Belle Isle Boat House Home of the Detroit Boat Club
Brodrick Brozowski UDM | SOA Historic Preservation ARCH 5720 - Fall 2019 Instructor: Erika Lindsay
Table of Contents
1 2 3 4 5 6
Introduction Establish Significance Perform Fieldwork Build Context Identify Program Design Phased Approach
1 Introduction
For 117 years the Boat House on Belle Isle has served the needs of the Detroit Boat Club, the oldest boat club in the United States. The Detroit Boat Club has been around since 1839, just two years after Michigan became a state. Multiple boat houses serving the club have come and gone due to fires. The current structure is the seventh to house the club . The first and second floors are full of historic pictures, trophies and plaques showcasing the club’s achievements over the years. The Mediterranean style building was designed by local architect Alpheus Chittenden. The Friends of Detroit Rowing have a 30 year lease on the building with the current tagline “Inspire History”. While the club and its benefits are still exclusive to its members, the Boat House itself has been made available to the public for various events and weddings. It is no longer a place of exclusion and is opening its doors to be more welcoming of it’s Detroit context and neighbors.
Detroit Boat Club, www.detroitboatclub.com/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=203408&module_id=297539. Detroit Boat Club, www.detroitboatclub.com/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=203408&module_id=297539. “Logo, Photograph.” Mysite. Accessed December 10, 2019. https://www.detroitboatclubcrew.com/. Siacon, Aleanna. “Restoring Belle Isle Boat House to Former Glory.” Detroit Free Press, Detroit. Free Press, 20 Feb. 2018, www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/detroit/2018/02/20/belleisle-boat-house-renovations-transform-into-premier-event-space/344387002/.
2 Establish Significance
In order for the Boat House to be considered part of the national register of historic places there are four main criteria it could meet. Criterion A would define a specific historic event which made a contribution to the major pattern of American history. Criterion B would define any important person or persons who are considered to be significant characters of America’s past. Criterion C would define its design and construction as having great artistic value or being the work of a master. Finally, criterion D would define its likelihood of information potential of American history. While not all criterion may be met, the following page introduces some of the history the Boat House holds that could satisfy the criteria which will be explored more in the context section of this book.
“History of the Detroit Boat Club.” History - Detroit Boat Club, www.detroitboatclub.com/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=203408&module_id=297539. “Detroit Boat Club Crew History.” Home, www.detroitboatclubcrew.com/history. “Biography of Alpheus W. Chittenden Wayne County, MI Biographies.” Alpheus W. Chittenden - Wayne County, MI, www.onlinebiographies.info/mi/wayne/chittenden-aw.htm.
Criterion A Criterion B Criterion C
Criterion D
While the current boat house was not involved in a major event of American history, its recent history and aspirations have begun to act against its own history of discrimination and exclusion. Until recently only members (most often upper class white males) were allowed on upper floors. Those that were part of the rowing teams were only allowed on the first floor and women were only allowed in designated areas. Looking at the club’s members, especially its founders, there are some names that stick out not only in Detroit’s history, but also America’s. Many of these members were involved in various wars and are even responsible for Belle Isle’s renaming from Hog Island. Chittenden did not become known internationally, but was quite active locally. His other works around the city included a café for the Russell House, various Detroit firehouses, homes in Indian Village and Grosse Pointe, as well as the Detroit Stove Works plant which at the time was one of the “big three” stove companies. However, his design of the Boat House is not only his most elegant piece of work, but also a fine example of Mediterranean style design. Being the oldest boat club in America as well as only being two years younger than Michigan’s admission to the Union, the Boat House is the physical home with an endless stream of information, history, and stories beyond its brick and stucco walls. With its connection to such narratives, it is difficult to establish a singular period of significance, but with a restoration process in mind the buildings most significant and lively times were likely the early 1900’s.
3 Building and Site
Just to the southeast of the MacArthur Bridge which crosses from the mainland to Belle Isle sits the Boat House. It is comprised of three floors with the majority of the building standing at about 40’ tall with a tower that reaches even higher. Chittenden designed it in a Mediterranean style widely used around Detroit from 1900-1940. This style consists of a stucco on brick body, balconies with iron railings, colonnades, arched openings, and brackets which support the overhanging roof that is hipped and covered with red clay tiles.
“Archive Record.” 2012.046.735 - Postcard. Accessed December 10, 2019. https://detroithistorical.pastperfectonline.com/archive/AA01712F-566B-4476-BB23-542883389348.
