Warren-Prentis Historic District

Infobox_nrhp | name =Warren-Prentis Historic District
nrhp_type = hd

---

caption = Corner of Second and Hancock.
location= Detroit, Michigan
lat_degrees = 42
lat_minutes = 21
lat_seconds = 15
lat_direction = N
long_degrees = 83
long_minutes = 4
long_seconds = 4
long_direction = W
locmapin = Michigan
area =
architect= multiple
architecture= Tudor Revival, Classical Revival, Colonial Revival
added = December 01, 1997
governing_body = Local
mpsub=Cass Farm MPS
refnum=97001477cite web|url=http://www.nr.nps.gov/|title=National Register Information System|date=2008-04-15|work=National Register of Historic Places|publisher=National Park Service]

The Warren-Prentis Historic District is an historic district in Detroit, Michigan, including the east-west streets of Prentis, Forest, Hancock, and the south side of Warren, running from Woodward Avenue on the east to Third Avenue on the west.

The district includes residential, commercial, institutional, religious and other buildings, and the majority of the pre-1930s building stock remains. [http://www.ci.detroit.mi.us/historic/districts/warren_prentis.pdf Warren-Prentis Historic District] from the city of Detroit.]

History

The land included in the Warren-Prentis Historic District was originally the Park Lots, the Cass Farm, and the Jones/Crane Farm; these parcels were subdivided in the late 1800s. Due in part to the large lot sizes and trhe streetcar lines along Woodward and Third, the district became popular with upper-class Detroit businessmen and professionals moving away from downtown. A number of these citizens moved into the area in the period between 1880 and 1895, commissioning residences.

In the late 1880s, apartment living became more popular, and the construction of duplexes and small apartments increased while the construction of single-family homes dropped off. Commercial development in the area increased in the early 1900s, peaking in the years between World War I and the Great Depression.

The area declined during the Depression, as the larger single-family homes became too costly to keep up. [http://www.detroit1701.org/Warren-Prentis_Hist.htm Warren-Prentis Historic District] from Detroit1701.org] These homes were divided into rental units, and the area was fully utilized during the boom years of World War II. The area again began declining after the war, but in the 1990s signs of revival have been evident, as the nearby Wayne State University and teh Detroit Medical Center draw people to the area.

Structures

There are 108 individual historic structures in the Warren-Prentis Historic District. These include some buildings of individual historical significance:
*Perry McAdow House (4605 Cass Avenue, at Prentis)
*William C. Boydell House (4614 Cass Avenue, at Prentis)
*Thompson Home (School of Social Work) (4756 Cass Avenue, at Hancock)
*George W. Loomer House (71 W. Hancock Avenue)
*Mulford T. Hunter House (77 W. Hancock Avenue)
*Mackenzie House (4735 Cass Avenue)
*First Church of Christ, Scientist (Hilberry Theater) (4743 Cass Avenue, at Hancock)
*Central High School (Old Main) (4841 Cass Avenue, at Hancock)

References