Click above images to enlarge Born, Engelbert B., House 128 Hill Street, Allegan - Allegan County Property Type frame house Historic Use DOMESTIC/single dwelling Current Use DOMESTIC/single dwelling Style Italianate Late Victorian Narrative Description The two-story, L-shaped, Italianate Englebert Born House, situated an a large, hill-top lot populated with mature trees, remains largely unchanged since its construction in 1863. The frame house has clapboard siding with paneled pilasters at the corners and rests on a masonry foundation. Its low pitched, hipped roofs have widely overhanging eaves with decorative paired brackets, elements typical of the Italianate style, as are the cupola and tall, narrow windows with segmental arched crowns. Statement of Significance The Englebert Born House is significant as the one time residence of Englebert Born, the founder of the Allegan Wagon and Carriage Factory in 1854. Mr. Born arrived in the United States from Nassau, Germany in 1852. His firm played an important part in the local economy and it later expanded to three large buildings. The business prospered, despite three destructive fires, until the rise of the automobile. Englebert Born's home, indicative of his prosperity, reflects the popularity of the Italianate style in growing Midwest towns such as Allegan between the years 1850 and 1880. The house is currently privately owned. Period of Significance 1826-1865 Significant Date(s) Built 1863 Registry Type(s) 03/12/1987 National Register listed Site ID# P22448