Last week we presented the story of the weathervane that once graced the roof of 248 Provencal - 5ft tall, a rare and elegant figure of an Indian chief hoisting a bow. In 2006 it became the most expensive weathervane in the world when it sold at auction for $5.84m at Sotheby’s.
This week we present the history of the “Christmas Walk”. An annual event that opened some wonderfully decorated homes to the public in Grosse Pointe and Bloomfield-Hills, to benefit the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.
The Christmas Walk event began in December 1960. Presented in the Detroit Free Press, it was reported “The old-fashioned Christmas Walk mapped by the Junior Women’s Association for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra is a “first” that should – hopefully – become a holiday tradition. Many families always take a stroll around Grosse Pointe and Bloomfield-Hills on a snowy afternoon before Christmas to see the gaily festooned mansions. The walk will offer a chance to warm your toes and see the imaginative holiday decorations inside 12 of the most elegant homes.” Source: Detroit Free Press (December 1960).
The walk that year was scheduled from 1 to 5 p.m. and featured six homes in Grosse Pointe (on December 15) and six in the Birmingham-Bloomfield area (on December 16). It was explained that “while not all the homes are within walking distance of each other, there’s plenty of crisp air to take in on the grounds surrounding them. The cost for patrons, that included both tours was $5 (around $54 today), while the price for non-patrons to tour each home was only $1.50.
In that inaugural year, of December 1960, the following homes in Grosse Pointe were open for walkers to see. Source and image Detroit Free Press (December 1960).:
625 Lake Shore:
The Frederick S. Ford’s magnificent English Colonial mansion was candlelit and filled with traditional Christmas at home decorations.
681 Lake Shore
The Alfred J. Fisher junior home had contemporary and traditional décor, highlighted by a huge green tree trimmed in gold and melon to match the color of the library.
622 Sunningdale
With a white, golden and red holiday scheme, the contemporary homes focal point was the towering white tree with gold and red ornaments in the emerald, green living room with Mexican angels throughout the house.
590 Renaud
Spectacular new showplace - Christmas decor dressed in greenery gold and white throughout with a flocked gold trim tree in the enormous center hall. Visitors saw the miniature ski slope they were building behind the balconied “neo-New Orleans” style home.
22 Renaud
Grey brick home with Luca della Robbia inspired decor in greens, fruit, fresh holly, gold pinecones, and gold cupids adorned the huge spiral staircase and entrance hall. The library which had chartreuse walls were done in green Blues and gold. The image below is over a 1932 phaeton, which helped Mrs. Robert Hoffer and Mrs. Smith map the tour, with Santa. It’s first stop was 22 Renaud.
56 S. Deeplands Rd.
The modern Georgian home was decorated in a traditional red and green. As always Mrs. Vance featured her pair of gold German St. Nicks – carved, 2 1/2-foot elves she called “twinkies.”
In December 1964, the event was described as a “Nobel Venture”, with the walk being preceded by lunch at Al Green’s restaurant, which, was suggested, “would boost the ladies staying power no-end.” The properties on the walk that year were –
- 169 Stephens Road
- 27 Whitcomb
- 97 Touraine
The photo below shows Mrs. John Kretzschmar stringing popcorn to go on her “impressive tree” for visitors to enjoy her “special holiday touches.”
- 85 Lake Shore
- 261 Lake Shore
- 511 Shelden
In December 1971, two great Detroit mansions – Rose Terrace in Grosse Pointe, and Meadow Brook Hall, Bloomfield Hills - were the focal point of the Christmas Walk event, ensuring the “walk” that year was arguably the most memorable in its history. At the time even though Rose Terrace was empty from all its furniture, art, and treasurers it was beautifully decorated for the event “by a crew of diligent workers”. Including Diane and Tom Schoenith who reportedly put up 28 Christmas trees in the mansion. Image: Detroit Free Press (December 1971).
It was also reported, “in the main hall was a 12-foot flocked tree with tiny, moving 19-century figures placing the last tinsels and ribbon for the holidays. To fill one of the marble-floored side halls there were live green trees which filled the air with the scent of balsam, the other hall was the setting for an artificial tree covered with over 1000 blue, red and green Christmas balls tied in clusters. The enormous music room, whose contents had become part of a permanent collection at the DIA, was cut down by the presence of a single white flocked tree sprigged with bursts of silver foil and satiny-white balls surrounded by a cloud of white cotton - its brightness was reflected in the crystal chandeliers and the carved paneling on the walls.” Source: Detroit Free Press (December 1971).
In December 1977, six homes and a church in Grosse Pointe were decked in festive attire. One of the homes on the walk that year was 109 Kenwood, the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Stroble. The English manor home was a beautifully decorated residence filled with antique furniture. For the Christmas walk it was reported “wreaths were hung on the three French doors. An eight-candle chandelier was roped with boxwood and holly. On the sideboard a copper wine cooler – big enough to hold two cases of wine – was filled with greens. The table itself glistened with traditional silver and crystal on a white cloth with leaf green napkins. To complete the décor, china was placed on silver service plates, there was a silver candelabra, and an antique silver meat platter brimming with fruit and vegetables.” Source and image Detroit Free Press (November 1977).
It appears the Christmas Walk event came to an end in December 1977. At that point it had been an annual tradition for 17 years. It is not clear why the event came to an end, but what a wonderful opportunity it had been for so many people to to visit these beautifully decorated homes that had been so wonderfully presented for the holiday season.
We would like to take this opportunity to wish you Happy Holidays and best wishes for a happy and healthy New Year. Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe will return on Tuesday, January 6th with more historic profiles.
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
Posted by Kay Agney on
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