Stone House. Period.

I recently took a three day solo motorcycle trip around Lake Huron, a few days of "alone in my helmet with my thoughts" time. Just as I start to unwind as I roll north on #23 thru Alpena, Michigan I have to brake HARD…not to avoid any road bound trouble but to make sure I don't sail past one of the most impressive stone houses I have ever seen (and there are some stunning stone houses out there…remember this one? Maybe this beauty. Or, wow!

​The owner was cutting his grass and gave me a knowing smile as I grabbed my camera, it would seem he is used to the attention his home draws. Everywhere you look there is interesting detail on the "Henry House", which was completed in 1904. Two storey stone houses are quite rare, and I love the way the randomness of the stone shapes and colors plays off against the more formal style and wood details of the eaves, porch and turret. One interesting detail is the outer edge of the circular porch roof being supported by only one column. A fabulous house, looking out over the water and an obviously proud and attentive owner - old house done right!

Rory McDonnell is a General Contractor, Licensed Carpenter and Architectural Designer with Build, a construction firm in Stratford, Ontario, specializing in new custom homes and renovations.