Michael Kaufman Hus

The Michael Kaufman Hus was likely built before 1859 by John Illies, then sold to John Vance. Kaufman bought the house in 1873. 

Kaufman (also Kauffmann) was born in Wittelsheim, Alsace, on March 13, 1835, and died in Idlewild on June 23, 1899. He married Mary Anne Gross in Castroville. She had come from France when she was 4 years old.

The Kaufmans had eight children: Joe, Philomena, Angelina, Matilda, Henry, Katy, Ida and Mary. The house was used as their Sunday House when  Kauffmann and his family visited Castroville to attend hurch. In recent times, the house is used as the home and offices of the Landmark Inn State Historic Site.

The house is a nearly square one-story home built in the Alsatian pioneer vernacular with the saltbox addition. The front facade includes a single wooden door in the center with a transom, and a 3-foot by 4-foot double-hung window on either side. The placement of the door and windows is original but material has been replaced. In addition to a PCH marker on the porch, the house has a marker with the historic name “c.1873 Michael Kaufman Hus.”

Stucco covers the entirety of the front facade. The left side facade has exposed limestone. The gabled roof can be viewed from this angle with the saltbox. There is a single double-hung window that is in its original location, and two visible chimneys. 

The right side facade also bears the exposed limestone with two double-hung windows, which are likely in their original location with material replaced.

To the right of the house, there is a detached carport/garage added to the primary structure and a driveway paved with red brick.

A modern addition has been added to the back of the house with a small hallway connecting the two structures.