Arden Park-East Boston Historic District
Encyclopedia
The Arden Park-East Boston Historic District is a neighborhood in the City of Detroit, Michigan, bounded on the west by Woodward Avenue, on the north by East Boston Boulevard, on the east by Oakland Avenue, and on the south by Arden Park Boulevard. The area is immediately adjacent to the larger Boston-Edison Historic District
, on the opposite side of Woodward Avenue, and is in close proximity to Atkinson Avenue
. There are 92 homes in the district, all on East Boston and Arden Park Boulevards. Arden Park Boulevard and East Boston Boulevard feature prominent grassy medians with richly planted trees and flowers. The setbacks of the homes are deep, with oversized lots. The district was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.
and Edmund J. Owen along two streets east of Woodward: specifically, East Boston Boulevard and East Chicago Boulevard. and given the name "McLaughlin and Owen's Subdivision." The lots were spacious to attract the city's wealthier residents. The subdivision was sold twice before being purchased by Max Broock, a prominent real estate developer, in 1910. At Broock's urging, the name of "East Chicago" was changed to "Arden Park," giving the thoroughfare its present name.
Although the neighborhood was first platted in 1892, most of the homes built in the community date to the first two decades of the Twentieth Century. This time period coincided with an economic boom in Detroit, and many newly-minted millionaires hired architects to design prestigious dwellings in the neighborhood. Architectural styles represented in Arden Park-East Boston include Italian Renaissance
, Colonial Revival, Tudor
, Bungalow
style and Prairie Style.
Some of the neighborhood's first residents included automotive icons Frederick Fisher
and John Dodge
, retail pioneer J.L. Hudson, as well as Alexander Y. Malcomson
, Clayton and Albert Grinnell. Another retail magnate, Stanley Kresge, Jr. of K-Mart fame, resided in the community. The home of Frederick Fisher, on Arden Park Boulevard, was built in 1918 in the Italian Villa style to the plan of architect George D. Mason. The residence--which comprises nearly 12000 square feet (1,114.8 m²)--is built entirely of Indiana limestone and features elaborate stone-carvings and ironwork.
The neighborhood's most prominent landmark is the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament
. Next door to the cathedral, is the personal residence of Detroit's Roman Catholic Cardinal Archbishop.
In the 1940s, notable residents included Dr. Dewitt Burton, founder of the Burton Mercy Hospital; Charles Diggs, Sr. first black elected to the Michigan State Senate (father of Charles Diggs, Jr.), and Dr. Haley Bell, dentist, and the first black to receive an FCC license to operate a radio station (WCHB
). Rev. Dr. Stephen C. Campbell, Pastor of the Russell St. Baptist Church. Prophet Jones
, a prominent African-American Detroit religious leader of the 1950s, resided in a mansion on Arden Park and often addressed his congregation from the front steps of the residence.
Today, the city neighborhood is home largely to professionals, many of whom work in downtown Detroit. The neighborhood is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
, the State of Michigan Register of Historic Sites, and is a City of Detroit Designated Historic District.
district. Residents are assigned to Loving Elementary School, Golightly Education Center (6-8), and Central High School
.
Boston-Edison Historic District
The Boston-Edison Historic District is a historic neighborhood located in the geographic center of Detroit, Michigan. It consists of over 900 homes built on four east/west streets: West Boston Boulevard, Chicago Boulevard, Longfellow Avenue, and Edison Avenue, stretching from Woodward Avenue on...
, on the opposite side of Woodward Avenue, and is in close proximity to Atkinson Avenue
Atkinson Avenue Historic District
Atkinson Avenue is an east/west street located in the geographic heart of the city of Detroit, Michigan.Atkinson Avenue was named in honor of William Francis Atkinson. Held prisoner by the Confederacy, Atkinson courageously escaped and rose to the rank of captain before leaving the service in 1886....
. There are 92 homes in the district, all on East Boston and Arden Park Boulevards. Arden Park Boulevard and East Boston Boulevard feature prominent grassy medians with richly planted trees and flowers. The setbacks of the homes are deep, with oversized lots. The district was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.
