MICHIGAN HISTORY

Detroit's Historic Brush Park neighborhood

DetroitNews-Unknown
Alfred Street in Detroit's Brush Park in 1881 featured large, stately homes like the James V. Campbell House, center. Brush Park was one of Detroit's most desirable neighborhoods from the 1860s to about 1900. Its boundaries are Edmund Place to the north; John R to the west; Brush to the east; and Alfred to the south.
Alfred Street in Detroit's Brush Park in 1881 featured large, stately homes like the James V. Campbell House, center. Brush Park was one of Detroit's most desirable neighborhoods from the 1860s to about 1900. Its boundaries are Edmund Place to the north; John R to the west; Brush to the east; and Alfred to the south.
Courtesy Of Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Public Library
An early image shows Alfred Street, probably in the early 1880s. By the 1900s Alfred Street was known for its towering elm trees, which in this photo are still small.
An early image shows Alfred Street, probably in the early 1880s. By the 1900s Alfred Street was known for its towering elm trees, which in this photo are still small.
Courtesy Of Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Public Library
The Ransom Gillis house on Alfred Street at John R is seen in 1876, a Venetian Gothic style home with a turret, ornate columns beneath the front portico, a mansard roof and lots of iron work, ceramic details and other ornamentation.
The Ransom Gillis house on Alfred Street at John R is seen in 1876, a Venetian Gothic style home with a turret, ornate columns beneath the front portico, a mansard roof and lots of iron work, ceramic details and other ornamentation.
Courtesy Of Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Public Library
Businessman Ransom Gillis was born in upstate New York in 1838, moved to Detroit after the Civil War and became a prominent member of Detroit society. He died in 1901 at age 64.
Businessman Ransom Gillis was born in upstate New York in 1838, moved to Detroit after the Civil War and became a prominent member of Detroit society. He died in 1901 at age 64.
Courtesy Of Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Public Library
In 1872 Ransom Gillis was one of the founders of dry goods wholesaler Edson, Moore & Co., whose five-story wholesale and office building at 236 Woodward is seen here, date unknown. Gillis eventually became the sole managing owner.
In 1872 Ransom Gillis was one of the founders of dry goods wholesaler Edson, Moore & Co., whose five-story wholesale and office building at 236 Woodward is seen here, date unknown. Gillis eventually became the sole managing owner.
Courtesy Of Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Public Library
This was the residence of civil engineer George Jerome on Alfred Street, photographed in 1881. The house's architectural style is Eastlake Victorian, featuring complex roof planes and lavish ornamentation.
This was the residence of civil engineer George Jerome on Alfred Street, photographed in 1881. The house's architectural style is Eastlake Victorian, featuring complex roof planes and lavish ornamentation.
Courtesy Of Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Public Library
The Alfred Street residence of attorney Elisha Taylor was photographed in 1881.
The Alfred Street residence of attorney Elisha Taylor was photographed in 1881.
Courtesy Of Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Public Library
Elisha Taylor, an attorney who also had interests in farming and real estate, was a neighbor of Ransom Gillis. He helped organize the Jefferson Avenue Presbyterian Church in 1854.
Elisha Taylor, an attorney who also had interests in farming and real estate, was a neighbor of Ransom Gillis. He helped organize the Jefferson Avenue Presbyterian Church in 1854.
Public Domain
The Albert Eugene Fay White residence, photographed in 1881, was on Alfred Street close by the Ransom Gillis House.
The Albert Eugene Fay White residence, photographed in 1881, was on Alfred Street close by the Ransom Gillis House.
Courtesy Of Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Public Library
All the children from Brush Park attended Irving Elementary School at Woodward and Willis, built in 1882. It's seen here in 1932.
All the children from Brush Park attended Irving Elementary School at Woodward and Willis, built in 1882. It's seen here in 1932.
The Detroit News Archives
Class pictures from Irving Elementary circa 1888. Upper right is Joe Pingree, son of Hazen Pingree, who became mayor of Detroit in 1889.
Class pictures from Irving Elementary circa 1888. Upper right is Joe Pingree, son of Hazen Pingree, who became mayor of Detroit in 1889.
Courtesy Of The Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Public Library
Joseph L. Hudson lived in Brush Park a few blocks from Ransom Gillis's house. In 1881 he founded his first Hudson's store and in 1891 incorporated the J.L. Hudson Company.
Joseph L. Hudson lived in Brush Park a few blocks from Ransom Gillis's house. In 1881 he founded his first Hudson's store and in 1891 incorporated the J.L. Hudson Company.
Courtesy Of Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Public Library
Ario P. Platt made his fortune in the grocery and lumber trades. He built this house in 1888 on Eliot Street in Brush Park. Between 1898 and 1926 the house was occupied by shoe firm president Frank C. Pingree, brother of Detroit Mayor Hazen Pingree.
Ario P. Platt made his fortune in the grocery and lumber trades. He built this house in 1888 on Eliot Street in Brush Park. Between 1898 and 1926 the house was occupied by shoe firm president Frank C. Pingree, brother of Detroit Mayor Hazen Pingree.
