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Historic district, Virginia Park, since 1895

Virginia Park Historic District

Photographed standing in 2008

Virginia Park Streetscape between Woodward and Second Photo: Andrew Jameson at en.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Opened
1895
Style
Mixed (more than two styles from different periods)
Standing
131 years

Designed by Malcomson & Higginbotham and Smith, Hinchman & Grylls

Virginia Park Historic District has stood on Both sides of Virginia Park From Woodward Ave. to John Lodge Service Dr. in Virginia Park since 1895, 131 years and counting. Who built it, what makes it special and how to see it for yourself.

On the map

More photos of Virginia Park Historic District

Houses in the East Ferry Avenue Historic District, Detroit, Michigan, United States, 2008 Photo: Andrew Jameson at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
House in Virginia Park, Detroit Photo: Andrew Jameson at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
House in Virginia Park, Detroit Photo: Andrew Jameson at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

What is there now

Standing

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

By Victoria Jackson, Editor in Chief Updated

In 1895, in Detroit's Gilded Age, when stove works, shipyards and railroads made the city's first fortunes, Virginia Park Historic District opened in Virginia Park.

Malcomson & Higginbotham and Smith, Hinchman & Grylls drew the plans, working in Mixed (more than two styles from different periods).

It joined the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.

Go see it at Both sides of Virginia Park From Woodward Ave. to John Lodge Service Dr. Photos never get the scale right.

The Virginia Park Historic District is located on the north side of New Center, an area in Detroit, Michigan, along both sides of Virginia Park Street from Woodward Avenue to the John C. Lodge Freeway access road. The district was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.

From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Timeline

  1. 1895 Built Designed by Malcomson & Higginbotham and Smith, Hinchman & Grylls
  2. 1982 Listed on the National Register December 2, 1982
  3. 2026 Today 131 years and still standing

Where it is

Both sides of Virginia Park From Woodward Ave. to John Lodge Service Dr.

On this map

  1. Virginia Park Historic District This place
  2. E. S. Pickard House 80 ft
  3. Carl H. Schroeder House 90 ft
  4. Albert H. Finn House 110 ft
  5. John A. McDonald House 110 ft
  6. Allen H. Zacharis House 120 ft
  7. John Wagner House 140 ft
  8. Charles B. Van Dusen House 140 ft
  9. Harry B. Earhart House 150 ft

Street map from OpenStreetMap contributors

Who made it

Malcomson & Higginbotham
Photo: Del arte at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Architect

Malcomson & Higginbotham

American architectural firm based in Detroit, Michigan, United States. Designed St. Joseph's Episcopal Church (1883) and 51 more in Metro Detroit

Also by Malcomson & Higginbotham

Smith, Hinchman & Grylls
Photo: Traveler100, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Architect

Smith, Hinchman & Grylls

American architectural and engineering company, founded 1853. Designed the Penobscot Building (1928) and 68 more in Metro Detroit

Also by Smith, Hinchman & Grylls

More from Detroit in the 1890s

Around the block

It is in Virginia Park. See the neighborhood's homes, pros and story.

Photo credits

Every photo on this page is used under its license, named here with its author and a link to the original.

  1. Virginia Park Streetscape between Woodward and Second Photo: Andrew Jameson at en.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  2. Houses in the East Ferry Avenue Historic District, Detroit, Michigan, United States, 2008 Photo: Andrew Jameson at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  3. House in Virginia Park, Detroit Photo: Andrew Jameson at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  4. House in Virginia Park, Detroit Photo: Andrew Jameson at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, 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.