Martin W. Roberts House: 703 Wheaton

Italianate/Queen Anne

One of the more visually striking homes built in the Vine Neighborhood during the 1870s is the Martin W. Roberts House, located on the southwest corner of Wheaton and Oak streets. Added to the National Register of Historic Places in May of 1983, this unique blend of Italianate and Queen Anne speaks to Roberts’ creativity and skill as both designer and builder of the property. In 1886, Roberts updated his Italianate-style home, adding Queen Anne details and flourishes. Notable for its unique character, one comprised of individual touches, Roberts’ home features “jerkin-headed gable on the east side which is placed directly above the creatively arched front entranceway which is visually balanced by an unusual dormer (seemingly of Palladian inspiration) on the west side. The east elevation is more irregular incorporating yet another roofline dormer, a projecting bay and an open porch.” The rounded elements of the house are many, including entranceways and windows.

Roberts hailed from Batavia, New York, but after serving in the Civil War, he traveled west to set up his architectural firm in Kalamazoo in 1870. In addition to his home, he has been credited with the design of Fire House No. 4 (526 N. Burdick St.), the Edgar A. Crane House (324 Woodward Ave.) and the Ihling-Everard Block (251 E. Michigan Ave.). Roberts passed away in 1910, having lived at his Wheaton Street home for four decades.

Written by Ryan Gage, Kalamazoo Public Library staff, April 2024