FT
100
175
FT
hipped roof
arched openings
clay tiles overhangs w/brackets
colonnade
stucco body
balconies/iron railings
Exterior Observations Upon investigation much of the stucco is cracking and wearing away from the brick exposing the structural integrity of the building. The clay tiles of the roof appear to be in good condition with no water damage making its way to the interior. On the southwest corner of the building a large portion of the facade has fallen away and would need to be completely rebuilt. On the northeast corner of the building there is an exterior balcony which used to have a fabric awning covering it. Without the awning intact damage has been dealt to the balcony and its supporting structure beneath. Restructuring this section of the building would be the first priority in the rehabilitation of the building. Beyond these major issues there are various broken and compromised windows which could be replaced.
Interior Observations While many of the main interior spaces have been kept up to a certain standard there are quite a few of the smaller spaces that have lacked the same care over the years. Much of the plaster within the ballroom is still in great shape as well as the woodwork within the central double-height space. Other programs branching from this could use some cleaning up and updates.
Ballroom
2000 SF
Dining Room
2000 SF
Bar (main floor)
600 SF
Conference Room
475 SF
Lounge/Bar (2nd floor)
1350 SF
Studio (2nd floor)
675 SF
Entire Boat House
7925 SF
Belle Isle Boat House. “Belle Isle Boat House.� Belle Isle Boat House, belleisleboathouse.com/.
4 Build Context Historical Beginnings
As discussed earlier, the current Boat House serves as a physical connection to historical narratives of its members dating all the way back to its founding in 1838 when Edmund A. Brush bought a 26 foot, four-oared clinker and christened it the Georgiana with Alpheus Starkey Williams, Dr. James H. Farnsworth and James A. Armstrong. The following year they gathered along with Dr. Alfred Brush, Col. Andrew McReynolds, Alexander H. Sibley, and John Chester to found the Detroit Boat Club. The first charter consisted of twentytwo friends and family: Asher Saxe Kellogg, Col. John Winder, Isaac S. Rowland, DeWitt C. Holbrook, Anthony Ten Eyck, George C. Bates, Dr. Rufus Brown, John McReynolds, J. Nicholson Elbert, Samuel Lewis, Capt. William T. Pease, J. Barnabas Campau, and Wesley Truesdail. That summer they built the club’s first boat house where Randolph Street met the river. In 1842, the club held their first race along a two mile straightaway from the foot of Belle Isle, called Hog Island at the time, to the boat house with the reward being “anything in the shape of refreshments the victors may desire.” Three years later at the clubs annual fourth of July party, members of the DBC re-christened the island “Belle Isle”. This was in honor of Isabella “Belle” Cass, daughter of General Lewis Cass, who attended many of the clubs gatherings. On May 9, 1848 the Great Conflagration left 300-400 families homeless and destroyed 300 buildings including the club’s first boat house. Only one boat was saved and with members aging or moving away from the city the club disbanded until a new rowing club was founded and re-organized under the Detroit Boat Club name in 1856, humbly welcomed by E. A. Brush.1,2
Significant Persons
Through the clubs beginning, its narrative draws attention to the narratives of some citizens influential on not just Detroit history, but also America’s. Some were more influential than others, but all of their stories hint to the type of people that have been members of the DBC over its 180 years. All were most likely at the higher end of economical class as most of them were doctors, lawyers, war heroes, and politicians. Looking through The Book of Detroiters, there is a continual trend in people who were within similar professions and part of the upper class that were also members of the DBC. Just by looking at some of the names, most are recognizable as they correspond with prominent family names embedded in Detroit’s history. While the current Boat House was not erected until after their passings, it still serves as a physical place which holds physical traces back to these prominent figures who were involved. Their influence on America and Detroit’s development is something that can possibly still be expressed or learned. Jumping ahead to the 1900’s, the current structure did host one person of interest which swam in it’s pools is Johnny Weissmuller. He was an Olympic swimmer and is also known for playing Tarzan in 1930’s and 40’s cinema.
Edmund A. Brush (1802-1877) The first president of the DBC, along with his family, was among the first Detroiters to settle in Grosse Pointe. As a young man he accompanied Gen. Cass on an exploration of the upper lakes. Their farm is the most valuable property in Grosse Pointe.
General Alpheus S. Williams (1810-1878) After serving as the Wayne County probate judge and being an editor, he left to fight in the Mexican-American War in the First Michigan Infantry. In 1865, he was commissioned a brevetted major general and went on to fight in key battles of the Civil War facing off against Confederate soldiers like “Stonewall” Jackson. Known as Ol’ Pap, he can be seen sitting on his horse in the middle of Belle Isle.
Col. John Winder (1800-1865) As a career United States Army officer he served in the Mexican-American War and later served as a Confederate in the American Civil War.
General Lewis Cass (1782-1866) After serving in the War of 1812 he was appointed the second Governor of the Michigan Territory and served until 1831 when he became President Jackson’s Secretary of War. In 1845, he became a U.S. Senator for Michigan until 1857 when he became Secretary of State for President Buchanan.
