William W. Hannan
Encyclopedia
William Washington Hannan (July 4, 1854 – December 24, 1917) was a real estate developer and the first president of the National Association of Real Estate Exchanges (now National Association of Realtors
).
in 1854. He moved to Dowagiac, Michigan
, at age two. He graduated from Dowagiac High School in 1873 and enrolled at the preparatory school at Oberlin College
in Ohio from 1874-1876.
, receiving a degree from the classical department in 1880 and a bachelor of law degree in 1883. While attending Michigan, Hannan won a reputation as one of the university's best athletes and "made an especially good record as a sprinter." Hannan also played for the Michigan baseball team, and for the first intercollegiate football team to represent the University of Michigan
, as a "rusher" for the 1879 Michigan Wolverines football team
. While studying law at Michigan, he also worked as the "engrossing and enrolling clerk" in the lower house of the Michigan State Legislature.
Hannan was also a real estate developer, opening and improving many subdivisions, including the Park Hill, Medbury, Baldwin Park and Dailey Park subdivisions. The Medbury's-Grove Lawn Subdivisions Historic District
was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
in 1988. For his efforts in developing subdivisions with houses that were affordable to the working man, Hannan won the admiration of Detroit's laborers. In 1906, the Michigan Federation of Labor wrote:
Hannan also became known as one of the leading builders of apartment buildings west of New York. The apartment hotels built and owned by Hannan included the Pasadena
(where he lived) and the Madison-Lenox
. Those three buildings were the largest and most modern apartment buildings in Detroit. In 2004, the National Trust for Historic Preservation added the Madison-Lenox to its "11 Most Endangered Historic Places", a list of buildings and locations across the United States
in danger of demolition or damage due to neglect. In May 2005, the building was demolished by its owner Ilitch Holdings
to make room for a parking lot. The Pasadena, an early example of upper-class, multi-unit housing, at 2170 East Jefferson Avenue, still exists and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
in 1985.
In 1909, Hannan served as the first president of the National Association of Real Estate Exchanges (now National Association of Realtors
). Hannan was also a member of the Detroit Board of Estimates and the Detroit Board of Commerce, one of the founders of the Detroit Athletic Club
, a Scottish Rite Mason and "a staunch Republican."
National Association of Realtors
The National Association of Realtors , whose members are known as Realtors, is North America's largest trade association. representing over 1.2 million members , including NAR's institutes, societies, and councils, involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries...
).
Early years
Hannan was born in Rochester, New YorkRochester, New York
Rochester is a city in Monroe County, New York, south of Lake Ontario in the United States. Known as The World's Image Centre, it was also once known as The Flour City, and more recently as The Flower City...
in 1854. He moved to Dowagiac, Michigan
Dowagiac, Michigan
Dowagiac is a city in Cass County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 6,147 at the 2000 census. It is part of the South Bend–Mishawaka, IN-MI, Metropolitan Statistical Area....
, at age two. He graduated from Dowagiac High School in 1873 and enrolled at the preparatory school at Oberlin College
Oberlin College
Oberlin College is a private liberal arts college in Oberlin, Ohio, noteworthy for having been the first American institution of higher learning to regularly admit female and black students. Connected to the college is the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, the oldest continuously operating...
in Ohio from 1874-1876.
University of Michigan
In 1876, he enrolled at the University of MichiganUniversity of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
, receiving a degree from the classical department in 1880 and a bachelor of law degree in 1883. While attending Michigan, Hannan won a reputation as one of the university's best athletes and "made an especially good record as a sprinter." Hannan also played for the Michigan baseball team, and for the first intercollegiate football team to represent the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
, as a "rusher" for the 1879 Michigan Wolverines football team
1879 Michigan Wolverines football team
The 1879 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1879 college football season. The team was the first intercollegiate football squad to represent the University of Michigan. They played two games, winning one and tying the other. In its first intercollegiate...
