Last week we presented the home and work of Ward A. Detwiler. Mr. Detwiler and his partner John Bryant created some of the most noteworthy factories, stores, and offices in Detroit during the early 20th century. Mr. Detwiler resided at 1009 Three Mile; a house designed by noted architects Crombie & Stanton.
We recently featured the home of John Bryant – 815 Ellair - a stunning Tudor residence designed by the esteemed firm of Smith, Hinchman, and Grylls (SHG) in 1930. It was a just one of many fine homes created by the company over several decades. In part one of a two-part series, we will be presenting some more of the residential projects completed by the company in Grosse Pointe. This week we focus on three of the properties they designed between 1909 and 1918.
The architectural firm of Smith, Hinchman, and Grylls had a stellar reputation in Detroit for designing large commercial and civic projects during the early twentieth century. At the time, the firm employed some of the finest architects in the city. Aside from creating a multitude of grand residences throughout the Metro area, they were also responsible for designing numerous iconic buildings such as –
- Hiram Walker & Sons Distillery (1904)
- Crowleys Department Store (Detroit 1906)
- Hudsons Department Store (Detroit 1911)
- The Bankers Trust Company Building (Detroit 1925)
- The Buhl Building (Detroit 1925)
- Guardian Building (Detroit 1928)
The origins of the company can be traced back to 1853. The company was established by Sheldon Smith in Ohio. Smith was a self-taught architect who had gained experience with his brother, an architect, on the east coast. Around 1855, Sheldon Smith moved to Detroit. By 1896, two graduates of the University of Michigan College of Engineering – Theodore H. Hinchman, and Henry G. Field – had joined the firm, utilizing their engineering talents on design many large-scale projects. By 1903, the company was renamed Field, Hinchman, & Smith. It is reported the firm was adept at “adjusting stylistically to the preference of the client, taking inspiration, and copying from architecture books to design various Classic Revival style structures.”
In 1906, Henry G. Field left the firm and H.J Maxwell Grylls joined the company as a partner, which was renamed Smith, Hinchman, & Grylls. By the end of World War 1, the firm had over 270 staff. During the 1920’s the firm stayed true to its design roots, producing classically inspired architecture throughout Metro Detroit. This included several grand homes in Grosse Pointe along with the Country Club of Detroit (1926-27). Today the company still exists under the name of SmithGroupJJR. The company is now one of the largest architectural and engineering firms in the United States and employs over 1300 people.
35 Fisher – 1909
35 Fisher Road (original address was 285 Fisher Rd) was one of the earlier residences SHG designed in Grosse Pointe. It began life as Grosse Pointe’s first telephone exchange for the Home Telephone Company, serving the community for around eight years. It was reportedly one of the first telephone exchanges located outside the city of Detroit and helped play a significant role in the growth of Grosse Pointe. At the time of its completion this specific area of Grosse Pointe was considered a business district, aided by the Detroit and Lake St. Clair Railway that ran from Jefferson, north of Fisher Road, and east on what is now Grosse Pointe Blvd through to Mt. Clemens. It is reported a railway ticket office was located on the corner of Fisher and Jefferson.
35 Fisher is two-story 2,575 sq ft property constructed from brick with a stucco finish and a Spanish tile roof. It was designed in the Dutch Colonial style, featuring an array of then popular architectural elements including the novel addition of curvilinear end gables - reminiscent of the mission style that was then popular in California at the turn of the century. First image courtesy of: Burton Historical Collection (1910).
In 1917, we understand the building was sold to Mrs. Anne Dwyer (she and her husband, John Dwyer, resided at 372 Lakeland) to provide housing for their staff. From 1917 - 1924 the property became home to David Ballingail, who lived at the property for several years and was then joined by Robert Anderson, a gardener at 55 Lake Shore. From 1935 through to 1964 the home was occupied by William Winkler and various Grosse Pointe school teachers, becoming a boarding house until 1985. Since then, it has been a residence and has been sold numerous times to different families.
167 Moross – 1910
167 Moross was completed in an English Cottage architectural style for James Gourlay Armstrong. It is one of the earlier homes completed on this integral street in Grosse Pointe Farms. Mr. Armstrong was born in Detroit on 31 July 1863. It is reported he was “a member of one of the old Detroit Families. In 1891, he married Pauline Meddaugh Folin. Mr. Armstrong worked at the company of H. D. Edwards for 44 years, holding the office of business manager.” Source: Detroit Free Press (July 1928). After he passed on 12 July 1928, we understand his wife resided in their home until her death in July 1943. The house was then purchased by H. E. Farmer.
223 Lake Shore – 1918
223 Lake Shore is a lost estate that was commissioned by John Francis Dodge, in 1918, but was never completed. John Francis Dodge hired the firm of Smith, Hinchman & Grylls, in 1918, to design what was intended to be the largest residence in the Detroit Area. Located on an 11-acre lot, Dodge had intended for the lavish home to be one of the “finest in the country”.
Based on research in the book Tonnancour, the project was assigned to Bloodgood Tuttle, (of Smith, Hinchman, & Grylls) to design the residence. From an article in the Grosse Pointe News, 1941, we understand the three-story property would have over an acre of floor space, with 110 rooms, 20 bathrooms, and a 21’ x 60’ sq ft swimming pool. The residence would also include a magnificent garden, green houses, and a boat well (located across Lake Shore Road) that would have connected to the house by a large tunnel. Images are courtesy of Wayne State University's Virtual Motor City Collection, 1925.
Sadly, in January 1920, before construction the house was completed, John Dodge (while attending an auto show with his brother in New York City) contracted influenza and pneumonia during the flu pandemic. He died on January 14, 1920, at the age of 55. His wife, Matilda, was understandably devastated and halted construction of the couple’s new home. 223 Lake Shore was left as an empty shell when the project was halted – walls were never plastered, and many windows were never put in. The property stood uncompleted for 21 years and became a popular place for local children to play. In 1941, it was decided if the home should be torn down as the land would be more marketable. It was dismantled that same year. Image courtesy of Michigan Architect and Engineer. You can read the full story by clicking here.
We will be continuing with the remarkable work Smith, Hinchman, and Grylls next week.
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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