Rowing Forward: Transforming the Belle Isle Boathouse into a public gateway to the Detroit River by Phephen

ROWING FORWARD S T E P H E N M A L B O U E F U N I V E R S I T Y O F D E T R O I T M E R C Y S C H O O L O F A R C H I T E C T U R E & C O M M U N I T Y D E V E L O P M E N T TRANSFORMING THE BELLE ISLE BOATHOUSE INTO A PUBLIC GATEWAY TO THE DETROIT RIVER

ROWING FORWARD

ROWING FORWARD S T E P H E N M A L B O U E F Graduate Thesis Candidate ARCH 5100-5200 MASTER THESIS STUDIO ARCH 5110-5210 MASTER THESIS SUPPLEMENT ADVISOR: WLADYSLAW FUCHS EXTERNAL ADVISOR: MICHAEL GENTILE U N I V E R S I T Y O F D E T R O I T M E R C Y S C H O O L O F A R C H I T E C T U R E & C O M M U N I T Y D E V E L O P M E N T TRANSFORMING THE BELLE ISLE BOATHOUSE INTO A PUBLIC GATEWAY TO THE DETROIT RIVER

Brian

Friends of Detroit Rowing Friends of Detroit Rowing Detroit Boat Club Friends of Detroit Rowing Friends of Detroit Rowing Detroit Boat Club Crew Alumni Resurget Engineering

MichaelWilliamRichardBenzBellMaherGentile My team mates at the Detroit Boat Club Crew ii

Special thanks to Ian MarcStephenEricMikeMaryToddRickSteveKurtIanMariaSophiaMaryBillBillRoelEd................................................................NarragansettSimonCommunityAnthonyMilesSuchan....................................................Schwartz..............................................Delgreco..........................................RowingInc..................................Luden.................................................BoatClub...............................Kunst....................................................Wheatley.................................................Risko......................................................J.Wilson..............................................Luwis.................................................McDevitt..............................................Luetzow..................................................Kaufman...............................................Ziemba................................................Reed.....................................................Platt......................................................Gautier.................................................Gentile..................................................Dilworth.................................................Lambers..........................................Steinhobel............................................West Side Rowing Club, Buffalo, NY West Side Rowing Club, Buffalo, NY Riverside Boat Club, Cambridge, MA Brighton, CambridgeMARindge and Latin School Rowing, Cambridge, MA Providence, RI Palisade Boat Club, Yonkers, NY Palisade Boat Club, Yonkers, NY Oneida Boat Club, Burlington, NJ Undine Barge Club, Philadelphia, PA Vesper Boat Club, Philadelphia, PA Penn AC Rowing Association, Philadelphia, PA University Barge Club, Philadelphia, PA Drexel University Rowing, Philadelphia, PA Fairmount Rowing Association, Philadelphia, PA

Friends of Detroit Rowing

This book is dedicated to My family, for supporting me and my hobbies. My parents, Thomas and Maureen Malbouef

My grandparents: Arthur & Josephine Roy Thomas & Barb Malbouef Gloria & Craig Becker My coaches, for giving up your spare time to come down to the boathouse for several hours a day help my teammates and I develop our skills on the water over the last 9 years and inspire me to begin my research into the long history of the Detroit Boat Club Crew.

ThisAbstractstudy investigates how adaptive reuse and historic preservation can be applied in a practical manner in order to transform Detroit’s Belle Isle Boathouse, the former home of the Detroit Boat Club, into a public gateway to access the Detroit River.

Currently used by the non-profit Friends of Detroit Rowing as the training hub for the rowers of the Detroit Boat Club Crew, the building is in need of millions of dollars worth of repairs. Is there a way that the rowers can feasibly remain in this building that has been their home for the past 120 years? Rowing in the U.S., other boathouses, and the history of the Belle Isle Boathouse were studied in order to understand how the building was originally intended to be used, how it has been changed over time, and how the building can be adapted to better serve modern uses as a training center. The investigation was expanded to study how there is a lack of public access for people to get out onto the Detroit River. The boathouse is perfectly situated to serve Detroit’s need for a public aquatic facility that would offer multiple athletic programs in addition to rowing while increasing awareness and involvement with this historic structure.

Contents PREFACE Thesis Introduction..............................................................statement....................................................... EARLY ROWING IN DETROIT & THE EVOLUTION OF THE DBC Beginnings, 1839-1866............................................. Golden Era, 1867-1881.............................................. Decline, 1881-1893................................................... THE MOVE TO BELLE ISLE.......................................................... The move to Belle Isle............................................... Fifth boathouse........................................................ Sixth boathouse........................................................ THE 1902 PresentFriendsProposalsDeclineIntegration,ChangesStructure...................................................................Design,BOATHOUSE..............................................................construction,opening....................................Floors.........................................................Exteriorwalls..............................................Roof...........................................................1910s-1920s................................................1926..........................................................1930s-1940s...............................................1950s-1980s...............................................1967-1975..............................................oftheDBC&eviction.....................................forboathouse,1995-2014..........................ofDetroitRowing,1990s-present...................day............................................................... vi 10210098939289878176736763603130272521191351ixvii ROWING IN THE UNITED STATES................................................ What is a RenovationPhiladelphia,NewNewProvidence,Boston-Cambridge,Buffalo,Cleveland,boathouse?................................................Ohio..........................................N.Y...............................................Mass.............................R.I..........................................York....................................................Jersey.................................................Penn.....................................precedents.............................................. FUTURE OF THE BELLE ISLE BOATHOUSE, A Proposal................. Proposed site............................................................ Proposed first floor.................................................. Proposed second floor.............................................. Proposed third floor................................................. IMAGES...................................................................................REFERENCES............................................................................ADDITIONALConclusion.................................................................INFORMATION......................................................PlacestoswiminDetroitmap...................................Knownboathousechangestimeline..........................DBCboathousecostcomparisons..............................Proposedrenovationtimeline...................................Additionalballroomphotos.......................................Additionalreceptionhallphotos................................ 226217207199197196193191189187185179177171164155145143137135125123119117111

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Thesis Statement Rowing is a sport that has existed in the United States for over 200 years and has been consistently growing since Title IX was passed in 1972. Over the years, five main rowing facility styles have emerged as places for people to row: A place to launch boats, a place to store boats, a building to store boats, a building with restroom facilities, and larger training centers. These buildings and sites have had long histories of only being accessible by members of these organizations, despite many of them being located along public waterfronts. Located along the shoreline of Detroit’s Belle Isle Park, the former Detroit Boat Club, now known as the Belle Isle Boathouse, has continuously served the Detroit Boat Club Crew since it was constructed in 1902. The Belle Isle Boathouse is unique in that the DBC was a club that had not only rowing but large social, sailing, power boating, and swimming clubs all under one roof. Sponsored by Friends of Detroit Rowing since 1972, the rowers have been working to maintain the historic structure since the DBC left in 1996. Through this work, the goal is to show why the historic 1902 boathouse should be preserved and continue to be the home for the rowing crews, as well as how it can be adapted and redesigned in order to better serve current and future programming. It will also show how the building can become a public gateway and access point to the Detroit River.

Thisfacilities.thesis explores possible answers to: -How can the Belle Isle Boathouse be adaptively reused to better serve the programs that use it now and in the future? -How can the historic character of the building be restored? -Why is it important for the DBCC to continue to occupy the historic building?

-How can the building and site become publicly accessible?

In researching this topic, over 30 different rowing clubs in the Midwest and along the East Coast were visited, exploring why the clubs that use historic structures have remained in their buildings, how their buildings have been adapted for modern uses and programs, and what the users of those spaces like or dislike about them. Clubs in newer structures were also visited to see how these buildings are programmed and what ideas can be adapted for renovating the DBC building. Organizations that serve multiple sports under the same roof were also researched in order to see how these buildings function and what spaces are unique or shared by each program. People who are familiar with Belle Isle were interviewed to see what the building means to them and how they would like to see it redesigned.

The Belle Isle Boathouse is a significant historic landmark on Belle Isle. The rowing team is also the second oldest in the country, being over 180 years old, being one of only two rowing clubs left in the U.S. that were founded in the first rowing boom in the 1830s. To see this building restored and programmed for several uses would be a huge win for Belle Isle and Detroit as a recreational focal point on the island.

Due to the building’s history as a private, non-inclusive social club, many people still view the building and rowing in that light. Exploring this topic through an inter-subjective/ contextual framework, how can the rowing team become more inclusive? Since the building was originally designed for a large social club that is no longer present in addition to other smaller programs such as rowing and sailing, this topic should additionally be explored in a post positive framework to see what other groups could also use spaces in the building to help keep it fully programmed. Despite the Detroit River being a public space, there are few places for the public to have access to get out on the river. When the popularity of rowing in Detroit peaked in the 1870s, it was partially because the riverfront was more publicly accessible. This historic building can serve as a gateway to the river due to its prominent location and existing

Crew have trained out of the historic boathouse that stands prominently next to the Douglas MacArthur Bridge. The people have changed, the equipment improved, and the tradition and knowledge of rowing continues to be passed on from one generation of rowers to the next. Although there have been many changes to the sport over the years, much of the fundamentals remains the same as it was when this historic building was rushed to be built in 1902. Through years of renovations, changes, and neglect, this structure still stands. As of 2021, it became the last of the many historic rowing boathouses that once lined Detroit’s shorelines. Rowing is the reason why this building still exists. The club has produced over 500 US and Canadian national champions, 17 Olympic rowers, and placed numerous people on crews that have represented the United States at Junior, U23, and Elite levels at the World Championships. Its athletes

Rower & board member

wake up early, heading to the boathouse where they will carefully carry their shells out of the building and into the darkness to the docks, where they train hard while the rest of the city sleeps. They’ll leave the building to go to school or work before returning that evening to do it all again. The crews are on the water from whenever the ice thaws to when the river freezes, just as rowers have done in this city for over 180 years.

Without the rowers, the structure may have been demolished years ago, either intentionally or by neglect, as the social club was forced to leave nearly 3 decades ago. Today, the boathouse is in desperate need of work or else it may be lost forever. The rowers are concerned about how to go about this daunting task, or whether they should just move to a newer building that would be less costly to maintain. This thesis aims to show how the building can be restored and adapted in order to serve not only the rowers, but become a public gateway for people to get out and enjoy the Detroit River.

“We all surely have wondered whether the old institution will live another hundred years. The answer is that the club will see its duocentennial if its members will never forget the purpose for which its founders established it----rowing.”

ForIntroductionthelast120years, the rowers of the Detroit Boat Club

Victor H. Wehmeier, 1939

In order to understand why the present building was designed the way it was, one must first understand the history of the Detroit Boat Club and how the organization evolved over its prior 62 years from a rowing club into a social boating club.

The Belle Isle Boathouse is a very unique structure, especially for a rowing club. Most social-boating clubs have a clubhouse separate from the boathouse, however in the case of the Belle Isle Boathouse, these uses were combined into one, large structure. This is the only rowing club in the United States known to have done this on a large scale. It is also among the earliest examples of Venetian-Spanish Revival architecture in the United States. Only two other rowing boathouses have a Spanish-inspired design: the East Park Canoe House in Philadelphia and Saint Paul’s Minnesota Boat Club. For yacht clubs it is also a unique design, as there are less than 15 known yacht clubs in the United States that have a somewhat similar style. What makes that even more interesting is that the Detroit Area has three of these buildings: the DBC, Detroit Yacht Club, and the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club. The Belle Isle Boathouse is the oldest of all of these examples.

“The Detroit River Navy, which has now sprung into vigorous existence, has its origin in a poetic appreciation of superb stream, and is the finest expression as yet on the part of the citizens of Detroit, of a love of nature and the beautiful.”

