The Kate Austin House

In December of 1872, the Daughter of Hon. Charles E Stuart, Katherine, married William G. Austin. The Gazette announced that - “the wedding took place at St. Lukes Church, with a reception afterwards at CE Stuarts residence on Stuart Avenue”.​

 

As a wedding gift to his daughter, Charles Stuart had this home built the next year for the newlyweds that would be situated directly across the street from where she grew up. Her husband William became one of Kalamazoos prominent business men, who conducted a successful “haberdashery”, or clothing store that he later sold to L.W. Hubbard.

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Unfortunately, the home would not stay in the family for long.

On Oct. 30th, 1875, Kate was sitting in the dining room with her little child when suddenly the house was struck by lighting, with the blast of the current hitting the floor just a few feet away. The hole in the roof was 4 feet in diameter. Subsequently, the Austin’s sold the property in 1878.

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The home was owned for 3 years by George & Florence Buck until it

was sold to somebody who had a close association the Stuart family.

This individual was Hiram Arnold, who had formerly been the one to build the residence of Charles Stuart across the street 20 years earlier.

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The Arnold family lived in this home for the next 25 years, being the center of much commuinty activity. Hiram and his wife Betsey (deceased 1879) had 5 children, with 3 of them being recorded living in the house throughout the years of ownership; Amelia, Jennie and Delevan. Hiram passed away in the house in 1892

at the age of 84.

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In 1903, Delevan Arnold hosted a reunion for the 1st Michigan Cavalry which was his Civil War unit. It appeared on the front page of the Kalamazoo Gazette, which stated -

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“At 7 o’clock, a three-course supper was served in the dining room which was elaborately decorated with American flags which were fastened to the walls and also formed the central decoration of the dining table in connection with red carnations. The napkins were also adorned with flags. The unit spent time in the parlor afterwards where a photograph was taken of the group. The evening commenced with a campfire, music, and recitations”​

 

Classic to its time, this home was built in the Italianate Style. The exterior features large overhanging eaves, slim tall windows and the original embellished oak front door. Inside features an original plaster medallion on the ceiling of the living room, french doors leading into the dining room, a butler door to the kitchen and ornate door knobs and hinges throughout.

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Following the Arnolds, the home was purchased the Hornbeck family who owned the home from 1913 to 1950. Around 1975, it was partitioned into 2 apartment units. In recent years, the home has undergone substantial restoration while being returned to a single family residence.