Pleasant Ridge East Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Pleasant Ridge East Historic District
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| Location | Bounded generally by Woodward, 10 Mile Rd., Conrail and east city limits and south city limits, Pleasant Ridge, Michigan |
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| Area | 90 acres (36 ha) |
| Architectural style | Bungalow/craftsman, Colonial Revival, et al. |
| NRHP reference No. | 06001329 |
| Added to NRHP | February 1, 2007 |
The Pleasant Ridge East Historic District is a special neighborhood in Pleasant Ridge, Michigan. It's a historic area with many old homes located just east of Woodward Avenue. This district is bordered by Woodward, Ten Mile Road, the Conrail train tracks, and the city limits to the east and south. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2007 because of its important history and well-preserved buildings.
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History of Pleasant Ridge East
The first person to settle in what is now Pleasant Ridge was Virgil Rose. He bought a large piece of land, about 400 acres, around the Ten Mile Road and Woodward Avenue crossing.
Early Land Development
Later, in the late 1800s, the Rose family sold some of their land west of Woodward Avenue. This part went to Alfred F. Wilcox. He built a big estate there in 1900. By 1906, he started planning out smaller plots of land for houses.
The Rose family kept the land east of Woodward until 1914. Then, they also planned out new neighborhoods called LaBelle Heights and Hamilton Woods. Most of the homes in this historic district are found in these areas. The very first houses were built here between 1915 and 1916.
Growth and Incorporation
In 1919, the area of Pleasant Ridge, on both sides of Woodward Avenue, officially became a village. The 1920s saw a big boom in building new homes. Many builders and developers worked in the area. Walter Gehrke was one of the most important. He opened an office in the district in 1926.
In 1927, the village of Pleasant Ridge became a city. The Pleasant Ridge East Historic District became home to many different kinds of people. These included teachers, architects, artists, accountants, engineers, doctors, and other professionals.
Exploring the District
The Pleasant Ridge East Historic District is mostly a neighborhood of single-family homes. There are only a few shops or businesses along Woodward and Main Street. The neighborhoods here are very well-preserved. They look much like they did when they were first built.
Architectural Styles
The homes show many popular building styles from the 1920s and 1930s. You can see homes built in the Colonial style, charming English cottages, and sturdy bungalows. There are also many Craftsman-style houses, known for their detailed woodwork.
Neighborhood Layout
The largest homes in the district are usually found closer to Woodward Avenue. As you move farther away, closer to the train tracks, the homes tend to be smaller. This shows how the neighborhood was planned out long ago.
Gallery
