Arden Park–East Boston Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Arden Park–East Boston Historic District
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| Location | Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
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| Architect | Multiple |
| Architectural style | Late 19th And Early 20th Century American Movements, Late 19th And 20th Century Revivals, Renaissance |
| NRHP reference No. | 82002891 |
| Added to NRHP | April 29, 1982 |
The Arden Park–East Boston Historic District is a special neighborhood in Detroit, Michigan. It's located between Woodward Avenue, East Boston Boulevard, Oakland Avenue, and Arden Park Boulevard. This neighborhood is right next to the bigger Boston–Edison Historic District and also close to Atkinson Avenue.
There are 92 homes in this historic area, all found on East Boston and Arden Park Boulevards. Both streets have wide, grassy areas in the middle, filled with beautiful trees and flowers. The houses are set far back from the street on very large lots. This district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982 because of its important history.
Contents
History of Arden Park–East Boston
How the Neighborhood Started
The Arden Park–East Boston neighborhood was first planned in 1892. Two people, Joseph R. McLaughlin and Edmund J. Owen, created the layout for two streets east of Woodward Avenue. These streets were East Boston Boulevard and East Chicago Boulevard. The area was first called "McLaughlin and Owen's Subdivision."
The lots for homes were made very large. This was done to attract the city's wealthiest people to live there. The land was sold two times before a well-known real estate developer named Max Broock bought it in 1910. Max Broock suggested changing the name of "East Chicago" to "Arden Park." This is how the street got its current name.
Building the Homes
Even though the neighborhood was planned in 1892, most of the houses were built between 1900 and 1920. This was a time when Detroit's economy was growing very fast. Many people became very rich during this period. These new millionaires hired architects to design impressive homes in the neighborhood.
The houses in Arden Park–East Boston show many different Architectural styles. Some popular styles include Italian Renaissance, Colonial Revival, Tudor, Bungalow style, and Prairie Style. Each style adds to the unique look of the neighborhood.
Famous Residents and Homes
Many important people lived in Arden Park–East Boston. Some of the first residents included famous car industry leaders like Frederick J. Fisher and John Francis Dodge. J.L. Hudson, who started a big department store, also lived here. Other notable residents were Alexander Y. Malcomson, Clayton Grinnell, and Albert Grinnell. Stanley Kresge, Jr., whose family was famous for K-Mart stores, also lived in the community.
Frederick Fisher's home on Arden Park Boulevard was built in 1918. It was designed in the Italian Villa style by architect George D. Mason. This large house is made entirely of Indiana limestone. It features detailed stone carvings and fancy ironwork.
Another interesting home is 211 Arden Park. It was built in 1914 for Robert C.J. Traub, a famous jeweler. His jewelry store was once in downtown Detroit. This house was even featured on the cover of "House Beautiful" magazine in 1914. The magazine showed pictures of the house's inside rooms. This helped keep the house's original design and interior looking the same over the years.
Important Landmarks and Later Residents
The most famous building in the neighborhood is the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament. It's a very important church. Right next to the cathedral is the home of Detroit's Roman Catholic archbishop.
In the 1940s, more important people moved into the neighborhood. These included Dr. Dewitt Burton, who started the Burton Mercy Hospital. Charles Diggs, Sr. also lived here; he was the first African American elected to the Michigan State Senate. Dr. Haley Bell, a dentist, was another resident. He was the first African American to get a license from the FCC to run a radio station (WCHB). Rev. Dr. Stephen C. Campbell, a pastor, also lived in the area. Prophet Jones, a well-known African-American religious leader from the 1950s, lived in a large house on Arden Park. He often spoke to his followers from the front steps of his home.
Today, many professionals live in this city neighborhood. A lot of them work in downtown Detroit. The Arden Park–East Boston Historic District is recognized as a historic place by the National Register of Historic Places, the State of Michigan, and the City of Detroit.
Schools in the District
Students living in the Arden Park–East Boston Historic District attend schools in the Detroit Public Schools district. They are assigned to Loving Elementary School, Golightly Education Center for grades 6-8, and Central High School.
See also
In Spanish: Distrito Histórico de Arden Park-East Boston para niños
