A vintage wooden sign, the script languidly looping in that distinct retro style, provided the first clue that The Ravines subdivision may be worth a leisurely drive in the name of architectural reconnaissance. As an architectural historian a sign like this instantly piques my curiosity. When I first drove through this neighborhood, I quickly realized it doesn’t just hold a few beautiful homes, no, the neighborhood is chock full of grand and sprawling midcentury homes. This is the kind of neighborhood where an old house lover like me is liable to get into a minor accident, wholly distracted by breeze blocks and bold roof lines. Located at the corner of 9 Mile and Inkster Roads, the subdivision hugs the western bank of the Rouge River and many of the houses are located on the crest of steep ravines, overlooking the river. Filled with undulating streets, mature trees, and beautiful custom-built mid-century homes, The Ravines is one of my favorite areas in Southfield.

A vintage sign for a vintage neighborhood

The Ravines was platted in 1956 by Ravines Incorporated (which was comprised of Charles R. Kelly and Barbara R. Kelly), Maurice A. Enggass, J. Lawrence Kelly, E. Viola Kelly, and Almer Bruland and Thomas F. Whichard of Bruland and Whichard Quality Builders. These were prominent men in metro Detroit. Charles R. Kelly’s parents lived on 9 Mile Road and, presumably, owned part of the land that became The Ravines. Maurice Enggass was the vice president of the Municipal Parking Authority in Detroit while J. Lawrence Kelly (married to E. Viola Kelly) owned a successful coal company and was a noted local developer who reportedly developed 1,000 homesites in Farmington, Southfield, White Lake, and Livonia. Not much is known about Bruland and Whichard Quality Builders, but it appears that Thomas F. Whichard was noted local realtor in the 1950s. Building in the neighborhood began shortly after its platting and by 1963 houses dotted the meandering streets.

A 1963 aerial photograph shows development ongoing in the neighborhood

Ravines Inc. ran advertisements in the 1960s as it sold lots in the sub and ads from this era extol its virtues including its centralized location, winding streets, wooded areas, streams, ravines, and lots big enough for “spacious living in privacy.” Houses were advertised as large and custom-built, and some included maids’ rooms, outdoor sprinklers, stone patios, and other high-end features. There were numerous builders at work in the Ravines including Ed F. Johns (22444 Lake Ravines Drive), Alfred W. King (22714 Wrexford), and Starfire Building Co. (22500 Lake Ravines Drive).

This house is located at 22444 Lake Ravines Drive and was built by Ed F. Johns

The interior of 22444 Lake Ravines Drive in a 1962 advertisement

Incidentally, the house built by Starfire Building Co. at 22500 Lake Ravines Drive was designed by Toledo-based designer Donald Scholz and this design is known as the Scholz Mark ‘59. Starfire apparently built a number of Scholz designs in the Metro Detroit area including a Mark ‘58 located at 25315 Acacia, also in Southfield. We’re mega fans of Don Scholz here at Loggia and you can read more about Scholz’s prefabricated Modern and Contemporary style homes here: https://www.ncmodernist.org/scholz.htm and at Mark Hooley’s excellent Flickr photostream here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/156630782@N04/page5

The interior and exterior of 22500 Lake Ravines Drive. This house is a Don Scholz-designed Mark ‘59 model

A Mark ‘59 designed by Don Scholz. Although it appears like a typical midcentury Ranch on the primary facade, the backside of the house is filled with floor to ceiling glass windows. Photo courtesy of Mark Hooley.

A house in The Ravines built by Alfred W. King. There are several houses in the neighborhood that resemble it.

Today the subdivision retains integrity as a highly intact mid-century development of custom-built homes. In a city with multiple high style mid-century subdivisions, the mature landscaping, large lots, and beautiful homes make this a standout neighborhood in Southfield. As the ad below says, take a drive through The Ravines to hear the sweet sounds of happy birds as you daydream about (anything other than the demise of our constitutional democracy) the slow prevernal progression into summer.

A River Runs Through It: The Ravines

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Halfway There, Livin’ on a Stair: The History of the Split Level Home