This is the Leeman Ranch, built by my grandparents Fred and Mary Jane (Riker) Leeman in 1973. This land is part of the farm for which Dr John Riker trader a building in Pontiac, late 1890s/early 1900. Dahue Riker, eldest son of John, had a large apple orchard in the 20s-60s. After this house was built, Dahue Riker and Son in law Fred Leeman planted over 300 dwarf apple trees, in a espalier trellis fashion. Many on the trees are shown, and still remain today. The pool shown in the photo is no longer. The side rusted, and the pressure of 20,000 gallons of water ripped through the lining - sending a rushing tidal wave right down the driveway! Thankfully no one was in the pool or on the driveway at the time!

Leeman family (Riker Descendants) still live this location. The descendants gather together each fall to pick apples and hand-press apple cider.

*In the early days (around 1900) the Rikers moved out to the farm in the summer, bringing the entire family and entourage (help). They camped in a very large canvas tent. This was eventually replaced with "the shack." The stone fireplace (and matching pillars at the end of the driveway) were built by a Dexter area stonemason, as payment for services from Dr. Riker. When the shack was replaced with this home, the massive stone fireplace was shored up, the shack torn down, and the home shown was built around the fireplace!