Last we explored a rather splendid home, 70 Vendome. Located on one of the most prestigious streets in Grosse Pointe Farms, it was designed by prolific local architect Robert O. Derrick in 1929, for Frank E. Price.

This week we review the work of architect Charles Kellogg Backus. While Mr. Backus only designed a few homes during a short career that was tragically cut short, he did create one of Grosse Pointe’s most unique buildings, the Unitarian Church, located at 17150 Maumee in Grosse Pointe City. This stunning structure was completed in 1964-1965. Images courtesy of: Katie Doelle.

Charles Kellogg Backus was the son of Standish Backus who was a lawyer, engineer, general counsel for General Motors, and president of the Burroughs Adding…

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Last week we presented the history of 257 Ridge Road, a stunning Tudor style residence designed by architectural legend Albert Kahn. It was completed in 1928-1929 for Jerome Hosmer Remick whose company was one of the largest publishers of sheet music in the world.

This week we answer a request from another of our readers, Paul, who contacted us to research a rather splendid home, 70 Vendome. Located on one of the most prestigious streets in Grosse Pointe Farms, it was designed by prolific local architect Robert O. Derrick in 1929, for Frank E. Price.

Paul informed us, during the 1980’s, when he was in high school and part of college, he worked for a landscape services company in Grosse Pointe. During his time with the company, he saw some…

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Last week we explored 16805 Maumee (formerly 514 Cadieux). This pretty English Cottage style home was completed in 1922 by Charles Crombie for Charles B. Crause. The current owner has lived there for over 50 years.

This week we head to 257 Ridge Road to explore a stunning Tudor style residence designed by architectural legend Albert Kahn. It was completed in 1928-1929 for Jerome Hosmer Remick whose company was one of the largest publishers of sheet music in the world.

257 Ridge Road (original address was 245 Ridge Road) is a magnificent 9,346 sq ft residence constructed of limestone and brick with a slate roof. From our files the cost to build the home in 1928 was $121,571.54 plus $8,774 for an addition to the library. The total was a whopping…

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Last week we explored 40 Oxford Road. Completed in 1934, this stunning property was designed by Detroit based architects Herman & Simons for Charles F. Becker. Part of the post was a recollection of memories from Doug Milligan from the time he spent in the house, published with Jeff's permission.

This week we answer a request from one of our readers - Bob Louwers contacted us to research the history of his home, 16805 Maumee (formerly 514 Cadieux). Bob has resided in the house for over 50 years, having purchased the home in February 1972.

16805 Maumee was completed in 1922, for Charles B. Crause. Our files have Charles Crombie listed as the architect. The 2,943 sq ft home (the original size is not known) is situated on a 135’ square double lot…

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Last week we presented the history of the area known as Fox Creek. Situated close to Windmill Pointe the creek has an important and historic past, not only as an integral waterway but also as the home to an historic marker commemorating the Fox Indian Massacre.

This week we head to 40 Oxford Road. Completed in 1934, this stunning property was designed by Detroit based architects Herman & Simons for Charles F. Becker.

We first explored this home in 2022. However, we were recently contacted by Doug Milligan, who asked if we could make a few updates to the post. Well, we were happy to do that, and Doug kindly sent us some interesting details to add to the post - the article shares some of the fond memories Doug has about the home. The info from…

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Last week we presented the history of the Detroit Garden Center’s Garden Pilgrimage Tour, an annual event that began around 1935. Magnificent gardens around Metro Detroit were part of the program including a significant number in Grosse Pointe.

This week we stay with the theme of outdoor spaces as we head to Fox Creek to share the story of this historic area and the project that is currently underway to improve the space where the historic marker is located with new landscaping after it had become terribly overgrown.

The Fox Creek
The area known as Fox Creek is situated close to Windmill Pointe. The creek helps connect the area in Grosse Pointe Park with the Milk River in Grosse Pointe Shores via the Black Marsh Ditch that extends for miles…

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Last week we concluded our two-part series on John L. Pottle, one of Grosse Pointe’s most prolific architects. He designed a significant number of homes and several commercial buildings throughout the community during the 1940’s-1960’s.

This week, with summer drawing to a close, we would like to take the opportunity to present the history of the Detroit Garden Center’s Garden Pilgrimage Tour, an annual tour that began around 1935. Landscape design in Grosse Pointe has always been an important feature of many homes. Not only were nationally renowned landscape designers hired, but plants and decorative items were sourced from all over the world.

It is possible the event stemmed from a Garden Pilgrimage that was held in Grosse Pointe in the early…

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Last week we began a two-part series on some of the projects completed by one of Grosse Pointe’s most prolific architects John L. Pottle. During the 1940’s-1960’s, Mr. Pottle designed homes and commercial buildings in an array of architectural styles throughout Grosse Pointe.

This week, in part 2 we will feature some of the commercial spaces Mr. Pottle designed during the 1940’s-1960’s, some of which could certainly be described as ahead of their time.


Arguably one of the more striking buildings John Pottle created was 70-72-74 Kercheval, located on The Hill. The commercial space was completed in 1946. The new building became the location for real estate firm Toles & Chalmers, the Junior League Shop, and for Marice Wood (an exclusive…

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Last week we explored 105 Lake Shore, part of the subdivision of the former Newberry Estate that is also the location of Warner Road, 95 Lake Shore.

This week we begin a two-part series on some of the projects completed by one of Grosse Pointe’s most prolific architects John L. Pottle. Mr. Pottle designed multiple homes and several commercial buildings throughout Grosse Pointe during the 1940’s-1960’s. In Part 1 we will feature five homes designed by Mr. Pottle. Part 2 will explore several commercial spaces he designed during the mid-to late 1940’s some of which could certainly be described as ahead of their time.

John Lockyer Pottle was born in Detroit, on January 3, 1910. Having graduated from University of Michigan in 1931, he began his…

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Last week we presented the 82-year history of one of the oldest estates in Grosse Pointe. It appears the first residence on the land dates to 1875, when “Lake Terrace”, a summer cottage, was completed for Congressman John Stoughton Newberry Sr. It was designed by Gordon W. Lloyd. In 1911, his son John S. Newberry Jr. commissioned a new home on the property - 99 Lake Shore - a sprawling estate that was razed in 1987.

This week we continue the story of the former Newberry estate, with the homes that were built on the subdivided land, including 105 Lake Shore - a superb Georgian Colonial residence.

After 99 Lake Shore was reduced to a hole in the ground in just 90 days, the huge piece of land where the estate was once located sat empty for close to…

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