Ortonville- A local business recently received state recognition for its efforts in restoring a home that is more than 150 years old.
South Street Consignment, located at 92 South St. in the village and owned by Rob and Cathy Moran, was honored by Keep Michigan Beautiful with the 2011 Beautification Award.
‘The award is given for bringing back something to add to the community instead of doing away with it,? said Cathy Moran, who applied to the KMB committee for the award.
In a letter to KMB, she explained how she and Rob, a mason by trade, had restored the home, which was originally built around 1859 by village founder Amos Orton. Many village residents still know the home as ‘the doctor’s house,? as Dr. Milton J. Uloth kept his practice there from 1901-1955.
The Morans bought the home, which was in severe disrepair, in 2005, and for the next four years, worked on it during weekends, doing all the restoration work except for electrical and drywall. It was the first time they had ever worked on a historical home.
‘We tried to restore it to its natural grandeur,? said Cathy. ‘There were two apartments and we took down the horsehair plaster and you could see where doorways and windows could have been moved… It was a learning experience.?
All the plumbing had to be upgraded, and they refinished all the original floors and repainted the doors in the 2,700 square-foot building. More than 15 gallons of paint was used on the exterior and they replaced the crumbling chimney, front steps and sidewalk.
The restored building now houses South Street Consignment and is filled with a variety of treasures from various eras.
‘It was a lot of work and we do think we rescued this structure,? said Cathy. ‘All our customers who know the house and the area compliment us on how nice it is and great it looks. We are glad to share it in the community.?