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TOURS OF HERITAGE HILL
Private Tours | Public Houses | Walking Tour
Individually arranged group tours of private
homes in Heritage Hill. Minimum group size - 20 people.
Call CJ Tours at (616) 456-7121.
Meyer May House -- 450 Madison SE
Frank Lloyd Wright designed prairie
style house built in 1908 for founder of May’s of Michigan clothing store -- restored
to its original splendor by the Steelcase Corporation. Open free to the public on Tuesdays
and Thursdays from 10am to 2pm; Sundays from 1pm to 5pm.
Voigt House Victorian Museum --
115 College SE
 Built in 1895 for Carl Voigt, this French
Chateau is a carefully preserved home that reflects the gracious elegance of the Victorian
era. Open to the public on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month from 1 to 3pm and every
Tuesday from 11-3pm. For scheduling information and fees call Mondays and Tuesdays from
9am to noon (616)456-4600.
Voigt House Web site
Three Walking Tours Information |
WalkingTourMap.pdf
NORTH TOUR: 
1. Philo C. Fuller House – 44
Lafayette NE
Italianate. Built in 1860, this house was occupied by Francis B. Gilbert until
his death in 1885 and subsequently by his son-in-law, Philo C. Fuller. In 1977 the
Heritage Hill Foundation acquired the property, preventing its demolition for a parking
lot.
2. Gilbert House – 55 Lafayette
NE
Eastlake. Thomas D. Gilbert built this house in 1878. Mr. Gilbert helped to
organize the Union Benevolent Society, forerunner of Blodgett Hospital.
3. Holt House – 50 Lafayette NE
Shingle Style. Built in 1886 by John C. Holt, president of the Antrim Iron
Company. This fine example of the style exhibits on a smaller scale the architectural
elements of the great summer "cottages" of the eastern seaboard.
4.& 5. Shelby Houses – 65
Lafayette NE and 71 Lafayette NE
Italianate. Henry Wallen, Jr built 71 Lafayette NE in 1873 and
his brother-in-law, William S. Shelby, built the house next door (65
Lafayette NE). Both men were in the railroad business and their houses
feature the classical detailing that is typical of the Italianate style.
6. Booth House – 230 Fountain NE
Italianate. This house was also built by William R. Shelby in 1873. In 1907,
Edmund W. Booth, of Booth Publishers, purchased the house. The garage, built in 1894, was
the first in Grand Rapids intended specifically for the automobile.
7. Perkins House – 111 Lafayette
NE
This house was built in 1872 for Gaius W. Perkins. It is typical of many Heritage Hill
houses, incorporating elements of several styles.
8. Wagemaker House – 324 Lyon NE
Italianate. This house was built in 1880 for John H. Doornick, of Doornick
& Steketee, now Paul Steketee & Sons.
9. Wykes/Weatherly House – 215
Lafayette NE
Queen Anne. Built in 1875 for Arthur B. Wykes, this distinctive house has an
extravaganza of Eastlake detailing.
10. Wonderly House – 223 Lafayette NE
Italianate. This house was built in 1870 for Joseph H. Wonderly. It was the
home of Charles C. Calkins, attorney and civic leader from 1891 until his death in 1918.
11. Kellogg House – 230 Lafayette NE
Queen Anne. Truman Kellogg had this house built in 1890. Some of the original
turned spindles can be seen in the open frieze of the veranda.
12. 231 Lafayette NE
This house was built in 1883. Note the pierced gable ornament.
13. Bertsch House – 247 Lafayette NE
This house was built in 1883 for Christian Bertsch, founder of the Herold Bertsch Shoe
Company. Note the window detail.
14. 246 Prospect NE
This house was built circa 1880.
15. DeBoe House – 430 Crescent NE
Queen Anne. This house was built in 1891 for John DeBoe, a partner in
DeBoe,
King & Co., manufacturing chemists.
16. Whittemore House – 470 Crescent NE
Italianate. Built for John Whittemore in 1889, Italianate detailing has been
added to the front-gabled rectangular shape popularized by the Greek Revival style.
17. Deaconess House – 523 Lyon NE
Chateauesque. Built in 1894 by the Methodist Episcopal Church, this building
served as a school where girls trained for deaconess and missionary work.
18. Strong House – 551 Fountain NE
Built in the 1850’s as a Salt Box for persons unknown. Professor Edwin Strong, a
well known early Grand Rapids Superintendent of Schools lived here in 1875.
19. Williamson House – 516 Fountain NE
English Country. Architect William Williamson built this house for himself in
1913. The original brick sidewalk leads to the sheltered entrance.
20. Davis House – 535 Fountain NE
Queen Anne. Built in 1881 by Mylan Hibbard, this house was purchased in 1884 by
George A. Davis, a founder of Stow-Davis Furniture Company.
21. Hopson House – 412 Lyon NE
Italianate. This elegant house, with its classically inspired veranda, was
built circa 1880. It is one of three houses moved, rather than demolished, to make way for
the expansion of Central High School.
