Historical Society designates three
Pointes of History homes

The Vernier Harris house

The Vernier Harris house, a white clapboard farmhouse on 755 Lake Shore Dr. in the Shores, was built in 1880. It was originally owned by Joseph Harris, a farmer, and his wife, Catherine Vernier Harris, and remained in their family until 1960. The home has since been extensively remodeled, though it maintains many original features, including the original oak floors and twist doorbell. Current owner Barbara Monahan accepted the plaque.

The Carl E. Schmidt house

The Carl E. Schmidt house, located on 301 Lake Shore Dr. in the Farms, was built in 1904. Schmidt was a businessman by trade and tanner by birth – he inherited the Traugott Schmidt Company, a large tannery that exported skins, furs and wool. According to the Grosse Pointe Historical Society, the Schmidt house is one of the oldest surviving properties with an extensive view of Lake St. Clair. William and Robin Heller have lived in the home since 1995.

The Emory Moran Ford house

The Emory Moran Ford house, built by renowned architect Robert O. Derrick in 1928, is located on 2 Woodland Place in the City. Derrick specialized in period revival, relying on classical styling in the buildings he designed. Though originally owned by the Frank Woodman Eddy family, it was purchased and remodeled in 1941 by a member of the “chemical Ford family,” Emory Moran Ford, who established chemical and glass companies. Because of this, the home’s interior is filled with mirrors and artistic glass installations, such as a stair banister with plate glass balusters. In 1972, the house was sold to Mireille and Warren Wilkinson.