Library Of Congress
This postcard image shows the First Presbyterian Church at 2930 Woodward, circa 1908. Built in 1889, it counted many Brush Park residents among its congregation.
This postcard image shows the First Presbyterian Church at 2930 Woodward, circa 1908. Built in 1889, it counted many Brush Park residents among its congregation.
Courtesy Of The Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Library
Victorian mansions fell out of favor in the early 20th century and the automobile gave rise to new neighborhoods further from downtown. Brush Park began a steep decline, with many of the mansions becoming boarding houses. By the time this photo was taken in 1989, few were occupied.
Victorian mansions fell out of favor in the early 20th century and the automobile gave rise to new neighborhoods further from downtown. Brush Park began a steep decline, with many of the mansions becoming boarding houses. By the time this photo was taken in 1989, few were occupied.
The Detroit News Archives
A street in Brush Park in 1991 shows the result of decades of neglect.
A street in Brush Park in 1991 shows the result of decades of neglect.
The Detroit News Archives
The Ransom Gillis House, bottom, was among the long-neglected homes, seen in 1987.
The Ransom Gillis House, bottom, was among the long-neglected homes, seen in 1987.
The Detroit News Archives
Another abandoned Brush Park house photographed in 1989 showed only a basic shape of its once intricate exterior.
Another abandoned Brush Park house photographed in 1989 showed only a basic shape of its once intricate exterior.
The Detroit News Archives
Only the brick walls remain intact as the Ransom Gillis house renovations get underway in July 2015.
Only the brick walls remain intact as the Ransom Gillis house renovations get underway in July 2015.
Steve Perez, The Detroit News
HGTV’s "Rehab Addict" star Nicole Curtis shows the state of one of the fireplaces in the Ransom Gillis mansion during the restoration project.
HGTV’s "Rehab Addict" star Nicole Curtis shows the state of one of the fireplaces in the Ransom Gillis mansion during the restoration project.
Todd McInturf, The Detroit News
People file into the Ransom Gillis house on Nov. 1, 2015 to get a look at the renovations made by Nicole Curtis of HGTV's "Rehab Addict," with help from Quicken Loans and Bedrock.
People file into the Ransom Gillis house on Nov. 1, 2015 to get a look at the renovations made by Nicole Curtis of HGTV's "Rehab Addict," with help from Quicken Loans and Bedrock.
Robin Buckson, The Detroit News
A detail of the front portico of the restored Ransom Gillis house.
A detail of the front portico of the restored Ransom Gillis house.
David Guralnick, The Detroit News
Brick walls were left exposed in parts of the renovated Ransom Gillis house.
Brick walls were left exposed in parts of the renovated Ransom Gillis house.
Robin Buckson, The Detroit News
The 1882 Frederick Butler house on Edmund Place is another restored Victorian beauty in the Brush Park neighborhood. Butler was an officer of Mechanics' Bank in Detroit. His former home was converted to condos in 2006.
The 1882 Frederick Butler house on Edmund Place is another restored Victorian beauty in the Brush Park neighborhood. Butler was an officer of Mechanics' Bank in Detroit. His former home was converted to condos in 2006.
John T. Greilick, The Detroit News
Since 1981, the Elisha Taylor house has served as a center for art and architectural study, known as the Art House.
Since 1981, the Elisha Taylor house has served as a center for art and architectural study, known as the Art House.
David Coates, The Detroit News
The Hudson-Evans house on Alfred Street was built in 1872 as a gift from lumber baron David Whitney Jr. to his daughter, Grace, upon her marriage to John Evans. It later became the Joseph L. Hudson family residence. Currently the restored building is the law offices of VanOverbeke, Michaud, & Timmony, P.C.
The Hudson-Evans house on Alfred Street was built in 1872 as a gift from lumber baron David Whitney Jr. to his daughter, Grace, upon her marriage to John Evans. It later became the Joseph L. Hudson family residence. Currently the restored building is the law offices of VanOverbeke, Michaud, & Timmony, P.C.
Andrew Jameson
The former First Presbyterian Church is now the Ecumenical Theological Seminary.
The former First Presbyterian Church is now the Ecumenical Theological Seminary.
David Coates, The Detroit News
Alfred Street today still has a few of the former mansions, stripped of anything of value.
Alfred Street today still has a few of the former mansions, stripped of anything of value.
David Coates, The Detroit News
The James V. Campbell house (shown in the first photo in this gallery) sits long abandoned in the 200 block of Alfred Street.
The James V. Campbell house (shown in the first photo in this gallery) sits long abandoned in the 200 block of Alfred Street.
The Detroit News
The Ransom Gillis house is just the first of several development projects planned for Brush Park. A new five-story building with 200 lofts and ground floor retail is planned for Erskine Street and Woodward, and another residential and restaurant project has been announced for the former Brewster Wheeler complex on St. Antoine.
The Ransom Gillis house is just the first of several development projects planned for Brush Park. A new five-story building with 200 lofts and ground floor retail is planned for Erskine Street and Woodward, and another residential and restaurant project has been announced for the former Brewster Wheeler complex on St. Antoine.
David Coates, The Detroit News