The 149-year-old Riggs Park Heritage Farm House at the corner of East Huron River Drive and Martinsville Road in Van Buren Township was demolished Monday morning, Oct. 10.
The house was built in 1867 by Loren Riggs, a member of the pioneer Riggs family. On Thanksgiving 2013 the barn behind the house burned and the $30,000 Van Buren Township got in insurance money is being used to demolish the house.
The house was part of VBT’s Riggs Park property, donated as part of a deal for the adjoining Country Walk subdivision.
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9 Comments
Weather
It’s such a shame that VBT allowed this historic home to be neglected and vacant for so many years. If they didn’t want to take care of it why didn’t they donate it to a worthy cause that would have realized its worth? The Belleville Area Council for the Arts is a perfect group that could have held their meetings and their events at this house and they would have taken care of it.
Furious! No one from the vb board will ever get my vote. This is sheer incompetence and financial irresponsibility.
Does anyone have photos or information on the 15205 Haggerty Road farm house. Looking for info in house and family:). I have a copy of water under the bridge…but would like more pics and info on the Riggs. Hiram and Joy. Dunham was there father.
Thank you!!
I am Loren Riggs’ daughter. I have the book also, and have done much of the genealogy on the Riggs family. I am broken hearted to hear of the demolition of the house. April, contact me for more info. Lori
Hi Lori, my relative Julia Chrouch was married to Dunham Riggs. Wondering if Dunham was married before Julia? I have my tree on familysearch.org and there is a photo of Dunham. What book are you talking about?
Sarah
it’s called Water Under the Bridge. Originally written for Bellevilles Bi-Centenial. You can still order a copy through the Belleville Museum. It has a TON of Riggs information since we were original pioneers in the area.
I would love to know more history and see picture of this farm. It sounds like a dream.
Would love to see any pics and know more of the history.
April, I googled the address, and the farm house comes up. I tried to copy it for you but was unable to do so. good luck!