Location Information
(for the Clark-Reinke House)
Name:Clark-Reinke House
Address:525 Porter Avenue
City/County:Ocean Springs, Jackson County
Architectural Information
Construction Date:c.1910
No. of Stories:2.5
Registration Information
NR District Name:Old Ocean Springs (Boundary Increase) (2014)
    NR Status:Contributing
    Element No.:244
Context/Comments
This house is an excellent example of a vernacular Queen Anne residence that was constructed at the zenith of Ocean Springs' popularity as a resort destination.
Brief Description
2.5-story, frame, two-bay-wide (w-d) front-gable Queen Anne Vernacular residence with a gable entry porch supported by Doric columns. Bay 2 is a 5-light diamond motif panel over 2-panel door with 6-light sidelights. Windows are 1/1 wood double-hung-sash some with working shutters. Features include a pented gable, coursed fishscale and square shingles with diamond motifs, and scrolled faux truss work. The house has a brick and concrete block pier foundation, aluminum siding, and an asphalt shingle roof. A gable porch extends from the left (east) side. A hip roof two-story addition and a one-story shed-roof addition have been appended to the rear.
Historic Information
This house was constructed for Col. Newcomb Clark (1840- ), who retired to Ocean Springs from Bay City, MI. Col. Clark is noteworthy for having commanded Michigan's only African-American unit as a Lieutenant. He later became the first Mayor of Wenona, MI, an early hamlet that is now West Bay City. Mr. Clark later served as assessor and recorder for Wenona, and held the office of Postmaster from 1866-1870. In 1882, Mr. Clark was elected to the Michigan State Legislature for the 2nd District of Bay County. In the early 1890's, Col. Clark and his wife relocated to Ocean Springs where they were active as real estate speculators. In their declining years, they were cared for William J. Engbarth, who was bequeathed this house as a gesture of appreciation.