-Detroit Free Press, 1868

Early rowing in Detroit - the evolution of the DBC

When other rowing clubs first began to appear on the river, they were located fairly close to the DBC boathouse. The Zephyr Boat Club was the first rowing club to join the DBC on the river, originally organizing in 1860. Their boathouse was located at the upper end of the Detroit and Milwaukee Railway dock, just downriver of the DBC boathouse (4). They remained there for an unknown period of time, as the club seems to have disbanded for the Civil War and was reorganized sometime around 1869. On the eve of the Civil War, rowing’s popularity was showing signs of growing in Detroit, with the DBC planning on racing a club in Cleveland and two new rowing clubs being in the process of forming (5). The war put a stop to nearly all rowing growth in Detroit Rowing Clubs 1838-1848 the region, except for Detroit’s Wolverine Boat Club, which organized in 1863 (6). The Wolverines constructed a boathouse near the DBC, also at the foot of Hastings. Two years later, the club moved about 3 blocks upriver to a new boathouse located upriver of Riopelle St. This begins the shift of the rowing clubs moving towards what was then the outskirts of the city as the land closer to downtown became more developed. Around this time, several private boathouses began to appear further upriver as well, including the S. Perault Boathouse (near the foot of Chene) (8) and the Charles H. Wetmore boathouse (at the foot of Russell) (9). Wetmore would become the president of the DBC immediately following the Civil War (14). The DBC was already recognized at this time as a social institution, hosting grand balls at the hotels downtown typically during the winter after the rowing season (10, 14).

beginnings, 1838-1866 1

The origins of the Detroit Boat Club can be traced back to the summer of 1838 when Detroiter Edmund A. Brush purchased a 26’ four-oared rowing boat in New York City. New York was the birthplace of American rowing, with the sport spreading along the East Coast from that origin point. He shipped it back to Detroit where he along with Alpheus S. Williams, Dr. James H. Farnsworth, and James A. Armstrong christened it the Georgiana. On February 18, 1839, they were joined by Dr. Alfred Brush, Andrew T. McReynolds, Alexander H. Sibley, and John Chester in Edmund Brush’s office on E. Jefferson Avenue where they formally organized the Detroit Boat Club.

The club’s first boathouse was originally located at the foot of Randolph Street in Downtown Detroit, about where the Renaissance Center stands today. The club was a social rowing club, with its members rowing mostly for general exercise and for excursions on the river. The club lasted for nearly 10 years until their boathouse was lost in a large fire in May of 1848 that wiped out nearly every building along the city’s riverfront (1, 2). At that point, the club disbanded and for an 8 year period where there was no recorded organized rowing in Detroit. In 1856, a new generation of men came together to form a rowing club. They soon decided to revive the original Detroit Boat Club and the old members were placed on an honorary list. They first rented space to store their boats in a carpentry shop near the foot of Rivard Street, just outside of downtown. Two years later, a new boathouse of their own was constructed near the foot of Hastings Street (today known as Schweizer Place) in 1858. The club remained there until 1873 (1).

The

The DBC’s third boathouse was constructed at the wharf of Edmonds, North & Co. in 1858 with the club first occupying it during the winter of 1858-59. The boat room was originally 50’ long, 25’ wide, and 8.5’ high. Two windlass winches were installed to hoist the large rowing boats out of the water, where they would then be stored on stretchers. Racks lined the walls of the room to store oars and boat-hooks while a large closet at one end of the room held tools, rope, and other supplies. The second floor was 20’ long, 12’ wide, and 8’ high and was used as a dressing room. Each member had his own locker to keep his uniform in (3). The building was enlarged in 1859 and 1863 in order to accommodate new boats (1). Declared outdated by the club in the early 1870s, it was sold to the Spartan Boat Club in 1873. The Spartans occupied it until 1876 when they merged with the Zephyr Boat Club and the building and boats were sold to the newly-formed Centennial Boat Club (11, 12). The Centennials occupied the building until they constructed a new boathouse the following year near the DBC boathouse in time for the 1877 National Championship (13). The building was demolished not long after in order to make way for an expansion of the Detroit & Milwaukee Railway yards.

ATWATER AT THE FOOT OF RIVARD ST. This early photo of an unknown east riverfront boathouse was taken before 1866, which makes it either a DBC, Zephyr, Wolverine, or private boathouse. If this was the DBC’s 1856 boathouse, the space at water level would be where the boats were stored, there would be a carpentry shop in the middle, and the small second story was used as a dressing room for members. Any club meetings were held in the office of the draughtsman of the Detroit & Milwaukee Railway (1)

WOLVERINEdemolished.

ATWATER BETWEEN RIOPELLE AND ORLEANS

ATWATER AT THE FOOT OF HASTINGS ST.

BOAT CLUB 1865-66?DETROIT BOAT CLUB 1856-58 2

The Wolverine’s second boathouse was constructed in 1865 and marked the beginning of the rowing clubs moving further upriver. The main portion of the building was 2-stories high, 55’ long and 16’ wide. The adjacent 1-story wing was 12’ wide and intended for private boats. Each portion had a well so that boats could be hoisted out of the water, constructed so that only one man was needed to do the work. Upstairs was a reception room on the riverside that opened up onto a balcony, as well as a locker room and wash room “fitted up with all the appurtenances (sic).” The building cost $1,200 (over $21,000 today when adjusted for inflation) (7). After 1866, the Wolverines seemed to have a lull until the mid 1870s so it is unknown when this building was

DETROIT BOAT CLUB 1858-73

Sts.Peter&PaulJesuitChurch(1848) StreetAntoineSt. StreetHastings StreetRivard StreetAntoineSt. StreetHastings StreetRivard StreetRussellOldJeffersonAve.PresbyterianChurch(1855-1891) Detroit & Milwaukee Railway Docks ClubBoatDetroit Panoramic view of the Detroit riverfront from Windsor, Ontario. ChristChurch(1863) (1826)HouseTrowbridgeCharlesSibleyHouse(1848)

StreetRiopelle StreetOrleans StreetDequindre StreetRiopelle StreetOrleans StreetDequindre OldWaterworksPumpHouse(1836-1866) ClubBoatWolverine Rowing Clubs 1856-1861

Following the Civil War, the popularity of rowing spread across the United States with rowing clubs springing up like weeds (15). Detroit was no exception to this growth, with several rowing clubs forming in the first few years following the war. This included the racing powerhouse that was the Excelsior Boat Club, which organized in 1867 (16). The Excelsiors constructed their boathouse between Chene St. and Jos. Campau Avenue. Their first building opened in 1867 and burned in 1871 due to arson. Their second building was constructed immediately following the destruction of the previous structure, opening in fall of that year (18, 19). At this time there were several “young lady” boat clubs that were formed by the daughters of several local rowing families, a rarity in the U.S. at that time. First appearing in 1867, the ages of their members ranged from 8 years old to 14, as they were not yet “ladies” at this young age and they participated in parades and reviews on the river, which was more common than racing at this time (20). Besides the few organized boat clubs at that point, there was also an overall enthusiastic participation of small boat builders and well-to-do private boat owners. This led to the formation of the Detroit River Navy in 1867, an association of representatives of the rowing clubs and private boat owners which governed rowing activities on the river (21). With many cities having several local boat clubs, similar navies were founded in many cities of the U.S. The first of these was Philadelphia’s Schuylkill Navy, organized in 1858, which is the only one to still exist today and is the oldest amateur athletic governing body in the United States (22). The number of rowing clubs created a regional and national interest in competition between clubs. The year following the founding of the Detroit River Navy, the Northwestern Amateur Boating (later Rowing) Association was organized in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in order to foster competition amongst the rowing clubs of the Midwest (23). Four years after that the National Association of Amateur Oarsmen, today known as USRowing, was organized in New York City in 1872 in order to create a standard rulebook for amateur rowing races in the United States. Detroit was represented at that meeting by two members of the Excelsior Boat Club (24).

The golden era,

Although some rowing clubs were organized along Detroit’s western riverfront such as the Phoenix and Alaska Boat Clubs who were also joined by the Wyandotte and Ecorse Boat Clubs of their respective downriver cities, the majority of Detroit’s rowing clubs continued to populate the east riverfront. Long misidentified as being a photo of the first DBC boathouse, this picture is actually of the first boathouse constructed by the Excelsior Boat Club in 1867 at the foot of Chene St. Soon after the club was founded, they leased the lot at the foot of Chene for $50 a year and they built the boathouse immediately after at a cost of $380. This building was lost to fire in late July of 1871, believed to have been caused by arson (25, 18)

1867-1880

“Young ladies’ crew, about 1869.” Rowing the Minnie (the boat in front) were from left to right: Miss Mack (at tiller), Misses Adams, Howe and Palmer (rowing), George A. Baker is at the bow and coached the crew. In the boat in the background are Benjamin F. Baker and William Tillman. Sitting on shore are Mrs. Tillman, Capt. Kellogg, Mrs. Mack, and Mrs. Kellogg (26). The Bakers helped reorganize the DBC in 1856 (1).

Pre-1879 parks Parks added in 1879

*This number excludes Linden Park which was donated to the city in 1875 and was bounded by Field St., Kercheval Ave., Baldwin St., and Goethe St. (approximately 56 acres) on the city’s east side in what was then part of Hamtramck. The city did not really develop this land into a park and it was deeded back to the heirs of the original donor in 1889 (28). The land was developed for residential use from the 1890s-1900s. This number also excludes Campus Martius as it was not considered an official park at the time.7

Rowing was said to have really grown in popularity in Detroit due to the Detroit River being a public space that everyone could enjoy, especially those living near the riverfront. During the 1850s-1870s, there were few public parks for people to use and the ones that did exist were typically very small and also mostly located around the downtown core. The Detroit Free Press wrote in 1868 that “the Detroit River Navy, which has now sprung into vigorous existence, has its origin in a poetic appreciation of a superb stream, and is the finest expression as yet on the part of the citizens of Detroit, of a love of nature and the beautiful. For many years the water — beauty, gliding so gracefully past us, like a neglected belle, was denied the homage due to her. Tugs and steamers dashed her shining favors aside regardlessly. Now the young men crowd to do her homage. Parks we have none - but the river takes its place and boats are far more picturesque and beautiful equipages, which roll thereon (20).” Until Belle Isle was annexed as a public park in 1879, there was only 17 acres of public parkland in Detroit, divided amongst 15 parks.* The city’s original public parks, officially dedicated in 1855 although some were considered parks prior to that point, were East and West Grand Circus Park, East Park (currently the site of the Water Board Building), North Park (renamed Harmonie Park in 1895), Centre Park (renamed Library Park), West Park (replaced by the Rosa Parks Transit Center), and Middle Park (renamed Capitol Park). All of these were located on various odd strips of land created by the Woodward street plan and all of them were downtown. Soon after several citizens of Detroit donated land for new parks to be constructed. These were (in order of donation) Crawford Park (replaced by the Lodge Freeway), Elton Park (replaced by the MGM Grand Casino), Cass Park, Macomb Park, Stanton Park, Clinton Park (replaced 1964-65 by the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice), and Adelaide Campau Park (replaced by later development). Most parks were around half an acre, other than Grand Circus Park and Cass Park (27). These were mostly relaxing and pleasant spaces to enjoy nature and provide a place to escape from the bustling city, and were popular among citizens, but not really large enough to do most recreational sporting activities. None of these parks were located near the city’s riverfront areas where many immigrant groups had settled, meaning that the river was the only place for many people to get out and enjoy themselves.

12 Original Parks 1. East Grand Circus Park 2. West Grand Circus Park 3. East Park 4. North Park 5. Centre Park 6. Middle Park 7. West Park Other Green or Open Space 17. Campus Martius 18. Private ballpark 19. Elmwood Cemetery 20. Mt. Elliott Cemetery 21. Linden Park Additional Parks 8. Crawford Park 9. Elton Park 10. Cass Park 11. Macomb Park 12. Stanton Park 13. Clinton Park 14. Adelaide Campau Park 15. Belle Isle Park 16. Recreation Park 3 5 4 6 7 98 10 1211 13 14 15 16 18 17 19 20 21 8

Rowing at this time was much more of a social event in Detroit than it would later become. People really became involved in rowing once the clubs began racing each other, with races often drawing a quarter to half of the city’s population to the riverfront. Many riverfront lumber yards would allow grandstands to be constructed on their wharfs so people could watch the events. Other spectators would crowd every available dock, rooftop, ferry boat deck, and small boat that lined the course so they could cheer on their favorite crew. It was common for women to wear dresses that were in the colors of the club that they were supporting. With this popularity, more people became interested in becoming rowers and more clubs began forming (29). While the larger clubs of the DBC, Excelsior, and Zephyr were mostly of the wealthy businessmen of the city, smaller clubs such as the Cambridge, Chattanooga, Germania, and Michigan Boat Clubs were organized by the blue collar workers who lived and worked along the riverfront and were just as respected as racers as their larger counterparts. The Free Press wrote in 1872 that “boating and rowing have become a fixed institution in the social system… but for a long time custom kept the boatmen apart from the rest of mankind, and the social world outside of their sphere knew little of the ecstasy the oar could impart. Christian mothers not many years ago shrank with a shudder from the idea of her son seeking the companionship of boating men, and rowing men, for they deemed that only rough men and rougher associations were to be found in their calling (30).”

