The story of the district
East Ferry Avenue in context.
Land associated with the D. M. Ferry seed business was divided for residential development in the 1880s. The avenue attracted prosperous Detroiters, leaving a group of substantial houses with varied architectural treatments. The Hecker and Freer houses are among the area’s well-known landmarks.
Queen Anne forms, Romanesque masonry, and revival details give the street its variety. The district’s importance lies in the relationship among the houses as well as the individual buildings. Its National Register record identifies architecture as the central area of significance.
Historical context: National Park Service district record and district history and references.
What to notice.
- Compare turrets, gables, entrance porches, and the different ways buildings turn toward the street.
- Look for the contrast between brick surfaces and stone trim.
- Study setbacks and the spacing of the houses to understand the avenue as a planned residential setting.
Find your bearings.
Begin with East Ferry Avenue near Woodward and use the nomination map to follow the National Register district. Verify public access separately for any institution or house you hope to enter.
Explore from public streets and sidewalks. Many district buildings are private homes or workplaces; check access with the owner or operator before entering.
Can I assume every house on East Ferry is open to visitors?
No. This is a guide to the district’s history and streetscape. Public access depends on the individual property or institution; a historic designation is not an invitation to enter a building or its grounds.
