Last week we explored the work of Robert O. Derrick and Branson Gamber. Together they were a united force, while individually they are remembered as two very talented designers. They created several fine homes in Grosse Pointe and numerous landmark buildings in Metro Detroit.

This week we are going to focus on something completely different, a very special and exclusive interior feature that is found today in just a handful of homes in Grosse Pointe – wallcovering, by the Gracie Wallpaper Company.

Since the turn of the twentieth century Grosse Pointe has welcomed not only some of the nations most talented architects but also some of the most skilled landscape and interior designers. The latter have filled the grand estates with some of the…

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Last week we reviewed two contemporary creations by Hugh T. Keyes that have been razed. Both properties were located on Lake Shore - 707 Lake Shore was demolished during the 1990’s, and 665 Lake Shore was demolished around 2010.

This week we turn our attention to the work of Derrick and Gamber. We recently introduced some of the projects by the firm in our presentation on the schools in Grosse Pointe. Derrick and Gamber was a partnership of prolific local architect Robert O. Derrick and the highly regarded Branson Van Leer Gamber. It appears the duo began working together in the early 1930’s, receiving commissions to design schools, many stunning residences, and numerous landmark buildings in Metro Detroit.

Robert O. Derrick and Branson Gamber…

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Last week we explored one of the Modern style homes in Grosse Pointe that has been razed. 41 Lochmoor was completed in November 1936, by the multi-talented Hugh T. Keyes for Lloyd H. Buhs, secretary-treasurer of the Pfeiffer Brewing Company. It was razed during the 1990’s.

This week we continue the story with two more contemporary creations designed by Keyes that have also been lost. Both properties were located on Lake Shore - 707 Lake Shore was demolished during the 1990’s, and 665 Lake Shore was demolished around 2010.

707 Lake Shore was completed in 1938. Set on a large 176’ x 451’ sq ft lot the home was created in a Modern Colonial architectural style. The large 25’ x 18’ sq ft foyer was marble with a circular stairway that led to a sunken…

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Last week we concluded our presentation on the 30 homes Omer C. Bouschor created in Grosse Pointe. Not only was he a master of the Tudor Revival style but he also designed larger homes with individualistic architectural elements.

This week we explore one of the Modern style homes in Grosse Pointe that has been razed. 41 Lochmoor was completed in November 1936, by the multi-talented Hugh T. Keyes for Lloyd H. Buhs, secretary-treasurer of the Pfeiffer Brewing Company.

41 Lochmoor was one of the superb International style homes created by Hugh T. Keyes during the 1930’s and 1940’s. The 5,000 sq ft Buhs residence has been described as “extremely innovative for its day”, and “an outstanding example of modern architecture.” Source Architectural…

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Last week we covered the residences created by architect Omer Cecil Bouschor in Grosse Pointe between 1934 and 1939. During his career this Detroit based architect created nearly 30 homes in the community, more than many other architects.

This week we conclude our presentation with the homes Bouschor designed between 1940 and 1954. Having mainly worked in Grosse Pointe Park during the 1930’s Bouschor, in the 1940’s, began to receive more commissions in the Farms and the Shores. From the list below you will the superb range of homes he created during this period.

1940

  • 766 Berkshire

  • 103 Vendome

  • 715 Trombley

The 3,790 sq ft house is very different from Bouschor’s other projects from this era, employing strong…

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Last week we explored the work of Earl G. Meyer. During his career he was a respected and prolific architect associated with the design of school buildings in southeastern Michigan during the 1950’s.

As with so many architects who began their careers during the 1930’s, these designers contributed a significant amount of work yet haven’t received the recognition they deserve, with very little written about them. This week we continue with the theme as we introduce another fine designer Omer Cecil Bouschor. During his career this Detroit based architect created nearly 30 homes in Grosse Pointe.

The homes Omer C. Bouschor created are exquisite. With the majority under 7,000 sq ft in size, his work covered numerous architectural styles and evolved…

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Last week we went to Grosse Pointe Park to explore 1009 Yorkshire. This stunning center entrance Colonial was completed in 1936, for Clarence E. Bleicher, president of DeSoto Motors. It was one of a significant number of homes constructed for prominent figures, during what was a remarkable period of growth in Grosse Pointe Park.

This week we are going to present the work of architect Earl G. Meyer. During his career he was a respected and prolific architect associated with the design of school buildings in southeastern Michigan. We recently featured the four projects he completed for the Grosse Pointe Public School System during the 1950’s, created in a modern architectural approach one would associate with this era. Images courtesy of The Detroit…

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Last week we concluded our two-part series on how the schools in Grosse Pointe got their names. The schools in Grosse Pointe have, and always will, play a significant part in the community. Not only were they designed by noted architects, but their names pay homage to the incredible individuals who helped shape the educational system we know today.

This week we head to Grosse Pointe Park to explore 1009 Yorkshire. This stunning center entrance Colonial was completed in 1936, for Clarence E. Bleicher, president of DeSoto Motors. 

1009 Yorkshire is typical of the larger family homes that were constructed in Grosse Pointe during the 1920’s and 1930’s. They were created for prominent businessmen and were generally designed by an established…

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Last week we began a two-part series on how the schools in Grosse Pointe got their names. This informative post revealed the prominent educational figures whose names live on through our schools.

This week, with so many interesting historical figures and schools to cover, we continue our presentation as we conclude our series which has explored the history of some of Grosse Pointe’s schools.

Lewis Maire
Lewis Maire was a board member of the Grosse Pointe Board of Education from 1925 to 1928, serving as president for part of the year in 1927. He was also a prominent ophthalmologist who was on the Grosse Pointe Board of Health as well as the Village Board of Supervisors.

Lewis Maire Elementary School was completed in 1936, designed by Detroit…

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Last week we began our three-part series on the history of some of the schools in Grosse Pointe with a presentation about Kerby Elementary School. Kerby is one of the oldest schools in the community, the origins of the school date to around 1886, when it was a one-room wooden schoolhouse. Over the years Kerby has changed significantly, it is now located in its third building, completed in 1948 – 1950.

This week we continue the series as we explore how some of the schools got their names. Many of the schools were named after a prominent member of Grosse Pointe, or the State, who had made an important contribution to the community, mainly in the field of education.

Robert Trombley (closed in 2020)
The school was named after Robert Trombly, a…

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