The Evanses admit the house was in pretty rough shape when they bought it in 1970. There was no central heat and window panes were cracked and broken. They worked on it for three years before moving in, reshaping the house, but keeping it as true to form as possible. The structure is brick, solid and 15-inches thick. Inside the front door a classic central hallway leads to a walnut staircase leading to a balcony.
Carpet hides the oak plank floors in that room.
What was once a summertime kitchen in the back of the house has been turned into a library paneled with wood from an old barn that once sat on the property. It's easy to see why township officials and those who love old structures would want the place saved. The dealership's plans went through the township's planning process. Enter the Mark Leonard Building Co. of Brighton. The final deal hasn't gone through yet, but it looks promising, the Evanses said.