While several clubs had some sort of social parlor rooms in their boathouse, these spaces were only intended to host small receptions during regattas and were not large enough to support large social events. During the winters, the clubs would host balls, dances, lectures, and other events downtown in order to raise funds to support the upcoming racing season. Larger clubs such as the DBC and the Excelsiors would rent out the Detroit Opera House or the parlors of the larger hotels, such as the Russell House and Biddle House. Smaller clubs would host events in smaller hall spaces such as Merrill or Arbeiter Hall. 9

The new boathouse opened at the foot of Jos. Campau Ave. in 1873. Designed by Henry Brush of the local firm Porter & Watkins, the building was among the largest boathouses in the United States, with the Detroit Free Press declaring it “probably the finest thing of its kind west of Buffalo.” The new building featured a boat room and house bath on the first floor, a large gymnasium and locker room on one half of the second floor (likely similar to that of the one found in New Jersey’s Oneida A photo of the 1873 boathouse believed to have been taken during construction. 11

As the riverfront near Downtown became more developed, most of the rowing clubs continued to build boat houses further upstream between St. Aubin and McDougall streets. All of these new clubs meant not only that the DBC now had racing competition, (allowing the DBC to participate in its first race in 1867) but now they had competition from a society point of view. At the end of the 1871 season, the club’s coxswain, John M. Hinchman, wrote in his season report “and now, Gentlemen, although not perhaps within the province of this report, let me impress forcibly on your minds the necessity of immediate action in regard to a new boathouse…now, I take it, is the turning point in the existence of this club, either with renewed vigor to pull forward to the first place, and regain a prestige which we seem to have lost, or “tossing aboard” our oars, to glide quietly with the old Camilla (one of the first boats purchased by the club after it was reorganized in 1856) into our retirement (14).” In 1873, the club opened a new boathouse at the foot of Jos. Campau Ave. Not only was this boathouse the largest on the river, it was said to have been among the largest in the United States at the time (31). This building became the main anchor of what would become Detroit’s boathouse district. Similar to Philadelphia’s famous Boathouse Row and New York’s now-lost Scullers Row, Detroit’s boathouse district was home to the majority of the city’s rowing clubs, as well as boat builders and oar manufacturers. Large grandstands would be constructed on the wharfs for people to come watch races. The main rowing course typically stretched from the Excelsior or DBC boathouses to a point near the current location of the Belle Isle Bridge. Over the next 20 years, DBC still remained mostly a social rowing club, however, only winning 4 races between 1867 and 1889. An Evening Telegraph reporter noted in 1877 that “the Detroit Boat Club is first in everything –except racing. It is the oldest, strongest, and richest club in the Northwest, and it lacks but one element, and that is generalship (32).” Boat Club today) and a spacious reception room on the other half. The three river-facing sides of the second floor were surrounded by large porches. The building’s attic had room for a bowling alley to be installed and the structure was topped with a 10’x10’ cupola. This new 75’x35’ building cost around $6,000, or over $140,000 today when adjusted for inflation. That’s compared to the $250 (nearly $9,000 today) that was spent to construct the previous 25’x50’ boathouse (31)

After the first four national championships were held in the East, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Troy, New York, Detroit was given the honor of hosting the first “western” nationals in 1877 (33). This led to rowing’s popularity to really peak in the city in the late 1870s, with the existing rowing clubs wanting to impress the visiting crews. The Excelsiors remodeling their boathouse to include an extravagant new tower on the riverside (34), the Centennials and the Zephyrs constructed new buildings nestled adjacent to the Detroit Boat Club’s boathouse (35), and private investors built new boathouses to serve the visiting clubs and to lease to local clubs. Among these was the Chene Bros. who constructed the large Palace Boathouse at the foot of Chene Street (36). The sport peaked in Detroit in 1879 when there were over 20 different rowing clubs, 7 of which are believed to have been founded that year. Within a few years, however, the sport saw a significant decline. By 1881, the Detroit River Navy reported that holding their annual regatta would not be feasible, as all of the public’s attention had instead turned away from the riverfront and towards baseball. The city’s first professional baseball team, the Wolverines, had organized that year, playing in the relatively new Recreation Park that the city had constructed in an area behind where the Detroit Medical Center stands today. The Navy reported “in the view of the drift of public sentiment there was little probability of a successful regatta (37).” The number of rowing clubs that year was down nearly half of what the numbers were in 1879 and 1880. Rowing continued to steadily decline with more rowing clubs disbanding one by one. Hosting the Nationals again in 1882 helped keep some interest alive for a short while, however the trend of clubs disbanding continued. Another reason for this decline can be linked to the riverfront becoming less publicly accessible or safe as it once had been. When the initial rowing clubs of the 1850s and 60s were organizing, they were a mile closer to downtown than the 1870s boathouse district that eventually formed. With largescale iron mining operations appearing in the Upper Peninsula beginning in the 1840s, the state’s lumber boom in the 1850s, and copper mining in the 1860s (39, 40), businesses that dealt with these materials began to appear along the Detroit riverfront as the heirs of Detroit’s original French ribbon farm owners began selling their land for new development. Sawmills, lumber yards,

The number of rowing clubs in the city continued to dwindle shipyards, a dry dock, factories such as varnish and soap manufacturers, and a railroad yard appeared along the east riverfront (41). This industrialization soon drove the boat clubs up-river in the 1870s where they would settle mostly between Chene and McDougall, nestled in among the lumber yards as well as the wharf of the Parke Davis laboratories. Filling in the rest of the blocks below E. Jefferson were frame houses, stores, bakers, blacksmiths, barbers, saloons, shoemakers, groceries, and dry goods stores among other businesses, populated mostly by German and Irish immigrants (41). Most of the industry along the river at this time still allowed access to the river so those who lived nearby had fairly easy access to it for rowing purposes. By 1884, the east riverfront was taken up by 5 coal yards, a half mile-long rail yard, 5 Iron works, 2 stove manufacturers, a lime kiln, 7 sawmills and lumber yards, a dry dock and ship builder, an ice depot, the pharmaceuticals company of Parke Davis, as well as two breweries (42). An editorial from 1885 wrote that by this time property owners “in some instances have wholly barred the passage of the public from the water’s edge.” Many of the docks that were accessible were in severe disrepair, with “accidents and loss of life not uncommon (41).”

Divie B. Duffield, a member of the Detroit Boat Club, further confirmed this as being a reason why rowing’s popularity fell, writing in 1905 “the explanation is largely to be found in the development of our river front. Just before and after the (civil) war and in the early seventies, our river played a much more prominent part in Detroit’s social life than it does now. Business activities had not driven the homes of the people far from the banks of our noble stream. We now have but a few homes near the river along Jefferson avenue, and most of these are blocked off by factories. Formerly many substantial homes occupied the sites where now large business houses uplift themselves. While formerly there were many private boat houses scattered along the city’s river front, now we reach the Belle Isle Bridge before we come to the first cluster of small boat houses. And we find but few even now between that point and the water works (43).”

The decline, 1881-1893

This 4’ tall silver trophy was donated to the National Association of Amateur Oarsmen by the DBC in 1877 when Detroit hosted the nationals. It was awarded for several different events until being assigned to the Lightweight Fours event in the 1920s. Its whereabouts after the 1960s is unknown.

rent. The Excelsiors appealed the case to the Michigan Supreme Court, where they declared that their property was unusable as their landlord, one of the largest ship owners on the Great Lakes, would often dock his ships in front of their building, making it impossible to row. Due to this, the Excelsiors claimed that they should not have to pay rent as their property was inaccessible, and the court agreed (46). By then, the Excelsiors are believed to have merged with the DBC, as many of their members became members of the latter club at this time (14).

Without public interest in rowing, as well as a lack of access for the people who did support the sport, the Detroit River Navy silently slipped out of existence in 1886 (44). Even the mighty Excelsiors and Centennials were forced out of existence at the close of the decade (45, 46). In 1887, the Excelsiors were evicted from their building by their landlord due to non-payment of

until only the Detroit and Mutual Boat Clubs remained by the end of 1893 (47). United States rowing in general was in a decline during this period, especially in the Midwest. In the 1870s there were over 300 rowing clubs in the United States (48) By the late 1880s that number is estimated at being less than 100 (49) With the east riverfront becoming unsuitable to row, as early as 1882 the remaining rowing clubs began looking for better waters further up river for their boathouses (50). The lease on the that their current building would not fit in with the park surroundings and instead decided to construct a new, much more substantial boathouse and clubhouse (54). Their former building was sold to the Tecumseh Boat Club of Walkerville, Ontario who floated the structure on barges directly across the river from its former location to the Canadian shoreline that December (55). It would remain there until it was struck by lightning and burned to the waterline in April of 1908 (14).

DBC’s Parke Davis property ended in 1887 and at that time they petitioned the park commission for permission to move their boathouse to Belle Isle (51). The commission had decided in 1886, at the request of the Excelsior Boat Club and Michigan Yacht Club, that boat and yacht clubs could apply to move to the island under $1 a year leases, on the condition that the city could evict their buildings from the island on 90 days notice(52). After finally gaining approval in 1889 (53), the DBC decided 14

AVENUEWOODWARD STREETBATES STREETRANDOLPH STREETBRUSH STREETBEAUBIEN STREETANTOINEST. STREETHASTINGS STREETRIVARD STREETRIOPELLE STREETORLEANS STREETDEQUINDRE AVENUEAUBINST. STREETDUBOIS STREETCHENESTREETGRISWOLDSTREETSHELBYSTREETWAYNE STREETCASS E. ATWATER STREET E. ATWATER STREET E. ATWATER STREET E. ATWATER STREET E. ATWATER STREET GUOIN STREET GUOIN E.FRANKLINSTREETSTREETE.WOODBRIDGESTREETJEFFERSONAVENUE GUOIN FRANKLINSTREETSTREETE.WOODBRIDGESTREET GUOIN FRANKLINSTREETSTREETE.WOODBRIDGESTREET E. JEFFERSON AVENUE FRANKLINWOODBRIDGESTREETSTREETFRANKLIN STREET E. WOODBRIDGE STREETW. WOODBRIDGE STREET W. ATWATER STREET W. JEFFERSON AVENUE DETROIT, GRAND HAVEN & MILWAUKEE RAILROAD YARDS AVENUECAMPAUJOS. AVENUEMcDOUGALL STREETWALKER STREETADAIR STREETLEIB AVENUEELLIOTTMT. STREETMELDRUM BLVD)GRAND(E.AVENUEFRONTENAC AVENUELINCOLN AVENUESHERIDAN AVENUETOWNSEND AVE.BALDWIN E. JEFFERSON AVENUE BRIDGE)ISLEBELLEOFLOCATION(FUTURE AVENUEHELENAVENUECONCORDAVENUEBELLEVUE JEFFERSON AVENUE WIGHT STREETSTREETBEAUFAIT WIGHT STREET WIGHT STREET WIGHT STREET E. ATWATER STREET FRANKLIN STREET E. WOODBRIDGE STREET GUOIN STREET WIGHT STREET E. ATWATER STREET FRANKLIN STREET E. WOODBRIDGE STREET GUOIN STREET INSTITUTIONALCOMMERCIALRESIDENTIALINDUSTRIAL DETROIT’S EAST RIVERFRONT - 1884 DETROIT’S EAST RIVERFRONT - 1897 (1839-1848)CLUBBOATDETROIT BOATHOUSE DISTRICT, 1856-1860s (1856-1858)CLUBBOATDETROIT(1858-1873)CLUBBOATDETROIT (18731876)CLUBBOATSPARTAN (1876-1877CLUBBOATCENTENNIAL(1863-1865)CLUBBOATWOLVERINE(1860-?)CLUBBOATZEPHYR (1865-?)CLUBBOATWOLVERINE (?-1867)HOUSEBOATPERAULTS.(1860s-1870s)HOUSEBOATWETMOREH.CHARLES(1860s-1870s)BUILDERSBOATCo.&WILCOXTROWBRIDGE, 1869-1870s)(Abt.BUILDERSBOATCHAPELLELA(1870s)HOUSEBOATGORE (1870s)HOUSEBOATPARTRIDGEJ.W.(?-1876)HOUSEBOATDUFFIELD&PITTS (1876-1880)CLUBBOATCHATTANOOGA BOATHOUSES 15

