The Wedding Cake House: Vassar, Michigan's Architectural Wonder

The Wedding Cake House, also known as the Richard C. Burtis House, is a historic site in Vassar, Michigan. Built in the late 1870s to early 1880s, the house was constructed by Richard C. Burtis, a shoemaker and local landowner, as a gift for his bride. The house has been featured on the Travel Channel show Ghost Brothers: Haunted Houseguests, where the current owners, Conrad and Jessica Dowe, discuss their experiences with seemingly paranormal activity.

The house was built in 1879 for Richard C. Burtis

In 1855, Burtis went on a hunting expedition to Michigan, and two years later, he relocated to Watrousville, Tuscola County. He worked as a shoemaker until 1862, when his brother died, and he took ownership of a general store with his sister, Sara. After seven years, Burtis became the sole owner of the store and ran it until his retirement in 1882. From 1862 to 1866, Burtis also served as the postmaster of Watrousville.

In 1868, Burtis married Flora A. Chubb of Nankin, Wayne County, Michigan. Around 1870, he purchased 40 acres of land in Watrousville and constructed a house on one of the highest points in Tuscola County. However, this original house was torn down in 1879 when construction began on the present house, now known as the Wedding Cake House. The house was completed in 1880 and served as the residence for Burtis and his wife until his death in 1901.

The Wedding Cake House is a two-story Second Empire building with intricate architecture and design. It features a mansard roof with decorative slate shingles, supported by brackets and a decorative frieze. A prominent feature of the front facade is a bay window topped by an octagonal tower. The interior of the house is just as ornate, with high-ceilinged rooms, intricate scrollwork, and a winding staircase. The house has been recognised as a Historic Site in Tuscola County, Michigan, and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.

It is a Historic Site in Tuscola County, Michigan

The Richard C. Burtis House, also known as the Wedding Cake House, is a historic site in Michigan's Tuscola County. The house was constructed between 1879 and 1880 for Richard C. Burtis, a shoemaker and local landowner, and his bride. It is located in Watrousville, Vassar, Michigan, and sits on one of the highest points in Tuscola County.

The Wedding Cake House is a two-story Second Empire building with a slate mansard roof supported by Italianate-style brackets and a multi-sided, turret-type gable. The front facade features a bay window topped by a steep octagonal tower. The house has a wooden front porch supported by delicate columns with intricate crest-like carvings, and the sash windows have hood mouldings of various types. The interior of the house is just as ornate as the exterior, with large, high-ceilinged rooms, intricate multi-coloured scrollwork, and a large fireplace made of emerald marble. The dining room floor features alternating bands of light and dark wood, and a winding mahogany staircase leads to the second storey, which contains bedrooms and servants' quarters.

Richard C. Burtis was born in Pittstown, New York, in 1824. He moved with his family to Hoosick Falls, New York, and then to Ashtabula County, Ohio, before returning to New York and settling in Troy in 1838. After learning the shoemaker's trade in Ithaca, New York, Burtis worked in various Eastern cities for 15 years. In 1855, he went to Michigan on a hunting expedition, and two years later, he relocated to Watrousville, Tuscola County, where he worked as a shoemaker until 1862. In addition to his shoemaking business, Burtis was also involved in the general store owned by his brother and sister-in-law. After his brother's death in 1862, Burtis took over the store and ran it until his retirement in 1882. He also served as the postmaster of Watrousville from 1862 to 1866.

Burtis purchased the 40-acre property in Watrousville, Vassar, around 1870 and constructed the present house after tearing down the original one in 1879. He lived in the house with his wife, Flora A. Chubb, whom he married in 1868, until his death in 1901. The house was designated a Michigan State Historic Site in 1973 and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. It has also been recognised for its architectural significance, exemplifying Second Empire architecture.

The house was featured on the TV show 'Ghost Brothers: Haunted Houseguests'

The Richard C. Burtis House, also known as the Wedding Cake House, was featured on the TV show Ghost Brothers: Haunted Houseguests. The house was built in the late 1800s for Richard C. Burtis, a shoemaker and local landowner. It is a Historic Site in Tuscola County, Michigan, and was designated a Michigan State Historic Site in 1973. It was also listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.

