Historic Cody house in Pittsfield Township becomes movie set next week
The historic Cody house in Pittsfield Township is being used for filming this week.
David Wak | For AnnArbor.com
The fate of the historic Cody house in Pittsfield Township has been the subject of much discussion over the last year, mostly centering on whether it makes financial sense to move and preserve it - and possibly turn it into a historical museum.
But next week, the house will serve an entirely different purpose as a movie set for "Cedar Rapids," starring John C. Reilly, Anne Heche, and Ed Helms ("The Office"). Wednesday, Nov. 11 through Friday, Nov. 13, director Miguel Arteta - who also filmed "Youth In Revolt" in Ann Arbor last year - will be there with a crew from the company Northland Productions to shoot some scenes.
The movie was originally set to be filmed in Iowa, but moved production to Michigan after Iowa suspended its film tax incentive in mid-September. Scenes also were shot in downtown Ann Arbor this week.
Pittsfield Township Supervisor Mandy Grewal said it's the first major film production in the township - but she hopes it will be only be the beginning for filmmakers coming to Pittsfield.
"We're very excited it happened here," Grewal said.
Grewal said the production company approached the township Oct. 27 to discuss using the property, but there were a few snags at first. She said the company wanted the township to completely shut down Textile Road for the filming, but the township wouldn't agree because of the large volume of traffic on the road.
In the end, they compromised - only the westbound lane is being closed from 5 p.m. to 7 a.m. from next Wednesday through Saturday night. At the very latest, she said filming will wrap up by noon on Sunday, Nov. 14.Grewal said she also checked with local residents first to see how they felt about the filming and partial road shutdown, and the feedback was positive overall.
Pittsfield Deputy Police Director Gordy Schick said the township will provide three police officers as security for the film crew during the three nights of shooting. The township will be compensated for the costs of the officers, Grewal said.
The historic Greek Revival house is located on Textile Road near State Street. It was built in the 19th century by the Cody family, Pittsfield Township pioneers and cousins of wild west showman Buffalo Bill Cody. Historical records show the more famous Cody visited the house on occasion.
But the house is located on private land, and the owners have asked the township to either buy the house and move it or it will be demolished. The township's previous board voted 4-2 to move the house to the Pittsfield Preserve for $63,000, but the incoming board reversed the decision after taking office last fall.
Grewal said historic preservation is important to the township, but the board needed to find a less expensive way to relocate it. She said she's meeting with the township historical commission on Jan. 15 to discuss a solution.
David Wak is a freelance writer for AnnArbor.com. Reach the news desk at news@annarbor.com or 734-623-2530.
Comments
beatnix
Wed, Nov 11, 2009 : 8:59 p.m.
they hired scabs for that movie
dave
Fri, Nov 6, 2009 : 1:04 p.m.
If anyone is looking for filming information check out http://www.beforethetrailer.com/2009/11/cedar-rapids-and-trust-movies-filming-in-ann-arbor/ for filming location updates. if you have information feel free to share
TripleVSix
Fri, Nov 6, 2009 : 11:34 a.m.
"The movie was originally set to be filmed in Iowa, but moved production to Michigan after Iowa suspended its film tax incentive in mid-September." I wonder if any of the reduce-the-film-tax-breaks people in Lansing are paying attention to this cause-and-effect scenario.
treetowncartel
Fri, Nov 6, 2009 : 11:06 a.m.
Dading, it could be either or, I know that there was a rooming house or hotel above Aubrees back in the day. I'm sure there were others in the area too. What a concept, a place to crash after a night at the bar. I wonder if they had stables for your horse to bed down in too. Ed's piece on Pinball was great, maybe he can do the Commander Cody story.
dading dont delete me bro
Fri, Nov 6, 2009 : 10:47 a.m.
@treetowncartel, i think it was on aubree's side of cross street, but at the west end of that 'strip'. that upstairs has a theater type room in it at one time. as for the story, why not? i see the snews is up to posting the same story, not once, not twice, but three or four times to take up space.
treetowncartel
Fri, Nov 6, 2009 : 9:53 a.m.
That was most likely Oliver's Alibi dading, which is now Aubree's. Any chance of AnnArbor.com doing a story on Commander Cody? I mean if there was a piece on Gemini Dream certainly Commander Cody is worthy of a little time and effort.
dading dont delete me bro
Fri, Nov 6, 2009 : 9:33 a.m.
i was thinking that too, that the movie people $$ could be put to use by moving it...but that probably makes too much sense and won't happen. there are stories(?) of wild bill cody getting off the train in ypsilanti's depot town and riding his horse to the home. he'd stay there when he was booked for shows in the upstairs of one of the depot town buildings.
Larry Kestenbaum
Fri, Nov 6, 2009 : 8:10 a.m.
I'm guessing that the moviemakers will come up with enough money to move the house. $63,000 is small change for them.
a2huron
Thu, Nov 5, 2009 : 10 p.m.
Perhaps, but who is to say that they were related directly? I'm just saying, but if a Washington lived there, did they happen to be related to George? That's my point.
tommy_t
Thu, Nov 5, 2009 : 9:34 p.m.
No, they were real Cody's that lived there. I was at an estate/garage sale there and they had many real Cody family documents and books.
a2huron
Thu, Nov 5, 2009 : 8:15 p.m.
I bet it is just an urban legend. Who could reasonably prove it one way or another, and what if Cody happened to visit many houses during his travels? Are they all historic, too?
treetowncartel
Thu, Nov 5, 2009 : 4:33 p.m.
Any idea whther Commander Cody ever visited?