AVENUECAMPAUJOS. AVENUEMcDOUGALL STREETWALKER STREETADAIR STREETLEIB AVENUEELLIOTTMT. STREETMELDRUM BLVD)GRAND(E.AVENUEFRONTENAC AVENUELINCOLN AVENUESHERIDAN AVENUETOWNSEND AVE.BALDWIN E. JEFFERSON AVENUE BRIDGE)ISLEBELLEOFLOCATION(FUTURE AVENUEHELENAVENUECONCORDAVENUEBELLEVUE E. JEFFERSON AVENUE WIGHT STREETSTREETBEAUFAIT WIGHT STREET WIGHT STREET WIGHT STREET E. ATWATER STREET FRANKLINGUOINWOODBRIDGESTREETSTREETSTREETWIGHT STREET E. ATWATER STREET FRANKLIN STREET WOODBRIDGE STREET GUOIN STREETEXCELSIORBOATCLUB(1867-1886) (1887-1893)CLUBBOATWOLVERINE (1850s-1860s)HOUSEBOATBAKERGEORGE (1870s)HOUSEBOATPLASSCHARLES (1870s)BUILDERSBOATCHAPELLELA (1870s)HOUSEBOATMORAN(1873-1889)CLUBBOATDETROIT (1875-1881)CLUBBOATZEPHYR(1877-188_)CLUBBOATCENTENNIAL (1870s)HOUSEBOATSTOKEB.J.(1880s)HOUSEBOATJAMEYFIELD (1880s)HOUSEBOATLAYNGW.RICHARD (1892-?)ASSOC.YACHTINGCITIZENS (1890s-1900s)HOUSEBOATSCHMIDTHERMAN (1877-1879)HOUSEBOATPALACE (1879-1879)CLUBBOATUNION (1879-1882)HOUSEBOATUNION (1882-1889)CLUBBOATCENTENNIAL (1860s-1875)CLUBBOATZEPHYR (1875-1879)CLUBBOATRESTLESS (1878-1884)CLUBBOATCAMBRIDGE BOATHOUSE DISTRICT, 1870s-1880s 16

DETROIT ROWING CLUBS 1860s-1870s DETROIT ROWING CLUBS 1880s EXCELSIOR BOAT CLUB EXCELSIOR , ZEPHYR, & DETROIT BOAT CLUBS CENTENNIAL BOAT CLUB DETROIT BOAT CLUB

DETROIT ROWING CLUBS 1890s Detroit Boat Club Zephyr Boat Club Wolverine Boat Club Excelsior Boat Club Willis Sisters Boat Club “Young Lady” Boat Club Edmund Boat Club Campau Boat Club Twilight Boat Club Hamtramck “Young Lady” Boat Club DownWahooesTown Boat Club Watauga Boat Club Juniata Boat Club Young America Boat Club Spartan Boat Club Phoenix Boat Club Amateur Boat Club Qui Vive Boat Club Naiad Boat Club Restless Boat Club Argonaut Boat Club Oriental Boat Club Germania Boat Club Centennial Boat Club Chattanooga Boat Club Teutonia Boat Club National Boat Club Detroit MichiganScullersBoatClub Cambridge Boat Club Emerald Boat Club Fort Wayne Boat Club Peninsular Boat Club Wayne Boat Club Alaska Boat Club (Springwells) Alaska Boat Club Aurora Boat Club Union Boat SaskatchawanClubBoat Club C. R. Mabley Crew Sir Joseph Porter K.C.B. Rowing Club Crown Jewel Boat Club Vivian Boat MontgomeryClubBoat Club Mutual Boat Club Riverside Boat Club American Boat Club East End Boat Club Belle Isle Public Boat House D.W.L. Boat Club Ivy Boat Club Nautilus Boat Club Y.M.C.A. Boat Club Edgemere Boat Club Solvay Boat Club Cadillac Boat Club Detroit Rowing Club Wayne State University Rowing Club Detroit Waterfront Rowing Association KNOWN DETROIT ROWING CLUBS 1839-PRESENT 18EDGEMERE BOAT CLUB, LATER EDGEMERE YACHT CLUB SOLVAY BOAT CLUB

Detroit Free Presss, 1891

The move to Belle Isle “Detroit has never witnessed such an enthusiastic beginning of any season in aquatic sports as the openings of the Detroit Boat Club and Michigan Yacht Club’s new houses. It is thought these two events mark a revival in both sports and the advent of a new era.”

The DBC decided to hire the Detroit architectural firm of Donaldson & Meier to design a new boathouse for their Belle Isle site (56). Although Frederick Law Olmsted often gets all the credit for designing Belle Isle, the city actually disregarded the vast majority of his proposal, citing much of his design to be too costly for things that were deemed “unnecessary.” This caused Olmsted to simply walk away when his contract was up. Only a portion of Central Avenue, the Loop Canal, and a nowOlmsted’s plan called for (59). All of the buildings that the firm designed for the island have since been demolished but these included the old casino (1887-1908) (60), the public boathouse (1888-1897) (61, 62), the Michigan Yacht Club (1891-1904) (63, 64), the sixth Detroit Boat Club building (1894-1901) (65), and several smaller structures (66). These buildings, as well as the ones that would follow for the next decade, were all designed in a somewhat similar style. demolished ferry dock were constructed based on Olmsted’s plans (58). Instead, Donaldson & Meier were tapped by the city beginning around 1887 to design much of the park, with their design calling for the island’s marshlands to be dredged, forming the three lakes that exist today, and for existing depressions in the island to be dredged in order to create the present canal system which followed existing depressions in the island, a much more cost-effective solution than what Belle Isle as it existed when the city had it surveyed in 1882 so that park planning could begin.

Olmsted’s Belle Isle plans. Below is a photo of the ferry dock and shelter (which Detroiters would dismiss as an expensive shed) and a rendering of the lower portion of the island. The majority of the island’s buildings would have been located at the foot.

Belle Isle as it appeared in the 1910s, with Donaldson & Meier’s canal and lake system in place. Below is a photo of the D&M designed public boat house that was located at the foot of the island from 1888 until it was condemned in the late 1890s. On right is the D&M designed Casino, which was built in 1887 and replaced by the current structure in 1908.

The clubhouse on Belle Isle allowed for more social spaces within the building than the club’s previous structures. Besides the larger boat storage space and locker rooms on the first floor, the building’s other rooms included a small cafe, a ladies sitting room, a reading room, billiards room, directors room, an employee apartment, and a kitchen (67). The 1890s really shows the different portions of the DBC beginning to separate. Since its founding, the club had always been more of a social rowing club, with its members rowing to various inns on the river and lakes or hosting grand social events rather than having a focus on training for races (1). But, most of its members did row. As a result of the new building and its picturesque location, the club’s membership quickly grew, particularly with members who were more interested in the social aspect than the rowing aspect. The sports pages at the time often made fun of the fact that the DBC was a rowing club that never rowed, with the majority of its members instead choosing to sit idly on the boathouse porches and watch others do the rowing for them (68).

26 The rarely seen riverside of the Detroit Boat Club’s 5th boathouse. The similarly designed Michigan Yacht Club is visible further up river.

In October of 1893, the boathouse burned to the waterline, just two years after it opened (69). Eight months later, a new Donaldson & Meier clubhouse opened on the same site (70). Again, it was larger and more artistically designed than the club’s previous buildings. The reception hall in this building was designed to be 2-stories high in order to improve the look of the space. The cafe was moved to the eastern end of the building. Interesting features included a bicycle room under the main staircase to store members bicycles (the pedestrian bridge was also designed to be wider in order to accommodate passing bicycles), as well as a freight elevator (the 1902 boathouse on the other hand did not have an elevator until 1957 (72)). The boat room in this building was also double the size of the one in the 1891 boathouse, at 70’x76’ (71). The construction of private clubhouses in the public Belle Isle park has always been a debated topic dating back to at least when the boathouse burned in 1893. The clubs argued that their buildings were not located on Belle Isle but instead over the river, therefore not taking up any parkland other than where their access bridges connect. They also said that the clubs were open to anyone who wanted to be a member (as long as they were men and could afford the pricey membership dues) (73). In 1894, a sailing group formed at the DBC (14). Prior to this, many DBC members who were interested in sailing were members of other yacht clubs, rather than the DBC sponsoring them (74). In 1899, the DBC decided to no longer sponsor sailing due to a lack of interest among club members, forcing the sailors to form a separate organization within the DBC, the Detroit Boat Club Yachtsmen (70). The DBCY had their own membership cards, dues, and governing officers, similar to that of the New York Athletic Club (71). The sailors would return to officially being sponsored by the DBC in the late 1920s or early 1930s, dropping the “yachtsmen” and instead being governed by the club’s Yachting Committee (14). 27

Speramus meliora; resurget cineribus We hope for better things; it shall arise from the ashes -

Tragically, the 1894 boathouse burned to the waterline in October of 1901 after a suspected electrical failiure. Following two disasterous fires only 8 years apart, the members of the DBC decided that the next boathouse needed to be fireproof, despite the estimated cost of constructing such a building would be double that of constructing another wood one (73-77) Fr. Gabriel Richard,

1805 29

CONSTRUCTING THE 1902 BOATHOUSE 30 “The new home of the Detroit Boat Club at Belle Isle is a model of architectural beauty, convenient arrangement and adequate equipment, and it is without doubt one of the best rowing club houses in the world.” Detroit Free Press, 1902

Eventually, the board decided on a winning design (79).

The new building was expected to eclipse the structures already located on Belle Isle. Said to have been patterned after a Venetian palace, the building is a combination of Venetian and Spanish architecture. They planned for the clubhouse to be 50 feet further into the river from the island than the previous boathouse was, with the island facing wall of the new building being around 10 feet away from what would have been the river facing wall of the previous structure. The reason for moving the building further out was so it would be closer to the club’s deep draft yachts (86), allowing for the boats to simply pull up alongside the boathouse. To this day, several pilings from the former boat house can still be seen in the canal that separates the DBC island from its parking lot. On some of the pilings of the previous boathouse, an island was built, utilizing fill taken from the dredging of several island canals. While the style of the new building was different from the 1894 boathouse, much of the interior room layout was similar to that of the 1894 building, with changes occurring based on what they wanted to improve from the old structure. In particular, the ballroom (known as the reception room in the previous building) and the dining room were enlarged, with the dining room being moved to the riverside of the building. There was nothing quite like this building anywhere in the city at the time. With its red Spanish tiled roof and an exterior coated in white Portland cement, the Detroit Free Press wrote “the new home of the Detroit Boat Club at Belle Isle is a model of architectural beauty, convenient arrangement and adequate equipment, and is without a doubt one of the best rowing clubhouses in the world (97).” All three floors featured verandas and porches. The island side of the building had two pergolas spanning either side of the main, triple-arched entrance. The arches continued along the western and northern walls, spanning long verandas which encircled almost the whole structure. In between each arch was a mosaic circle, the design alternating between two different DBC logos: the burgee and a design featuring the interlocking letters of DBC. French doors were used for every entrance, which along with the large windows let both light and cool breezes. A tower on the riverside contained a staircase, accessible through an arched opening on the third floor veranda, which led visitors up to an open air observation room located within the tower and a large 31

In order to gain the best design possible for the new boathouse, the club’s board of directors held a competition amongst local architects. The firms of Alpheus W. Chittenden, Joy & Barcroft, Rogers & MacFarlane, Stratton & Baldwin, and Edward C. Van Leyen all submitted design proposals by November 10, 1901. John Donaldson, of Donaldson & Meier, assisted the board in choosing the winning proposal (78). Dexter M. Ferry, Jr., a member of the 1901-02 board of directors, would later say in 1935 of the design selection process that “a great amount of consideration was given [to] this building.” After the “plans were secured through a competitive basis, the set of plans for which they [the board] balloted favorably were not the designs approved by Mr. J. M. Donaldson, which failed to receive a solitary vote. Recognizing that we might make an unwise selection, we, speaking for the Board, appreciated the comments of an expert who carefully explained to us the intricacies of correctly reading blueprints.”