The Wedding Cake House was chosen as the first episode of the Ghost Brothers: Haunted Houseguests series. The episode featured three hosts, Dalen Spratt, Juwan Mass, and Marcus Harvey, as they explored strange happenings at the house. The current owners, Conrad and Jessica Dowe, believe that the house is haunted by both good and bad spirits. Jessica shared how she was seriously injured by a mirror that randomly shattered, and she expressed concern for the safety of her young son.

Juwan Mass commented on the misleading nature of the historic home, stating that "on the inside, you're dealing with some heavy energy which may be demonic." The Ghost Brothers aim to help people understand why their houses are haunted and often conduct extensive research into the history of the property. They also bring in ghost experts and mediums to assist them in their investigations.

The Wedding Cake House is a two-story Second Empire building with a mansard roof, a bay window, and a steep octagonal tower. The interior features intricate scrollwork, a large fireplace, and a winding staircase. The house is considered an excellent example of Second Empire architecture and has rich ornamentation throughout.

Current owners believe the house is haunted by both good and bad spirits

The Richard C. Burtis House, also known as the Wedding Cake House, is a historic site in Vassar, Michigan. The house was built from 1879 to 1880 for Richard C. Burtis, a shoemaker and local landowner. The house features intricate Second Empire architecture, including a mansard roof with decorative slate shingles and a steep octagonal tower.

Current owners Conrad and Jessica Dowe believe the house is haunted by both good and bad spirits. In an episode of the Travel Channel show "Ghost Brothers: Haunted Houseguests", the couple shared their experiences with the paranormal activity within the house. Jessica revealed that she was once seriously injured by a mirror that randomly shattered, raising concerns for the safety of their young son.

During their investigation, the "Ghost Brothers" delved into the history of the property, examining housing records and land reports to understand the potential sources of the supernatural occurrences. They also brought in ghost experts and mediums to assist in their efforts to help the Dowes make their dream home safe again.

The Wedding Cake House has a long history, with Burtis and his wife residing there until his death in 1901. The house then changed hands several times, with various families calling it home over the years. Despite its beauty and historic significance, the house has gained a reputation for its paranormal activity, attracting the attention of ghost hunters and enthusiasts alike.

The house's unique architecture and rumoured hauntings have made it a notable landmark in Vassar, Michigan. Its appearance on the Travel Channel has only added to its intrigue, drawing in those curious about the supernatural and those fascinated by historic architecture.

The house includes an original carriage house

The Wedding Cake House, also known as the Richard C. Burtis House, includes an original carriage house. The house was built in 1879 for Richard C. Burtis, a shoemaker and local landowner, and his bride, Flora A. Chubb, whom he married in 1868. The house is located in Vassar, Michigan, about 100 miles north of Detroit near Frankenmuth. It is a Historic Site in Tuscola County, Michigan, and was designated as such on November 15, 1973. The house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on June 26, 1975.

The Wedding Cake House earned its nickname from the locals due to its intricate design and ornamentation. The two-story Second Empire building features a decorative frieze supporting a mansard roof with decorative slate shingles. The front facade is dominated by a bay window topped by a steep octagonal tower. The interior of the house is just as ornate, with large, high-ceilinged rooms featuring intricate, multicoloured scrollwork and a large fireplace made of emerald marble. The dining room floor boasts alternate bands of light and dark woods, and a mahogany winding staircase leads to the second story, which contains bedrooms and servants' quarters.

Richard C. Burtis purchased 40 acres of land at this site in Watrousville, Vassar, around 1870. He constructed the present house on this site, one of the highest points in Tuscola County, after tearing down the original house in 1879. The house remained in the family until Burtis's death in 1901, after which it was sold to Byron Cole. The current owners, Conrad and Jessica Dowe, have reported strange occurrences and the presence of both good and bad spirits in the house.

The Wedding Cake House has gained recognition beyond its local fame, appearing on the Travel Channel show "Ghost Brothers: Haunted Houseguests." The episode featured the hosts, Dalen Spratt, Juwan Mass, and Marcus Harvey, exploring the house and its mysterious energies. The house has also been featured on other ghost-hunting shows and has become a well-known haunted attraction in Michigan.

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