Information About Grosse Pointe
Grosse Pointe is an affluent community located along Lake St. Clair about 10 miles northeast of downtown Detroit. In spite of its lake-side location, the Grosse Pointe area was settled relatively late compared to other communities in Southeast Michigan. According to the Grosse Pointe Historical Society, the area that now makes up the five “Pointes” collectively known as Grosse Pointe was originally wooded and marshy.
In fact, it wasn't until 1750 that the first settler of record came to the area. The original settlers were French and owned long and narrow plots of land that ended at the Lake. These were known as ribbon farms and gave each farmer water access.
In the years before the Civil War, the area was mainly known for its orchards. After the Civil War, it was known for its fisheries. It wasn't until the end of the 1800s, as Detroit became more and more industrialized, that the area became known as a summer resort: “The Newport of the Midwest.” As the years passed and the area became more accessible via steamers, streetcars, railways and finally cars, summer cottages gave way to huge estates and mansions. Wealthy businessmen moved to area year round and built to one-up their neighbors. As the area developed, marshes were drained and subdivisions began to sprout up as well.
These days, Grosse Pointe is an affluent, lake-side community with its own marina; diverse, historical architecture; and a wealth of social and recreational opportunity.
The main commercial center for the area, “The Village,” covers three blocks along Kercheval and is located within what is now the City of Grosse Pointe (incorporated in 1934). While the Jacobson's Department Store once anchored The Village, the commercial district is still going strong despite the closing of the department store in 2000. These days, the district has art galleries, boutiques and specialty stores, including Trader Joe's and Ann Taylor's Loft.
The remaining four “Pointes” include Grosse Pointe Shores, Grosse Pointe Park, Grosse Pointe Woods and Grosse Pointe Farms, home to The Hill commercial district. Grosse Pointe Farms is also home to Pier Park aka The Pier, a community park with a marina and recreation building.
Grosse Pointe hosts a concerts series in the summer, as well as several sailing races and regattas. Annual Grosse Pointe events include Winterfest on the Hill, Grosse Pointe's Greatest Block Party and a Santa Clause Parade.
In fact, it wasn't until 1750 that the first settler of record came to the area. The original settlers were French and owned long and narrow plots of land that ended at the Lake. These were known as ribbon farms and gave each farmer water access.
History
In the years before the Civil War, the area was mainly known for its orchards. After the Civil War, it was known for its fisheries. It wasn't until the end of the 1800s, as Detroit became more and more industrialized, that the area became known as a summer resort: “The Newport of the Midwest.” As the years passed and the area became more accessible via steamers, streetcars, railways and finally cars, summer cottages gave way to huge estates and mansions. Wealthy businessmen moved to area year round and built to one-up their neighbors. As the area developed, marshes were drained and subdivisions began to sprout up as well.
The Village
These days, Grosse Pointe is an affluent, lake-side community with its own marina; diverse, historical architecture; and a wealth of social and recreational opportunity.
The main commercial center for the area, “The Village,” covers three blocks along Kercheval and is located within what is now the City of Grosse Pointe (incorporated in 1934). While the Jacobson's Department Store once anchored The Village, the commercial district is still going strong despite the closing of the department store in 2000. These days, the district has art galleries, boutiques and specialty stores, including Trader Joe's and Ann Taylor's Loft.
The Pointes
The remaining four “Pointes” include Grosse Pointe Shores, Grosse Pointe Park, Grosse Pointe Woods and Grosse Pointe Farms, home to The Hill commercial district. Grosse Pointe Farms is also home to Pier Park aka The Pier, a community park with a marina and recreation building.
Things to Do
Grosse Pointe hosts a concerts series in the summer, as well as several sailing races and regattas. Annual Grosse Pointe events include Winterfest on the Hill, Grosse Pointe's Greatest Block Party and a Santa Clause Parade.
Trivia
- The original settlers to the Grosse Pointe area were a superstitious lot and believed in the feu follet sprite, le lutin (a horned nightrider), and loup garou (a wolf-headed monster).
- Grosse Pointe's proximity to Canada meant that rum runners used its waterfront to bring in alcohol during prohibition.
- Martin Luther King gave a speech at Grosse Pointe High School in 1967.
Sources
- The Village website
- Grosse Pointe Historical Society
- The City of Grosse Pointe website