Ye Olde Stone House

The Fenton Seminary was built in 1868. It was originally used as a Baptist school, then as a home for elderly Baptist ministers, and finally as a nursing home. It has been listed in the National Register of Historic places since 1983, and has been vacant since 1967. It is also condemned.

The owner is ready to give up. After seeing pictures of the inside..I can see why. All the inside floors are missing. She has reportedly sunk 350,000 dollars into it. She is now apparently ready to sell it piece by piece, and then tear it down..if she can't find a buyer.

She has been offered $20,000 for the cupolas. She thinks the 60 8-foot windows are worth 100 bucks apiece. She also has 100 corbels (brackets?) that she thinks are worth 30 bucks each. She also thinks the 8,000 tons of construction-cut stones could be worth 1.5 million dollars. WHEW!! Also in the inside are 20 steam radiators, and 3 cast iron tubs.

When looking it up online..I see another group is interested. The Scientific Paranormal Investigations of Michigan wants to help the lady with fundraising. Does that mean the group thinks the house is haunted?

It is kind of scary looking. I don't know quite how I feel about the place. In 2004..vandals broke in, and started a fire. Sad. I also think it is a safety hazard, and I can't believe the city just lets it sit and sit.

I guess the best scenario would be for someone with a few bucks to fix it up for maybe a bed-and-breakfast, but I think it would be more than a few bucks.

The selling price? $399,000. That includes the rectory out back where the owner now lives, and 1.47 acres.

The best owners? I can see Gomez and Morticia Addams with all of their family moving in. Lurch opening the front door, and Uncle Fester residing in the restored 2nd story. It could happen.