Back to the Present
- The original Company House now sits on the grounds of the IXL Historical Museum property in Hermansville. (Terri Castelaz/Daily News photo)
- A view of the sitting room in the original Company House at the IXL Historical Museum property in Hermansville. (Terri Castelaz/Daily News photo)
- The Company House, which was first built on Oak Street in Hermansville, shown before its move in 2001. (Submitted photo)
- A view of the original location of one of the town’s “company homes” in Hermansville. The neighboring homeowner purchased the property for a garage. (Terri Castelaz/Daily News photo)

The original Company House now sits on the grounds of the IXL Historical Museum property in Hermansville. (Terri Castelaz/Daily News photo)
This week’s Back to the Present, provided by the IXL Historical Museum of Hermansville, highlights the original “Company House,” which is known as one of the oldest homes in Hermansville.
The house on Oak Street was built by Wisconsin Land & Lumber Company to rent to their employees.
“The cost to rent the house was $6 a month,” said Joan Daniels, museum volunteer.
They were sold to the employees for $600 after World War II.
Original owners Matt and Edna Perry lived in the “company house” with their three daughters in the 1920s.

A view of the sitting room in the original Company House at the IXL Historical Museum property in Hermansville. (Terri Castelaz/Daily News photo)
The home’s last owner, James Cole, formerly of Hermansville, donated it to the museum. In 2001, it was moved from Oak Street to the museum grounds, she said.
After relocating it to the property, the museum volunteers restored it to what it would have looked like around the 1920s.
The main level of the small home has a kitchen, sitting room and another small room that could have been used as a bedroom, with two bedrooms upstairs.
The “primitive facilities” are also on site near the house.
The kitchen features an old cook stove, Hoosier cabinet and metal top table.

The Company House, which was first built on Oak Street in Hermansville, shown before its move in 2001. (Submitted photo)
Along with the 1920s-style furniture pieces, other highlights of within the sitting room are Victrola record player, and the two large oval-framed photographs of Mr. and Mrs. Perry.
During that period, a water pump was shared with the neighbors, Daniels noted.
An example of the antique hand well-pump sits in front of the home on the grounds today.
After the “company house” was moved the homeowner to the left of the property purchased it to construct a garage.
The small home is part of the museum’s multi-complex facility, is open for visitors.

A view of the original location of one of the town’s "company homes" in Hermansville. The neighboring homeowner purchased the property for a garage. (Terri Castelaz/Daily News photo)
The museum will reopen for next season Memorial Day weekend. To arrange a special tour during the off season, contact 906-282-0389.
The IXL Historical Museum was organized in 1982, and the main building, also known as the Wisconsin Land & Lumber Company Office, was designated a Michigan State Historic Site in 1973 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1991.
———
Terri Castelaz can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 85241, or tcastelaz@ironmountaindailynews.com.