Last week we presented some of the work by Bailey and Middleditch who created many fine houses in Metro Detroit during the 1920’s. Bailey had a fine reputation for designing high-end, detailed Tudor Revival homes which included three on University Place and one on Rivard.
In 1928, Bailey and Middleditch designed 582 Rivard, which is a superb example of clapboard Colonial home in keeping with the style of the large homes that were being constructed on Rivard during this era. So, this week we are going to explore another fine example of a clapboard Colonial home on Rivard – number 487. This historic house was completed by Esselstyn, Murphy & Hanford for Bernhard Stroh Jr., former president of the Stroh Brewery Company.
487 Rivard was completed in 1919 and has only had four owners. It is a house filled with family history, interesting stories, and magnificent architectural details, much of which is original. The grand 6,299 sq ft residence is located on a large lot that runs an entire block - from Rivard, to University Place. The exterior of the imposing three-story symmetrical home was, and still is, white clapboard with an abundance of large windows. On entering the property the glorious marble floor, in the 17’ x 12’ ft hallway, is a traditional black and white checkered pattern. The hallway also features numerous decorative elements, including detailed moldings, a stunning leaded glass window, and one of the best examples of a flying staircases in Grosse Pointe.
On the main floor there is a spacious 18’ x 15’ ft wood paneled dining room, a spectacular 28’ x 13’ ft kitchen, which includes a natural fireplace, along with a 28’ x 15’ ft living room with splendid blue Pewabic tile around the fireplace. A former owner of the home believed there was a hidden trapdoor in the floor of the living room. She believed this was used during prohibition when the Stroh’s held parties, and, if needed liquor could be lowered into the basement to ‘get it out of the way’. On the left-hand side of the main floor is an expansive 27’ x 18’ ft sunroom, with access to the garden.
The second floor currently contains six bedrooms. At the time of completion internal doorways (that could be locked from the inside), connected four of the bedrooms. The maid, and the live-in cook, had their own quarters - three small bedrooms - along with service stairs. The 3rd floor was originally designed to have a ballroom; however, the space has subsequently been converted into a large playroom. The butler’s room was also located on the third floor, which was also the location of several cedar closets.
Over the years the owners of the home have decorated the house beautifully. Many of the original historic elements have been retained, and complimented with an eclectic mix of art deco, mid-century modern, and Victorian styled fixtures and furniture. More recently, previous owners Dan and Georgette Dulworth, restored the garden to its former glory.
The original owner of the home was Bernhard Stroh Jr. He was the son of Bernhard Stroh Sr. who immigrated to the United States from Germany and established the Stroh Brewing Company in Detroit in 1850. Mr. Stroh Jr. was born in Detroit, in 1884, and married Alice Kratzet, in 1917, they had three children. Having graduated from the University of Michigan, and employed by several companies, Mr. Stroh joined the family brewing company as vice president. After his father passed, in 1916, he became president. The company, already successful, grew substantially under his watch. By 1920, sales had reached close to $3m dollars (nearly $50m today), which ultimately led to the Stroh Brewing Company, in 1982, becoming the third-largest beer-maker in the U.S. Source and image: The City of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922, Volume 3, by Clarence Monroe.
In 1936, with his three children going away to school, our files state Mr. Stroh planned to sell 487 Rivard to move to a smaller property. He wanted around $40,000 (around $950,000 today) for the home, but also considered renting the property, for $300 a month unfurnished (around $7,000 today). It is understood the Stroh’s eldest daughter, Joan chose to reside at the property until 1948, when she married Frederic M. Sibley Jr. It is understood the Stroh family owned the home until 1961.
Over the years the fortunes of the Stroh Brewing Company declined steeply. In 1999 Stroh announced it was selling its labels to the Pabst Brewing Company and Miller Brewing Company. Source: Wikipedia.
The architects of 487 Rivard, Esselstyn, Murphy & Hanford – Architects and Engineers - created multiple homes on Rivard including two further clapboard Colonial style residences – 497 Rivard (1918) and 502 Rivard (1919). They also designed 329 Grosse Pointe Blvd, a beautiful Italian styled home, in 1922. Horace Esselstyn, an engineer, would later go on to partner with Raymond Carey (from 1924 – 1929) - together they completed several prestigious homes in the Grosse Pointe communities.
487 Rivard is arguably one of the finest examples of a clapboard Colonial home in Grosse Pointe. It is a home fit for a king, or at least an heir of the Stroh’s family brewing company.
* 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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