Cranbrook History
Building Chronology
1900-1925
1904-1905
Farm buildings are constructed on the Kingswood School site (Farm Group #1)
Most demolished 1917-1921
1904
The original farmhouse of Samuel Alexander is remodelled and called the "Cottage"
Torn down in 1930
1907
Original frame boat house erected
Torn down in 1917
1908
Cranbrook House and Tower Cottage constructed; Albert Kahn, architect
Kahn worked from George Gough Booth's sketches
1909
North garden constructed
Gardens simplified during World War II
1910
Greenhouse completed, replacing the original lean-to greenhouse attached to the house; Burrowes and Wells, architects

Twin Cottage constructed; Burrowes and Wells, architects

Sunken garden and Promenade balustrade begun
Torn down in 1950 for present greenhouse





Kahn designed “Water Garden” - removed 1923
1911
Service buildings completed; Burrowes and Wells, architects

East Terrace constructed

Farm buildings constructed on Cranbrook School site; Burrowes and Wells, architects (Farm Group #2)





Demolished in 1926
1912
Rock garden (Oriental Garden) established
1913
West Terrace constructed - water garden pool

Tower Cottage enlarged for James Scripps Booth
1914
West Terrace fountain installed

Swimming pool at Greek Theater built

Cascade from pool built
1915
Brookside Cottage (Stoney House) constructed from the Pump House for Farm Group Number One

Greek Theater constructed; Burrowes and Wells, architects

Booths purchased the Crane Lantern for Oriental Garden




Actors’ Court added by HSB in 1924

Bought at expositions at San Diego and San Francisco
1916
Flowing Well (Rainbow Fountain) built; Marcus R. Burrowes, architect
Pewabic tiles laid by Mary Chase Perry Stratton
1917
Boat House completed; Marcus R. Burrowes, architect

Samuel Yellin gates installed at south entrance of Cranbrook House

New Morris Mill constructed
Restored in 1983


Gate posts built in 1916
1918
Cranbrook House additions begun-- west wing, east wing, servants’ wing, library wing; Albert Kahn, architect

Meeting House constructed on Cranbrook Road; George G. and Henry S. Booth, architects

North stairway from Cranbrook House to Glassenbury Lake (Kingswood Lake) begun
Work completed 1920



Now part of Brookside School




North Terraces were added 1923-25
1919
Oak Room at CH begins construction (1919-20); Albert Kahn, architect
1920
Wallace House built
Sold to the Nances in 1952
1921
Vegetable garden built east of Tower Cottage

Aviary built between Morning Room and Library at Cranbrook House

Fire House added to Tower Cottage


Frame of aviary later used for kitchen window at Brookside School
1922
Bloomfield Hills School, now called Brookside School, opened its doors to students in the upper floor of the Meeting House

Italian Cottage built




Cottage demolished 1927 - replaced by Hedgegate House
1923
Forecourt of Cranbrook House rebuilt along present lines

Turtle Fountain installed

Clay tennis court erected south of Tower Cottage

First addition to Brookside School; George G. Booth, architect
1924
Actors Court added to Greek Theater; Henry S. Booth, architect

Pavilion ("Garden House") built along Lone Pine Road; Albert Kahn, architect

West Terrace reflecting pool built

Henry Booth designed an art academy at Cranbrook for his final student project at the University of Michigan



Open-sided arcade
1925
Eliel Saarinen completed a master plan for the proposed art academy at Cranbrook

Theatre Bridge built
39221 Woodward Avenue
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PO Box 801
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Bloomfield Hills, MI 48303-0801
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Phone: 1 877 GO Cranbrook
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info@cranbrook.edu