This is one of the most unusual and seemingly misleading historical sites that you will find in Detroit. When you first see it, you may think that your misread your map.
James Smith established a farm in this area and built a small one-and-one-half-story log cabin, perhaps as early as 1830, and certainly no later than 1850. His log cabin is what you see, but you probably will not recognize it, even if you walk close to it. At first, glance, it looks like an inexpensive post-World War II infill house built much too close to the neighboring buildings. This is because the original log cabin was greatly altered over the decades. No traces of the logs are visible. A bay was removed and a rather mediocre porch was added. The logs were covered in the aluminum siding that you see. If you look closely at this home, you may see one indication of its age. The chimney looks as though it was constructed casually, using homemade bricks by someone who did not consult any expert and who certainly did not worry about Detroit's inspectors. Shortly after the Civil War, modern bricks came into style. This is, I believe, one of two log cabins still standing in Detroit. The other was the very upscale summer home of Senator Thomas Palmer designed in 1885 by the architects Mason and Reed. It is located in Palmer Park.
Architectural style: Log cabin used as a farm home
Builder: Presumably, James Smith
Michigan Registry of Historic Sites: P25247. Listed July 19,
1990
Michigan Historic Marker: Erected: April 16, 1991. This small marker is visible
on the pediment of the porch.