Isn’t it remarkable how a building can whisper tales of bygone eras? Right here at 1460 East Jefferson Avenue stands the Moross House. It is a testament to Detroit’s enduring spirit. This is one of the oldest brick houses in the city.
The Moross House was built around 1840. Christopher Moross built it. He was a French brickmaker. He constructed two homes on this very site. Only this one remains standing today.
Christopher Moross was the grandson of one of Detroit’s original settlers. Born in Hamtramck Township in 1821 to Victor and Theresa Presault Moross, he attended St. Philip’s College. In 1846, he married Emily Cicotte. They raised six children here at the Moross House.
Moross started his career making bricks. Later, he ventured into the livery business. He then traded cattle and horses. His business likely thrived during the Civil War. The military probably bought horses from him. He retired in 1865. Moross then focused on his real estate holdings in Detroit.
The Moross House stands as the oldest surviving brick home in Detroit. It was built between 1843 and 1848. It sits on land that was once part of the Guion and Riopelle ribbon farms. The house is a two-story rectangle built in the Federal style. You would have found many similar homes in older eastern cities built between the War of 1812 and the Civil War. Twin chimneys grace the far walls.
Moross invested heavily in making this home beautiful. Notice the three-bay facade facing East Jefferson. The windows feature stone sills and lintels. The doorway includes sidelights and transom windows. A stone lintel above the door adds symmetry. Mr. Moross spared no expense in designing this residence.
Ownership of the Moross House changed hands over the years. One notable owner was Colonel Freeman Norvell. He was the son of US Senator John Norvell of Michigan. The Colonel fought at Gettysburg in 1863. He also served as a University of Michigan Regent and a State Senator. Norvell was also a co-owner of the Detroit Free Press.
In 1971, the Detroit Historical Commission bought the house. A complete restoration followed from 1971 to 1973. The Moross House was added to the National Historic Register in 1972.
For a time, the city of Detroit operated it as the Moross House Museum. The Detroit Garden Center used the house and gardens for events. The gardens once held what was considered the oldest or second oldest wisteria in the Midwest.
In 2002, the city sold the house to Mr. and Mrs. Roland Scott. In April 2016, LTD Limited, LLC purchased the Moross House. Linda K. Schinkel Rodney and her two sons own the company. Today, the house serves as the studio, showroom, and gallery for Schinkel Fine Art, LLC. This is a fine art business representing the artworks of Mother/Son Artist Duo Linda Schinkel Rodney and Theodore M. Schinkel. They create luminous dimensional 2D mixed media metal sculpture. Their unique process involves etching, engraving, painting, and grinding by hand. They also use photography, media, print, and automotive finishes. This art is known as Metalagram.
LTD Limited is currently restoring the Moross House and gardens. They are now known as Detroit Secret Garden. The goal is to revive the Moross House’s legacy. They want to inspire the arts and serve the city as an event and garden space.
The Moross House stands as a reminder of Detroit’s past. It is a symbol of resilience and rebirth. It is a place where art and history converge.