HOLIDAY HOME TOUR2 0 2 0 V I R T U A L E X P E R I E N C E46TH

ANNUAL

Welcome to the 46th AnnualBoston-Edison Holiday Home Tour

WELCOMEOn behalf of the Board of Directors and Neighbors of the historic Boston-Edison neighborhood, welcome to the 45th Holiday Home Tour. I am Dianne Bostic Robinson, President of the Historic Boston-Edison Association.

Our Association is the oldest continuous Neighborhood Organization in Detroit, MI, and our neighborhood is one of the

largest cohesive Historic Districts in the City. At 115 years we take pride in being stewards of our historic homes and our neighborhood. We realize we are just passing through at this point in time, adding our fond memories along the way.

In the past we have been able to welcome you in person into our lovely homes and share our neighborhood with you. The COVID pandemic prevents that this year.

Instead, we have offered a virtual peek of what makes Boston-Edison so spectacular. We look forward to welcoming you in person next year.

Dianne Bostic RobinsonPresident, Historic Boston-Edison Association

Board of Directors2020-2021

Dianne Bostic RobinsonPresidentPierre Haden1st Vice President

Patricia Pickett2nd Vice PresidentDeniera DavisSecretaryKatherine AllenTreasurerMary KonopkaAssistant TreasurerMelvin HenleyProject Coordinator

Gaye ButlerJessica Care MooreErik HillGregory MontgomeryEkundayo OjumuFelecia PryorJack RaabAntonio Valenti

On behalf of the 2020 Holiday Home Tour Committee, welcome to the Boston-Edison Historic District! What a year! With so many of our normal holiday activities not happening in person, we appreciate

you choosing our Holiday Home Tour as part of your festivities.

The committee has been hard at work for months to ensure our guests have a memorable and enjoyable experience. We are grateful to our homeowners for opening their homes to make this an extraordinary event. Thank you again for supporting our beloved historic neighborhood and joining us virtually.

From our home to yours, Happy Holidays!

Deniera Davis, Chair | Katherine Allen, Co-chair | Cassi Meitl, Co-chairMichelle May | Gaye Butler

2020 Holiday Home Tour Committee

2020

We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to the dedicated volunteers who support this event and make this event a success. We couldn’t have done it without you!

A WORD OF THANKS

Shevon FowlerHeather JowettGregory Sikora

James & Tiffany Damle

Betsy Murdoch, Antonio Lück, & Amy PetersonThe Congregation Detroit Coffee House

Graphics & Program Design by:

Our Homeowners:

Thank you to the following people, who we are indebted to fortheir particular contributions and time committed to this endeavor:

Historic Boston-Edison Association Katherine Allen, Gaye Butler, Deniera DavisMichelle May, Cassi MeitlJeremy BrockmanJeremy Brockman, Michelle MayMichelle MayPamela Hillard Owens, Michelle MayMark Bowder - Burton Historical CollectionJerry Mitchell - HBEA ArchivistAlyssa Mountz, Steve St. GermainAnita Gary, P. Haden, & Crew

Executive Producer

Creative Producers / HHT CommitteeCinematographerDirectorsScript WriterHosts

Home Architecture & History ResearchWebmastersDistrict Entry Sign & Lamp Post Decorations

2020

A Special Thanks to our Sponsors & Donors:

House SponsorsRobinson Realty & Management Group (Damle Home)

Major DonorsCGH Law Firm | Annonymous $1,000 In-Kind Donation

Dwight & Felecia Pryor (General House Sponsor)

The Boston-Edison Historic District is composed of over 900 single family homes, built between 1905 and 1940, located on four streets: West Boston Boulevard, Chicago Boulevard, Longfellow and Edison, between Woodward and Linwood. The district is listed on the City, State and National Registers ofHistoric Places.

The area between Woodward and Hamilton (Voigt Park Subdivision) was platted by Edward W. Voigt in 1891. This was recorded in Volume 18 of Plats, page 48, dated February 17, 1893. Voigt Park Subdivision was incorporated into the city limits in 1891 and Hamilton became the city line. In March 1908, Edward Voigt conveyed to the city a park, now known as Voigt Park. The park is located between Second and Third, Longfellow and Edison.

In 1915, Detroit annexed the area between Hamilton and 12th Street (Boston Boulevard Subdivision) as well as the area from 12th Street to Linwood (Joy Farms Subdivision). The peak building period for the Boston Boulevard Subdivision was 1916 to 1919. Building peaked in the Joy Farms Subdivision between 1919 and 1925. It is likely that the building of nearby Henry Ford Hospital in 1915 influenced this development. Many doctors made their homes in this district.

Early neighborhood residents included Henry Ford, four of the seven Fisher brothers, S.S. Kresge, B. Siegel, Horace Rackam, Ira Grinnell, James Couzens, Rabbi Leo Franklin, Clarence Burton and Maestro Ossip Gabrilowitsch. Today the district continues to be a vibrant residential area. People of all races and religions, with a broad variety of occupations, call Boston-Edison their home.

