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…

84 Views, 0 Comments

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…

126 Views, 0 Comments

Higbie Maxon Agney is pleased to offer it's 2024 Grosse Pointe Real Estate Annual Report. Within this report you will find information on average sale prices, sales volume, real estate trends, and much more.

Our goal is to give you an accurate and complete picture of the 2024 Grosse Pointe housing market. All the graphs were produced internally for Higbie Maxon Agney using MiRealSource multiple listing service. We are confident that these are the best statistics currently available on the Grosse Pointe housing market, and we hope that you will find the contents of this report readable and useful. Over the coming months we will use this information to help our clients make informed, educated real estate decisions. 

Market Summary – 2024:
The real…

53 Views, 0 Comments

Last week we explored a distinctive block of Stephens Road that runs from Ridge Rd to Charlevoix Ave. This pretty section is the location of some of the finest Ranch homes in Grosse Pointe, along with several larger residences, including a splendid Colonial built by prominent builder Louis C. Miller.

This week, in honor of Grosse Pointe History Day at Ford House on February 4, we are going to begin a three-part series that will focus on the history of some of the schools in Grosse Pointe.Grosse Pointe History Day is an educational program that encourages students to explore their community's history. We begin the series with the story of one of the oldest schools in the community – Kerby Elementary school.

Previously, we have researched the…

180 Views, 0 Comments

Last week we stopped by 128 Lewiston in Grosse Pointe Farms. Completed in 1923, it was designed by architectural master Louis Kamper for national rubber expert Walter E. Parker.

This week we stay in Grosse Pointe Farms to explore a distinctive block on Stephens Road – the block runs from Ridge Road to Charlevoix Avenue. This pretty area is the location of some of the finest examples of Ranch homes in Grosse Pointe, along with several larger residences.

It is believed Stephens Road was once part of the colossal Mrs. Henry Stephens estate, 241 Lake Shore. The original estate ran from Lake Shore to Mack Avenue. Mrs. Henry Stephens was the wife of lumber baron Henry Stephens Jr. who passed in 1910. The magnificent property was designed by Charles A.…

177 Views, 0 Comments

Last week we stopped by 1041 Lochmoor. This Tudor style home was completed in 1923, having been built by builder John A. Corrick for his family. It was designed by architects Herman & Simons. Mr. Corrick described his new house as the families “dream home”.

This week we head to 128 Lewiston in Grosse Pointe Farms. Completed in 1923, it was designed by architectural master Louis Kamper for national rubber expert Walter E. Parker.

Louis Kamper was one of the most impactful designers to have graced the area. His style, influence, and work were on par with Albert Kahn, and George D. Mason in terms of the architectural legacy that many of their projects left on the city, and across the United States. Kamper had a long and distinguished career, he is…

171 Views, 0 Comments

Happy 2025!

In the last post of 2024, we explored the traditions of Eleanor Ford in decorating her grand home at Gaukler Pointe for the holiday season.

For our first post of the new year, we are going to visit a special home for one of our regular readers. 1041 Lochmoor belonged to the grandfather of Annie Corrick Marcus, who has followed our blog for several years. It is a splendid Tudor residence completed in 1923, by architects Herman & Simons for renowned builder John A. Corrick. John was Annie’s grandfather.

During his career, John Augustus Corrick was a respected figure in the city of Detroit. He was a talented man, who as a builder not only executed the architect ‘s wishes but worked with some of the finest materials of the time,…

196 Views, 0 Comments


 

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…

229 Views, 0 Comments

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…

271 Views, 0 Comments

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…

311 Views, 0 Comments