Interior of the Michigan Mansion, built in 1916 by the founder of Consumers Energy

Like most historic downtowns and residential areas in Michigan, other towns have many old homes with a rich history. Jackson is one of them. In its heyday, Jackson was a center of automotive and industrial ingenuity and a magnet for some of the wealthiest and most powerful people in the state.

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One family that called Jackson home were the Footes, William and James, founders of Consumers Energy and Foote Hospital (now Henry Ford Jackson Hospital). James B. Foote, who had already brought electricity to downtown Jackson, settled into 735 W Washington Avenue, a mansion that still stands today, retaining its classic 1916 colonial charm.

Interior view of James B. Foote’s 1916 mansion in Jackson, Michigan

I remember driving down Washington Avenue in Jackson, Michigan as a child and imagining what it would be like to live in one of the classic colonial homes that line it. My mother always reminded me, “Houses like that are great until you have to clean them.” As I got older, I realized that if I could afford a big house, I could afford to have someone clean it, too.

Looking for a new home or a real estate investment? Good news: This piece of Jackson’s history is currently for sale and available to tour courtesy of The Brokerage House. Let’s take a look at the attention to detail and pride in craftsmanship you’ll see when touring the home of Consumers Energy co-founder James B. Foote, built in 1916 in Jackson, Michigan.