It took two years to reverse 175 years of wear on the Stickney McCord home and barn off Pine Knob Road.
‘It was a long two years,? said Sam Moraco of Independence Township, whose company Muraca Building restored the home, the oldest in the Clarkston area.
‘We saved another landmark,? he said.
Moraco held an open house last weekend, inviting members of the community and township board who had toured the house before it was restored to compare to the finished model.
‘He’s (Sam Moraco) actually given a gift to our community. This is actually priceless become someone else would have bulldozed it,? said Sharyn Hill. ‘This is what Clarkston is all about.?
According to Moraco, the house had originally been given to the township with the idea of it being restored for historical purposes, but they had never come up with the money or a plan to save it.
When the house got to the point where the township was considering tearing it down, Moraco suggested the township sell it to a third party. If they had it as their own, they would possibly restore it.
He made an offer himself to the township ? if they would sell it, he would restore it. After two years of legalities, the house was put up for bid and Moraco paid $5 for the house with the intent that he would restore the exterior structures.
‘I needed every dime I had to restore it,? said Moraco. ‘If I would have had to give any significant amount to them (the township) it would have been stripping it from the project.?
Moraco said the house had been abandoned for 10 years before he started the restoration process. According to the township, the original five-room house was built in 1832 and editions were added up to 1929.
‘I try to keep it original as possible and still up to code,? said Moraco. ‘It’s as modern as it can be with all technology hidden.?
The house includes original 1832 wood floors that were repainted, original 1924 stainless steel tub that was restored, a fireplace built out of stones that were dug up from the old farm, and a stone well.
‘It’s got such character,? said Rochelle Pinner while admiring the house.
Moraco’s mother Sandra is extremely proud of her son.
‘I am very proud, he has the ability to visualize the potential of what the house could be to restore it to its original glory,? she said.
He and his wife Kelly and two daughters Maggie, 13 and Maira, 7 will be moving into the house in September.
‘I’m very excited, the kids are very excited. We are ready to move in; we’re ready to be home,? said Kelly. ‘It feels very homey to me.?
Kelly did her fair share of helping on the project, she spent an entire summer sewing window treatments and a quilt to bring about that homey charm. Both the quilt and window treatments were made with material and designs seen during the days of the Civil War.
‘It’s Magnificent,? said Trustee Larry Rosso. ‘The renovation work was absolutely outstanding.?
‘I think a lot of people were thoroughly impressed as they walked through, said Treasurer Jim Wenger.
‘I appreciated seeing pictures that Sam had taken prior to the room and what it is now and leaving some of the integrity of the building.?
Moraco said the open house was a good turn out, even people from Birmingham and Bloomfield showed up to take a tour.
‘It was a success,? he said. ‘People were very appreciative that they got the opportunity to view it.?