Last week we visited 35 McKinley Place, a stately home completed by the renowned architects Chittenden and Kotting in 1909, for Detroit millionaire and philanthropist David Gray.

This week, its Christmas Eve so we thought it would be fun to bring you a festive themed post as we explore Eleanor Ford’s Christmas decorations at her grand home on Gaukler Pointe.

In December 1929, Edsel and Eleanor Ford moved into their magnificent estate at 1100 Lake Shore Drive, designed by Albert Kahn. Construction of the sixty-room house began in 1926 and took three years to complete – one year for the house, and two years to custom fit the numerous antique interior elements the Ford’s had sourced from all over the world. They had hired the best designer’s…

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Last week we presented the history of another lost estate, 421 Lake Shore. Completed in 1914, this sublime home was designed by Chittenden and Kotting for Lieutenant Colonel Jessie Brooks Nichols. It was razed during the 1950’s.

This week we stay with the work of Chittenden and Kotting as we visit 35 McKinley Place, a stately home completed by the firm in 1909, for Detroit millionaire and philanthropist David Gray. Image (above and below) courtesy of: The American Architect (February 1917)

Chittenden and Kotting first began working together in 1903.Both men had reputations as incredibly skilled designers. Alpheus Chittenden is credited with designing the Detroit Boat Club on Belle Isle, and the Detroit Stove Works plant, along with many…

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Last week we reviewed the story of Henry Shelden and his stunning “Deeplands” property. Completed in 1911, the grand estate was located at 525 Lake Shore. It was razed in 1947.

This week we stay on Lake Shore to present the history of another lost estate, 421 Lake Shore. Completed in 1914, this sublime home was designed by Alpheus Chittenden and Charles Kotting for capitalist and prominent clubman Lieutenant Colonel Jessie Brooks Nichols. It was razed during the 1950’s. 

421 Lakeshore, “The Cedars” was an immense 20,000 sq ft mansion. It was situated on around 8 acres, that stretched all the way from Lake Shore to Kercheval. The grounds had 300 feet of frontage on both Jefferson and Grosse Pointe Boulevard with a depth of around 1,150 feet. The…

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Last week we explored the history of 1008 Buckingham, a magnificent home designed by Louis Kamper. It was completed in 1921-1922 for Kurt Kling, a prominent figure in Detroit and the P. H. Kling Brewing Company.

Over the past few weeks, we have presented the history of several prominent figures and the grand estates they commissioned, including William Crowley, Herbert V. Book, and Kurt Kling. This week we continue the theme as we explore the home of Henry Shelden and his stunning “Deeplands” property, razed in 1947.

 Henry Dusenbury Shelden was a Detroit industrialist who was born in Portville, N.Y on 17 June 1862. He attended Yale College, where he studied law. Upon graduation he was admitted to the Michigan bar in 1887. That same year he…

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