With workers showing up on site on December 4, 1901 and the building’s permits pulled by the Vinton Company on December 20, the structure would be completed in just over 5 months, officially opening exactly 8 months from December 4 on August 4, 1902. The total cost of the building was about $50,000 (over $1.6 million today when adjusted for inflation). Including boats, furnishings, and construction, the final total for the project was $75,000 (over $2.4 million) (81-99).

roof garden. This allowed visitors to catch the cool breezes off the river or get some sun while having an unobstructed view of the surrounding area. Since the clubhouse was constructed without an island around it, the roof garden was a necessary feature for members to be able to relax outside. Members and guests would access the boathouse over a long, wooden Venetian causeway, leading from the mainland to the small dodecagon-shaped (12 sided) island that was built on the pilings of the old boathouse. Built as a canoe landing, the island was planned to have a shelter constructed on it in the future but it was never built. Guests would then cross a smaller wooden bridge that would lead to the building’s front steps. Both bridges were considered temporary and were eventually to be replaced by steel and concrete versions. Members would then enter the building by one of two ways; a doorway to the right of the staircase would bring them into the “water floor” where the boat and locker rooms were located, or they could ascend the grand staircase to the formal social floors. At various points around the building were wooden poles with painted designs, based on posts found outside buildings in Venice for tying boats to. The club was assisted in beautifying the little bit of grounds around the property that they had by parks & recreation commissioner R. E. Bolger. Entering through the doorway to the water floor, members could access a large porch running along the building’s island side, which led to the locker rooms, or they could enter the boat bays on the opposite side which spanned the entire west end of the building. The boat room featured six main bays to store boats and equipment. Along the southwest wall was the canoe and pleasure craft bay. Fifty Rice Lake canoes and 6 St. Lawrence River skiffs were stocked for the enjoyment of club members. Three rowing bays along the western wall stored $10,000 (almost $316,000 today) worth of racing and rowing boats. The rowing fleet included 3 four-oared shells, 1 four-oared gig, 2 pair-oar compromise boats, 3 double shells, 1 pair-oar race boat, 1 racing single and 10 compromise singles. Oars were stored in racks along the wall of one of the bays. Each bay had its own door which allowed for access to the club’s floating dock where the rowers could put their boats in the water. Adjacent to the rowing bays was a boat slip that was

On December 3, 1901, the club held a meeting in the Turkish Room of the Cadillac Hotel downtown, announcing Alpheus Williams Chittenden’s proposal as the winning design (81). Chittenden, a local architect who graduated from MIT and studied at the Technical University of Berlin, had been practicing architecture since the mid 1890s. Prior to the DBC commission he designed a handful of homes, with most of his commissions being interior renovations. The DBC project was his fifth-known commission to design an entire building, and has become perhaps his best known work. It is interesting to note that not only had Chittenden been a member of the DBC since 1894, he was also a grandson of one of the club’s original founding members, Gen. Alpheus Starkey Williams, who is honored with a statue in the middle of Central Avenue on Belle Isle. Chittenden designed the base for the statue (82).

( y , g , eric a) 29 Dec 1901, S u Downloaded y: 32

The two and a half story tall ballroom had a large, 2,300 square foot maple dance floor, lined by walls of heavy white enamel that featured ornate wood and plaster columns and wainscoting. Flooded with natural light coming in from several large windows and three French doors, the use of electricity was only needed at night (96). A bow window in the middle of the west wall formed an alcove for an orchestra and it originally contained an upright piano built by Hackley Piano Company (92). Adding to the nautical theme, nine porthole, or oculus, 34

built for the new 54’ gasoline powered pleasure launch boat and a smaller adjacent slip was constructed for the club’s two new 20-man war canoes. To the north of the slips was additional storage space, as well as two doorways that allowed for the pick up and drop off of boat passengers. The yachtsmen replaced their destroyed fleet with 6 catboats which were moored in the harbor between the boathouse and Belle Isle. The men’s locker room (there was no women’s locker room for at least 10 years) consisted of several rooms. There was a washroom, bathroom, the main locker area (with 250 metal lockers that featured an open expansion grate front that allowed for the rapid drying of clothes), and a plunge bath. “The plunge” in this building was a much larger pool than the one in the old boathouse, at 40 feet long and 3-6 feet deep with sea salt boxes and towel racks. A room adjacent to the locker room was left empty so that in the future, if there was a need, more lockers could be added.

Also located on the first floor was an ice room to store ice for refrigeration in the summers and a boiler room that allowed for winter use of the boat house, something not previously done. Upon ascending the staircase to the social floors, guests would cross a veranda that would be lit at night by light fixtures that were designed to replicate ship’s lanterns. A triple French door entrance opened into the lobby and main reception hall. The hall was the central hub of the building, from which members could directly access the ballroom, women’s sitting room, cafe and dining room, club offices, and the stairways. Since it was a boat club, the theme for the interior decoration was completely nautical, featuring brass lanterns with red, green and white glass, porthole windows, seahorses, fish, and sea shells. The hall was divided into three sections by six large arches supported by oak columns. Every wall of the room featured deep, reddish brown oak paneling that was laid on brick and cement backing. Above the paneling over white, buff walls hung large several forest themed tapestries. The hardwood oak floors were topped with thick rugs. Paintings, photographs, mirrors, and rowing memorabilia decorated the space. Oak beams that matched the paneling supported the ceiling with several lanterns illuminating the space. All of the furniture in the building was designed by Chittenden specifically for the boat club, with the hall furniture consisting of a large center table, chairs, and a small angled table propping up the guest

Additional light came from eight tri-pronged bracket sconces with mirrored backs that were placed in between the sets of columns that lined the room. A balcony from the third floor allowed the room to be viewed from above. The room was also decorated with the flags of nations from around the world.

The cafe, or dining room, on the opposite side of the reception hall featured tables and chairs of mahogany and an oak floor with seating for 120. The ceiling had beams with small corbels off the sides and featured a simple plaster rosette design. The room was lit by sconces that were placed on columns around the room. There were seven large arched windows that gave relatively unobstructed views of the river to diners. In order to connect the porches on either side of the cafe, a large iron balcony jutted out over the water in front of the dining room windows. Adjacent to the cafe were the serving rooms, club offices and the ladies sitting room. A women’s committee was formed during construction to choose the furnishings for the ladies sitting room. They chose to finish the space in American Beauty pink wallpaper that was book near the doors. This was flanked by two sconces mounted on pedestals. This area also had built-in bench seating along its western wall. Passing through the first set of arches into the middle of the hall, a light shaft cut through the third floor of the building up to a window-lined cupola with an oak ceiling. The third floor had an additional six arches supported by twisting Venetian columns the balustrade railing being supported by hand-carved seahorse balusters. Four newel caps featured tall hand-carved naval dolphins on pedestals. Hanging in the four corners of the atrium were four antique brass lanterns. The sconces were described in the Free Press as Roman pewter candelabra in style. The staircases to go to the first or third floors were located in the far end of the space, with a window bench on the landing adjacent to a large, arched stained glass window. The upper panel of the window was patterned after a seashell with the lower panel featuring the building’s year of construction, 1902, as well as the overlapping AWC initials for Alpheus W. Chittenden. Next to the staircase was a set of French doors leading out to the veranda. A fireplace mantel, built of red brick with white terra cotta accents, grotesques, and twisting columns was installed across from the staircase. It was donated during construction by F. Ward Thomas and W. G. Thomas, owners of the terra cotta and brick supply company Thomas Bros. & Co. The Thomas Brothers were later the terracotta suppliers for Belle Isle’s Aquarium and Conservatory, which opened two years after the DBC boat house in 1904. A bay window in the middle of the room’s eastern wall held a cigar counter, where a cigar roller was employed full time. A doorway to the left of the counter led to the dining room and a door to the right led to club offices and restrooms. Along the hall’s western wall was a set of French doors, framed by windows that led into the ballroom.

windows lined the room below a frieze of naval dolphins and urns that were painted on plaster. The porthole windows could pivot in the middle, allowing for warm air to escape which increased air circulation. The French doors in this room directly accessed the north and south verandas. The ceiling of the ballroom exposed the wood rafters of the roof, supported by two heavy timber trusses. The whole ceiling was originally painted light blue with white stenciling, the boat club colors. While the ceiling was first being painted, the blue ceiling was said to have been “received with a rumble of disapproval” which lasted during the painting and shortly after it was finished. Soon, opinions changed and the ceiling was appreciated for many years in that scheme (79). Sometime after the mid-1930s however, tastes changed and the ceiling was repainted in the present brown with gold stenciling following the same pattern as the original scheme. This is believed to have been done for the club’s 100th anniversary. The room was illuminated at night by four large gilded chandeliers that hung from the two trusses. These chandeliers were not made to look extravagant like most ballrooms, instead they were made of a round wooden ring with glass globes encircling the top.

FIRST FLOOR - 1902 N 5’ 10’ 20’ 30’ 40’ 50’ BRIDGETO &BEACHTOCLUBYACHTDETROITTO DETROIT PORCH TO MAIN RECEPTIONHALL FORMALTODININGROOM UP MEN’S LOCKER ROOM RECEIVING ROOM BOILER ROOM PLUNGE BATHMEN’S RESTROOM MEN’S WASHROOM PORCH WAR CANOE SLIP POWER LAUNCH ROWINGSLIPSHELL BAYS CANOE BAYS ICE ROOM SAILING STORAGE DOCK 35

PORCH TO MAIN RECEPTIONHALL FORMALTODININGROOM UP UPUP UP MEN’S LOCKER ROOM RECEIVING ROOM BOILER ROOM PLUNGE BATHMEN’S RESTROOM MEN’S WASHROOM PORCH WAR CANOE SLIP POWER LAUNCH ROWINGSLIPSHELL BAYS CANOE BAYS ICE ROOM SAILING STORAGE DOCK FIRST FLOOR - 1902 N 5’ 10’ 20’ 30’ 40’ 50’ PORCH UP UP CANOE BAYS 36

SECOND FLOOR - 1902 N 5’ 10’ 30’ 40’ 50’ BALLROOM 20’ THIRD FLOOR - 1902 N 5’ 10’ 30’ 40’ 50’20’ RECEPTIONLOBBY HALL LADIES’ SITTING ROOM SERVINGCAFE ROOMSCIGAR COUNTEROFFICE MEN’S RESTROOM WOMEN’S RESTROOM PERGOLA BALCONYPERGOLABALCONY BALCONYOARSMEN’S THIRDTOFLOOR UP UP DN BOATTOROOM DN FIRSTTOFLOORVERANDA UP TO FLOORTHIRD PORCH PORCH PORCH 37

BRIDGETO TO DETROIT THIRD FLOOR - 1902 N 5’ 10’ 30’ 40’ 50’20’ BALCONY BALCONY PORCH PORCHDEN BALLROOMBELOW BALCONY MAIN RECEPTION HALL BELOW RESTROOM OARSMEN’S DINING ROOM KITCHEN APARTMENT APARTMENT DININGPRIVATEROOM TOWER UP TO ROOF GARDEN OBSERVATION&DECK UP DN RECEPTIONTOHALL DNTOFLOORSECONDPORCH 38

Reception Hall, 1900s North East 39

Reception Hall, 2021 North East 40

Reception Hall, 1900s South East 41

Reception Hall, 2021 South East 42

Ballroom, 1900s North East 43

Ballroom, 2021 North East 44

Ballroom, 1900s South East 45

Balllroom, 2021 South East 46

Cafe, 1900s South West

Dining Room, 2021 South West

Ladies’ Sitting Room, 1900s North West

Commodore’s Bar, 2021 North West

surmounted with a rose wallpaper. The woodwork in this room was similar to that of the ballroom, finished in white enamel with furnishings of light maple (88). Other features included a fireplace, bookcases, a full length mirror, rocking chairs and numerous small paintings and photos. This room opened directly into the main reception hall through two different doors and featured a diamondpattern stained glass window to let light in from the hall. Ascending the staircase to the third floor, guests could walk around the entire atrium and look down to the floor below.

