Brush Park Historic District

Woodward East Historic District
Streetscape on Edmund
Location: Detroit, Michigan
 United States
Architectural style: Late Victorian, French Renaissance Revival, Second Empire, Other
Governing body: Local
NRHP Reference#: 75000973[1]
Added to NRHP: January 21, 1975

Brush Park Historic District is a 24 block neighborhood located within Midtown Detroit, Michigan and designated by the city.[2][3] It is bounded by Mack Avenue on the north, Woodward Avenue on the west, Beaubien Street on the east, and the Fisher Freeway on the south. The neighborhood is experiencing restorations of its historic Gilded Age, French Renaissance Revival, Victorian style homes and luring new residents.[4][5]

Contents

Woodward East Historic District

The Woodward East Historic District is a smaller historic district, recognized by the National Register of Historic Places, which is completely encompassed by the larger Brush Park neighborhood. The Woodward East Historic District is located on Alfred, Edmund, and Watson Streets from Brush Street to John R Street in Detroit, Michigan. Woodward East is particularly known for the high Victorian style residences constructed for Detroit's wealthiest citizens. A number of grand houses have been restored in recent years[6] paying particular attention on the various architectural details, including Second Empire slate Mansard roofs, Romanesque columns and classical dentiled cornices.[7]

History

Beginning in the 1850s, entrepreneur Edmund Brush, son of Elijah Brush, the city's second mayor from its first incorporation, began developing his family's property, located conveniently close to downtown, into a neighborhood for Detroit's elite citizens.[2][9] Homes were built in Brush Park beginning in the 1850s and peaking in the 1870s and 1880s; one of the last homes built was constructed in 1906 by architect Albert Kahn for his personal use. Kahn lived in this home until his death in 1942, after which it was obtained by the Detroit Urban League, which still uses it today. Other early residents of Brush Park included lumber baron David Whitney Jr., his daughter Grace Whitney Evans, Joseph L. Hudson, founder of the eponymous department store, lumber baron Lucien Moore, banker Frederick Butler, merchant John P. Fiske, Dime Savings Bank founder William Livingstone, and dry goods manufacturer Ransom Gillis. In the late 19th century, the Brush Park neighborhood became known as the "Little Paris of the Midwest."[10]

Architects who designed these mansions included Henry T. Brush, George D. Mason, George W. Nettleton, and Albert Kahn.[11] The French Renaissance style William Livingstone House (1892–93) on Eliot St. was Albert Kahn's first commission. Livingstone was the founder of the Dime Savings Bank. Originally built about one block to the west of its final resting place to the west of John R, the Red Cross intended to demolish the Livingstone House for their new building. Preservationists succeeded in successfully moving the Livingstone Home about one block to the east.[12] Nevertheless, after this change of position some serious structural problems concerning the house's foundations caused the gradual collapse of the building. Artist Lowell Bioleau commemorated the William Livingstone House in a painting entitled Open House which he unveiled the day of its demolition September 15, 2007, underscoring preservationist efforts.[13]

As of 2001, about 154 original structures remained in the area. During the 19th century, around 300 homes were built in Brush Park, including 70 Victorian mansions. However, the neighborhood began to decline in the late 19th and early 20th century, when the advent of streetcars and then automobiles allowed prosperous citizens to live farther from downtown. Early residents moved out, notably to up-and-coming neighborhoods such as Indian Village and Boston-Edison, and the neighborhood became less fashionable. During the Great Depression, many of the older mansions were subdivided into apartments, and as houses aged in the post-World War II era, some became unoccupied and fell into disrepair.

Brush Park's revival began in the 1990s and has accelerated recently. A number of the older mansions have been restored, and more have been stabilized. In addition, new condominiums have been built in the southern part of Brush Park, near the Fisher Freeway.[14] Brush Park Historic District's general boundaries are Woodward Avenue, Mack, Beaubien, and the Fisher Freeway.

