The Ransom Gillis house was at one point on of the worst eyesores in Detroit. It is easily one of the more researchable homes that has made it's way onto this blog due to the state of it's disrepair.
The home has begun restoration since -although currently halted-the photo below, but as you can see was left in rough shape.
The home has begun restoration since -although currently halted-the photo below, but as you can see was left in rough shape.
Before entering into the historical information, let's look deeply at the above picture. One of the main reasons this blog idea popped into mind is to show the historical beauty left in the 300 year-old city of Detroit. The photo above is ghastly and a shameful reminder of what could possibly happen to the beautiful architectural treasures all over Detroit.
Let's use the Ransom Gillis house as an inspiration, a hallmark of the city now. The house, as well as fair Detroit is in a period of renaissance, resurrection if you will, if the restoration continues. Things are lighting up in the downtown area and will hopefully soon expand.
Let's use the Ransom Gillis house as an inspiration, a hallmark of the city now. The house, as well as fair Detroit is in a period of renaissance, resurrection if you will, if the restoration continues. Things are lighting up in the downtown area and will hopefully soon expand.
Above is a 2009 photo of the house in a state of restoration.
The Ransom Gillis house was constructed between 1876 and 1878 for Ranson Gillis. He sold the home is 1880. Between this time and 1919, the house had three different upper income families, other than Gillis, call her their own. After this, the main structure was converted into a Rooming House, along with many other homes in the area.
The carriage house was rented out and became the first home of Pewabic Pottery in 1903. The pottery left the carriage house in 1906. The carriage house served as an auto repair shop, a battery service shop, and a filing station before it was torn down in 1935.
A storefront was added to the front of the house in the late 1930s. The house was abandoned in 1960s, though various attempts were made to restore it, none succeeded.
The Ransom Gillis house was constructed between 1876 and 1878 for Ranson Gillis. He sold the home is 1880. Between this time and 1919, the house had three different upper income families, other than Gillis, call her their own. After this, the main structure was converted into a Rooming House, along with many other homes in the area.
The carriage house was rented out and became the first home of Pewabic Pottery in 1903. The pottery left the carriage house in 1906. The carriage house served as an auto repair shop, a battery service shop, and a filing station before it was torn down in 1935.
A storefront was added to the front of the house in the late 1930s. The house was abandoned in 1960s, though various attempts were made to restore it, none succeeded.
The Ransom Gillis house brought to Detroit the Venetian Gothic architectural style. The centerpiece of the structure was the turret front left corner the circumference of which was accented by five rows of tiles of simple geometric designs in hues of bright blue, red, yellow and brown. Title work similar is spread throughout the structure. A dark slate Mansard roof with ornate iron cresting completes the detail.
The Ransom Gillis house is currently owned by the City of Detroit.
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