Federal architecture was most popular during the period right after the American Revolution, when our Federal system of government was being developed. Understandably, Americans wanted something different from the Georgian style that was popular before and during the war, a style that had been named after the first four King Georges of England. The Federal style served as a sign of prosperity, reflecting the growing wealth of the new nation.
Use this guide while looking at buildings to see if they fit this style. Keep in mind that hardly any building will fit one style 100%. Owners may build additions or change details, like windows or porches, that may not be true to the original style.
Federal style emphasizes BALANCE and SYMMETRY which can be found in the arrangement of windows, chimneys, doors, porches, and balustrades (railings on architectural features). Sometimes fake chimneys were built that had no purpose other than to maintain visual symmetry. The overall look is a simple and uncluttered BOX with the only decorations by the front door.
The easiest way to distinguish Federal-style architecture from Georgian is to look for a Palladian window or an elliptical fan light over the front door.
A. 222 N Marshall Avenue built in 1850
John H. Montgomery arrived in Marshall in 1836 and worked as a druggist with his brother-in-law, Dr. A.D. Schuyler, until he became a practicing physician. Montgomery built this late Federal-style home in 1850.
Federal architecture is normally symmetrical, but this house differs from the norm by having the middle second-story window, entrance door, and interior hall placed slightly off center, making way for the rooms on the south side to be a bit larger.
In both of the large south rooms there were fireplaces which converged into one central chimney. The fireplace in the dining room (the northeast room) along with an addition to the rear of the home were later additions (that room was later replaced). The home also features some Greek Revival characteristics, such as the long windows on the first story.
B. 311 E Mansion Street built in 1856
Notice how the the builders, Reeves and Walburn, included bracketed cornices to give additional height and mass to the home.
“This traditional symmetrical and neat style had popular appeal. It is handsomely located, built in a neat snug manner, without extra ornaments, and it is well calculated for convenience and comfort.” – Dr. Mabel Cooper Skjelver, author of Nineteenth Century Homes of Marshall, Michigan in the Marshall Statesman, describing this residence.
In 1835, Philo Dibble and his son Charles traveled west for an exploratory trip from their home in Skaneateles, New York. They visited Niagara Falls and traveled through southern Michigan on their way to Chicago.
On their return trip, they revisited Marshall and decided it was the best place they had seen to make their new home. Charles P. Dibble arrived back from New York first and built a home for his parents on the northeast corner of Michigan Avenue and Gordon Street (no longer standing).
In 1856, Philo Dibble built his residence at this address in the New England Federal-style that reminded him of home.
After Philo Dibble passed away in 1867, his widow continued to live in this home for several years until she she moved away and rented out the house. Philo Dibble’s grandson acquired the property in 1883 and continued to rent it out. Some remodeling to the interior took place in the late 1890s.
In 1979, Frank Boley and Douglas Jackson purchased the house and refurbished it into offices for their accounting firm.
C. 404 W Mansion Street built in 1855
Nathan Benedict was a master carpenter. He acquired this property in 1853 and built the home in 1855, then five years later he constructed the Trinity Episcopal Church.
Dr. Mabel Cooper Skjelver, author of the book Nineteenth Century Homes of Marshall, Michigan, studied several local maps that reveal historic details about the property. According to her, a 1858 map shows a rectangular block building with a rear addition to one side. Later maps show a two-bay structure with a lean-to addition on the west, leading Skjelver to believe the original house faced Kalamazoo Avenue.
In 1866, H.C. Haskell purchased this property from Benedict and resided there until 1878 when he sold it to George Perrett who extensively remodeled the home. Skjelver speculates that Perrett may have added the two-story addition to the west around this time. In 1898, Perrett also added a new vestibule.
D. 424 W Michigan Avenue built in 1840
In 1839, Josephy Sibley aquired land west of the block at the northwest corner of what was then known as “courthouse square” and is now Brooks Memorial Fountain circle. Sibley constructed a T-form brick building with the stem of the “T” pointing towards State Street (now Michigan Avenue). In 1867, an article in the Marshall Statesman stated:
“This well-known property, one of the landmarks of the city, is now undergoing considerable radical changes. That portion fronting State Street and formerly occupied as a store, is being taken down and a piazza will be placed in front of the remaining part of the building which will be completely modernized and its appearance much improved.”
The piazza was later removed. Notice the raised projections called "crow-stepped gable ends" at the tops of the east and west end walls. These are a common Dutch characteristic that appear in a great quantity of masonry work in New York.
In 1882, the Sibley house was purchased by C.F. Vogel and the next year had workmen make improvements which made it nearly a new house. Then in 1946, Max Stulberg acquired the property and remodeled it into four apartments.
E. Test your knowledge
Now that you've read about Federal-style architecture and examined several examples, it's time to test your knowledge. Walk to Brooks Fountain Circle and look at the buildings that surround it. Do you see one that could be Federal-style? Use the checklist below to help you decide:
While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, if you find any errors please let us know by calling the Marshall Welcome Center at 269-781-5163 and asking for Kimber, or CLICK TO EMAIL.