Other than the club den, which was located where the board room is today, the location of the rest of the rooms on this floor is still under review. As the earliest existing plans to the building that are known to exist are from the 1950s, there are no plans that tell where exactly the kitchen, cold storage, private dining rooms, oarsman’s dining room, and employee apartments were located. When these were a series of porthole windows that had dark-stained wood trim. The neighboring room also had a porthole with the space seeming to have been centered on a now-enclosed fireplace. The island room also has white wood beams along the ceiling, seeming to make the case that it too was a dining room. One of these dining rooms was the oarsmen’s dining room, or training room, with room to seat up to 50 rowers at a time. As the oarsmen were in training and were not supposed to eat the meals served in the main dining room, a different menu, better suited for athletes, was served here. The employees apartments are believed to have been located off the main reception hall, where a small 3rd floor office is today and the seating area where the rower’s Olympian wall is located currently. At the time, women were only allowed on the building’s second floor, except for the annual season opening party when they were allowed on the first floor. This rule would go away sometime in the 1910s when swimming became more popular. rooms were first renovated around the 1930s, the ceiling was lowered several feet, leaving the original finishes for these rooms above. By studying the marks left behind in this area, as well as reviewing Boat Club News magazines, old newspaper clippings, and old exterior photos, we are now closer to understanding how the rest of this floor may have looked in 1902. It is believed that the kitchen was either where the president’s bar or where the island room is today. Based on the ceiling finishes in the attic, the Bar space seems most likely for this. Based on old photos however,the portholes along the south facade of what is now the island room seems to have had exhaust vents, making that space seem like a possible location for the kitchen. Along the northern facade of the building where the dance floor is today, this space was split into two separate rooms, most likely the private dining rooms. One room had a goldish-yellow paint scheme, with wood beams painted the same color on the ceiling. Just under the beams Attic above bar dance floor, facing north Attic above bar dance floor, facing west 51

The bar’s dance floor today with photos showing the attic above that gives a glimpse at how these spaces looked in 1902.

Club Den, 1900s North west 53

Board Room, 2017 North west 54

Influence from Venice included the arches and twisting columns of the reception hall, as well as the wood pilings at the corners of the structure. French doors are common in Venice and when the boathouse opened every exterior doorway had a set of French doors.

The building was divided into three sections that are separated by brick firewalls. On the second floor, these sections are largely divided into the ballroom, reception hall, and dining room. Each segment is essentially its own building in many ways, with different column grids and roof structures. The floors are of an early form of reinforced concrete and are supported on steel beams and posts when not sitting on brick. While the majority of the building was constructed of brick, concrete, and steel, two-thirds of the roof structure is of wood.

STRUCTURE

WORST:RIVERSIDE 1’5’10’20’ 15’30’40’50’RIVERSIDE (NORTH) ELEVATION 1902

The boathouse was constructed on 28’ wood pilings that were driven into the riverbed (96). A concrete footing and foundation was poured on top of these. From there, the building was constructed with load bearing walls of common brick that were laid 3 courses thick (approximately 13”-14” thick). The brick was then coated on the exterior with Portland cement.

These photos show the foundation under the boat bays, with concrete piers and foundation walls. The majority of the building’s foundations are actually in very good shape considering they are 120 years old.

The cinder concrete, which is commonly mixed with 1 part cement, 2 parts sand, and 5 parts cinders, is then poured over this system to form a walking surface, transferring loads to the tension wires while also forming a fireproofing protection. This building is an early example of this construction method, which became more common in the 1920s and 1930s. While being surprisingly strong relative to its weight, this construction locker room floor requiring replacement in 1909 (106), the boat bay needing significant repairs in the early 1910s (106), and porches needing to be rebuilt and reinforced in the 1920s (107) and 1950s (112). As the porches were waterproofed with only a layer of tar paper, they have been particularly prone to water damage, showing significant spalling of the cinder slab and severe corrosion of the steel reinforcement. This is currently causing safety issues in the boat bays and the women’s locker room, which are partially underneath the second floor porches. When the men’s locker room floor was replaced in 1909 and the addition built in 1914, the cinder-slab style of construction was replaced with a combination of reinforced concrete and hollow structural tile flat-arch floor systems. This system uses reinforced concrete joists with hollow structural tiles in between. A top coat of concrete was then poured on top of this system (108) method has an extreme weakness when it comes to water. Due to the concrete being extremely porous and lightweight, it leaks and deteriorates easily when exposed to water (101). The contractor responsible for the floors of the boathouse was the Cleveland Silex Stone Co. of Detroit, which largely constructed sidewalks beginning in 1879 before branching into fireproof floor construction at the turn of the century (104). The company seems to have gone out of business around 1910. The Palms Apartment Building at 1001 E. Jefferson was constructed at the same time as the DBC by the same contractors and used a similar floor construction (102). The mix of concrete used in construction of the boathouse, however, is notoriously of poor quality, with pieces of coal, wood, and even shards of ceramic dishes seen in the mix with documented issues dating back to 1903, a year after the building opened. Failures include the 1st floor ice room floor collapsing in 1903 (105), the entire men’s

Unlike conventional reinforced concrete, cinder concrete slabs typically use the steel draped wire mesh as a tensile catenary system which carries all loads in tension between steel beams.

Several different concrete mixtures seem to have been used in the construction of the building. The most prevalent is a type of cinder concrete slab, which consists of a low strength, lightweight concrete that uses cinders and clinkers, by-products of coal burning, as a cheap substitute for stone aggregate with draped wire mesh and smooth rebar for reinforcement.

FLOOR STRUCTURE

Advertisement from the Cleveland Silex Stone Co. advertising their “specialty of fire proof concrete and expanded metal construction.” Axon-section showing an example of a floor system of hollow tile block with reinforced concrete that is similar to those used to replace the men’s locker room floor in 1909 and for the addition’s floors in 1914.

4.5” CINDER SLAB EXPANDED STEEL Set 1-2” from bottom of slab SMOOTH REBAR 1” CONCRETE TAR PAPER WATER BARRIER 2” MORTAR 1” TERRA-COTTA TILE (6”x9”) STUCCO (THICKNESS VARIES) COMMON LOAD-BEARINGBRICKWALL UTILITY BRICK COLUMN (IN BOAT ROOM ONLY) STONE CAP STEEL BEAM ENCASED IN INTERIORWOODCONCRETEBACKINGWALLSURFACEHARDWOOD FLOOR WOOD SUB-FLOOR 64

The remaining 1902 porch slabs for the most part show significant deterioration, with the 1”-2” of cinder concrete underneath the reinforcement having spalled and the steel reinforcement is corroded. Since the slabs on the interior of the building are not exposed to the elements, they show little to no deterioration. The only deterioration of these slabs are typically found around drains.

TOP: Deterioration of the 3rd segment roof slab around the drain pipe.

LEFT: Deterioration of the south porch slab, above the boat shop.

BOTTOM: Deterioration of the north porch slab, above the women’s locker room.

LEFT: Men’s locker room floor slab.

RIGHT: Addition south porch slab (back hallway).

These photos show the reinforced concrete and hollow structural tile flat-arch floor systems that were used for the men’s locker room floor reconstruction and for the floors of the addition. This system uses reinforced concrete joists with hollow structural tiles in between. A top coat of concrete was then poured on top of this system. For the men’s locker room floor, the underside of the tiles are exposed while in the addition they have a skim coat of concrete.

BELOW: The south-eastern portion of the island-facing facade shows many cracks in this 1905 photo. RIGHT: Several areas of the facade are showing signs of repaired cracks as early as 1905. FAR RIGHT: The south porch, which was originally a pergola, was roofed over by 1909. This may have been done to shade the interior of the building from southern light or to help keep water off of the 2nd floor porch slab. On the top-left edge of the stuccoed archway in the historic photo, there is a triangular patch of discoloration. In the bottom photo from 2016, the stucco had failed due to water damage, showing that there were unresolved leaking issues in the same spot since before 1914. Due to Michigan’s climate, a stucco-faced building does not weather well. This combined with the building’s rushed construction, deterioration is visible and documented soon after the building opened. Even in photos of the building taken in 1905, just three years after the structure opened, cracks and buckling is already visible in sections of the stucco. Many areas that show damage in these early photos are in areas of the building that have visible issues today, showing that these areas have had problems for nearly 120 years. These issues caused the need for a major reconstruction project on the building in 1919. At first, it was advised that three pillars of the west porch’s colonnade were in a dangerous condition so the club decided to repair them immediately. Upon removing 67

the outer layer of cement, the brick underneath “was in a very precarious condition,” with the cement described as having crystallized in some places and that the brick could be removed by hand. It was deemed necessary to rebuild practically the entire exterior of the 1902 section of the building above the first floor, with the west porch wall being entirely rebuilt and the third floor veranda braced with additional steel beams. These repairs, along with fixing a leaking roof, cost the club over $14,000 ($201,252.80 today) (107). The west porch wall continued to have issues, with the third floor porch being closed off from access as early as 1951 (109) and the second floor porch being enclosed later (110).

EXTERIOR WALLS

PorchStuccorebuilt.deterioration.slabdeterioration.

This photo of the north porch outside of the ballroom from around 1905 shows several spots of deterioration in the stucco, as well as along the edge of the third floor porch slab. The arches were rebuilt as part of a construction project in the early 1940s (111) and the third floor porch was rebuilt in 1957 (112). The second floor porch slab is in poor condition and should have probably been replaced in the 1950s when the third floor was

These are some examples of the deterioration that has occurred to the building’s facade over the last several decades. While some portions of the building are in decent shape, most of the facade needs a lot of work.

ROOF hall’s cupola. The structure of this portion has 2”x8” rafters that at the peak sit on a east-west beam that’s made of three sistered 2”x12”s. The beam sits on several posts that sit on a second beam of the same construction. Two north-south beams of the same construction are in between the east-west beams and they are tied into each other with metal straps. The flat roof has joists that appear to be close to 20” deep at the middle.

As early as 1919 the boathouse’s roof was said to have leaked badly, causing considerable damage, and was among the major repairs to the building that the club undertook between 1919 and 1920 (107). Most leaks in this segment occur where the pitched roof and flat roof meet and where it meets the ballroom roof. There are also frequent leaks around the main fireplace chimney, which caused significant rot damage to an adjacent rafter. The dining room segment is the only roof structure on the building that is built with a cinder slab. This was due to this portion of the roof being open as a terrace and roof garden. For the most part, the slabs in this portion appear to be in good shape except for where three roof drains are located, as these have had constant leaks that have deteriorated the concrete. Each segment of the roof has a different roof type. The ballroom portion is topped by a hip-roof, with its structure being the large timber trusses and wooden rafters visible inside the ballroom. The reception hall segment has a sort of mansard roof, with sloped tiled roofs on the north and south side and a flat roof in the middle. Half of the ballroom’s roof is built into this structure and where these two roofs meet often leads to leaking issues. Inside the attic, the top of the ballroom’s brick firewall is visible as well as the boards that make up the ballroom ceiling. On top of the middle section is the reception

SEGMENT 2: RECEPTION HALLSEGMENT 1: BALLROOM 73 TOP RIGHT: Ballroom and reception hall roof structures from inside attic.

SEGMENT 4: ADDITIONSEGMENT 3: DINING ROOM

CHANGES

The boathouse not long after the addition was constructed during the club’s off season between fall of 1913 and spring of 1914.

room (now weight room) on the first floor. A few years later, a projection booth was constructed outside the ballroom in order to show films (119). Swimming became more popular at the club in the 1910s, however there were no locker facilities for women. At the time, women were not allowed on the building’s first floor (265). When the ladies began changing in their restroom on the second floor where they would have to walk through the social floor in their bathing suits, the club’s board of directors were said to have quickly sprung into action and the first women’s locker room was constructed (120). This room may have been in one of the rooms along the back hallway and was later converted to an employee locker room. When the Detroit Yacht Club constructed their massive, 90,000 square foot clubhouse at the head of the island in 1923, the DBC was worried about losing membership. It was at this time that the club decided to embark on another costly addition to their facilities (14)

As time went on, the club did what it could to keep its membership up. In 1914, the club hired Chittenden, who had partnered with Charles Kotting in 1903 to form Chittenden & Kotting (82), to design a large addition at the east end of the building. This included a new, spacious kitchen on the second floor, additional dining facilities, and dormitories for the rowers (115). Boat slips for coach launches were located in what would later become the grill - 1910s-1920s

WHEN DID RENOVATIONS TAKE PLACE? WHAT IS ORIGINAL? THE3.2.WORST:RIVERSIDE 1’5’10’20’ 15’30’40’50’RIVERSIDE (NORTH) ELEVATION 1902 RIVERSIDE (NORTH) ELEVATION 1914

The club kept expanding through the 1890s until its membership cap was met with the construction of the current boathouse. The new building made more people want to have access to the club’s facilities, leading to a long wait-list and a new issue: the rowing team could no longer recruit young men to row. Not all of the club’s members were interested in rowing. Many people who were interested either couldn’t pay the $50 a year cost to be an active member (over $800 today when adjusted for inflation) or they were stuck on the wait-list (113). In 1907, it was reported that there were just over 8 regular rowers at the club (114). To get around this issue, in 1908 the DBC followed the lead of several eastern rowing clubs and instituted a junior membership where men between the ages of 16 and 25 could come row for the club team (113, 114). These members had access to the building only between March and September and were restricted to the first floor and the training dining room on the third floor. They were not considered full DBC members and did not have voting rights or any stake in the club (14). They were simply there to row. This membership was later opened up to include access to the club-owned sailboats (14). Now that they were able to keep the numbers up for their rowing program, the former canoe bay was converted into a boat building shop, where two boatmen were employed from the 1910s to the1950s to build rowing shells from scratch, with some orders coming from the downriver rivals of Wyandotte and Ecorse (14).

