complete
chicken dinners for $1.00 in twoelegant, high ceiling rooms with huge fireplaces
overlooking the Cascade Dam. The Currie's resort plans
failed to develop due to the Great Depression. In 1954,
the interior was modified as the Church of Christ Home
for the Aged. In 1992, Bill and Dorothy Collins
purchased the home and began renovations, uncovering the
high ceilings, windows, and fireplaces in two upstairs
bedrooms and restoring the exterior. Since 2005, the
present owners have continued to restore the grand home.
The Cascade Dam circa 1940 - In the 1920's, G. H.
and C. G. Currie purchased 230 acres for a resort
community called "The Cascades". Built on the site of
Dr. Neil Gray Jr.'s gristmill, this 15ft. tall x 81 ft.
wide dam created a 50-acre lake. The Cascade Dam
featured two slate-roofed turreted towers with spiral
staircases connected by an arched pathway behind the
waterfall illuminated with multi-colored lights. A
half-circle catch basin provided a swimming area. The
fish ladder (on the right) allowed passage for aquatic
life. The $200,000 project envisioned 600 homes, 5,000
ft. of canals, recreation, and shopping. The nine-hole
golf course, designed with unique sand traps and water
hazards, tested the player's approach and pitch accuracy
("The Golden Nine"). The Great Depression halted the
resort development and the dam deteriorated until by the
1960's the water no longer flowed over the spillway. In
2005, the right tower collapsed. In 2010, the fish
ladder, 30 feet of the dam, and debris were removed to
restore the flow of the Clinton River. The present
owners hope to preserve the remaining tower and 50 ft
section of the dam. |
2010 Historical Preservation Winner
This home may have been built around 1902 by George
and Nellie Pallister. Originally, a home built before 1859
rested on the 112-acre farm owned by Nellie's parents, Josiah
and Lucretia Parks. In 1924, two brothers, Joesph and Thomas
Lipari, supported their families together on this dairy farm. An
Artesian well supplied water to the home (and neighbors during a
drought in the early 1900's) and kept the milk cool in the milk
house. A huge cistern in the basement collected water. The water
was stored on the second floor then piped downstairs to the
kitchen. It is said that locals made moonshine in the large barn
and were raided by the State Police. The present owners
purchased the home in 1987, restored the original oak moldings,
pocket door, floors, railings, and windows, and maintained many
of the outbuildings.
2009 Historical Preservation Winner
Joel Thompson purchased 160 acres in Ray Township on April 10, 1837. By 1853, the property was split and the Butterfields, Lees, and Goodells went on to own the east 80 acres. Christian and Sophia Hartway left Hamburg, Germany and sailed aboard the Sir Isaac Newton to the United States in 1852 with their four children. By 1860, they were living in Ray Township on these 80 acres and an adjoining 40 acres. The combined property value was $1,500 and their personal property was valued at $260.
The Hartways may have built this present home in 1875, the second on their 120-acre farm. By 1895, Henry and Emma Flue (or Fluge), who married in 1890, owned the west 60 acres and began raising their two children, Ethel and Harold, in this Victorian house. Harold married Gladys and together they farmed this property. The Flue family attended the Ray Center School and Ray Union Church and Harold was elected Trustee in 1964. The farm was sold in 1967 to the present owners who raised cattle and grew alfalfa until the 1990s. They continue to preserve the historic structure of the home and eleven out buildings, including the smokehouse and chicken coops.
2008 Historical Preservation Winner
Built in 1840, this home is an example of the Upright and Wing style with Greek Revival influences. Civil War veteran John Crawford, one of the Ray Township Supervisors in�the mid-1800's once lived here. Part of this house was used as a stagecoach stop. That portion was moved to its present location from the corner of 29 Mile and Romeo Plank Roads after 'Plank Road' was no longer used as a stagecoach line.
2007 Historical Preservation Winner
The Wolcott Mill Home - Original home of a Wolcott family member, this beautifully restored home was moved to its current location in the summer of 1978 from the hill just north of the Wolcott Mill. Built in 1878, this home has received two additions, one in 1903 and a one-story garage and utility room were added in 1978 after the home was moved.
At that time the current owner had purchased the home from Macomb County Community College. The college had purchased the mill property with the intention of it becoming part of the college's proposed campus in Ray. The campus never came to fruition. The move of this home was the talk of the town in Ray that summer!
The RTHS Preservation of the Year Award recognizes and
honors those who have saved and restored the historic treasures
of Ray Township.
2006 Historical Preservation Winner
This incredible 1820 Victorian has been owned by the same family for
over 30 years. It was by accident that they first discovered the home
for sale, but they tell us now, it was truly meant. Prior to the current
ownership, the property surrounding home was always a working dairy farm
and many times the cows grazed in the front yard to the left of the home.
In the 1950's a tornado destroyed one barn; it was the center barn of three directly next to each other! It's uncertain how many prior owners there have been, but we do know of at least three others in addition to the current owners; the Hamilton, Knuse and Schultz families.
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