Lumber and auto barons built magnificent mansions to make Grosse Pointe their permanent residence.

The Estates
Life was so enjoyable on the lake that the auto and lumber barons decided to live here permanently.

From the early 1900's until the depression, those and other millionaires competed with each other to see who could build the biggest and best. 

Some of the legacy is with us still.  Sadly, however, many of the great homes of the period have been torn down over the years. Between high inheritance taxes and the cost of upkeep for the grand old mansions, many have gone the way of the wrecking ball.

An entire Web site could be devoted to all the beautiful old homes in Grosse Pointe. Because of space limitations, only a few are represented here.

Photo courtesy of the Grosse Pointe Historical Society.

 

The M. Sales House, built in 1917.

Photo courtesy of the Grosse Pointe Historical Society.

 

The B. E. Taylor House.

Photo courtesy of the Grosse Pointe Historical Society.

 

The John Ford House, built in 1914, updated around 1927.

Photo courtesy of the Grosse Pointe Historical Society.

 

The H. Smith House, built in the late 20's.

Photo courtesy of the Grosse Pointe Historical Society.

The Edsel and Eleanor Ford House. Designed by architect Albert Kahn in the late 20's and today supported by a $15 million endowment, this gracious replica of an English manor house is open for tours and is used for meetings, fundraising events and  concerts.

Photo courtesy of William F. Miles.

The Russell A. Alger House. This beautiful mansion is now the Grosse Pointe War Memorial, a  community center, open to all residents for a myriad of activities and events. The War Memorial is covered in depth in the Community Resources section of this Web site.

The Rest of the Community...

The wealthy residents needed somewhere to shop, somewhere to "play", schools for their children, and services for the servants.

Photo courtesy of the Grosse Pointe Historical Society

The original Neighborhood Club Community Center. It is in a different building, of course, but still in existence today as a  community center. It is covered in depth in the community resources section of this Web site.

Photo courtesy of William F. Miles.

 

Grosse Pointe South High School, built in the 1920's is still in use today.

Photo courtesy of William F. Miles.

Grosse Pointe Yacht Club, also built in the late 20's and also still in use today. The club has a national reputation for excellence.

Photo courtesy of the Grosse Pointe Historical Society.

The "Village" shopping area as it appeared in the '40s.  Compare this to approximately the same view (1996) in the next section of this Web site. Other than the names on the stores, it sure hasn't changed much in 50 years!

ADLHOCH & ASSOCIATES, REALTORS®
19515 Mack Avenue
Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan 48236
(313) 882-5200
realestate@adlhoch.com

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