The G. H. Whitaker House — 677 W Canfield St, Detroit, MI 48201

A living model of the West Canfield neighborhood’s esteem during the 1880s, the G. H. Whitaker House at 677 W Canfield St, Detroit, MI 48201 (constructed in 1888) stands as proof of architect G. H. Whitaker’s quality craftsmanship and mastery of Victorian-era architectural design.

Following Whitaker’s initial occupancy, the residence at 677 West Canfield attracted a number of upwardly mobile Detroiters within the city’s rising professional and socially prominent classes.

This further reinforced the prestige of the West Canfield district in its early days, making it a desirable suburb for residents of prominence connected to the city’s growing civic, medical, business, and cultural spheres – professionals who wanted a quieter way of life within reach of the hustle and bustle of downtown. 

One such resident was Dr. David Barclay, a physician whose residency from 1920 until his death bolstered West Canfield’s reputation as a hub for medical professionals who chose Canfield as their home base. 

Today, the G. H. Whitaker House at 677 West Canfield remains a vital landmark within the West Canfield Historic District—a well-preserved reminder of the craftsmanship, social standing, and residential character that defined this celebrated Victorian corridor during its inception.