472 Starkweather was Built in 1892 by George Clinton Peterhans who served in Michigan’s 16th Infantry Company F along side his twin brother Christian Peterhans and who also built a home in this same area of Lower Town (Old Village) Plymouth at 615 N. Mill Street. When you read about the battles the Michigan 16th were involved in during the Civil War and the extreme hardship these soldiers encountered, it’s amazing that George and his twin brother made it back home to Plymouth in one piece and were able to enjoy their lives and their homes here in our community.
Life seemed to become much less complicated in those days and it’s interesting to read an old newspaper from the turn of the century. It was published in an old paper published on September 30, 1901 that while George was picking apples out in the orchard, he fell from an 18 foot ladder and had dislocated his elbow and sprained his wrist. George was a tough man and was able to go about his business not log after this incident.
George passed away on March 17th, 1911. Both George and his brother (John) Christian Peterhans are at rest near each other in Plymouth’s Riverside Cemetery.
This home is an example of the architect style called “Second Empire” and is distinctly different from other homes in the area. Today this home is being used for commercial purposes.
Below is a photo of George Peterhans and a photo of the home as it appeared in 2013:
PlymouthMiDiscoveries 
This home features what is most commonly called a “Mansard” roof. The idea came from France where homes were taxed at one time by the number of floors. By “hiding” the second floor behind a “roof” it was not considered a taxable space apparently.