An early pioneer of Washtenaw County, James F. Royce, built this home in 1866. Royce was skilled in cabinet making and opened his own chair-making business which found much success. Royce was 61 years old when he built this house. The most striking feature of this home is its distinctive Italian qualities. The style is referred to as an "Italianate cube." Italianate cubes are characterized by their symmetrical arrangement of windows and doors, ornamental woodwork, and thin porch posts. Few changes have been made to this home over the years. The windows even have the original blown glass. After Mrs. Royce's death, the home was sold to two sisters, Harriet and Electa Knight. They were the first to rent rooms of the home to students. Since then the home has fluctuated between a rental property and single-family dwelling.