Last week we began a two-part series on the historic street of Rivard. In part 1 we gave a brief history of the Rivard family, followed by a presentation of some of the earliest homes, constructed between 1918 and 1922.

This week we conclude the series as we explore the homes constructed between 1924 – 1930.Rivard is a particularly interesting road, given the clear transition in architectural styles - from the early clapboard Colonial homes through to the English Tudor and brick residences built during the mid-late 1920’s. 

Most of the clapboard Colonial homes are located on the block between Kercheval and St. Paul. However, once you leave this block and travel further up or down Rivard it is clear the homes constructed during the latter half of…

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Last week we visited 487 Rivard, one of the finest examples of a clapboard Colonial home in Grosse Pointe. It was completed in 1919, by Esselstyn, Murphy & Hanford for Bernhard Stroh Jr., former president of the Stroh Brewery Company.

This week we stay on Rivard to begin a two-part series on this historic street. In part 1 of our series we begin with a brief history of the Rivard family, followed by an exploration of some of the earliest homes, constructed between 1918 and 1922.

As with so many of the streets in Grosse Pointe, there is a rich, and checkered past. Many of the streets are named after an historic figure who has had an influence on the area or after a prominent family who have resided in the community. Some of the streets are named…

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Last week we presented some of the work by Bailey and Middleditch who created many fine houses in Metro Detroit during the 1920’s. Bailey had a fine reputation for designing high-end, detailed Tudor Revival homes which included three on University Place and one on Rivard.

In 1928, Bailey and Middleditch designed 582 Rivard, which is a superb example of clapboard Colonial home in keeping with the style of the large homes that were being constructed on Rivard during this era. So, this week we are going to explore another fine example of a clapboard Colonial home on Rivard – number 487. This historic house was completed by Esselstyn, Murphy & Hanford for Bernhard Stroh Jr., former president of the Stroh Brewery Company.


487 Rivard was…

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Last week we stopped by 61 Moross a rather handsome English Cottage style home, completed in 1925, most likely for the legendary baseball player Ty Cobb.

This week we look at the work of one of the lesser-known architectural/building firms, Bailey & Middleditch, who designed and/or built several homes in Grosse Pointe during the late 1920’s, including at least three sublime homes on University Place.

Rufus Arthur Bailey & Leigh Middleditch was a prominent design and construction firm in Detroit. It is understood R. A. Bailey was born in Lansing on 6 May 1867. He began his architectural career by working in the office of his brother, who was a leading architect in Lansing, where he spent four years. At the age of 21 he moved to Detroit where he…

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