Entries by Katie Doelle

Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – The Schmidt Family – Part 2

Last week we began a two-part series on the Schmidt Family. The head of the family, Traugott Schmidt, was one of Michigan’s most successful businessmen. His three sons and two daughters resided in Grosse Pointe, in homes designed by some of the nation’s leading architects. This week, in part two of our story on the […]

Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – The Schmidt Family – Part 1

Last week we presented another grand home on Windmill Pointe, 15324 Windmill Pointe. It was designed by prominent Detroit architect Wallace Frost in 1927, for Ross Whitcomb Judson, the founder of the Continental Motor Company. This week we turn our attention from grand homes to a grand family. During the late 19th century and the […]

Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 15324 Windmill Pointe

Last week we visited 15420 Windmill Pointe, designed by noted local architect Robert O. Derrick for John Bell Moran. Completed in 1927, “Bellmor” is a 12,000 square foot English Tudor style mansion modeled after a sixteenth century English manor house. This week we present another grand home on Windmill Pointe, 15324 Windmill Pointe, designed by […]

Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 15420 Windmill Pointe

Last week we stopped by arguably one of the most prestigious homes in the Grosse Pointe communities – 15520 Windmill Pointe, designed by Alpheus W. Chittenden in 1903, for John B. Ford. This week we stay on Windmill Pointe to visit 15420 Windmill Pointe, designed by noted local architect Robert O. Derrick for John Bell […]

Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 15520 Windmill Pointe

Happy 2024! In the last post of 2023, we visited the Mid-Century Modern “Holiday Houses” on Shelborne in Grosse Pointe Farms. The Ranch style homes were designed by William F. Baker and built by Cox & Baker during the 1950’s and 60’s, a significant period in modern home design. The “Holiday House” event was held […]

Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – The “Holiday Houses” on Shelborne Rd

Last week we concluded our series on the work of Albert Kahn as we briefly reviewed arguably one of the most noted residences he created Rose Terrace, followed by the history of the property with Rose Terrace II, and the Rose Terrace Subdivision. This week we are going to visit the Mid-Century Modern “Holiday Houses” […]

Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – The History of Rose Terrace

Last week we presented the story of one of Albert Kahn’s public buildings, the Vernier school, completed in 1916. Originally located at 36 Vernier Road, it was razed in 1994. This week we conclude our series on the work of Albert Kahn as we briefly review arguably one of the most noted residences he created […]

Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – The Vernier School

Last week we continued our focus on the work of Albert Kahn as we stopped by 266 Lakeland, one of the few remaining works by this prestigious architect. Of the 20 or so projects this nationally renowned designer completed in Grosse Pointe, at least half a dozen of his creations have been demolished. This week […]

Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 266 Lakeland “Rosecroft”

Last week we presented the history of Dodge Place. The property was originally the location of 17800 E. Jefferson, designed by Albert Kahn in 1905, for Charles M. Swift. The grand English Tudor, one of the earlier year-round residences to be constructed in Grosse Pointe, was razed in 1985, and is now the location of […]

Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Dodge Place

Last week we presented 1017 Lake Shore, the former housekeeper’s residence that was originally part of the Edsel and Eleanor Ford Estate, designed by Albert Kahn and completed in 1929. This week we continue with the work of Albert Kahn. This nationally renowned designer worked on at least 20 projects in Grosse Pointe, from the […]