This cache is a nano placed with the approval of the Lakewood Historical Society, which manages the the Oldest Stone House Museum. The museum is open Wednesday afternoons from 1:00pm to 4:00pm and Sunday's 2:00pm to 5:00pm, mid February through mid November. More information can be found at www.lakewoodhistory.org.
The Honam/Hotchkiss House was constructed of area sandstone in the Greek Revival style in 1834. The stone house is 1 ½ stories and measures 36’3” x 27’ 2.5” It is the only remaining (of at least three) stone houses original to Rockport Township (now Lakewood). The original sandstone exterior walls, stone threshhold, stone window and door lintels, front door opening and window openings remain intact. Two early, possibly original, windows remain on the second floor east wall.
Additional changes occurred between 1952 and 1960 by the Lakewood Historical Society under the advisement of prominent Cleveland architect Munroe Copper, including: addition of an interior window added above the stairwell; addition of electricity (outlets, lighting fixtures); installation of historic but not original windows (LHS founder Margaret Manor Butler states the replacement windows came from “Whipporwill,” the 1830s Rockport/Lakewood home of Jared Potter Kirtland located on Detroit west of Bunts); alteration of west wall door opening from two exterior doors with wall between to one exterior door with sidelights; addition of fireplace removed from 1830s Cleveland house; removal of exterior brick water table; house placed directly on the ground with no foundation.
Most likely, a wooden addition to the west side of house was built in 1834 or shortly thereafter. This wooden addition probably contained the kitchen (there are no original fireplaces in the stone structure), as well as additional living spaces. This wooded addition was removed sometime before 1901, as it is not see on 1901 photographs. However, architectural evidence of its existence, location and dimensions remained in 1952 and the addition is seen on early maps.
A major construction project in 1975 included the replacement of this one-storey wooden addition, foundation stabilization, installation of HVAC system, replacement of original floor beams (rotted), replacement of some original floorboards in kitchen (rotted) and installation of a concrete block basement which now houses classroom, restroom, kitchen, storage areas, office space and utility closet. The combination of the 1952-1960 and 1975 rehabilitations created a public space consisting of a historic house museum interpreting the 1830s-1870s on the first and second floors as well as modern facilities for office and storage uses.
The house is no longer on its original setting. It is thought to have been moved at least two times in its history. There is some evidence that the house was moved almost 20 feet west of the original Detroit location for the creation of St. Charles Avenue in 1901. The house was moved a second time to its current location in Lakewood Park in 1952. Prior to this move, the house was approximately eight feet from the west curb of St. Charles, one foot south of a single lane driveway (which still exists) and approximately twelve feet from the north wall of the 1916 commercial building. The house was moved to make room for an additional to this commercial building, which still exists. At its original location, the main façade faced south towards Detroit Avenue. The house has the same orientation in Lakewood Park, with the main façade facing Lake Avenue. The house is still situated on the original Honam/Hotchkiss 97 ½ acre parcel.