Old 'Salt Box House' - a victim of progress

By Rhonda Westfall

It took 20 years longer than its owners had predicted, but the old 'Salt Box House' met its fate a few weeks back - demolished for eventual highway construction along the North US-27 corridor.

The Michigan Department of Transportation acquired the property - and the house that stood on the southwest corner of French Road and US-27.

Although MDOT officials say there are no design plans at the present time for work that will transform the stretch of US-27 between St. Johns and Ithaca into a limited access freeway, acquisition of property is taking place - and buildings like the Salt Box House are being razed.

Ironically, the well-known former owner of the house foretold its fate while composing one of the many articles she wrote for the 1980 History of Clinton County.

"At this writing," Hila Bross stated in her family history piece, "the old house is scheduled for demolition or relocation if a proposed highway goes through."

Hila and her husband, Dr. H. Manning Bross, were a respected and well-known couple in and around the St. Johns area for many years. They lived in St. Johns, and in later years, on the farm in Greenbush Township which his parents, Hiram and Clara Bross, had purchased in 1932.

The house itself was built in 1849 by Adam Richmond and his son, Harmon L., who came from New York. It was always known as the Salt Box House, due to its construction of mortise with tenon joints - and sapling trees for uprights.

On Christmas Day 1953, the Brosses opened a tea-room type restaurant in their home at French's Corners. It operated until 1964, after which it continued to be used as a private residence.

The Bross family is well documented in the 1980 History. S. Decatur Bross, came to Clinton County in 1879 and was the first rural mail carrier in the county. His 27-mile route that began in December 1899 included stops at 1,125 residences.

Hila was the librarian at Bement Library from 1965 to 1976, and over the years, served as a correspondent for the Clinton County Republican News. She helped reorganize the Clinton County Historical Society in 1974, serving as its temporary secretary, and was an active member of the Clinton County Bicentennial Committee that initiated a host of activities throughout 1976.

Hila passed away in 1982 - Dr. Bross preceded her in death in 1979.