Last week we concluded our series on the homes built by Joseph Berry. His grand estate of “Edgemere”, located at 50 Lake Shore was a Queen Anne style home completed in 1882. It was one of the first year-round homes to be constructed in Grosse Pointe and was razed in 1941.
This week we delve deeper into some of the majestic turn-of-the century Queen Anne style summer cottages in Grosse Pointe next to the lake. While the majority have been demolished there are still a few that can be found in the community.
The road we know as Lake Shore today was originally an early Indian trail. In 1851, the road became known as Jefferson Avenue, and in 1915, the section of Jefferson Avenue located in Grosse Pointe was officially named Lake Shore. It is understood, from around 1850 to 1900, lumbermen cleared large amounts of trees to prepare the land for wealthy Detroit businessmen to build large cottages for their families so they could spend the summer next to the lake. Many of the cottages were created in the Queen Anne architectural style, which was popular in the United States from around 1880 to 1910. They tended to be in picturesque settings with well-manicured lawns and elegant flower gardens, and were given names such as Maplehurst, Summerside, Cloverleigh and The Poplars. Images courtesy of: digitalcollections.detroitpubliclibrary.org
Typical traits of the Queen Anne architectural style include – an asymmetrical façade, a dominant front-facing gable (often cantilevered beyond the plane of the wall below), overhanging eaves, round, square, or a polygonal tower, differing wall textures, such as patterned wood shingles and terra cotta tiles, horizontal bands of leaded windows, along with monumental chimneys. Source: Wikipedia. Several of the Queen Anne summer cottages constructed on Lake Shore before 1900 that still exist today include:
755 Lake Shore - 1880
Completed around 1880 the house was completed for Joseph Harris and his wife, Catherine Vernier Harris. This was originally a Queen Anne Style home situated on part of the Vernier farm, believed to be a 29-acre lot (440’ x 3,000’). After Mr. and Mrs. Harris died the house was inherited by their son William, who was the second postmaster of Clairview in Grosse Pointe. He also owned a grocery store at 337 Clay Avenue in Detroit and another store on Vernier Road in Grosse Pointe Woods - located opposite the home that his parents had built – now addressed 755 Lake Shore.On June 10, 1913, William Gilbert Harris suffered a fatal heart attack while attending a village meeting. After his death the Harris family continued to reside at 755 Lake Shore. In 1934, Mrs. Harris listed the estate for sale and was open to sub dividing the property. The current lot size today is – 101’ x 231’. The house still exists however; it has been greatly altered over the years.
71 Lake Shore – 1884
“The Poplars” – named after a row of Lombardy poplar trees – is located at 71 Lake Shore. Built in 1884, it is a pretty Queen Anne cottage designed for William A. McGraw, the son of A.C. McGraw whose firm A. C. McGraw was one of the most successful commercial firms in Detroit. William McGraw was a successful businessman in his own right, as head of a prosperous wholesale boot and shoe company, he was considered one of the most influential men in the city at the time. He married Harriet A. Robinson (niece of John S. Newberry), and they had four children.
The historic photos of 71 Lake Shore show the Queen Anne style home with a wrap-around porch, bay windows and a turret. The house was originally surrounded by tree’s, including many poplars (hence the name) and a large Osage orange hedge that lined the front of the property. The house was situated on a massive 10-acre lot that was originally part of a ribbon farm stretching from Lake St.Clair to Grosse Pointe Blvd. It was reported the interior of the home was a model of convenience and its general finish was admired by all. It is not clear of the size and the layout of the original home, but it is believed there were 14 rooms, including 5 bedrooms. William A. McGraw passed away in 1898 aged just 47, but Mrs. McGraw resided at the property for a total of 35 years. Source: Grosse Pointe Historical Society. Images courtesy of: digitalcollections.detroitpubliclibrary.org
In 1924 Percival Dodge purchased the residence. The pretty Queen Anne cottage underwent a dramatic transformation, by prominent Grosse Pointe architect Robert O. Derrick, to became the handsome Colonial home we see today. Image courtesy of: Katie Doelle
365 Lake Shore – 1896
This home is a turn of the century house with Queen Anne, and Victorian elements. It is one of the few remaining buildings that reflects and captures the character of the ‘cottages’ that once lined Lake Shore. It is believed the house was constructed around 1896. John Wynn, a Detroit attorney, was the original owner, having acquired the land from Theodore P. Hall.
The following images are other examples of Queen Anne style homes that were located close to the lake in Grosse Pointe at the turn of the Century. Sadly, most have been demolished. Images courtesy of: digitalcollections.detroitpubliclibrary.org
During the early twentieth century Grosse Pointe quickly transitioned from a summer colony to a year-round residential community. Most of the summer cottages that once graced Lake Shore were demolished to make way for the large mansions and their formal landscaped gardens.
If you have a home, building or street you would like us to profile please contact Higbie Maxon Agney – homes@higbiemaxon.com - we will try and feature the property.
* 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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