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Detroit Architects: Bernard C. Wetzel (March 18, 1876-July 12, 1952)

Detroit Architects: Bernard C. Wetzel (March 18, 1876-July 12, 1952)

2 min read

Bernard C. Wetzel (1876-1952) was an early 20th-century Detroit architect whose work played a significant role in defining the city’s charming residential landscape during its industrial boom period, a time which saw Wetzel putting in work at various architectural firms before establishing his own in 1907 (the B. C. Wetzel Company). 

One of many architects who would have a hand in shaping historic districts like Indian Village, Wetzel’s homes quickly garnered the attention of the eras upper-class professionals looking to put down lasting roots in properties that indicated culture, prosperity, and tradition.

Two such homes commissioned by Wetzel that are still standing today are The Jacob C. Danziger House at 1485 Burns and the Julius L. Knack House at 3426 Iroquois, both located within the Indian Village district.

In addition to those properties, Wetzel also designed:

  • The Coughlin Building (1909)
  • The Deluxe Theatre (1916–1918)
  • The Ralph Phelps Building (1910) 
  • The Samaritan Hospital (1912)
  • The George V. N. Lothrop Detroit Public Library branch (1912) – a Carnegie library 
  • The Daniel T. Crowley House (1915) at 243 Lakeland Street in Grosse Pointe, Michigan 
  • The Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Michigan (1924)
  • Gesu Catholic High School (1924–1925)
  • Andrew Jackson Intermediate School (1928, which would later become Ronald McNair Middle School)
  • The Historic Trinity Lutheran Church parish house (1931), 
  • A high school in Wyandotte, Michigan
  • The Joseph Crowley House in Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan 

Together, all of the above properties are a perfect reflection of Wetzel’s expert-level command of dignified domestic architecture and his role in shaping Detroit’s most architecturally admired historic districts.

A distinguished public figure of his day, Wetzel belonged to the Board of Commerce of Detroit, Michigan Society of Architects, the Ashlar Masonic Lodge, and Detroit Society of Architects, all of which he was a proud member of up until his death from a brief illness in 1952.