“I like the history of the house,” Mary Ann Crawford said. “I like it because it’s old and different, and it has amazing craftsmanship.”

According to Mary Ann’s daughter Darcy Christianson, who did a considerable amount of research to uncover this house’s origins, the house was built in 1881 by Thomas and Esther Collins.

According to Christianson’s research, Thomas Collins was an Irish man and a prominent figure among the Main Street pioneers in Alpena; his wife Esther was originally from Chicago. The house they would go on to build was meant to act as a symbol of their hard-earned success over the years.

Being constructed in the Italianate style of architecture rather than the more typical Victorian, the Crawford home has a lot of unique features, with two of its most prominent features being its tower and its belvedere, a specially designed space that provides multiple good views.

News Photo by Temi Fadayomi A first-floor view of the Belvedere of Tom and Mary Ann Crawford’s house is seen recently at 144 S. First Ave.

According to Christianson, the tower was actually a later addition to the home, done around 1900 by Esther after Thomas’s death. The inside of the building is currently ordained with multicolored cloth.

The belvedere offers a panoramic view of downtown, including Esther’s beloved Episcopal church. This addition, built by a local craftsman who also constructed the old fairground grandstands, exemplifies the architectural elegance of the era.

The house features a number of other fantastical elements like coffered ceilings, a butler staircase, and an unknown room the Crawfords had turned into a game room.

And the home’s history is not just confined to its walls. Mary Ann’s extensive genealogical research has uncovered details about the previous owners, including the Collins family and subsequent residents who played significant roles in the community.

“The house has only had five owners, which has helped preserve its original character,” Christianson noted.

News Photo by Temi Fadayomi The living room of Tom and Mary Ann Crawford’s house is seen recently at 144 S. First Ave.

Today, the Crawford home is more than just a residence; it’s a cherished piece of the town’s history.

News Photo by Temi Fadayomi A second-floor view of the Belvedere of Tom and Mary Ann Crawford’s house is seen recently at 144 S. First Ave.

News Photo by Temi Fadayomi The game room of Tom and Mary Ann Crawford’s house is seen recently at 144 S. First Ave.

News Photo by Temi Fadayomi The inside view of the tower of Tom and Mary Ann Crawford’s house is seen recently at 144 S. First Ave.