Johnny Weissmuller (1904-1984) Through the 1920’s he won 5 Olympic gold medals in swimming and one bronze for water polo. Through the 30’s and 40’s he was well known for playing Edgar Rice Burroughs’ Tarzan.
“History of the Detroit Boat Club.” History - Detroit Boat Club, www.detroitboatclub.com/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=203408&module_id=297539. “Detroit Boat Club Crew History.” Home, www.detroitboatclubcrew.com/history. GPHS - Grosse Pointe History, www.gphistorical.org/farmer08.html. HistoricDetroit.org, DAN AUSTIN of. “Alpheus Starkey Williams Monument: Historic Detroit.” Alpheus Starkey Williams Monument -, www.historicdetroit.org/buildings/alpheus-starkey-williamsmonument. “Johnny Weissmuller.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, November 8, 2019. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnny_Weissmuller. “John H. Winder.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, October 10, 2019. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_H._Winder. U.S. Department of State. U.S. Department of State. Accessed December 10, 2019. https://history.state.gov/departmenthistory/people/cass-lewis.
Fire Rising
Through a series of unfortunate fires the DBC kept finding themselves having to build new boat houses. To the right are news articles of the Great Conflagration which destroyed their first boat house in 1848. To the right of that is an article from the day after their last boat house burned down in 1901. With similar mishaps in-between, the club decided they need a building which would be more resistant to fire. In 1901, they hired Chittenden to design their new home which has now stood for 117 years. At the bottom right is a newspaper clipping from its preview.
Detroitnews. “The Detroit Boat Club - Michigan History - The Detroit News.” Michigan History, 21 June 2013, blogs.detroitnews.com/ history/1997/03/28/the-detroit-boat-club/. Runyan, Robin. “See the Detroit Boat Club of the Past in These Historic Photos.” Curbed Detroit, Curbed Detroit, 5 Jan. 2017, detroit. curbed.com/2017/1/5/14167224/detroit-boat-club-historic-photos.
Waters Lowering
The following series of maps traces all the way back to 1815. In starting to research some of the oldest photos, renderings, and paintings of the boat house it was discovered that a large difference between its appearance today and its appearance 100 years ago was its relationship to the water. Old photographs and renderings show the water coming right up to large garage doors around the base of the building. This was so that they could pull their boats right into the building to be removed from the water. Today the building is situated on a larger piece of land. Research was unsuccessful in digging up any documents to confirm what changed or why, but presumably there was a process of land reclamation. However, in digging through maps the islands coastline has definitely been altered naturally over the past 200 years most likely due to changing water levels.
1815 1815
1895
1895
1897
1897
1900 1900
Belle Isle Boat House E Picnic Way, Detroit, MI 48207
1903 1903
1905 1905
1918 1918
1924 1938 1938 1924
1948 1948
1968 1968
5 Identify Program Based off the future design phased approach of wanting to completely rehabilitate the Boat House, returning it to its original state, the program should continue to support activities of the Detroit Boat Club. However, with the reactivation of Belle Isle over the past couple decades this could also become the site of some more inclusive family activities. The site is currently used for weddings which could continue, but I’d be hoping to propose more public programs. Such as canoe and kayak rentals as well as rehabilitation of the pool which could host swimming classes or school swimming competitions. With this idea there’s a possibility to create an addition to the rear of the building covering the pools to allow for year-round swimming. Furthermore, it might be possible to incorporate other activities to increase use of the site and building yearround such as cross country ski and ice fishing rentals/lessons.
“Print, Photograph.” 2011.025.001 - Print, Photographic. Maritime, 1910. https://detroithistorical.pastperfectonline.com/photo/AF12F6F6-DDDC-484C-BC17-990155914500. “Negative, Glass-Plate.” 2014.002.574 - Negative, Glass-plate. Maritime, 1928. https://detroithistorical.pastperfectonline.com/photo/076498E8-A443-40BC-978F-736523484792. “Print, Photographic.” 2011.044.065 - Print, Photographic. Detroit Views, 1927. https://detroithistorical.pastperfectonline.com/photo/C5F546C0-16FB-41CD-A568-588437902448.
6 Design Phased Approach High aspirations for the future programming and public inclusion of its Detroit context would ask for an aggressive phased approach. Phase one and two would re-establish the structural integrity of the building as well as restore it to its original aesthetic look when it was first constructed. The only difference being phase one would give attention to the northeast half of the building and phase two would turn to the southwest half. The restoration of the exterior stucco to its original quality, clean look would serve as a connection to the intangible past. Once that intangible past is intact once again, the building would be ready for an expansion in program and built structure to allow for year round activity to take place. The design of this addition would be a new sleek look, mimicking the ripples of the Detroit River water on its facade. Although it would look new, the imitation of the lake water could serve as another connection to the past when the building was one completely surrounded by water before the land reclamation took place.
