Last week we continued the story of the former “Tonnancour” estate as we explored the home Theodore Hall's daughter Marie and her husband, Major Fuger, built on part of the property - 395 Lake Shore – now 55 Tonnancour Place. Completed in 1914, it was designed by Washington based architect Edward w. Donn Jr.
This week we continue with the story as we look at another home built on the estate by Mr. Hall’s widow - 383 Lake Shore – which would ultimately become the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Whitcomb who would create a beautiful lakefront home.
Following the fire that destroyed the family home on the “Tonnancour” estate, it is understood Theodore Hall’s widow, Alexandrine, moved to a residence in Detroit while her new home, 383 Lake Shore was completed. It is reported having only resided at the property for a couple of years Alexandrine passed in 1918. Following her death 383 Lake Shore was then inhabited by her daughter Nathalie Hall Scott and her husband James Lee Scott. From what we can understand it appears Mr. and Mrs. Scott, who were married on 27 October 1886, would live in the property until around 1922. At which point the residence, and a large part of the “Tonnancour” estate was purchased by Anna Scripps (daughter of the Detroit News founder James E. Scripps), and her husband Edgar B. Whitcomb. Image courtesy of the GPHS.
It is alleged the Whitcomb’s paid a colossal $235,000 (around $4.5m today) for the property and set about creating a beautiful lake front home, “reflecting their love of fine art and flowers”. Research by Grosse Pointe Historical Society (GPHS) states “exceptional Old Master paintings hung in each room and rare orchids filled the greenhouses. Many of the rooms were tastefully decorated with paintings by Titian, Rembrandt, and Rubens, among others”. The following photos of the home are courtesy of the GPHS.
Edgar Whitcomb, a prominent businessman, and a longtime director of the Detroit News, was born in Boston in 1866. His parents moved to Detroit when he was 2 years old. At the age of 15, he began his career with the Detroit & Cleveland Navigation Company and within five years became general manager, a position he held from 1886-1891. From 1891-1893 he was manager of the Tribune Printing Company, following which he became involved in real estate, specializing in central business property investments and building. He also handled the estates for James and William Scripps along with acquiring properties of his own. Throughout his career he held several senior positions with companies in Detroit including becoming president of his father-in-law’s company, the James E. Scripps Corporation, was a director of the Detroit News, and vice president of the Evening News Association. He married Anna Scripts in 1891, and they had two children.
Anna Whitcomb was a well-known figure in Detroit and Grosse Pointe. She was passionate about gardening and had a particular fondness for orchids that not only filled the garden at 383 Lake Shore but part of the five large greenhouses that she had built on the estate. It is reported head gardener William Crichton, who worked on the estate for 27 years, tended to the flowers. From 1927 many of the stunning orchids were displayed for a few days at the annual Detroit Flower Show, and at the Belle Isle Conservatory. Source: www.blogs.detroitnews.com. Image courtesy of the GPHS.
Mrs. Whitcomb passed on March 28, 1953. At the time the Whitcombe estate was valued at upward of $8,000,000 (around $97m today). Upon her death her entire collection of more than 600 orchids was left to the Belle Isle Conservatory Source: Detroit Free Press (April 1953). Six months later, on October 12 Mr. Whitcomb died.It appears after their passing, the Whitcomb’s son, James, demolished the home. James Whitcomb was a major arts patron in Detroit and retired treasurer of the Detroit News. Part of his parent’s estate was sub divided, creating Whitcomb Road, while on the remaining land James Whitcomb built a new residence (still addressed 383 Lakeshore) – a stunning 8,866 sq ft Spanish style residence completed in 1957. Very little is known about the home, including the architect who designed it, but it is set on 10 acres - one of the largest private estates in the Pointes - and features beautiful trees and gardens.James Whitcomb lived there with his wife, Vera, until his death on September 24, 1963. It’s not clear how long Mrs. Whitcomb continued to reside at the house (she passed in 1972) before it was purchased by the Cracchiolo family who still own it today. Image courtesy of GoogleEarth.com
The story of Theodore Hall’s “Tonnancour” estate is a fascinating one. As the decades have passed the land has been sub divided several times, and numerous homes have come and gone. Today 383 Lake Shore is one of the most beautiful homes in Grosse Pointe.
* 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 © 2025 Higbie Maxon Agney & Katie Doelle
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