Soon a small piece of Hadley history will be gone.
The century-old two story home located at 4540 Pratt Road just east of Hadley Road will be demolished within the next few weeks.
The Baptist Church of Hadley purchased the home and property in 2000. Area resident and Baptist Church of Hadley member Neil Reiche researched the history of the home.
‘It appears the home was built in the early 1880s by Herbert and Adelma Pelton,? he said. ‘Shortly thereafter, a small barn was located behind the home. Sometime in the early years the 16-foot extension was added to the north end of the house.?
The old home was offered to Crossroads Village, an authentic Great Lakes town, from the turn of the last century, with more than 34 historic structures located in Flint.
‘The home has no real historical significance,? said Reiche. ‘The cost and distance to move the old house is just too much, so Crossroads declined. Due to the age of the structure and amount of asbestos used in the construction it just is not worth saving anymore.?
While the history of the home is limited, the property has a close connection to the Baptist Church of Hadley.
‘The first owner of the property where the home was built was Abraham and Mary Tunison,? said Reiche.
Individuals gathered for worship in Tunison’s log cabin somewhere near the site of the old home in 1838. Then construction on the first church building began in 1852 and was dedicated in 1854. The structure was razed in 1995.
‘After that ten others owned the property or part of it where the home is located,? added Reiche.
‘The old field stones, which are covered with brick, are still in the foundation. It’s just one of the oldest homes in the village. In exploring the diary of any older home, one learns to appreciate that a house is more than just an assembly of lumber, nails and door knobs. More, importantly, within its frame was a safe haven for families that have come and gone.?