The Most Interesting Historic Homes in the Detroit Area
Story by Katie Stozicki
Detroit is home to many architectural wonders and beautiful historic homes. Many of these homes have been preserved and frozen in time as they once were and are now used for tours, as restaurants, as offices, and some are still used as private homes.
The Ford House
The iconic Ford House, home to Edsel and Elenore Ford was designed by Albert Kahn and built in 1929. If you’re looking to visit the Ford House, it can be found in Saint Claire Shores with tours available to learn more about the details of the home. It is also open for the public to explore its 87 acres.
Cranbrook House and Gardens
Take a tour of beautiful the Cranbrook house in Bloomfield Hills which was once home to George Gough Booth and Ellen Scripts. You can also venture around the house’s many acres of gardens and natural beauty. The home designed by Albert Kahn is open for tours. While you’re there, you can also tour the home of Eliel Saarinen—Cranbrook’s first architect-in-residence.
Meadow Brook Hall
Built and designed for Matilda Dodge Wilson after her husband, Alfred Wilson—co-founder of Dodge Motor Company—died. The home is a Tudor revival mansion and is open for tours. Visitors can tour both the 88,000-square-foot house as well as the beautiful gardens on the grounds.
The Whitney
The now famous restaurant and cocktail bar was built in the 1890s by lumber baron David Whitney Jr. The home has many unique features including stained glass windows built by Tiffany’s of New York, 20 fireplaces, 10 bathrooms, and, in today’s equivalent, cost about 9.5 million dollars for building and nearly another 14 million in artwork and décor.
Dymaxion House
Located at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, visitors can explore what architect R. Buckminster Fuller had wanted to create. Though he never was able to see his home come to reality, the Henry Ford Museum has been built so that everyone can view the grand, modern vision Fuller had.
Greenfield Village
Also located at the Henry Ford is an experience visitors could never forget—Greenfield Village. Greenfield Village is home to many historic country homes from local towns and across the sea. Additionally, patrons can visit Henry Ford’s childhood home and learn more about the automotive changemaker.
Motown Museum
The Motown Museum is not only a home, but the recording studio where founder Berry Gordy signed and recorded some of the most famous Motown artists including Marvin Gaye, the Temptations, and the Supremes. Visit the Motown Museum and learn the history of the man behind Motown and some of the most important history in music.
Fair Lane Manor
Fairlane Manor, located in Dearborn, was home to Clara and Henry Ford. The Fords moved into the home in 1915 and would live there until their deaths. The home was built for the couple and houses many interesting details and buildings including a greenhouse, stables, a boathouse, and a powerhouse designed by Thomas Edison. The home and gardens are available to tour.
The Thompson Home
The Thomson Home located in Detroit was an idea by David Thompson with the idea that it would be used as a home for elderly women. After his death, Thompson’s wife, Mary, would see his vision through with the completion of the home ten years later. Now, the home is a part of Wayne State University as a part of the University’s “Art on Cass” project. after spending years as a home to widows and elderly women.
The Baker House
A home that can be found in Plymouth, the Baker House was home to Henry Baker and his family. Baker founded the Daisy Manufacturing Company which would go on to design the Daisy Aire Rifle. The home is a private office today.
Col. Frank J. Hecker House
The Col. Frank J. Hecker House is a brilliant mansion that stands on Woodward Avenue in Detroit. Hecker, a Civil War soldier, also served in the Spanish-American War. After his time in the military, Hecker went on to be appointed by Theodor Roosevelt to serve on the Panama Canal Commission while also serving as Detroit Police Commissioner. Wayne State University purchased the home in 2014 and it is now called the Tierney Alumni House.
George P. MacNichol House
The George P. MacNichol house was commissioned by Edward Ford to be built as a gift for his daughter Laura in celebration of her marriage to George P. MacNichol. The home is in Wyandotte and is across the street from the Ford Beacon House. Today, the home is a part of Wyandotte Museums.
Ford Beacon House
Located in Wyandotte, the Ford-Bacon House was designed by Malcomson and Higginbotham for Edward Ford and his wife. The home was built with 11 fireplaces and a bell tower. The Fords moved after only a few years in the home when it was then given to John B. Ford. The home now serves as the town’s public library.
