Historic house sees many changes and additions

Marcia and Bruce Hummel feel they are preserving a piece of the past in their 160-year-old home on Hollyhock Road, South Bend. (South Bend Tribune/BECKY EMMONS / February 18, 2012)

"I have been here since 1976; the house has been here for between 160 and 170 years. We have the original deed from 1834 signed by President Andrew Jackson for 120 acres to Henry Weaver. In 1840, he sold the land to a Mr. Ulrich and it stayed in the family for the next 100 years. Due to family strife, the property was divided and sold and the house kept with five acres. It's only changed hands four times. We have found old millstones on the property.

The original barn had been demolished but the fieldstones from its foundation were used to border the drive and to build a fireplace in the living room. The house is a story and a half, and the main floor provides for great entertaining with a circular traffic flow. You can easily circulate through the parlor, study, dining room, living room, family room and kitchen. The people who owned it before us did a lot of work to update and they added the porch. The living room had been a screened porch so they enclosed it and made it a living room.

They added a family room between the house and the old smokehouse, connecting them and made the smokehouse the laundry room. Interior walls were changed and an addition was made that added the smokehouse to the original house. Three bedrooms and a bathroom are on the second floor. It's funny, over the years we have switched rooms. Our parlor was once a bedroom. For us, it's our little bit of paradise surrounded by a natural border of Osage trees. We are close to schools, neighborhoods and shopping but maintain a great deal of privacy. Around 1990, we started major renovations -- electrical, plumbing, windows and roofs. Pastures and fencing were installed to embrace our love of horses and later we put in a pool and patio.

Bruce had previously built two new homes but he has gotten used to this old house and is active in updating and restoring it. I used to own Lavender, Lilacs and Old Lace, which sold fine antiques and collectibles, so I enjoy decorating with antiques from primitive to Victorian. We are lucky that the house has been lovingly passed to people who cared for it. We feel it's important to preserve a little of the past." - Marcia Hummel

Becky Emmons is always on the lookout for houses that appear to be loved; don't be surprised if she knocks on your front door. She also appreciates suggestions from readers. If you love your house, or see a house you admire, tell us about it. Contact her at the South Bend Tribune, 225 W. Colfax Ave., South Bend, IN 46626; 574-235-6480; e-mail: bemmons@sbtinfo.com.

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Historic house sees many changes and additions