Last week we explored a house that is celebrating its 100th anniversary - 1175 Three Mile Drive. This historic home was designed by George D. Mason & Company in 1925, for pioneering electrical engineer Frank E. Fisher.
This week we turn our attention to some of the yellow brick homes found in Grosse Pointe Park. Yellow brick was a popular building material in certain regions and for specific types of buildings, including numerous residences in the area, such as Grosse Pointe Park. It is acknowledged yellow bricks, particularly those with a hint of gold, conveyed “an essence of wealth, status and prestige," and were sometimes chosen for its resemblance to stone. This distinctive look made yellow bricks popular for higher-end commercial buildings, homes, and apartments, many of which were built during the 1920’s through to the 1930’s.
It is reported “yellow bricks have a long history, appearing in various cultures and architectural styles - from ancient Mesopotamian structures to the "Yellow Brick Road", they've served diverse purposes.” It is acknowledged yellow bricks are renowned for their exceptional strength, durability, and captivating aesthetic appeal. They also exhibit excellent durability, withstanding weathering and erosion over time. Additionally, they are typically resistant to fire, offer enhanced safety in buildings, along with having excellent insulating properties. Source: modularclayproducts.co.uk
It appears yellow brick was a popular building material in serval major cities in the region. In Cincinnati, for example, yellow bricks were made from fire clay, that was primarily sourced from eastern Ohio. In this instance, they were more expensive than red bricks, which were made from local shale clay with high iron content. In Milwaukee, the city boasts many buildings constructed with the characteristic soft golden-yellow brick that was sourced locally.
Here in Detroit, we understand the city had readily available deposits of yellow clay suitable for brickmaking, particularly in the Springwells Township area around Michigan Avenue and Lonyo. It was reported “byutilizing local materials and local brickyards, like the Lonyo Brick Company, this made yellow brick construction more affordable compared to importing red bricks from other areas.” Source: theobserver.ca
There are several fine examples of homes constructed from yellow brick in Grosse Pointe Park. Many of these homes also have either a green or red tiled roof, with beautiful carved limestone around the front door and framing around many of the windows.
1000 Devonshire is a stunning example of a yellow brick home with a distinctive roof of green tile. It was completed in 1924 for Peter Christy, having been designed by Joseph P. Jogerst. Image courtesy of: GoogleEarth
1036 Yorkshire was also completed in 1924, for Charles F. Witzke - built by the Jerome A. Utley & Company. It is another exquisite home with a grand entrance with pillars supporting a portico and the balcony above the front door. The house roof has large overhanging eaves (present on many homes and buildings constructed in the area during this era) and a slate roof with a sizeable central dormer. Image courtesy of: GoogleEarth
On Balfour, there are three identical homes, numbers 1017, 1025, and 1029. They were constructed in 1927, allegedly by an Italian brick layer who built one for himself and then a house for each of his two daughters, which is why two of the houses are mirror images of each other. Images courtesy of: GoogleEarth and Realtor.com
1359 Three Mile Drive was built in 1925. Image courtesy of: GoogleEarth
Just up the road is the sublime 1200 Devonshire. Completed in 1926, it also has a green tile roof and exquisite carved limestone around the entrance. Image courtesy of: GoogleEarth
1321 Grayton was built in 1930. Image courtesy of: GoogleEarth
The distinctive yellow brick homes in Grosse Pointe Park create a wonderful architectural statement. If the goal of the architect(s) was to convey an "essence of gold and richness,” then that was certainly achieved.
* 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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