FIRST FLOOR - 1902 N 5’ 10’ 20’ 30’ 40’ 50’ PORCH TO MAIN RECEPTIONHALL FORMALTODININGROOM UP UPUP UP MEN’S LOCKER ROOM RECEIVING ROOM BOILER ROOM PLUNGE BATHMEN’S RESTROOM MEN’S WASHROOM PORCH WAR CANOE SLIP POWER LAUNCH ROWINGSLIPSHELL BAYS CANOE BAYS ICE ROOM SAILING STORAGE DOCK FIRST FLOOR - 1914 N 5’ 10’ 20’ 30’ 40’ 50’ PORCH BOAT BUILDING SHOP PORCH BOAT SLIPS FORMALTODININGROOM OFFICE DOCK EIGHTS SCULLINGBAYBAY 77

PORCH TO MAIN RECEPTIONHALL FORMALTODININGROOM UP UPUP UP MEN’S LOCKER ROOM RECEIVING ROOM BOILER ROOM PLUNGE BATHMEN’S RESTROOM MEN’S WASHROOM PORCH WAR CANOE SLIP POWER LAUNCH ROWINGSLIPSHELL BAYS CANOE BAYS ICE ROOM SAILING STORAGE DOCK PORCH BOAT BUILDING SHOP PORCH BOAT SLIPS FORMALTODININGROOM UPUP OFFICE DOCK EIGHTS SCULLINGBAYBAY FIRST FLOOR - 1914 N 5’ 10’ 20’ 30’ 40’ 50’ BOAT BUILDING SHOP PORCH UP OFFICE EIGHTS BAY 78

N 5’ 10’ 30’ 40’ 50’ BALLROOM 20’ 5’ 10’ 30’ 40’ 50’20’ RECEPTIONLOBBY HALL LADIES’ SITTING ROOM SERVINGCAFE ROOMSCIGAR COUNTEROFFICE MEN’S RESTROOM WOMEN’S RESTROOM PERGOLA BALCONYPERGOLABALCONY BALCONYOARSMEN’S THIRDTOFLOOR UP UP DN BOATTOROOM DN FIRSTTOFLOORVERANDA UP TO FLOORTHIRD PORCH PORCH PORCH SECOND FLOOR - 1914 THIRD FLOOR - 1914 N UP THIRDTOFLOOR DN FIRSTTOFLOOR OAKKITCHENROOMPORCH 79

BRIDGETO &BEACHTOCLUBYACHTDETROIT TO DETROIT 5’ 10’ 30’ 40’ 50’20’ BALCONY BALCONY PORCH PORCH PORCHDEN BALLROOMBELOW BALCONY MAIN RECEPTION HALL BELOW RESTROOM KITCHEN APARTMENT APARTMENT DININGPRIVATEROOM TOWER UP TO ROOF GARDEN OBSERVATION&DECK UP DN RECEPTIONTOHALL DNTOFLOORSECONDPORCH THIRD FLOOR - 1914 N UP ATTICTO DN KITCHENTO DORMATORIES FOR ROWERS PORCH PORCH BILLIARDSROOM 80

CHANGES - 1926 81

The pool was originally a single depth of about 13.5’ and was filled with 500,000 gallons of water which was to be “constantly purified by a very scientific process so that it will be purer than the drinking water hereabouts,” the Free Press wrote (121). Around 1960 the club constructed a shallow end at the pool’s western half, with the depth being 3’ at the shallow end and 5’ in the middle, decreasing the water capacity to 275,000 gallons (122). The children’s wading pool was constructed to the west of the main pool and the gardens were constructed to the east. A new staircase was built at the building’s middle so that members could access the pool from the second floor porch. On the island side of the boathouse, most of the bay that separated the boathouse from the Belle Isle shore was filled in, creating a large parking lot. A new footbridge was built of concrete, finally replacing the original wooden ones which were intended to be temporary structures and said to have been in poor shape several years prior (107). This bridge connected into a concrete breakwall that featured a concrete balustrade supported by small arches. A similar breakwall, minus the balustrade, was constructed in front of the boat bays. This was later removed when the DBC’s island was expanded (123). A large T-dock was constructed to the north of the pools, greatly increasing boat capacity for club members so that they would no longer need to rely on outside marinas for the club’s fleet. The pool officially opened on August 14, 1926 with the championship meet of the Women’s Swimming Association (121). In 1928, the pool hosted the U.S. Olympic Team Swim Trials, with several world records being broken. Johnny Weissmuller, who would later gain fame as the first TV Tarzan, qualified for the Olympics in the DBC pool (124). He would go on to win two gold medals (125). As the island was expanded, the boat slips in the addition were replaced with the Grill Room, where members could pick up lunches poolside (126).

The DBC’s plan was to construct an outdoor swimming pool, children’s wading pool, and a garden. This idea was presented to the club members at a special meeting and was immediately adopted. Board member Charles H. Brennan assumed most of the work of figuring out what kind of pool the club should construct. He traveled the country, visiting many pools at his own expense, to make sure that the boat club’s pool would be among the best in the nation (14). Brennan would go on to assist in designing the Olympic pools at Rouge Park in 1929, which were later named in his honor. The DBC decided to build an Olympic distance pool, at 50 meters long and 6 lanes wide. It was said to have been the first Olympic length pool built by a private organization in the United States. The pool is unique in that it is a separate body of water within the Detroit River. To accomplish this, they needed to build it in a way so that the pool could be drained, and when drained it wouldn’t become buoyant and attempt to float, which would crack the walls.

Construction of the parking lot and footbridge, facing south east.

After constructing a cofferdam and draining the construction site of water, 52’ pilings, 24’ deeper than the ones that support the boathouse, were driven into the riverbed. The reinforced concrete pool bottom was originally poured 9” thick, however when they pumped out silt from the river bottom to construct the island, the silt was heavier than an equal volume of water and the amount of pressure exerted by the silt forced the pool bottom up, cracking the pool walls. They decided that the pool bottom would need to be tripled in thickness to 27” thick in order to weigh the pool down. This setback combined with quicksand that was discovered during construction drew criticism from the board about the capability of the people in charge of construction to actually be able to finish the project.

Construction of the Olympic pool, facing south east. Construction of the Olympic pool, facing north.

With the Great Depression in full swing during the 1930s, the DBC found itself scrambling to keep its membership up after their numbers were cut in half. This led to several updates to the boathouse. Previously, the DBC never allowed alcohol to be served in any of its boathouses, including the 1902 building (despite rumors that the building was built over the water to get around the rule that alcohol cannot be served in the park).

The women’s restroom is believed to be in its original location and the door was simply moved to the other side of the room. It was also decided around this time that an expanded women’s locker room was needed. Rather than expanding the old locker CHANGES - 1930s-1940s

87 Painting of the boathouse and grounds by DBC rowing coach Judson “Jud” O. Ross, 1938.

room, a portion of the boat room, from the north wall to the former boat slips, was walled off to create this new space. The room would be expanded to include the boat slip section by the late 1950s. Other improvements in the later half of the 1930s were done in anticipation of the club’s 100th birthday in 1939, including expanding the island to its present size and the construction of a band shell and dance floor at the island’s north east corner (14). The band shell was completely rebuilt in 1954 (129) and again in 2014 for the club’s 175th anniversary. The ballroom ceiling is believed to have been painted in its current color scheme around this time (130). In the early 1940s, the club rebuilt the northern porch wall adjacent to the ballroom as part of an expansion of the women’s locker room. After this was completed there were few major renovation projects that took place through the rest of the 1940s, possibly due to the club already debating on leaving the building for a new site in St. Clair Shores as early as 1948 (131). By the early 1950s, the club appears to have scrapped the moving idea and began spending more money updating and renovating the building (132)

Attitudes at the club changed after the repeal of Prohibition in 1933 and a space to serve drinks was soon needed. The solution was combining several third floor rooms into the current president’s bar and dance floor, then known as the cocktail lounge (127). A portion of the main dining room was combined with the ladies’ sitting room to form a private dining room (possibly known as the old Salem room) (128), this is today known as the commodore’s bar. To replace the ladies’ sitting room, the eastern half of the south porch was enclosed to create the current sitting room and powder room.

As the building was turning 50 years old, major projects began taking place in order to not only revamp rooms in the building but also update plumbing and electrical and repair the exterior stucco. It was decided to create a master plan for the building, hiring club member and architect Cornelius L. T. Gabler to do the job. The first issue was that no original plans to the building could be located, so Gabler had to go and measure the entire building to create new ones (134). Most renovation projects into the 1970s and 1980s continued to use these base drawings from the 1950s. The updates to the building in the 1950s were following the styles of the times, however they caused significant changes to the historic character of certain portions of the building. The first major renovation since the 1930s was the addition of the river lounge, or river room. This space opened in 1955 at the north east corner of the building (135). The space’s original windows were each replaced by picture windows that were flanked by a casement window on either side. A few months after the space opened, a major fire in the attic caused an estimated $100,000 in damages (over $1.07 million in 2022 when adjusted for inflation) (136).

Due to high water levels in 1952, the club created the berm that runs along the perimeter of the club’s island. Previously, the grounds were all flush with the pool deck (133).

The next major renovation was the creation of the island room in 1957. This project created probably the most glaring change to the building’s southern facade, replacing four double hung windows with two large windows of a similar style to those found in the River Room. The ceiling was dropped 5 feet with an acoustic tile drop ceiling. Previously, this room was known as the mural room and each wall featured murals that were installed in the 1920s of rowing and sailing scenes. Unfortunately, the murals were damaged during the renovations and were disposed of. The women’s locker room was expanded to its current size and the elevator was installed at this time (137). By the 1960s, the club began feeling its membership numbers slip as people fled the city for the suburbs and the DBC quickly began construction on further attempts to modernize and update the building. Most of these projects were of a very cheap construction, including additions to the building’s exterior that were clad in painted plywood. New rooms were shoehorned into existing spaces and the maze-like system of odd corridors and rooms that exists today began to take shape (138). Additions during this period included enclosing the south porch at the building’s western end to create a bathroom (138), a plywood addition outside of the kitchen to store china (139), and most of the west porch being walled in for storage purposes (138). - 1950s-1980s

89 CHANGES

“Every once in a while someone tries to write the obituary of club life in Detroit. The commentary is often the same: younger people are not interested, old fogey clubmen are dying off, expenses have skyrocketed, and a growing number of businessmen say that it is an embarrassment to belong to a club with racial and ethnic barriers.”Jeanne Whittaker, 1975

In October of 1969, the DBC actually voted, 168-35, to begin looking into purchasing a new site in St. Clair Shores to move the club to. There were 27 possible locations under consideration, with members voting to give the board authority to make a tentative offer on a 5.8 acre site adjacent to the Shore Club apartment complex in the Nine Mile-Jefferson Avenue area. The club claimed that the lawsuit was not the reason why they were looking into moving, but was instead the high maintenance costs on the then 67 year old building, stating that it was “just too expensive. We have to dredge out the canals every year. Last year we had to rebuild all our docks because of ice damage.” The proposed new building was designed to look like a modern version of the present structure, costing an estimated $2 million (over $15.6 million in 2022 when adjusted for inflation) (158). The DBC had previously looked into moving to a site along Lake St. Clair in 1948 (131). Not all members were interested in moving however, and a group of 12 of these members were able to get enough people that agreed with them to attend the club’s annual meeting and vote to keep the club on Belle Isle. Meanwhile, the club was forced to cancel several events due to there being a lack of members to pay for it, giving the “let’s move” faction of the club more leverage for their cause, arguing that the DBC needed “more well-heeled suburbanites as members (159).”

By 1973, the club’s membership had dropped to 776 members, nearly half of what it was just over a decade ago (166). When Coleman A. Young, Detroit’s first Black mayor, was elected to office later that year, he was “not pleased that some of the choicest park land in his half-Black city exists only for the enjoyment of two clubs with virtually all-white memberships,” the Detroit Free “how the clubs can get around the fact that they have had a lease with the city for 40 years which acknowledges that the land is city-owned (140-157).”