Architecture

Name[15][16] Image Year Location Style Architect Notes
Bonstelle Theatre 1902 3424 Woodward Ave. Beaux Arts Albert Kahn, C. Howard Crane When Rabbi Leo M. Franklin first began leading services of Detroit's Temple Beth El in 1899, he felt that the construction of a new temple building on Detroit's "Piety Row" stretch of Woodward would increase the visibility and prestige on Detroit's Jewish community.[17] Groundbreaking began on November 25, 1901, with the ceremonial cornerstone laid on April 23, 1902.[18] The structure is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[19]
Brownstones 1890 John R. Richardsonian Romanesque Renovated as condominiums in 2003.[20]
Frederick Butler House 1882 291 Edmund Pl. French Renaissance Revival, Second Empire Built in 1882, the Frederick Butler House at 291 Edmund Place is a French Renaissance Second Empire style mansion with a Mansard roof which was restored in 2006 and contains 8,400 sq ft (780 m2).[8] It is located near Edmund Pl. and Brush St. within the Woodward East Historic District. The original ownwer, Frederick Butler, was a banker.[8] It is presently known as Edmund Place.
James V. Campbell House 1877 261 Alfred St. Italianate This house is within the Woodward East Historic District.
The Carlton 1923 2915 John R. at Edmund Beaux Arts, Chicago School Louis Kamper Renovated as condominiums.
Carola Building 1912 78 Watson St. Renaissance Revival Renovated as condominiums. Pictured to the left of the Devon.
Lyman Cochrane House 1870 216 Winder St. Italianate This house is a relatively rare example of residential Italianate architecture in Detroit.[21] It was originally built for eye doctor John Terry, but in 1871 was sold to Judge Lyman Cochrane. Cochrane was a state senator and Superior Court Judge, serving in this capacity until his death in 1879.[22]
Crystal lofts 1919 3100 Woodward at Watson Art Deco The Art Deco façade was added to the building in 1936.[23] Renovated as condominiums.
The Devon 1905 64 Watson St. Art Deco Renovated as condominiums in 2011.[24]
John P. Fiske House 1876 261 Edmund Pl. Second Empire, French Renaissance Revival, Victorian John P. Fiske was a Detroit merchant of china and crockery.[25] The house is within the Woodward East Historic District.
Ransom Gillis House 1876 205 Alfred and John R. Venetian Gothic Henry T. Brush & George D. Mason This house has been heavily documented by John Kossik[26] and photographed by documentarian Camilo José Vergara.[27] The house is within the Woodward East Historic District.
Bernard Ginsburg House 1898 236 Adelaide St. Tudor Revival George W. Nettleton & Albert Kahn Bernard Ginsburg was an important figure in philanthropy, civic service, and the Jewish community in Detroit during the late 19th and early 20th century.[28][7] He commissioned architect Albert Kahn to design this house, one of Kahn's earliest works. Kahn went on to become well-known in industrial and commercial architecture; the Ginsburg house and its English Renaissance style exhibited is typical of Kahn's early work.[28] The house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[19]
John Harvey House 1887 97 Winder St. Second Empire John V. Smith John Harvey was a pharmacist and philanthropist. The house contains 11,000 square feet (1,000 m2), eight marble fireplaces, and three-story staircase. Devolopers purchased the John Harvey House in 1986, renovated the structure, and, in 2005, opened it as the Inn at 97 Winder, a bed and breakfast.[29] The house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[19]
J.P. Donaldson, David C. Whitney House 1870s 82 Alfred St. Queen Anne Gordon W. Lloyd Originally 36 Alfred, 82 Alfred was built in the 1870s for J. P. Donaldson. In 1892, David C. Whitney acquired the home, which was completely renovated by Gordon W. Lloyd.[30] At the time it was said to be one of the most substantial homes in Detroit and valued at $30,000 (today $750,000±).[31] The home had several other owners before becoming a rooming house.[32][33] Today it is used again as a single family residence.[34]
Hudson-Evans House 1872 79 Alfred St. Second Empire, French Renaissance Revival, Italianate Unknown Also known as the Joseph Lothian Hudson House or the Grace Whitney Evans House. The house was a gift from David Whitney Jr. to his daughter Grace upon her marriage to John Evans in 1872. It later became the J.L. Hudson family residence. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[19]
Albert Kahn House 1906 208 Mack Ave. English Renaissance Albert Kahn In 1906, architect Albert Kahn built a home for his personal use.[35] He lived in the home from 1906 until his death in 1942.[36] The house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[19]
George Ladve House 1882 269 Edmund Pl. Eastlake Victorian Originally owned by George Ladve, 269 Edmund Pl., an Eastlake Victorian style mansion built in 1882 and restored in 2008, contains 7,400 sq ft (690 m2). Ladve had owned a carpet and upholstery company. In the late 1890s, the Frohlich family added a music room. Frohlich was among the original philanthropists to the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. The house is within the Woodward East Historic District.[37]
The Lamar Watson and John R. Renaissance Revival Condominums.
Lucien Moore House 1885 104 Edmund Pl. French Renaissance Revival, Gothic Revival Originally owned by lumber baron Lucien Moore, 104 Edmund Place, designed in a French Renaissance Gothic Revival style and restored in 2006, has 7,000 sq ft (650 m2).[8][38] The Lucien Moore House restoration was featured December 27, 2005 by HGTV's restore America Initiative in partnership with the National Trust for Historic Preservation.[10][39] Presently known as the Moorie Town House.
H.P. Pulling House 48 Edmund Pl. Victorian
Emanuel Schloss House 1870 234 Winder St. Second Empire Emanuel Schloss was a dry goods merchant and haberdasher in Detroit.[40] In 1870, he built one of the best examples of a Second Empire home that still exists in Detroit.[40] The home has been restored and now operates as the 234 Winder Street Inn.[41]
Elisha Taylor House 1870 59 Alfred St. French Renaissance Revival, Second Empire, Victorian, Gothic Revival Unknown The Elisha Taylor House, with its French Renaissance Revival, Second Empire mansard roof, has distinct elements of Victorian and Gothic Revival style and was built for William H. Craig, a Detroit land speculator.[42][16] In 1875,[43] Craig sold the house to attorney Elisha Taylor.[42] Taylor was a Detroit attorney who held many offices during his career, including City Attorney,[42] assistant Michigan Attorney General from 1837 to 1841, and Circuit Court Commissioner from 1846 to 1854.[43] The house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[19]
Joseph F. Weber House 1901 206 Eliot St. Georgian Originally owned by lumber baron Joseph F. Weber, 206 Eliot is a Georgian style house.[44]
Woodward Place 2001 Brush Park Contemporary Colonial Contemporary Colonial loft style condominium development.
First Presbyterian Church 1889 2930 Woodward Ave. Richardsonian Romanesque George D. Mason George D. Mason modeled the First Presbyterian Church after Henry Hobson Richardson's Trinity Church in Boston.[45] When Woodward was widened in 1936, the elaborately-carved entrance porch was moved from the Woodward facade to the Edmund Place side.[45] The church is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[19]
First Unitarian Church of Detroit 1890 2870 Woodward Ave. at Edmund Richardsonian Romanesque Donaldson and Meier This church was dedicated in November, 1890.[46] The congregation used the church until 1936, when the widening of Woodward Avenue required a remodelling of the church. The church is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[19]

Education

Brush Park is within the Detroit Public Schools district. Residents are zoned to Spain Elementary School for K-8,[47][48] while they are zoned to Martin Luther King High School (9-12) for high school.[49]

References

  1. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. 2008-04-15. http://nrhp.focus.nps.gov/natreg/docs/All_Data.html. 
  2. ^ a b Brush Park Historic District from the City of Detroit
  3. ^ Mullen, Ann, (January 3, 2001).Brush Park and hope. Metro Times. Retrieved on June 14, 2008.
  4. ^ Pfeffer, Jaime, (September 12, 2006).Falling for Bush Park. Metro Times. Retrieved on June 14, 2008.
  5. ^ Archambault, Dennis (February 14, 2006).Forging Bush Park. Metro Times. Retrieved on June 14, 2008.
  6. ^ DETROIT HISTORIC DISTRICTS from CityScape Detroit
  7. ^ a b Woodward East Historic District from the state of Michigan
  8. ^ a b c d Pfeffer, Jaime (September 12, 2006).Falling for Brush Park.Model D Media. Retrieved on September 26, 2009.
  9. ^ Elijah Brush.Elmwood Cemetery.
  10. ^ a b National Trust for Historic Preservation (December 27, 2005).Detroit’s Lucien Moore House Honored by HGTV.Retrieved on May 3, 2009.
  11. ^ Piligian, Ellen (April 1, 2008).McMillin's Detroit.Model D media. Retrieved on July 24, 2009.
  12. ^ "William Livingstone Residence". Population Studies Center. University of Michigan.. http://detroit1701.psc.isr.umich.edu/Livingstone%20Mansion.html. Retrieved 2011-01-12. 
  13. ^ Open House. Retrieved on September 26, 2009.
  14. ^ Dennis Archambault, "Forging Brush Park," 2/14/06
  15. ^ Historic sites online.Michigan Historic Preservation Office. Retrieved on December 11, 2007.
  16. ^ a b Hill, Eric J. and John Gallagher (2002). AIA Detroit: The American Institute of Architects Guide to Detroit Architecture. Wayne State University Press. ISBN 0-8143-3120-3. 
  17. ^ Temple Beth-El from Detroit 1701.org.
  18. ^ Katz, Irving I., The Beth El Story (with a History of Jews in Michigan Before 1850), Wayne State University Press, 1955, pp. 96-101.
  19. ^ a b c d e f g h National Register of Historic Places - Michigan: Wayne County. National Park Service. Retrieved on July 27, 2009.
  20. ^ Brownstones.Crosswinds Communities. Retrieved on November 26, 2011.
  21. ^ Lyman Cochrane House from the city of Detroit, retrieved 9/7/09
  22. ^ Lyman Cochrane House from Detroit1701, retrieved 9/7/09
  23. ^ Crystal lofts.Detroit1701. Retrieved on December 2, 2011.
  24. ^ Devon.Model D Media (January 11, 2011). Retrieved January 12, 2011.
  25. ^ John P. Fiske House from the city of Detroit, retrieved 9/7/09
  26. ^ 63 Alfred Street: Where Capitalism Failed
  27. ^ Ransom Gyllis Home from Detroit1701.org, retrieved 9/7/09
  28. ^ a b Bernard Ginsburg House from the state of Michigan
  29. ^ The Largest Historic Mansion in Detroit's Brush Park Area Opens as a New, Prestigious Bed and Breakfast Inn (press release)
  30. ^ "Bracing Up All Around". Detroit Freepress-ProQuest Historical Newspapers. 7 February 1892. 
  31. ^ "Real Estate Budget". Detroit Free Press-ProQuest Historical Newspapers. 22 September 1901. 
  32. ^ "Real Estate Budget". Detroit Free Press-ProQuest Historical Newspapers. 22 September 1901. 
  33. ^ ProQuest Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps Detroit Map 15, 1921 
  34. ^ "Brush Park and hope". Metro Times. 3 January 2001. 
  35. ^ Albert Kahn House from the city of Detroit
  36. ^ Albert Kahn Home from Detroit1701.org
  37. ^ Crain's Detroit House Party.Crain's Detroit Business. Retrieved on September 27, 2009.
  38. ^ Lucien Moore House, Detroit1701.org. Retrieved on September 26, 2009.
  39. ^ Foster, Margaret (May–June 2005).Rebuilding Begins at Home: HGTV, Trust to focus on housing for Restore America's third year.Preservation Magazine. National Trust for Historic Preservation. Retrieved on September 27, 2009.
  40. ^ a b Emanuel Schloss House/234 Winder Street Inn from Detroit1701.org
  41. ^ 234 Winder Street Inn home page
  42. ^ a b c Elisha Taylor House from the city of Detroit
  43. ^ a b The Elisha Taylor Home from Detroit1701.org
  44. ^ Weber House from the city of Detroit
  45. ^ a b First Presbyterian Church from Detroit1701.org.
  46. ^ First Unitarian Church of Detroit from State of Michigan.
  47. ^ "Elementary School Boundary Map." Detroit Public Schools. Retrieved on October 20, 2009.
  48. ^ "Middle School Boundary Map." Detroit Public Schools. Retrieved on October 20, 2009.
  49. ^ "High School Boundary Map." Detroit Public Schools. Retrieved on October 20, 2009.
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