Building, Belle Isle, since 1904
Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory
Still standing, photographed 2021
- Opened
- 1904
- Style
- Neoclassical
- Standing
- 122 years
Designed by Albert Kahn, George D. Mason and Mason & Kahn
The Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory has stood on Conservatory Drive and Inselruhe Avenue in Belle Isle since 1904, 122 years and counting. Who built it, what makes it special and how to see it for yourself.
More photos of Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory
What is there now
Standing and open
We checked building permits, sales, listings and the city's blight and demolition files on October 24, 2026. Nothing new at this address in the last two years.
The story
In 1904, during the boom years when the auto industry turned Detroit into one of the fastest growing cities in America, the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory opened in Belle Isle.
The design came from Albert Kahn, George D. Mason, and Mason & Kahn, in the Neoclassical style.
It still stands and still opens its doors.
Next time you are nearby, stop at Conservatory Drive and Inselruhe Avenue and look up.
Timeline
- 1904 Built Designed by Albert Kahn, George D. Mason, and Mason & Kahn
- 2026 Today 122 years and still standing
Where it is
Conservatory Drive and Inselruhe Avenue
On this map
- 1 Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory This place
- 2 Belle Isle Aquarium 180 ft
- 3 White House 450 ft
- 4 Dossin Great Lakes Museum 520 ft
- 5 Levi L. Barbour Memorial Fountain 0.1 mi
- 6 Belle Isle Band Shell 0.2 mi
- 7 Alpheus Starkey Williams Monument 0.2 mi
- 8 Newsboys Fountain 0.2 mi
- 9 Floral Clock at Water Works Park 0.2 mi
Street map from OpenStreetMap contributors
Who made it
Architect
Albert KahnAmerican architect, 1869 to 1942. Designed the General Motors Building (1922) and 114 more in Metro Detroit
Also by Albert Kahn
Architect
George D. MasonAmerican architect, 1856 to 1948. Designed the Lincoln Motor Company Plant (1917) and 39 more in Metro Detroit
Also by George D. Mason
- Ransom Gillis House 1876
- Cass Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church 1883
- Marine City City Hall 1884
- Thompson Home 1884
- Engine House No. 18 1892
- Trinity Episcopal Church 1893
Bonstelle Theatre, by Mason & Kahn. Photo: Saul Vielmetti, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Architect
Mason & KahnArchitecture firm. Designed the Bonstelle Theatre (1903) and 4 more in Metro Detroit
Also by Mason & Kahn
- Frederick L. Colby House 1902
- George A. Robinson House 1902
- Bonstelle Theatre 1903
- Belle Isle Aquarium 1904
More from Detroit in the 1900s
-
Ford Piquette Avenue Plant
Building, built 1904, Late Victorian, by Field, Hinchman & Smith
Photo: Jackdude101, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
-
Breitmeyer-Tobin Building
Building, built 1905, Beaux Arts, by Raseman & Fisher
Photo: Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
-
![Charlevoix Hotel, [Hotel Fuller and Hotel Charlevoix, Detroit, Mich.]](https://rebuilddetroit.com/wp-content/uploads/rd-photos/landmarks/landmark-4345-2224-thumb-6285d11b4c.jpg)
Charlevoix Hotel
Hotel, built 1905, Beaux Arts, by William S. Joy, demolished 2013
Photo: Detroit Publishing Company, no known restrictions, via Library of Congress
-
Cary Building
Building, built 1906, Beaux Arts, by Richard E. Raseman
Photo: Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
-
![Eastern States, [Str. Eastern States, Detroit, Mich.]](https://rebuilddetroit.com/wp-content/uploads/rd-photos/landmarks/landmark-4436-2275-thumb-5717c27eed.jpg)
Eastern States
Ship, built 1902, by Louis Keil, demolished 1956
Photo: Detroit Publishing Company, no known restrictions, via Library of Congress
-
Belle Isle Casino
Building, built 1908, Renaissance Revival, by Van Leyen & Schilling
Photo: Tichnor Brothers, Publisher, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Around the block
It is in Belle Isle. See the neighborhood's homes, pros and story.
-
![Belle Isle Aquarium, [The Aquarium and conservatory, Belle Isle Park, Detroit, Mich.]](https://rebuilddetroit.com/wp-content/uploads/rd-photos/landmarks/landmark-4284-2164-thumb-099cdc24f0.jpg)
Belle Isle Aquarium
Building, built 1904, Baroque-Beaux Arts, by Albert Kahn
Photo: Detroit Publishing Company, no known restrictions, via Library of Congress
180 ft
- White House Built 1866, Victorian 450 ft
-
Dossin Great Lakes Museum
Park, built 1960, by William Kapp
Photo: PDru2014 from Detroit, United States, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
520 ft
- Levi L. Barbour Memorial Fountain Monument, built 1937 0.1 mi
- Belle Isle Band Shell Building, built 1925, demolished 1942 0.2 mi
- Alpheus Starkey Williams Monument Monument, built 1921, Beaux Arts 0.2 mi
- Newsboys Fountain Monument, built 1897 0.2 mi
-
![Floral Clock at Water Works Park, Floral clock, Water [Works] Park, Detroit, Mich.](https://rebuilddetroit.com/wp-content/uploads/rd-photos/landmarks/landmark-4470-2305-thumb-1a3e4ef4e0.jpg)
Floral Clock at Water Works Park
Monument, built 1893
Photo: Detroit Publishing Company, no known restrictions, via Library of Congress
0.2 mi
Photo credits
Every photo on this page is used under its license, named here with its author and a link to the original.
- The Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory (1904) is a greenhouse and botanical garden in Detroit, Michigan, United States, 2009 Photo: PDru2014 from Detroit, United States, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory Front Entrance, 2013 Photo: JLHA3050, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory Belle Isle Detroit, Michigan, 2018 Photo: TracieMichelle, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Classic flor conservancy in Belle Isle, Detroit, 2021 Photo: SigmaIota, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Anna Whitcomb Conservancy and Gardens on Belle Isle in Detroit, Michigan, 2008 Photo: PeterParkerInWindsor, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
- Anna Scripps Whitcomb Primate Conservatory, 2008 Photo: me, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Sources
Facts only, gathered from these sources. The story above is written by Rebuild Detroit. Every photo names its author and license where it appears.