Willis Overland Lofts, on Willis looking east.
The Willis-Selden Historic District is a historic district located in Detroit, Michigan, consisting of three streets: Willis, Alexandrine, and Selden, Running from Woodward Avenue on the east to Third Avenue on the west. The district was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1997.[1]
[edit] History
The land forming the Willis-Selden Historic District was originally the Park Lots, the Cass Farm, and the Jones/Crane Farm.[2] These parcels were subdivided in the late 1800s. Due in part to the growth of Detroit during the 1860s and generous lot sizes, the Willis-Selden District became a popular area for development, particularly for the relatively wealthy professional class.[2]
In the early twentieth century, the district became home to auto industry suppliers , once again due to its location and large lots.[2] Forty-one percent of commercial buildings in the district built between 1910 and 1930 were auto-related.[2] In addition, large, high-density apartments were constructed to meet the demands of the huge influx of auto workers into Detroit. However, the Great Depression had a marked impact on the industry and on the Willis-Selden Historic District, sending it into decline.[2]
[edit] Buildings
Of the buildings located within the district, a number a historically significant in their own right. These include:
[edit] References
