Raab-Harlacher House, 1885

632 South First Street

Raab-Harlacher House, 1885

Among the many historic homes designated by plaques during the Ann Arbor Sesquicentennial celebration in 1974, this is the only one which was still occupied by its original family. The Charles Raab family moved into their new home in 1886. In 1915 their youngest daughter, Matilda, married William Harlacher, and they continued to live in the family home until recent years.

Architecturally, the house is an excellent example of vernacular or "folk" building. While architects were designing large asymmetrical Queen Anne houses using a multitude of different ornamental materials, houses like this one were being erected by their owners without formal plans. Based on ethnic traditions, in this case German, the houses found throughout the Old West Side Historic District were intended to be solid and functional. The front porch is an addition to the original facade, and recent changes include a contemporary wing and window replacement. It is interesting to compare this house to the Wiegant-Hochrein house at 631 Second Street, which has been entirely renovated. The two houses were once identical.