What does the future hold for the Cody Farmstead located at 670 Textile Road? The white, Greek Revival farmhouse is one of the oldest structures in Pittsfield, and home to relatives of Buffalo Bill Cody, according to local history. The house and large barns can be seen at www.ewashtenaw.org (select “Historic Preservation” under Quick Links, then visit the Greek Revival and Barns “Heritage Tours” to see photos.).
For many years the house had been rented and the land farmed by others, while the property was marketed for development as a Business Park. The current owners no longer wish to retain any of the buildings, and have applied for a demolition permit. The Township has a strong interest in preserving historically significant structures, so our elected officials and members of the Historical Commission and Historical Society met with the attorney for the current owners, who have, for now, agreed to delay the demolition.
Your township officials would like to hear your thoughts on preserving these historic structures. The Township has obtained quotes for moving the Cody farmhouse to the Pittsfield Preserve on Morgan Road, near Thomas Road. However, before committing funds to the project, the Board of Trustees wishes to know whether residents support this project. Please contact Treasurer Christina Lirones at lironesc@pittsfieldtwp.org by May 1, 2008 to let us know if we should “Move It Or Lose It.” If there is support, the Township can seek grants and other funds, as well as committing Township funds, to move it. If not, the owners wish to pursue its demolition through a training burn for our firefighters. What do you think?
History of the Cody Farm
John Cody, a native New Yorker, came from Oswego County, NY to Pittsfield Township in 1833, several years after the death of his wife. He bought a farm in sections twenty and twenty-one from Abel Scott, which Scott had purchased from the federal government. This farm remained in the possession of the Cody family for many years.
David Cody, who was a boy of eight when the family came to Michigan, married Maria Hurd, also a native of New York. She died in 1869. A few years later he married Louise Norgate, who was born in Michigan, and who was the daughter of Stephen and Letita Norgate, immigrants from England. David and Louise had two children, William Norgate Cody and Mary. William married Katherine Burkhardt whose family came from Germany. Their children were Charles, Grant and Catherine. Catherine Cody Knicely made her home at 670 Textile, the old family home, and was the last Cody to live there.
Warren Rentschler recalls his father telling the following story: “When I worked on the farm with my dad, I remember him telling about Buffalo Bill (William Frederick Cody) coming to Ann Arbor with his Wild West Show. His cousin lived on and owned what is known as the Cody Farm on Textile Road. While he (Buffalo Bill) was in Ann Arbor, he decided to visit his cousin. He mounted his large white horse and rode across the fields jumping the fences as he went.
“I talked to Neil Bohnett and he remembers his Uncle Marion telling him that he went to the Buffalo Bill Show, located at the Washtenaw County Fair Grounds, at the age of seven. That would have been about one hundred years ago.”
Do you have personal anecdotes about the farm, or about its connection to Buffalo Bill? Let us know! Please contact the Township or a member of the Historical Society. More information on Pittsfield’s History can be found at www.pittsfieldhistory.org.
