Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – How Schools Got Their Names, Part 2

Last week we began a two-part series on how the schools in Grosse Pointe got their names. This informative post revealed the prominent educational figures whose names live on through our schools.

This week, with so many interesting historical figures and schools to cover, we continue our presentation as we conclude our series which has explored the history of some of Grosse Pointe’s schools.

Lewis Maire
Lewis Maire was a board member of the Grosse Pointe Board of Education from 1925 to 1928, serving as president for part of the year in 1927. He was also a prominent ophthalmologist who was on the Grosse Pointe Board of Health as well as the Village Board of Supervisors.

Lewis Maire Elementary School was completed in 1936, designed by Detroit architects H. Augustus O’Dell and Wirt C. Rowland. The English Gothic Revival style building originally had 16-rooms – classrooms, a gymnasium, science and music rooms, and modern radio and telephone equipment. The interior “was distinguished by Pewabic tile fireplaces and fishponds.” It was reported in the Detroit Free Press (1936) the school cost in the region of $286,000 to build (around $6.5m today). Image courtesy of: Homes.com

John Pierce
Reverend John D. Pierce was born in New Hampshire. Having graduated from Brown University and Princeton in Theological Seminary, Rev. Pierce moved to Marshall, Michigan in 1831 as a missionary of the Congregational Church.

It was reported “in 1834, Rev. Pierce and Isaac Crary designed the school system for Michigan, and from 1836 to 1841, he served as the state’s first superintendent of public instruction. Rev. Pierce is also credited with coordinating the state’s elementary schools, creating school districts with individual libraries, and establishing qualifications for teachers.” Source: GPPSS.

Construction of Pierce Junior High School (now a middle school) began in December 1938; the doors were opened to 750 students in September 1939. It was the district’s first junior high school. That same year the main library in Grosse Pointe Woods moved into a wing of the school.

The building was designed by prominent local architect Robert O. Derrick and his then partner Branson Van Leer Gamber. It is one of three schools Robert O. Derrick designed for the Grosse Pointe Public School system (the others were Père Gabriel Richard in 1930, and Kerby in 1948 – 1950, also with Gamber). Images courtesy of: digitize.gp.lib.mi.us and Homes.com

John Monteith
The school was named after Reverend John Monteith. It is reported Rev. Monteith and Father Gabriel Richard “ignited a spark which resulted in the founding of the University of Michigan in 1821.” Rev. Monteith became the first president of the University.

Monteith Elementary School was completed in 1951-1952, designed by O’Dell, Hewlett & Luckenbach. The building was Augustus O’Dell’s second school for the GPPSS, (having created Lewis Maire in 1936). It is understood the structure contained the latest features of architecture and engineering. Despite being completed in the early 1950’s the design of the school encompassed many Georgian Revival architectural details such a flat parapet roof, rigid symmetry, and distinctive scroll pediments above the three main doors. The enclosed portico with eight white columns provides an impressive entrance. Image courtesy of: Homes.com

Charles A. Parcells
Charles A. Parcells was a member of the school board for 21 years. During this time, from 1926-31, he was board secretary, and from 1931 – 1947 he served as president.

Parcells Junior High School (now a middle school) opened in two phases, The first phase opened in 1948 (with 18 standard classrooms), while the second phase was completed in March 1951. The latter phase of the project included an auditorium with a seating capacity of 900 and a branch for the Public Library.

It is understood the site of Parcells dates to 1881 when Michael Van Antwerp purchased farmland on both sides of Mack Ave. (at Vernier Rd.) from his parents, Francis and Appoline (Pauline) Vernier VanAntwerp. Many years later, in June 1940, the Grosse Pointe Board of Education approved the purchase of 16 acres of this area of land (at the southeast corner of Vernier and Mack) for the school. The site cost $36,983 (around $834,000 today). Source: www.gpwmi.us/

The school was designed by the renowned Detroit based firm, Giffels & Vallet. Raymond Giffels was the founder and partner. In 1929, a young architect, Louis Rosetti, joined the company as a partner. The firm was renamed as Giffels & Vallet Inc., L. Rosetti, Associated Engineers & Architects. By the 1950’s, the company, now renamed Giffels & Rosetti, had become one of the largest firms in the country, had over 950 employees, and produced work around the world. The firm was responsible for many flagship projects including the original Cobo Hall in Detroit, the Jeffersonian Apartments, and the main Terminal Building at the Wayne County Metro Airport. Image courtesy of: GoogleEarth.com

Ferry
Dexter M. Ferry Jr. was a local philanthropist and son of the Ferry Seed Company founder Dexter M. Ferry Sr. The Ferry family had donated the land on which the Central Library, was built (completed in 1953).

Ferry Elementary School was constructed in 1954. This Mid-Century Modern structure was designed by an architect who specialized in designing schools, Earl G. Meyer, who was known for his work on school buildings throughout Michigan. It appears he designed four schools for the Grosse Pointe Public School System during the 1950’s (Poupard, Ferry, Barnes, and Brownell). Images courtesy of: usmodernist.org (Michigan Society of Architects, 1957).

Brownell
Samuel Miller Brownell was a significant figure in the community. Prior to moving to Michigan, he worked for several years at Yale University where he received the Wilbur Cross Medal: given to Yale alumni with the greatest achievements in scholarship, teaching, and academics. After relocating to Detroit, he served as the superintendent of Detroit Public Schools and was the second superintendent of Grosse Pointe Public Schools from 1927 to 1938. Under Brownell’s leadership not only did he help the Grosse Pointe School District remain open during the Great Depression, but Grosse Pointe also received the reputation as one of the best school districts in the country. Source: GP Historical Society.

Brownell Junior High School (now a middle school) was completed in 1958, having been designed by Earl G. Meyer. Image courtesy of: GoogleEarth.com

The schools in Grosse Pointe have, and always will, play a significant part in the community. Not only were they designed by noted architects, but their names pay homage to the incredible individuals who helped shape the educational system we know today.

* 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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