Chase Mansion

NORTHVILLIANS,

We are winding down the year and preparing for the Holiday season after a relaxing long weekend.  I thank all Northvillians who shared their time and talents in the Northville area giving back to our Seniors, Youth, Civic Concern and for supporting our local businesses …not only this past Thanksgiving, but throughout the entire pandemic period.

In this week’s letter I will highlight historic “Gateways” into our town.

GATEWAYS TO THE COMMUNITY

Over the next few weeks, I am going to write about our “gateway signature touchpoints” coming into Northville. Today, our topic is the Gateway coming into Cabbagetown, which is the Chase Mansion.  In the weeks to come, we will highlight other so-called entry points, including the Albert Kahn-designed Ford Plant, the past Buchner Hill estate where Hillside School is today, the Fish Hatchery Park and the Northville Well as you enter Bealtown.

THE CHASE MANSION – Dating back to 1830, an estate has always existed on this property at Eight Mile & Griswold. It’s also been an impressive welcoming site to folks coming into town.  Until 1959, folks entering the Ville from the east on 8 Mile would travel Griswold to Baseline Road, going past the Mansion, then on to the Northville Cider Mill and Northville Lumber (the oldest business in Michigan).  
The Chase Mansion corner has been a magical and inviting area through time, as Michele Fecht explains in her informative article from the March edition of The Ville. Beyond that, we can also look at this estate as a key gateway into our community. Originally, the property was 262 acres which included the Chase Farms neighborhood of today. The history of this area dates back to the Beal Family who owned the Globe Furniture factory. They essentially built Bealtown and lived on the estate from the 1830’s to 1899.  F. D. Eatherly, who made his money in the lumbering business, was the next owner and eventually sold it to the Yerkes family.  Notably, the Yerkes had the task of rebuilding the estate after a fire broke out during their time there.  In 1937 the Chases (Shatterproof Glass) purchased the property and were there almost 50 years, which is why the estate is commonly referred to as the Chase Mansion. The last personal owner was the “largest Cadillac dealer in the world”, Don Massey.

Over the years, many dignitaries and events have been hosted at this beautiful manor with its gardens and walking paths. In fact, Joe Louis was a guest there in 1939 while he trained for a championship fight. Local lore tells us he would work out during the day at Northville Downs (which had an indoor Boxing ring set up for him), allowing spectators to come and see the “Champ”. 

Today the grounds at Eight Mile and Griswold are making an outstanding transition, becoming the headquarters for the Living and Learning Enrichment Center. We understand they have exciting plans to bring back some of the gardens, beehives and lavender fields as well as pay homage to the property’s history in many distinctive ways.

As you know, I am an avid champion of Northville’s historic past.  Accordingly, I have always believed it’s important to honor our past, reflect on where we are today and then know where we want to go in the future.

Please stay vigilant this coming holiday season. The pandemic has affected us all. Sadly, this week a friend of mine in the neighborhood passed away due to complications from COVID-19. I was also made aware of further devastating news from two families who had children that lost their lives to COVID-related stress.  Let’s do all we can to reach out and assist those around us daily.

Keep that Northville Historic Faith and Mask up, Practice social distancing and Wash up often!

Brian Turnbull
Mayor – Northville
BTurnbull@ci.northville.mi.us / 248.505.6849

(Reach out to me anytime or forward this communication to others interested.)

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