BOSTON-EDISON HISTORIC DISTRICT

2020

2020 McDonald/Fowler Home Our Host: Shevon Fowler

2020

HISTORYThis home was built in 1916 by George D. Mason & Company for Donald J. McDonald who was an advertising manager. In the 1960s and 1970s Hill Crawford, a computer executive, lived in the home. The current owner purchased the home in 1982.

EXTERIORThis house is an example of eclectic vernacular architecture. It draws primarily on the Colonial Revival Style. However, the arch top dormers reflect a French influence.

It is a two story, brick veneer house with side gables. The principal feature is the Adam Style porch. Its entablature is decorated with the traditional triglyphs. (The bases and capitals of the columns are not original.) The façade is symmetrical with the door in the center. The first floor windows are a mix of 6/9 and 4/6 panes; second floor are 8/8 panes.

By the use of architectural details, pleasing proportions and symmetry, the façade projects a sense of dignity and calm. Decorative details include window shutters, planter boxes and trellis work above the first floor windows. The dentils of the eaves provide additional refined accents to the façade.

INTERIORThis home has many original details, including most of the light fixtures, with the exception of the dining room which the homeowner replaced. The living room has built-in shelving on either side of the French doors which lead to a sunroom. The homeowner has collected artwork and carvings from different parts of the world that are on display in the living room. The home has an upstairs library featuring an original light fixture, leaded glass windows and wallpaper that the homeowner had imported from England. Both second floor bathrooms are completely original to the home with an unusual shower that opens on two sides that can be accessed from both bathrooms. The current owner has converted the third floor into a loft space and gym, with the loft space including a skylight and the furnishings and artwork reflecting an Egyptian theme.

1616 WEST BOSTON BOULEVARD

2020 Waldo/Jowett Home Our Host: Heather Jowett

2020

HISTORYFrank Cooney built this house in 1919 as a spec house. The first occupant was George C. Waldo who was the manager of the Waldo Racine Tire Co. The current owner purchased the home in 2019.

EXTERIORThis is an example of an American Vernacular Four-Square house. This basic box style was very popular because it maximized the use of the house lot. The challenge was to make the façade interesting by adding additional elements such as porches and steps.

This is a two-story brick veneer house with a hipped roof on the house and porch and hipped dormers. The façade is asymmetrical and dominated by a high porch. Limestone trim is used extensively (windowsills and lintels, column capitals, porch and wing wall capstones). The windowpane pattern is three over one.

INTERIORPrior to the current homeowner’s purchase, this home was recently completely restored and renovated by SRH Homes, LLC. The first floor features a partial open floor plan with a living room, dining room, sunroom and kitchen. The current homeowner added light fixtures, new marble pulls on the kitchen cabinets, new subway tile backsplash and copper faucet. The second floor features a home office, guest bedroom and master bedroom decorated with a tropical color and furnishings.

2475 ATKINSON STREET

2020 Burton/Sikora Home Our Host: Gregory Sikora

2020

HISTORYThis home was built in 1922 for (and presumably by) William G. Burton. William was a prominent Detroit realtor and President of Wolverine Realty and the Glendale Gardens Land companies and headed the Cadillac Investment Co. for many years, which all had offices in the Farwell Building on Capital Park downtown. Burton was a commander of the Detroit Commandery No. 1 Knights Templar and was a President of the Detroit Golf Club. He was also a member of the Detroit Athletic Club, Pine Lake Golf and Country Club, and Ingleside Club. William and his wife Carrie had three children: daughter Olive and sons Harold and Stanley. They lived in the home with daughter Olive, her husband Oscar, and their grandchildren Oscar Jr. and Caroline as well as a live-in maid. Many socialite gatherings talked about in the Detroit Free Press were hosted at the home over the years by the Burtons. William died in October 1947 and the family sold the home after Carrie’s death in November 1948 to newlyweds Ernest and Eileen Corrado. The Carrados auctioned off the entire furnishings of the home through J.N. Dumouchelle (and presumably sold the home) a year later. Dr. Horace Holloway lived in the home from the 1950s to the 1970’s. Dr. Holloway was the first African-American physician at Highland Park General Hospital in Highland Park, MI. His wife Dorothy was an accomplished musician and was the first African-American woman to serve on the board of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. Their daughter, Dr. Deirdre Waterman, is the current mayor of Pontiac, Michigan and was the first African-American female opthamologist in the State of Michigan. After the Holloways the home went through several hands and eventually became abandoned and fell into great disrepair before being purchased through the Wayne County Tax Auction by the current owner in October 2014.

EXTERIORThis house is an example of eclectic vernacular architecture drawing on Georgian influences. The number and placement of the windows and the front door treatment is Georgian in inspiration. The thick limestone window surrounds on the first floor suggest a Renaissance influence. The pedimented dormers on the side gabled roof are not Georgian but rather reflect the fact that the upper level is functional. This is a two story brick clad house with a symmetrical façade. The principal features are the prominent limestone window surrounds, the elegant limestone treatment around the front door and the use of the Flemish bond pattern of the brick work. The wide porch, detailed craftsmanship and quality of materials are deployed to create a sense of importance.