Phase One | North East Restoration
Phase one would attempt to re-establish the structural integrity and aesthetic of the north east corner of the building. Judging by its condition, it appears to be the area in most need of attention. As this work is carried out canoes and kayaks could be brought in and stored on the south west side of the building for rentals to bring in revenue from the public in addition to the funds the DBC and its members are bringing in. Once the northeast half is secured, the rentals could switch to the other side of the building so that the south west half could be attended.
Detroit Boat Club, www.detroitboatclub.com/content. aspx?page_id=22&club_id=203408&module_ id=297539. Judson, Ross. “Painting.” 2014.074.001 - Painting, 1937. https://detroithistorical.pastperfectonline.com/webobject/ BF022124-D171-44CE-AD0B-217283113415. .brianday. “Detroit Boat Club.” Flickr. Yahoo!, March 17, 2010. https://www.flickr.com/photos/brianday/4439969855.
Phase Two | South West Restoration
Phase two would jump to the southwest half of the building. Restoring the aesthetics in the first two phases would involve, but not be limited to, patching the stucco work, replacing windows and floor tiles, and rebuilding the arches on the south west side of the building. Beyond the exterior restoration, some of the interiors mentioned earlier could use some updating.
Runyan, Robin. “See the Detroit Boat Club of the Past in These Historic Photos.� Curbed Detroit,Curbed Detroit, 5 Jan. 2017, detroit.curbed.com/2017/1/5/14167224/detroit-boatclub-historic-photos.
Phase Three | Pool Addition
With the entire existing structure restored to its historical look the final phase would be an addition to the rear, covering the pools allowing for year round swimming. Drawing inspiration from CaixaForum Headquarters and Saint Nazaire, the facade would mimic the material quality of the water giving the illusion that the existing structure is floating. Approaching the island from the bridge this would be a calling to the intangible past before the land reclamation process. All of these new programs should allow the building to function year round and open their doors to be more inclusive of the public and Detroit context.
CaixaForum Headquarters
Saint Nazaire Submarine base
Bibliography
“1848 Big Fire Destroys 300 Buildings.” Newspapers.com, 3 May 2016, www.newspapers.com/ clip/5145879/1848_big_fire_destroys_300_buildings/. “Alveoles St. Nazaire.” 51n4e. Accessed December 10, 2019. https://www.51n4e.com/project/ alveoles-st-nazaire#. Belle Isle Boat House. “Belle Isle Boat House.” Belle Isle Boat House, belleisleboathouse.com/. “Biography of Alpheus W. Chittenden Wayne County, MI Biographies.” Alpheus W. Chittenden - Wayne County, MI, www.onlinebiographies.info/mi/wayne/chittenden-aw.htm. “CaixaForum Headquarters, Madrid, Spain.” Kalam. Accessed December 10, 2019. https://kalam. es/en/obra/sede-de-caixa-forum/. “Detroit Boat Club Crew History.” Home, www.detroitboatclubcrew.com/history. Detroitnews. “The Detroit Boat Club - Michigan History - The Detroit News.” Michigan History, 21 June 2013, blogs.detroitnews.com/history/1997/03/28/the-detroit-boat-club/. GPHS - Grosse Pointe History, www.gphistorical.org/farmer08.html. HistoricDetroit.org, DAN AUSTIN of. “Alpheus Starkey Williams Monument: Historic Detroit.” Alpheus Starkey Williams Monument -, www.historicdetroit.org/buildings/alpheus-starkey- williams-monument. “History of the Detroit Boat Club.” History - Detroit Boat Club, www.detroitboatclub.com/content. aspx?page_id=22&club_id=203408&module_id=297539. Malbouef, Stephen. “Detroit Boat Club (First): Historic Detroit.” Detroit Boat Club (First) -, historicdetroit.org/buildings/detroit-boat-club-first. Marquis, Albert Nelson. The Book of Detroiters: a Biographical Dictionary of Leading Living Men of the City of Detroit. 2d Ed., Rev. and Brought down to Date 1914. A.N. Marquis & Company, 1914. Palmer, Friend. Early Days in Detroit. University Microfilms International, 1989. Runyan, Robin. “See the Detroit Boat Club of the Past in These Historic Photos.” Curbed Detroit, Curbed Detroit, 5 Jan. 2017, detroit.curbed.com/2017/1/5/14167224/detroit-boat- club-historic-photos. Siacon, Aleanna. “Restoring Belle Isle Boat House to Former Glory.” Detroit Free Press, Detroit Free Press, 20 Feb. 2018, www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/detroit/2018/02/20/ belle-isle-boat-house-renovations-transform-into-premier-event-space/344387002/.