Last week we concluded our series on the history of the former “Tonnancour” estate as we explored one of the new sub-divisions located on the former 63-acre property – Tonnancour Place. This prestigious street in Grosse Pointe Farms is now the location of many fine residences, which over the years have had several notable residents.
The week we delve deeper into the history of one of the residents of Tonnancour Place, Elma C. Mennen, and take a look at the two stunning homes she had constructed in Grosse Pointe. Both were designed by the renowned architect, Hugh T. Keyes.
Elma Christina Mennen was a prominent figure in the City of Detroit. Born in Newark in 1885, she came from a prosperous family - her father, Gerhard Heinrich Mennen, founded the Mennen brand of men's personal care products in 1878, which would ultimately become one of America’s most profitable family-owned companies. He had emigrated to New York City, from Germany, in 1871 aged 15. It is reported “within three years Gerhard had saved enough for a downpayment on his own store, which was on the ground floor of Newark’s bustling Central Hotel. He opened G. Mennen Apothecary on Feb. 15, 1878, at age 22. One of his first products was talcum-based powder, an innovation at the time”. Source and image: morristwp.com. In 1992, the Mennen brand was sold to Colgate-Palmolive Company.
Elma Mennen married Henry P. Williams in 1909, the same year the couple’s first home was completed, located at 441 Merrick, built in 1909 (now razed). Image courtesy of: Detroit Historical Society. Henry Williams was born in Detroit in 1883, a descendant of one of the oldest families in the city. “His father and uncle were known widely in Detroit business, and his mother Sarah, was a member of a family which had been in Detroit since early days”. Source: Detroit Free Press (1941). Mr. Williams was in the real-estate business for much of his career, he was also an active official of the local branch of the Red Cross, president of the Detroit Boat Club (on Belle Isle), and a vestryman of St. Paul’s Cathedral.
Mr. and Mrs. Mennen had two sons, Gerhard and Richard. Their eldest son “Gerhard Mennen "Soapy" Williams (born in 1911) became the 41st Governor of Michigan - elected in 1948, he served six two-year terms in office”. “He later served as Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs under President John F. Kennedy and Chief Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court”. Source: military-history.fandom.com
344 Provencal
344 Provencal was built for the couple in 1929. Affectionately known as “Mennen Hall” the 8,496 sq ft residence is located on a 200 x 400-acre lot. The stately brick Tudor has all the classic traits one would expect from a house of this grandeur – an asymmetrical configuration, intricate detailed brickwork, a steep slate roof, and tall leaded glass windows. Arguably the defining feature on the front elevation is the two-story entrance that creates a key focal point. The slightly recessed doorway is flanked by a carved architrave with an English Georgian style pediment above. Another interesting feature are the multiple tall chimneys with the unique arched chimney caps. The second image is courtesy of: digitalcollections.detroitpubliclibrary.org/
On 13 February 1941, Henry P. Williams passed suddenly aged 58. From our files we know Mrs. Williams listed the property for sale in May 1948, for $100,000 (around $1.2m today). 344 Provencal was still for sale in October 1949, at which point the price had been reduced to $86,000. In September 1950, the house was taken off the market due to a fire. We don’t know the level of damage the property sustained but the house remained off the market for a period while repairs were made. Mrs. Williams, due to lack of interest in the property, was adamant “she was not going to give it away”. The residence was still of the market in 1953 and remained so while Mrs. Williams traveled to Europe. In December 1955, 344 Provencal was purchased by Mr. A. Tuscany for $80,000 (around $885,000 today).
35 Tonnancour
Following the sale of her beloved “Mennen Hall” Elma Mennen Williams hired Hugh T. Keyes once again to design a new home for her on the new subdivision of Tonnancour Place. It was completed in 1957, having been built by the respected Hilary H. Micou - a prolific builder of multiple homes in Grosse Pointe. During a career that spanned three decades Micou built many prestigious homes in the community in conjunction with some of Detroit’s most recognized architects. The homes he built span several decades – from the late 1920’s through to the late 1950’s.
35 Tonnancour has been described as being designed in a “Monterey” architectural style. Our files state the 5,935 sq ft home cost $42,230 to build (around $486,000 today). At the time of completion, the property had views of the lake. The interior featured soaring ceilings, a 2-story foyer, multiple fireplaces, wood paneling in the library, plus an elevator (from the basement to the second floor). Elma Mennen Williams passed on 16 November 1963. Following her death, 35 Tonnancour was listed for sale for $100,000 (around $1.1m today). It was purchased in March 1964, by Philip Buckminster.
The homes in Grosse Pointe Elma Mennen and her husband, Henry Williams, had Hugh T. Keyes design for them have left their mark architecturally, while together this prominent couple left a significant legacy.
* 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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