INTERIOROver the past six years the current owner has taken on numerous renovations and restorations. The home mechanically is brand new with a modern HVAC system, brand-new plumbing and electrical throughout. The original slate roof has been restored, porches and railing rebuilt, quarter sawn oak floors refinished, plaster crown moldings retouched, moldings refinished, and mahogany doors stripped of paint and restained, just to name a few of the many renovations. The home also features beautiful Flint Faience title work in the airlock, on the two fireplaces, and the exquisite floor of the library. The homeowner also installed luxurious marble tiling in the renovated master bathroom.

2017 WEST BOSTON BOULEVARD

2020 Clark/Damle Home Our Hosts: Tiffany & James Damle

2020

HISTORYThe house was designed by George V. Pottle, a prominent Detroit architect at the time. It was built in 1913 for Seward E. Clark, his wife Myrta and their only child, Mary Katherine. Seward was a paint salesman who sold his company to Grinnell Brothers and became their Vice President. The Sewards lived in the home until 1940. Michael Cosper, his wife Betty and their four boys, and her sister and niece moved into the home in 1940. Michael was a dentist. They added a large addition to the back of the home to accommodate their large family. They remained in the home until 1972. In 1972, Bertha Brooks moved into the home with her mother and two children. Bertha was a Detroit nurse at the Henry Ford Hospital. She remained in the home until shortly before her death in 2019. The current owners purchased the home in February of 2020.

EXTERIORThis is an example of an American Four-square house with Tudor design elements. It is a two-story brick veneer front gabled house with an asymmetrical façade. Dominant features include the large front porch and the bay window. The half-timber and stucco pediments of the upper story and porch reflect Tudor style influence. Additional interest is provided by the porch being offset and the shed roof over the bay window. Window glazing pattern is three over one. Limestone trim is used sparingly (window sills, column capitals, capstones on porch and wing walls). Additional ornamentation is provided by braces under the eaves.

INTERIORPrior to the current owners’ purchase, this home was completely restored by Lady & Gent Restoration. This first floor of this home has beautiful woodwork throughout. The living room has wood beams on the ceiling and built in shelving on either side of the fireplace with handmade leaded glass. The dining room also has built in shelving and cabinets. The dining room walls have quarter sawn oak wood paneling. All wood flooring on the first floor is original. The updated kitchen was given a splash of color by the current owners with the lower cabinets painted in a rich dark green color. At the top of the stairs is a small library with a fireplace flanked by more built in spaces. On the second floor there are four bedrooms: two are being used as guest bedrooms and one has been converted into a room-sized closet. One bathroom was also converted into a laundry. The master bedroom includes a sitting room separated by French doors. The main hall bathroom incudes a clawfoot tub and original marble that is the same marble that is found in the Fisher Building. The third floor is a renovated space that now includes a large theatre/entertainment room, a home office and a workout space.

874 CHICAGO BOULEVARD

Damle HomeSponsored By

2020 The Congregation DetroitOur Host: Betsy Murdock

2020

HISTORYThe existing structure was built in 1920 after a small chapel for the congregation of St. Luke’s Evangelical Church had a fire and burnt to the ground in 1917. It took a number of years after the fire for the congregation to secure financing due to the high prices during the war period. Eventually the property fell into the hands of the Home Mission Board and Church Extension Society of the United Lutheran Church in America. From there, they worked towards securing the funding to erect the church structure that is standing here today. It was built by Spier and Gehrke Architects to become the Unity English Lutheran Church.

EXTERIORThis church stands the true test of time. One block North of the origination of the 1967 Rebellion, the church remained intact and undisturbed. At some point between the 1950s and 1960s, the original stained glass feature window was removed and blocked up. The goal when restoring and renovating the structure was to install a modern interpretation of what once was there. The new feature window installed in early 2020, is a stainless steel art piece built by The Nordin Brothers of Detroit.

INTERIORWhile the interior of the building has remained structurally the same, The Congregation has put their focus on preserving the integrity, historical detail and finishes of the space. Great efforts were taken to restore all original stained glass double-hung windows, original maple flooring, and a 150 year old organ to ensure the interior space maintains its original feel of a church. The organ, a major focal point of the interior, originally built by Samuel Russell Warren around 1870 for St Thomas Belleville, Ontario and rebuilt by Casavant in the early 1900’s, still stands tall in the Northwest corner of the main room. It made its way to this Detroit building sometime in the 1940’s or 1950’s.

9321 ROSA PARKS BOULEVARD

Thank you for supporting the 46th Annual Boston-Edison Holiday Home Tour. We hope you had a fantastic experience viewing our homes, and that

you will join us for our 2021 events!

Historic Boston-Edison Detroit @BostonEdisonDet BostonEdisonDetroit

www.historicbostonedison.org | #BEDetroit