Last week we explored the work of architect William F. Goodrich who not only designed several fine homes in Grosse Pointe during the first half of the 20th Century but also created plans for an enormous 800 room hotel in Grosse Pointe Shores in 1914.
This week we stop by 1024 Buckingham, a striking Colonial Revival home completed in 1941 for Miles O’Brien. It was designed by John W. Detwiler and built by the Burton Brothers Construction Company.
1024 Buckingham, commissioned by Miles O’Brien, was started in 1937 but not finished until 1941. Given who designed the house and the company that built it, the house was of the upmost quality - most unusual for a home of this age it was built with full insulation (including rock wool in the walls). Over the years it has had several owners, the description below is from the listing when the property was for sale in 1984.
Construction and the interior were a very high standard, the vestibule had black ceramic tile, while the library had knotty pine paneling, 34 feet of built-in bookshelf space, and French doors to the rear patio. The dining room had unique wall panels and two sets of French doors leading to the patio. The main floor also had an enclosed breezeway with doors leading to the driveway the garage, and the kitchen. The second floor has four main bedrooms, each bedroom had substantial built in shelves and hanging space with several built-in bookcases. One room even had a built-in shoe rack – no expense was spared in ensuring this house had a lot of useful storage.
At the time of the listing (in 1984) our files state, extensive general carpentry totaling over $10,000 (around $32,000 today) was carried out throughout the home which included new doors, windows, construction of two new closets, shelves, a new cedar out of season closet, reconstruction of the staircase banister, plus installation of new railings and handrails. There was a complete overhaul of the wiring, fixtures and electric service (totaling over $6,000) and extensive work to the exterior – fencing, new concrete walkways, non-back-up basement drains and extensive backyard drainage (totaling over $4,200).
1024 Buckingham was completed during an era when Colonial Revival homes were incredibly popular, not just in Grosse Pointe but across the United States. Typical traits of this style are a strict rectangular shape with a steeply pitched hip roof (where all four sides of the roof slope down toward the walls). In general, Colonial Revival homes are usually two-story and built from brick or wood, or a combination of both. The front door is frequently centered – in this instance, the front door is set to the left. Frequently the entrance features an oversized door, sometimes with sidelights, a pediment supported by pilasters, a modest portico with columns, and/or decorative brick work accenting the entrance. The windows on either side of the front entrance tended to be six-over-six double-hung or in some instances a projecting bay window was a key feature on the first floor. On the second floor (above the entrance), in many cases, there is a general configuration of five windows. Commonly all the windows (on the first and second floor) have matching shutters in a color that compliments the house.
Colonial Revival homes built between 1910 and 1955, tended to be professionally designed and often boast interesting architectural details fashioned from highly durable materials. Source: wentworthstudio.com. Many of Detroit’s leading architects who designed homes in the Grosse Pointe communities from 1910 through to around 1950 opted to use this architectural approach.
Throughout the United States the popularity of the style began to recede during the 1950’s. While Colonial Revival homes continued to be constructed, the designs often bore a more simplified form. However, they have remained in high regard ever since.
The architect, John W. Detwiler, was a retired vice-president of the Bryant-Detweiler Construction Company - noted for constructing such city landmarks such as the GM Tech Center, the Detroit Institute of Arts, the City - County Building, and the National Bank of Detroit’s downtown headquarters. John was the son of Ward A. Detwiler.
The firm of Bryant and Detwiler was found in 1904, when Ward Detwiler co-founded the construction company with John A. Bryant. By 1908, Bryant and Detwiler had become a corporation with Mr. Detwiler becoming president. The company began around the same time as the great industrial growth of the City of Detroit, which resulted in them erecting some of the largest and most significant factories, stores, and office buildings in the state of Michigan. Over the years Bryant and Detwiler worked with some of the most talented architects during the early twentieth century and gained the prestigious designation of “master builders”, with some of their constructions pronounced “superior for the purposes intended.” Source: Detroit Free Press (May 1913). Ward Detwiler and his first wife Mabel (who passed in 1915), had one son, John. Read the full story of Ward Detwiler here.
John Detwiler studied at Williams College in 1932; he then graduated from the school of Architecture at the University of Michigan in 1935. In September 1937, he married Helen Grawn. John was an avid sailor all his life and was a past commodore of the Detroit River Yachting Association. He was also a lieutenant commander in the Navy during World War II and was awarded the Silver Star.” Source: Detroit Free Press (July 1981). It is a distinct possibility 1024 Buckingham is the only home he designed in Grosse Pointe. John Detwiler retired in 1961 and passed on 10 July 1981.
1024 Buckingham is a magnificent home on a distinctive street in Grosse Pointe Park that has some incredible homes on display – look at its next-door neighbor!
1024 Buckingham is currently for sale. Please contact our office to schedule a tour or click here to learn more.
* Photos courtesy of the Higbie Maxon Agney archives unless stated.
** Research, information, and data sources are deemed reliable, but accuracy cannot be fully guaranteed.
Written by Katie Doelle
Copyright © 2026 Higbie Maxon Agney & Katie Doelle
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