Frank Murphy Birthplace


The Frank Murphy Birthplace, located at 142 S. Huron St. in Harbor Beach, Michigan, is the birthplace of U.S. Supreme Court justice and Michigan governor Frank Murphy. The house was added to the National Register of Historic Places on September 22, 1971. The City of Harbor Beach operates the Frank Murphy Memorial Museum in the home.

History

This house was owned by John F. Murphy, Frank's father, who used one wing of it as a law office. Frank Murphy was born in the home on April 13, 1890. The family later moved into a larger house next door, which is also part of the Frank Murphy Memorial Museum.

Description

The house is a 1 ½-story frame building with clapboard siding and a gable roof. The upper windows are double-hung, six-over-six units. A small, single-story wing is attached to the side, which was used as a law office by John F. Murphy, Frank's father. The interior has a simple four-room layout, and contains a number of furnishings originally owner by the Murphy family.