Tonnancour: Life in Grosse Pointe and Along the Shores of Lake St. Clair (Vol. 2)

Arthur M. Woodford

ISBN 10: 0780800990 ISBN 13: 9780780800991

Publisher: Omnigraphics, Inc., 1996

With the publication of Volume Two, Tonnancour presents even more of the history, lore, and legends of Grosse Pointe and Lake St. Clair. These lavishly illustrated volumes reveal the story of this richly historic area through a unique collection of first-hand accounts, previously published and unpublished material, original essays and articles, and numerous illustrations.

The title of the work, Tonnancour, refers to the Grosse Pointe summer estate of Theodore Parsons Hall. Hall and fellow Detroiters like Caroline Hamlin and Silas Farmer made the residence a local cultural center. Built in 1880, Tonnancour is no longer standing.

Volume Two explores new areas of Grosse Pointe and Lake St. Clair history by presenting more previously published and unpublished material as well as new essays written especially for this volume. Some 200 years of history are covered, beginning with the founding of Wayne County in 1796 and the subsequent establishment of Grosse Pointe Township. The 100th anniversary of the automobile (1896-1996) is noted with automotive-related articles covering the Grosse Pointe racetrack, buses, gas stations, and yachts of the auto barons.

Architecture, local institutions, and prominent Grosse Pointe families are some of the other topics covered in Volume Two. Also included are maps dating from 1796 as well as poems and legends from the region.

The Children's Home, vacationing on the St. Clair Flats, prohibition and rumrunning on Lake St. Clair, and the Punch and Judy Theater are among the other articles featured in Volume Two. A genealogy of early French families and a history of the Country Club of Detroit are also included.

More than 150 illustrations in each volume of Tonnancour help bring the story of Grosse Pointe to life. These include pen and ink sketches, woodcuts, photographs, and maps.

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Review:

"This is an excellent and detailed local history with broad interests because of its many stories and remembrances." -- Come-All-Ye, Fall 1995

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