Last week we explored one of Grosse Pointes most historic homes, the Carl and Alice Schmidt house located at 301 Lakeshore. Built in 1904, it is one of the oldest surviving year-round homes constructed in Grosse Pointe during the early 1900’s.

This week we begin a two-part series on the Grosse Pointe Memorial Church, located at 16 Lake Shore Drive. With its origins dating back to 1865, Grosse Pointe Memorial Church is a wonderful example of how Grosse Pointe has changed, evolved, and grown. The community has many wonderful churches, each one is exceptional, designed by a prestigious architect, they are steeped in history, and are an integral part of the community. Like other churches in the area, Grosse Pointe Memorial Church has undergone many…

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Last week we delved deeper into the career of George Valentine Pottle. George Pottle was associated, amongst other things, with creating industrial buildings, movie theaters, and fine residences throughout Metro Detroit. It is possible he designed only two homes in Grosse Pointe, 910 Edgemont Park (completed in 1925 and demolished in April 1995), and 812 Whittier, completed in 1927.

This week we head to one of Grosse Pointes most historic homes, the Carl and Alice Schmidt house located at 301 Lakeshore. Built in 1904, it is one of the oldest surviving homes constructed in Grosse Pointe during the early 1900’s. It is not clear who the architect was.

Carl Ernest Schmidt, a German American born in Detroit in 1856, was a principal figure in the Detroit…

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Last week we presented the history of one of Grosse Pointe’s most iconic homes -16632 E. Jefferson. Located on the shores of Lake St. Clair, it was commissioned in 1926, by Detroit Industrialist Edgar Woodbury Bowen. It was designed by the esteemed architect Wallace Frost.

This week we delve deeper into the career of George Valentine Pottle. We recently mentioned Mr. Pottle as the possible architect of one of Grosse Pointe’s lost estates – 910 Edgemont Park – a once beautiful Italian Renaissance Revival style home completed in 1925, allegedly for Walter & Edith Scotten. Our files list the architect as George V. Pottle; however, this has not been verified by blueprints. George Pottle was associated, amongst other things, with creating industrial…

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Last week we presented the story of one of Grosse Pointe’s lost estates – 910 Edgemont Park – a once beautiful Italian Renaissance Revival style home completed in 1925, allegedly for Walter & Edith Scotten. Our files list the architect as George V. Pottle; however, this has not been verified by blueprints. 910 Edgemont was raised in April 1995.

This week we head to an iconic home -16632 E. Jefferson. Located on the shores of Lake St. Clair, it was commissioned in 1926, by Detroit Industrialist Edgar Woodbury Bowen. It was designed by esteemed architect Wallace Frost.

16632 E. Jefferson is an 8,140 sq ft stately French Normandy style home situated on a private lane (adjacent to Jefferson Court) on nearly one acre of land. It is one of the…

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Last week we concluded our series on architect Leonard B. WIlleke with a look at the speculative homes he created in the community from the 1920’s – through to the 1940’s. Willeke’s spec homes varied in size and many were grand affairs. He was one of the most prolific architects in this sector, during a period of 20 years he built over 10 spec homes in Grosse Pointe.

This week we present the story of one of Grosse Pointe’s lost estates – 910 Edgemont – a once beautiful Italian Renaissance Revival style home completed in 1925, allegedly for Walter & Edith Scotten. Our files list the architect as George V. Pottle; however, this has not been verified by blueprints. George Pottle was associated, amongst other things, with creating industrial buildings,…

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Last week we continued our three-part series on the work of renowned Grosse Pointe architect, Leonard B. Willeke. Part 2 covered 1010 Three Mile Dr, a large Tudor residence and garden completed in 1927, for William August Petzold, vice president and treasurer of J.L Hudson Company.

This week we conclude our series with a look at the speculative homes Leonard Willeke created in the community from the 1920’s – through to the 1940’s. The definition of a speculative house is - ‘a residence built without a particular buyer in mind or under contract but designed to appeal to the maximum market possible’.

During the 1920’s numerous noted designers designed and built speculative homes in the community. The homes varied in size, and many were grand…

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Last week we began a three-part series on the work of renowned Grosse Pointe architect, Leonard B. Willeke. Part 1, 745 Balfour began as a collaborative project between Detroit architects J. Ivan Dise and Clair W. Ditchy. However, Willeke wound up completing it in 1927. Willeke also designed the garage, carriage house, the 684 sq ft greenhouse, and the stunning gardens at the residence.

This week we continue the series as we head to 1010 Three Mile Dr, a large Tudor residence and garden completed in 1927, for William August Petzold, vice president and treasurer of J.L Hudson Company.

First, let’s begin in 1921, Leonard Willeke had embarked on a ten-year project for Oscar Webber, president of J. L. Hudson Company. 22 Webber Place (original…

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Last week we presented the history of the Neighborhood Club. The origins of the club date to 1911, when some of the most prominent women in Grosse Pointe met to “talk things over”, to establish an organization that would meet the recreational, educational, and social service needs of families in the area. Its new community center opened in 1929 - one of the finest social centers of the country. 

This week we return to residential architecture as we begin a three-part series on the work of renowned Grosse Pointe architect, Leonard B. Willeke. We recently presented the life and work of this incredible designer as part of the Higbie Maxon Agney Lecture series. Willeke’s story continues with several projects we have yet to feature in depth, starting…

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Last week we presented the story of Cottage Hospital which officially opened November 6, 1928. Located at 159 Kercheval, it was designed by the noted Boston firm of Stevens & Lee, to create a “modern institution in every way.” The original Cottage Hospital was located on Oak Street (now Muir Road) and opened in 1919.

This week we cover the history of the Neighborhood Club. We briefly mentioned the organization last week when we explained its involvement in the health care of residents of Grosse Pointe Township during the 1918 Spanish influenza epidemic. However, the origins of the club date to 1911, when a group of women met to “talk things over”, to establish an organization that would meet the recreational, educational, and social service needs…

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Last week we presented the story of one of the prominent building companies to work in Grosse Pointe and Metro Detroit during the late 1920’s– the Corrick Brothers. While the Corrick Brothers may not be a household name, the company constructed several significant buildings in Grosse Pointe 

This week we continue with the work of the Corrick Brothers as we profile another of their significant projects, Cottage Hospital, built in 1927-1928. The hospital, located at 159 Kercheval, was designed by the noted Boston firm of Stevens & Lee, to create a “modern institution in every way.” Image courtesy of The Village of Grosse Pointe Shores. By Arthur M. Woodford. 

The original Cottage Hospital was located in one of the small cottages on Oak Street,…

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