Willis-Selden Historic District

Infobox_nrhp | name =Willis-Selden Historic District
nrhp_type = hd

---

caption = Cass Avenue, north of Alexandrine
location= Detroit, Michigan
lat_degrees = 42
lat_minutes = 20
lat_seconds = 57
lat_direction = N
long_degrees = 83
long_minutes = 3
long_seconds = 52
long_direction = W
locmapin = Michigan
area =
built =1870
architect= multiple
architecture= Colonial Revival, Beaux Arts, Early Commercial
added = December 01, 1997
governing_body = State
mpsub=Cass Farm MPS
refnum=97001478cite 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 Willis-Selden Historic District is an 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.

History

The land forming the Willis-Selden Historic District was originally the Park Lots, the Cass Farm, and theJones/Crane Farm. [http://www.ci.detroit.mi.us/historic/districts/willis_selden.pdf Willis-Selden Historic District] from the city of Detroit] 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.

In the early twentieth century, the district became home to auto industry suppliers , once again due to its locationand large lots. Forty-one percent of commercial buildings in the district built between 1910 and 1930 were auto-related. 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 inpact on the indistry and on the Willis-Selden Historic District, sending it into decline.

Buildings

Of the buildings located within the district, a number a historically significant in their own right. These include:
* Detroit-Columbia Central Office Building (52 Selden)
* Cass Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church (3901 Cass Avenue, at Selden)
* Coronado Apartments (3751-73 Second Avenue, at Selden)
* Stuber-Stone Building (4221-4229 Cass Avenue, at Willis)
* Detroit Edison Company Willis Avenue Station (50 W. Willis)

References