22. Rowe House – 226 Prospect NE
Prairie. This is an adaptation of a design by Frank Lloyd Wright that appeared
in The Ladies Home Journal entitled "Fireproof House for $5,000". It was
executed by local architect Eugene Osgood for Fred Rowe Sr., owner of the Rowe Hotel.
23. Gould House – 158 Prospect NE
Italianate. This house was built in 1880 for George Gould. Note the unusual
beveled glass in the front door.
24. Loomis House – 152 Prospect NE
Classic Revival. A $2,500 mortgage enabled Robert Loomis to build this house in
1870. The classic portico was added at a later date.
25. McCabe-Marlowe House – 74 Lafayette
NE
Italian Villa. This house was built in 1865 for James Gallup. The classic
portico is a later addition.
CENTRAL TOUR: 
26. Lyon House – 220-222 East Fulton
Gothic Revival. This charming stone cottage is one of the few surviving
buildings constructed of Grand River limestone. It was built in 1845 by Truman Lyon, State
Senator in 1853-54.
27. Pike House – 230 East Fulton
Greek Revival. Built in 1884 by Abram W. Pike, this house is an outstanding
Michigan example of Greek Revival architecture. The Grand Rapids Art Museum was located
here from 1924 - 1980.
28. Sweet House – 254 East Fulton
Italian Villa. This house was built in 1860 by Martin L. Sweet. The
Women’s City Club has occupied the building since 1927.
29. Sweet House – 17 Lafayette SE
Italianate. This was built as a duplex circa 1875 by Martin L. Sweet for his
daughters. A tunnel once connected this house with the family home at 254 East Fulton.
30. Dikeman House – 300-302 East Fulton
Colonial Revival (Flemish). This house was built for Aaron Dikeman, Grand
Rapids’ first jeweler, in 1849.
31. Sligh Dennison House – 31 Prospect
SE
Queen Anne. Charles Sligh, founder of the Sligh Furniture Company, built this
house in 1892. It has an unusual stone tower.
32. Quintus House – 18 Prospect SE
Italianate. Jacob Quintus built this house in 1859 and published the first
"Hollandish" newspaper in Grand Rapids, De Strompost.
33. Jenks/Peck House – 345 Washington
SE
Queen Anne. Built in 1887 by Samuel B. Jenks, this house was later owned by
John Peck, who founded the drugstore chain.
34. Fitzgerald House – 417 Washington
SE
Classic Revival. Edward Fitzgerald built this house in 1905. The symmetrically
balanced windows with central door and classic detailing closely follow Georgian
precedents.
35. Duffy House – 20 Gay SE
Georgian Revival. This house was built in 1908 by John Duffy, Secretary and
then President of the Fox Machine Company, and later President of the Grand Rapids
Hardware Company. This house features a fine pipe organ and an operating elevator.
36. Gay House – 422-426 East Fulton
This house was built in 1883, at a cost of $50,000, by George W. Gay, co-founder of
the Berkey and Gay Furniture Company. Louis Campau, founder of Grand Rapids, built the
first house to occupy this site. Lumber from Campau’s house was used in the
construction of the carriage house.
37. Morman House – 440 East Fulton
Shingle. This house was built in 1886 for Samuel A. Morman.
38. Wilcox House – 15 College SE
Dutch Colonial Revival. In 1904 Frederick Wilcox built this house, one of the
few examples of this style left in the country, and the only one in Grand Rapids.
39. Putman House – 45 College SE
This house was built in 1887 by Enos Putman, President of Ball, Barnhart & Putnam,
wholesale grocers. He was also founder of the Grand Rapids National Bank.
40. Lowe House – 103 College SE
Chateauesque. Built in 1895 by Edward Lowe, its interesting interior features
include 6 fireplaces, 104 leaded beveled glass windows, and a double hanging switchback
staircase.
41. Voigt House – 115 College SE
Chateauesque. Built in 1895 by Carl G.A. Voigt, founder of Voigt Milling
Company.
42. Byrne/Hanchett House – 125 College
SE
Built circa 1891 by Eva Byrne, this is a fine example of an English Manor
house. This house features a slate roof, 5 chimneys and a private chapel with magnificent
stained glass windows.
43. Fox House – 455 Cherry SE
Chateauesque with Norman influence. Known today simply as "The
Castle", this house was built in 1888 by Ethelbert and Charles Fox, two bachelor
lumber barons.
44. Sanford House – 540 Cherry SE
Greek Revival. Built in 1847 by Samuel R. Sanford, one of the first county
clerks, when Grand Rapids was still a village. The columns were hewn by hand from nearby
woods.
45. Metz House – 600 Cherry SE
Chateauesque. This outstanding house was built in 1888 by George W. Metz, proprietor
of the Grand Rapids Leather Company. The asymmetrically placed tower, with its onion dome,
is a typical element of this style.
46. Friant House – 601 Cherry SE
Richardsonian Romanesque influences. This "Stone Chateau" was built
by Thomas Friant in 1892.
47. Lewis House – 102 Union SE
Classic Revival. Built in 1876 by Jeremiah L. Lewis, a Grand Rapids lumber
baron.