. While studying law at Michigan, he also worked as the "engrossing and enrolling clerk" in the lower house of the Michigan State Legislature.
Business career
In 1883, Hannan associated with Judge William L. Carpenter in a law practice known as Carpenter & Hannan. After practicing law for a year, Hannan entered the real estate business, initially in partnership with Herbert N. Snow under the name Hannan & Snow Company. That firmed dissolved after a few months, and, in 1885, Hannan net founded the Hannan Real Estate Exchange, which he operated for more than 30 years. By 1891, Hannan had established himself at "the top of the list" among Detroit's real estate men. The Hannan Exchange handled many of the Detroit's large real estate transactions. He was involved in the sale of land at Griswold and Congress Streets where the new owners built the 23-story Ford Building, which was considered "one of the finest office structures in the city," and held the title as tallest building in Detroit from 1909 until 1913.Hannan was also a real estate developer, opening and improving many subdivisions, including the Park Hill, Medbury, Baldwin Park and Dailey Park subdivisions. The Medbury's-Grove Lawn Subdivisions Historic District
Medbury's-Grove Lawn Subdivisions Historic District
Medbury's-Grove Lawn Subdivisions Historic District is a residential historic district located in Highland Park, Michigan. It runs along three east-west streets: Eason Street, Moss Street, and Putitan Street, from Hamilton Avenue on the west to Woodward Avenue on the east...
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 1988. For his efforts in developing subdivisions with houses that were affordable to the working man, Hannan won the admiration of Detroit's laborers. In 1906, the Michigan Federation of Labor wrote:
"Perhaps no one individual has done more to enhance the growth of Detroit and promote the interests of wage-earners than William W. Hannan, the real estate hustler. ... [He] is so well known that the name 'Hannan' and 'real estate' are synonymous. Mr. Hannan believes that the man who fails to buy a home for his family is cheating himself and losing a splendid opportunity of purchasing valuable lots in the city and suburbs at reasonable prices."
Pasadena Apartments
The Pasadena Apartments is an apartment building located at 2170 East Jefferson Avenue in Detroit, Michigan. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985.- Description :...
(where he lived) and the Madison-Lenox
Madison-Lenox Hotel
The Madison-Lenox was a hotel that stood in Detroit, Michigan, from 1900 to 2005.Originally designed as the Madison Hotel by F.C.Pollmar in 1900 and the Lenox Hotel by A.C. Varney in 1903. A two-story building between the two hotels later connected the pair, creating the Madison-Lenox Hotel. The...
. Those three buildings were the largest and most modern apartment buildings in Detroit. In 2004, the National Trust for Historic Preservation added the Madison-Lenox to its "11 Most Endangered Historic Places", a list of buildings and locations across the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in danger of demolition or damage due to neglect. In May 2005, the building was demolished by its owner Ilitch Holdings
Ilitch Holdings, Inc.
Ilitch Holdings, Inc. was established in 1999 to provide all companies owned by Mike and Marian Ilitch with professional and technical services...
to make room for a parking lot. The Pasadena, an early example of upper-class, multi-unit housing, at 2170 East Jefferson Avenue, still exists and 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 1985.
In 1909, Hannan served as the first president of the National Association of Real Estate Exchanges (now National Association of Realtors
National Association of Realtors
The National Association of Realtors , whose members are known as Realtors, is North America's largest trade association. representing over 1.2 million members , including NAR's institutes, societies, and councils, involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries...
). Hannan was also a member of the Detroit Board of Estimates and the Detroit Board of Commerce, one of the founders of the Detroit Athletic Club
Detroit Athletic Club
The Detroit Athletic Club , is a private social club and athletic club located in the heart of Detroit's theater, sports, and entertainment district. The clubhouse was designed by Albert Kahn and inspired by Rome's Palazzo Farnese. It maintains reciprocal agreements for their members at other...
, a Scottish Rite Mason and "a staunch Republican."