A Brief History of the Pointes

As one of the oldest communities in the Midwest, Grosse Pointe has seen many changes. For the past 75 years “the little Blue Book” has been a part of the community and has been changing as well.

We hope you will enjoy this special edition as we look back at the past 75 years in photos and in recognition of our many clients. We thank the Grosse Pointe Historical Society and Grosse Pointe Woods Historical Commission for many of the photographs and historical information used in this book.

We would also like to thank the residents who have relied on “the little Blue Book” for the past 75 years, as well as those of you who are new to the directory. Please be sure to let our advertisers know you found them in “the little Blue Book”

The postwar 40’s and 50’s saw significant growth in population in Grosse Pointe, and both schools and churches grew exponentially. The challenges of the 60’s & 70’s, from the Vietnam War, racial injustice, illegal drugs, and a change in family values, brought forth a need for new community agencies.

The Northeast Guidance Center, Family Life Education Center (FLEC), Grosse Pointe Interfaith Center for Racial Justice were founded, just to name a few.

In 1949, The Alger House portion of the Grosse Pointe War Memorial was dedicated for a twofold purpose: to serve as a perpetual memorial to the 3,500 Grosse Pointers who served and the 126 who died in World War II; and it was to serve as a continuing center for educational and charitable activities of the Grosse Pointe community. The War Memorial is unusual –some say unique – because of its dual use.

The 70’s also saw the highest lake levels in over 100 years, fuel prices skyrocket, and as the demand for housing continued, subdivisions replaced large estates.

The 80’s saw Grosse Pointe become increasingly independent of Detroit, house prices soared and commercial districts were modernized as specialty shops moved in. The 80’s and 90’s saw local cultural groups flourish as local governments made major changes, including Grosse Pointe City approving it’s first post prohibition liquor sale by the glass.

After surviving Y2K, facing a vulnerable national economy, decreased state support for schools and the lowest lake levels in more than 60 years, the community seemed to be stabilizing in 2000. Today, as we witness the rebirth of our neighboring Detroit, community spirit and pride is at an all time high.

We, at “the little Blue Book”, look forward to continuing to work with and support this amazing community and the businesses and residents we have grown so fond of.