Samuel L. Smith House
Encyclopedia
The Samuel L. Smith House is located at 5035 Woodward Avenue in Detroit, Michigan
. It was also known as the Schools Annex. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
in 1986.
This house was built in 1889 for $17,000, for William C. Williams in what was then a quiet neighborhood on the outskirts of Detroit. The next year, Williams sold the home to its most famous resident, Samuel L. Smith. Smith was one of the most prominent citizens of Detroit at the time, having made his fortune in lumber, shipping, mining and railroad ventures. He later financed many automobile ventures, most notably the Olds Motor Works.
Smith lived in the home for 27 years, after which it was purchased by the Detroit Music Conservatory. A few years later, the Conservatory built a two story rear addition that connected the main house to the original carriage house.
In 1960, Wayne State University
purchased the building to serve as the home for WDET
and WSU's Office of the Center of Instructional Technology. In 1979, the Detroit Public Schools
bought the building, using it until 2003 when WSU repurchased it.
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
. It was also known as the Schools Annex. It was 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...
in 1986.
History
Smith lived in the home for 27 years, after which it was purchased by the Detroit Music Conservatory. A few years later, the Conservatory built a two story rear addition that connected the main house to the original carriage house.
In 1960, Wayne State University
Wayne State University
Wayne State University is a public research university located in Detroit, Michigan, United States, in the city's Midtown Cultural Center Historic District. Founded in 1868, WSU consists of 13 schools and colleges offering more than 400 major subject areas to over 32,000 graduate and...
purchased the building to serve as the home for WDET
WDET
WDET-FM is a public radio station in Detroit, Michigan. Licensed to Wayne State University in the city's Cass Corridor neighborhood, about a mile south of the New Center neighborhood, WDET broadcasts original programming as well as shows from National Public Radio, Public Radio International and...
and WSU's Office of the Center of Instructional Technology. In 1979, the Detroit Public Schools
Detroit 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...
bought the building, using it until 2003 when WSU repurchased it.