Introduction Walking Tour
A western exurb of Detroit, the charming green college town of Ann Arbor possesses a unique charm and down-home atmosphere 鈥� a combination of big-city amenities and a small-town vibe.
It started off as a small strip of land registered in 1825 as "Annarbour", named after the wives of its co-founders, both called Ann, and the stands of bur oak trees. Following the move of the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
It started off as a small strip of land registered in 1825 as "Annarbour", named after the wives of its co-founders, both called Ann, and the stands of bur oak trees. Following the move of the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
University of Michigan Walking Tour
Ann Arbor is a home to the sprawling University of Michigan 鈥� one of America鈥檚 best public educational institutions, attracting top students and faculty from all over the world.
Founded in 1817 in Detroit as the University of Michigania, 20 years before the territory became a state, this university is Michigan's oldest. The school was moved to Ann Arbor in 1837. Among its alumni there... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.6 Km or 2.2 Miles
Founded in 1817 in Detroit as the University of Michigania, 20 years before the territory became a state, this university is Michigan's oldest. The school was moved to Ann Arbor in 1837. Among its alumni there... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.6 Km or 2.2 Miles
Ann Arbor's Historical Buildings
Founded in the 1820s and centered on the University of Michigan, the city of Ann Arbor boasts hundreds of splendid buildings, many of which are included in the National Register. The U-M campus itself was registered as Historic District in 1978.
The abundance of down-home charm, especially in the historic district, is richly complemented by plethora of time-tested architectural landmarks in... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
The abundance of down-home charm, especially in the historic district, is richly complemented by plethora of time-tested architectural landmarks in... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles