Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe

Last week we reviewed the story of Henry Shelden and his stunning “Deeplands” property. Completed in 1911, the grand estate was located at 525 Lake Shore. It was razed in 1947.

This week we stay on Lake Shore to present the history of another lost estate, 421 Lake Shore. Completed in 1914, this sublime home was designed by Alpheus Chittenden and Charles Kotting for capitalist and prominent clubman Lieutenant Colonel Jessie Brooks Nichols. It was razed during the 1950’s.

421 Lakeshore, “The Cedars” was an immense 20,000 sq ft mansion. It was situated on around 8 acres, that stretched all the way from Lake Shore to Kercheval. The grounds had 300 feet of frontage on both Jefferson and Grosse Pointe Boulevard with a depth of around 1,150 feet. The estate had beautiful gardens, a caretakers’ cottages, and stables. The classically styled symmetrical American Colonial home featured a grand front façade which faced the lake. The entrance was a spectacular affair with an enclosed portico with four white columns, from which stone steps lead to the lower part of the garden. From here a second flight of stairs lead to the upper part of the grounds. Source and image: The American Architect, Volume 111. Second image: Detroit Free Press (Oct, 1947).

The main floor of the 20-room mansion included the grand hall, a large living room, a library, the dining room, a conservatory, sun porch, the breakfast room, along with the servants dining room, several porches, and a terrace. On the second floor was the master suite, three further bedrooms, two bathrooms, servants’ quarters, along with a ballroom on the third floor. Source: beyondthegildedage.com/ and The American Architect, Volume 111.

Renowned New York landscape architect William Pitkin, Jr. designed the garden. Pitkin (born in 1884) was one of the leading landscape architects in the United States during the early 20^th century. His projects were located throughout the country, ranging from a 64-acre estate in Flint (known as the Applewood Estate, 1916), to several large commissions in Ohio, along with an exclusive historic subdivision in Jacksonville, Florida. He was also involved in landscaping neighborhoods in Upper Arlington, OH, and Jacksonville, FL, with Pitkin ensuring the houses were set back far enough from the sidewalk “to allow trees to be the focus as residents walked through the neighborhoods.” Source: The American Architect (1916). Prior to working on the Nichols estate, Pitkin had already completed a couple of projects in Grosse Pointe – the grounds at 123 Lake Shore (the home of Truman H. Newberry, in 1913) along with the magnificent garden at the Mrs. Henry Stephens estate, located at 241 Lakeshore, also in 1913) – you can read the full story of 241 Lake Shore by clicking here. The following images are courtesy of: philadelphiabuildings.org and beyondthegildedage.com.

The original owner of 421 Lakeshore was Lieutenant Colonel Jessie Brooks Nichols. Born in Dunkirk, New York on 11 July 1885, he attended Yale University, completing a scientific course in 1908. That same year, on 3 June, he married Rosa Sparks Dunlap, they had three children. Image courtesy of The City of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922, Volume 3.

Following graduation, he began his career in the oil business in Lexington, Kentucky where he stayed for a year. He then came to Detroit to take up the position of director at the United States Radiator Corporation. During World War I he commanded part of the 339th Infantry in North Russian. For his services in the field J. Brooks Nichols was awarded several prestigious honors. It was reported “he was the favorite of all the officers connected with the expedition to North Russia”. In 1917, it is reported J. Brooks Nichols received a new posting and left Detroit. His magnificent estate was sold to Burt E. Taylor, a prominent Detroit real estate developer, who is credited with developing nearly 90 subdivisions in Metro Detroit. When Mr. Taylor purchased the home, the value of the property was estimated at $300,000 or more (around $7.4m today).

In March 1920, Major Nichols was made Lieutenant Colonel of Infantry, Officers Reserve Corps, U. S. Army. Later that year, it is reported he became an officer, director, and large stockholder in the Franklin Baker Company (manufacturers and distributors of coconut products). He had numerous business interests and became a highly respected figure in Philadelphia and Pennsylvania. He passed on 29 September 1970 in Connecticut.

In 1947, following the death of Mr. Taylor (25 February 1947), 421 Lake Shore was purchased by Henry Ford II. In 1954, the value of the property was assessed at $109,820 (around $1.3m today). It was sold in 1957 and subsequently demolished shortly after that.

421 Lake Shore was arguably one of the most stunning homes to have graced Grosse Pointe. The property was known to many as “one of the beauty spots of the Grosse Pointe section”. Source: Detroit Free Press (May 1917).

* Photos courtesy of the Higbie Maxon Agney archives unless stated.
** Research, information, and data sources are deemed reliable, but accuracy cannot be fully guaranteed.

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