48. Buys House – 557 Avalon Terrace SE
American Basic, from Builders Plan Books. This house was built in 1920 by James
Buys, a partner in the prominent real estate firm of Kinsey & Buys.
49. Konkle House – 533 Avalon Terrace
SE
This house, built in 1925 by Arthur and Irene Konkle, reflects the conservative, more
restrained design of the mid-1920’s.
50. Thompson House – 32 Union SE
Gothic Revival. This house was built in 1866, and is in the style of Downing
& Davis’ country houses.
51. Smith House – 20 Union SE
Classic Revival. This house was built in 1890 for Samuel C. Smith.
52. Cole House – 19 College NE
Italianate. This house was built in 1867 for Wilma Cole.
53. Grinnel House – 45 College NE
Italianate. This house was built in 1890 for Charles L. Grinnel.
54. Studley House – 64 Prospect NE
Italian Revival. This house was built in 1890 for Elbridge Studley, organizer
of the Grand Rapids Felt Boot Shoe Company.
55. Stickley House – 60 Prospect NE
Georgian Revival. This house was built in 1900 for Albert Stickley, founder of
Stickley Brothers Furniture Company.
56. McLeod House – 41 Prospect NE
This house was built in 1915 for Archibald McLeod, an executive with Stowe Davis &
Company.
57. White House – 427 East Fulton
Tudor Revival. This house was built in 1907 for T. Stewart White, one of Grand
Rapids’ pioneer lumber barons. The dining room ceiling was done in 24K gold leaf by
New York’s famed Tiffany & Company.
SOUTH TOUR: 
58. Keeler House – 227 College SE
Georgian Revival. Built in 1911 by Miner S. Keeler, founder of the Keeler Brass
Company. Note the perfectly symmetrical facade and central pediment. The interior features
quarter-sawn oak woodwork and a grand staircase to the third floor ballroom.
59. Coye House – 339 College SE
Classic Revival. Built in 1909 by Charles Coye, founder of the Coye Tent and Awning
Company.
60. Harvey House – 425 College SE
Mediterranean Villa. Built in 1916 by Frank Harvey. Note the Spanish tile roof
and the extensive use of terra cotta.
61. Heald House – 455 College SE
Built in 1893 by Charles Heald, President of the Chicago, West Michigan and Lansing
Northern Railroad.
62. Amberg House – 505 College SE
Prairie. Frank Lloyd Wright contracted to design this house in
1909, but the work was carried out by his associate Marion Mahony. The
Ambergs were the parents of Sophie May, that lived a block away in the
Wright-designed Meyer May House.
63. Brayton House – 516 College SE
Georgian Revival. Built in 1889 by James Brayton, a nationally known expert on
timber values.
64. Yeakey House – 511 Morris SE
English cottage. Built in 1924 by James Yeakey, founder of several companies,
including Yeakey Scripps, Wheeler-Van Label Company, and the Boston Store.
65. Leonard House – 455 Morris SE
Tuscan Villa. Built in 1914 by Charles Leonard, the founder and first president
of Kelvinator Corporation.
66. Meyer May House – 450 Madison SE
Prairie. This Frank Lloyd Wright designed house was built in 1906 by Meyer May,
founder of May’s of Michigan clothing stores. It was restored to its original
splendor in 1985 by Steelcase.
67. Stockwell House – 515 Madison SE
Queen Anne with Eastlake detailing. A.E. Stockwell built this house in 1882. He
was a lumber baron, and a partner in the Stockwell and Burrough Furniture Company. The
house looks precisely the way it did in Baxter’s History of Grand Rapids,
published in 1891.
68. Belknap House – 455 Madison SE
Built in 1878 by Joseph Penny. Its most prominent tenant, however, was Charles
Belknap, instrumental in the organizing of the Boy Scouts of America.
69. Whitfield House – 441 Madison SE
Queen Anne. Built in 1897 by Dr. Issiah J. Whitfield, a specialist in orificial
surgery.
70. Hoult House – 246 Madison SE
Classic Revival. Built in 1908 by John Holt, president of the Luce Furniture
Company. Piano finish mahogany extends throughout, to the third floor ballroom.
71. Lamos House – 241 Madison SE
Built in 1892 by Horace A. Lamos, owner of the restaurant at the old Union Station.
72. McCormick House – 222 Madison SE
Stick. Built in 1890 by Henry F. McCormick, an attorney and partner in the law
firm of Temple, Thompson and McCormick.
73. Vine House – 218 Madison SE
Queen Anne. Built in 1900 for Mary Vine, widow of Fredrick Vine.
74. Coit House – 356 Cherry SE
Eastlake. Built in 1885 by Charles Coit, a prominent Grand Rapids real estate
broker. This house was purchased in the 1920’s by Axel P. Johnson, publisher of The
Grand Rapids News.
75. Hatch House – 445 Cherry SE
Greek Revival. Built in 1844, this house is constructed of Grand River
Limestone coated with stucco. It is one of the oldest buildings in Grand Rapids.
76. Morris Manor – 434 Cherry SE
Italianate Villa. Built in 1865 by Robert W. Morris, part owner of the first
steamer to make regular trips between Muskegon and Chicago.
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