History
The neighborhood was originally platted in 1892 by Joseph R. McLaughlinJoseph R. McLaughlin (Michigan politician)
Joseph R. McLaughlin was an entrepreneur and politician from the U.S. state of Michigan, serving as Lieutenant Governor from 1895 to 1897....
and Edmund J. Owen along two streets east of Woodward: specifically, East Boston Boulevard and East Chicago Boulevard. and given the name "McLaughlin and Owen's Subdivision." The lots were spacious to attract the city's wealthier residents. The subdivision was sold twice before being purchased by Max Broock, a prominent real estate developer, in 1910. At Broock's urging, the name of "East Chicago" was changed to "Arden Park," giving the thoroughfare its present name.
Italian Renaissance
The Italian Renaissance began the opening phase of the Renaissance, a period of great cultural change and achievement in Europe that spanned the period from the end of the 13th century to about 1600, marking the transition between Medieval and Early Modern Europe...
, Colonial Revival, Tudor
Tudorbethan architecture
The Tudor Revival architecture of the 20th century , first manifested itself in domestic architecture beginning in the United Kingdom in the mid to late 19th century based on a revival of aspects of Tudor style. It later became an influence in some other countries, especially the British colonies...
, Bungalow
Bungalow
A bungalow is a type of house, with varying meanings across the world. Common features to many of these definitions include being detached, low-rise , and the use of verandahs...
style and Prairie Style.
Frederick Fisher
Frederick Fisher VC , was a Canadian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. He was the first Canadian-born man to win VC while serving in the Canadian Army. A native of St...
and John Dodge
John Francis Dodge
John Francis Dodge was an American automobile manufacturing pioneer and co-founder of Dodge Brothers Company.-Biography:...
, retail pioneer J.L. Hudson, as well as Alexander Y. Malcomson
Alexander Y. Malcomson
Alexander Y. Malcomson was a coal dealer from Detroit, Michigan who bankrolled Henry Ford's first successful foray into automobile manufacturing: the Ford Motor Company.- Early life :...
, Clayton and Albert Grinnell. Another retail magnate, Stanley Kresge, Jr. of K-Mart fame, resided in the community. The home of Frederick Fisher, on Arden Park Boulevard, was built in 1918 in the Italian Villa style to the plan of architect George D. Mason. The residence--which comprises nearly 12000 square feet (1,114.8 m²)--is built entirely of Indiana limestone and features elaborate stone-carvings and ironwork.
The neighborhood's most prominent landmark is the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament
Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament
The Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament is a decorated Gothic Revival style Roman Catholic cathedral church in the United States. It is the seat of the archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit...
. Next door to the cathedral, is the personal residence of Detroit's Roman Catholic Cardinal Archbishop.
WCHB
WCHB is an American AM radio station licensed to Taylor, Michigan, at 1200 kHz, and serving the Detroit market. Owned by Radio One, WCHB identifies as NewsTalk 1200 WCHB and airs a News/Talk format.-AM 1440 WCHB:...
). Rev. Dr. Stephen C. Campbell, Pastor of the Russell St. Baptist Church. Prophet Jones
James F. Jones (minister)
Rev. Dr. James F. Jones Prophet Jones was an African American religious leader, televangelist, faith healer, self-proclaimed prophet and pastor who led the Church of Universal Triumph, Dominion of God, Inc. from 1938 until his death in 1971...
, a prominent African-American Detroit religious leader of the 1950s, resided in a mansion on Arden Park and often addressed his congregation from the front steps of the residence.
Today, the city neighborhood is home largely to professionals, many of whom work in downtown Detroit. The neighborhood is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
, the State of Michigan Register of Historic Sites, and is a City of Detroit Designated Historic District.
Schools
Residents are zoned to schools in the Detroit Public SchoolsDetroit Public Schools
Detroit Public Schools is a school district that covers all of the city of Detroit, Michigan, United States. The student population of the Detroit Public Schools is about 65,971 , which is down about 9.7% from the previous school year. Detroit Public Charter Schools educate an additional 56,000...
district. Residents are assigned to Loving Elementary School, Golightly Education Center (6-8), and Central High School
Central High School (Detroit, Michigan)
Central High School is the oldest secondary school in Detroit, Michigan; it is staffed and operated by the Detroit Public Schools.-History:In 1858, Detroit's first high school opened on Miami Avenue. By 1863, due to increased enrollment, the school was moved to a building that had formerly housed...
.