Gribbs took office, little was done by the city on moving the lawsuit forward, with the case being placed on the back-burner by city attorneys. In 1971, the DBC again looked at moving, debating on purchasing Anna Dodge’s Rose Terrace estate in Grosse Pointe Farms, which had sat vacant since Dodge’s death in 1970 (163). They also considered at one point attempting to purchase the Edsel and Eleanor Ford Estate in Grosse Pointe Shores. By 1972, the DBC announced that they had changed their mind about relocating the club to the suburbs, noting recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions regarding the integration of private clubs that would “support the club’s position on membership policies.” One such decision, Moose Lodge No. 107 v. Irvis, upheld the right of a Pennsylvania fraternal club to a state liquor license, despite club bylaws that prohibited Black members and guests (165). By 1971, the DYC had admitted only one Black member, however he was an “interim member,” where he was allowed to use the club facilities but was not allowed voting privileges. The DYC stated that he was the only Black person to have ever applied for membership. Coleman Young’s administration would later state “that may be because of the clubs’ reputation for discrimination,” stating that “there are plenty of blacks who would like to take advantage of the clubs’ boat docks, swimming pools, tennis courts and other facilities (167).”

From 1967-1974, the DBC and Detroit Yacht Club were involved in a lengthy lawsuit with the city over discrimination practices. Up to that time, the membership of both clubs had been 100% white. The Jerome Cavanagh administration began investigating charges that Blacks faced “booby traps” when trying to join the DBC and DYC. Both clubs leased their properties from the city for $1 a year on 99 year leases. If the clubs refused to allow Black members, their leases could be terminated without compensation for their buildings as the clubs were located on public land. Both clubs claimed that the discrimination charges were untrue, stating that nowhere in the club’s membership applications or bylaws were there any references to race, color, religion, or “anything else that might be considered discriminatory.” Instead, the clubs did have a special committee that was in charge of approving applicants on a basis of “sociability and compatibility” with current club members. The clubs also required that prospective members be sponsored by current club members, with the DBC requiring the sponsorship of 2 existing members and the DYC requiring the sponsorship of 5. Applicants financial background were also taken into consideration to see if they could pay the pricey initiation fee and annual dues. They also stated that no Blacks had ever applied for membership at either club. The clubs also countered that the rule that the city was proposing, evicting the clubs if they did not diversify their memberships, would “destroy private clubs,” as they claimed that the clubs had a right to choose prospective members at their discretion. The DBC chose to challenge the city’s ownership of their property, as the boathouse was constructed over the river and not on Belle Isle itself. The city countered that they would like to know

Detroit Free Press

After the mayoral administration changed in 1970 and Roman 92

The DBC continued to experience a drop in membership as many people did not want to drive from their suburban homes to a club in Detroit. Struggling to cover costs, in 1975, the Women’s City Club of Detroit was invited to rent space in the boat house.

The Young administration stated that they did not really want the clubs to leave the island, as with the Cavanaugh administration, they just wanted them to be more accessible to everyone. “The mayor believes very strongly that any organization that discriminates in its membership is bad for the growth of Detroit,” Young’s executive assistant Nansi Rowe said. The case finally went to court on July 24, 1974 with a settlement being signed on October 25 in U.S. District Court by representatives of both clubs and the City of Detroit, where the clubs agreed to take steps to integrate their facilities. Under the settlement, the organizations had 90 days to meet the following conditions:

Press wrote. Young wanted the DBC and DYC to take quick action to integrate their membership rosters or to leave Belle Isle. “I don’t believe they ought to be allowed to have their clubs on public property for $1-a-year when they discriminate as they do,” Young said. “They discriminate not only against blacks...but also against poor people. Belle Isle should be for all citizens.” Young directed the city to hire an outside attorney to “aggressively pursue a discrimination action against the clubs,” pushing the club case back to the forefront after laying relatively dormant for most of the Gribbs administration, and taking the case out of the hands of the overburdened city attorneys (167-168).

Despite additional changes to the building and attempts to build its membership back up, the club continued to lose members and grow its debt. In April of 1992, the State House of Representatives voted that they would reduce Detroit’s state aid by $4.7 million (over $9.6 million in 2022) if the city did not increase fees at the Belle Isle Golf Course and “squeeze revenue out of two private boat clubs that use the island virtually for free.” They claimed that state money was being used to subsidize the wealthy who used the golf course, as well as the DBC and DYC. Rep. David Jaye, R-Shelby Township, who was one of the sponsors, denied that the measures amounted to a “Detroit bashing,” responding “I’m bashing rich golfers and yachters to stop these obscene subsidies, why should the taxpayers of this state subsidize the life-styles of the rich and famous?” Daniel Kirchbaum, then director of the Detroit Recreation Department, responded saying that none of the city’s state aid goes to the clubs and that the rest of the Belle Isle facilities were widely used by people throughout the region (177).

Founded in 1919, the WCC at one time was the largest women’s club in the country, reaching a peak of around 7,000 members in 1946. Cashing in war bonds following World War I, they constructed a six-story, $800,000 (nearly $13.5 million dollars in 2022 when adjusted for inflation) clubhouse on Park Avenue in downtown Detroit. Designed by William B. Stratton, the husband of club-member and Pewabic Pottery founder Mary Chase Stratton, the building would open in 1924 (174). By the 1970s however, membership was down to 950 members who underutilized their large building. There were days where the building may see one member, making it not feasible to pay maintenance and labor costs on a structure that was going relatively unused. In early November, the WCC announced that they would be ceasing all operations at their clubhouse following their traditional Thanksgiving dinner. Leading up to the closure of the WCC clubhouse, many members of the club came back for one last look at their building. One longtime member was quoted as saying “where have they been for the

“The Yacht Club must add three more black members, bringing the total to five, the number of club members needed to recommend a new member. Thus, presumably, more blacks could be sponsored and added to the club in the future. The Boat Club must add two black members, the number required to recommend new members. Both clubs agreed that all membership denials must be in writing and in the event of a denial, the federal court will act as arbiter. The city agreed to recognize the two clubs as private clubs with the rights of private clubs to choose their own members. In addition, both clubs were given four months to appoint black members to the membership committees, and appoint at least one other nonblack minority member in one year following the settlement.”

two Black members and the DYC had elected 5, complying with the 1974 ruling. The DBC’s first African American member was Dr. Peter Strong, a well regarded Detroit dentist and civil rights activist who was the first African American dentist with visiting privileges at the Detroit Medical Center (173). Although the desegregation cases of the DBC and DYC made the headlines, they were not the only clubs holding out on integration. However, since they leased city land, they were the only ones the city could force to integrate. As of July 1975, the Detroit Athletic Club, Women’s City Club, Yondotega Club, University Club, the Players, Bayview Yacht Club, the Scarab Club, and the Great Lakes Club, still did not have any African Americans among their memberships. Two clubs that integrated before the DBC and DYC were the Indian Village Tennis Club, admitting their first African American member in 1974, and the Detroit Club, which admitted its first African American member in June of 1975 (172).

If both of the clubs and the city followed this agreement for 90 days, Judge Freeman would sign a consent judgment ending the action in federal court (171). By July of 1975, the DBC had elected past five years when we needed them?” In late February of 1975, the WCC announced that they would be putting their downtown clubhouse up for sale at a price of $375,000 (over $2 million in 2022 when adjusted for inflation). The DBC offer, which was mailed in a special notice to both DBC and WCC members, would call for a merger between the two organizations, giving WCC members memberships that ranged from $300 a year for resident members and $75 a year for nonresidents. They would receive full privileges of the clubhouse, however they could not vote on DBC matters and the DBC could not vote on WCC matters. The proposal would be acted on at the DBC’s annual meeting on November 5th. They left their 75,000 square foot building in December of that year and moved into the DBC building. Initially, their move to the DBC was meant to be a temporary one, as they hoped they could land a space in the new Renaissance Center which was then under construction (175). They brought with them from the old building a chandelier, which was hung in the ballroom at the DBC. The WCC’s former building would sell the following year to the Feminist Economic Network for $200,000 ($1.068 million in 2022), nearly half of their initial asking price (176). While the addition of the WCC members made the boathouse seem full again, the memberships of both clubs continued to drop.

The Reception Hall during the building’s last moments as a private club.93

The DBC was allowed to find a restaurateur who was willing to open a restaurant in the boat house, however this was unsuccessful. Club members would later state that they brought several interested restaurateurs to the city but the city refused to approve them. With a low source of income, the club was unable to pay the bills that they were supposed to be paying, as stated in the bankruptcy agreement. The club remained in the building until February 1996, when the city evicted the club for nonpayment of rent and more than $400,000 (over $700,000 in 2022) in taxes. At the same time, the city was close to approving an investor’s proposal for a $41 million (over $75 million in 2022) recreation and entertainment complex on Belle Isle, which included an interest in operating the marina at the boat club. The complex “would include a restaurant, 80 boat slips for restaurant patrons, indoor arena, more than 200 horses, a veterinary center, an outdoor arena and a therapeutic riding center for disabled youth,” according to the Free Press. William Merriweather, chairman and CEO of the organization Made in Detroit which was proposing the recreation complex, stated that the company proposed to operate the DBC marina, and would still be willing to if they could tear down the boat house, which he called a “maintenance nightmare,” and build a new building to go with the renovated boat slips. Ernest Burkeen, director of Parks and Recreation for Detroit, said the city hoped to operate a public marina, the outdoor swimming pool and snack bar at the DBC that summer, but plans for the rest of the building were still uncertain (184).

the DBC took the city’s offer, stating “The 154-year-old, 200-member club plans to pay off its $1 million in debts in full over several years, and will remain on Belle Isle under a lease from the City of Detroit (183).”

By May of 1992, the DBC was deeply in debt, which included $176,000 (over $360,000 in 2022) in city personal property taxes (179). On August 28, 1992, the DBC filed for bankruptcy (180). By this point, the club’s membership had dwindled to 240 members, down from the 1,500 it had up to the 1950s and 60s (181). On January 24, 1993 a very tense meeting was held where around 150 of the DBC’s 200 members debated for two hours on what path the club should take in order to pull out of bankruptcy. Members were torn over a proposal from the city, which would pay off its debts, including immediately paying $375,000 (over $768,000 in 2022) to creditors and paying another $500,000 (over $1 million in 2022) to other creditors over four years. The city, however, would assume control of the building, lease back to the club the first and third floors, parking lot and docks, and the club would share space with a public restaurant located on the second floor. The DBC would still be responsible for building maintenance and pay taxes. The two other alternatives would be to keep the club privately owned by gaining equity financing from existing members and private investors; or to get a bank to loan the money. A “Rescue-the-Club” committee member was quoted in the Free Press “I think until today, the club’s membership never understood how close we are to the brink of the cliff,” later stating “we do not know what the hell the city plans to do with it (the building), we do know the city can’t run the city. There are certain board members who may prefer to give it to the city. We can only surmise they have an agenda they haven’t brought forward.” Some members speculated that the city might take over the structure and use it as a gambling casino (181). In June of 1993, the Free Press announced that

Friends of Detroit Rowing was founded in 1972 in order to fund the rowing program so they could purchase equipment and fund trips to championship regattas, which the club by that point could no longer afford to do. By spring of 1996, the DBC organization had vacated the building, leaving the rowing team behind. At the time, the future of the building under the city’s ownership was not clear, with some calls for its demolition and the city stating that they were not going to secure the building. The DBC removed everything they could from the structure, including two stained glass windows, some woodwork, and trophies, which were put into storage. The DBC planned to build a 7,000 square-foot floating clubhouse, offshore from the Shore Club Marina. The initial design for the new building would include restaurants, a ballroom, sky lounge and restrooms. The DBC ended up abandoning this plan, later renting dock space out of other marinas before eventually settling at Detroit’s Edison Boat Club. The club boats remained there until 2019 when the EBC was demolished by DTE Energy. The DBC organization continues to be actively run as a “paper club,” with no clubhouse of their own. Instead they host social events, dinners and sailing regattas out of various local clubs throughout the Metro Detroit area. The Free Press wrote of the DBC in 1999 that the club “by all logic should be defunct” and that it was “still around because the remaining members simply refuse to allow it to die (187).” Along with the Detroit Boat Club’s Annual Sailing Regatta, first held in 1894 and considered to be the oldest sailing regatta on the Great Lakes, the DBC still sponsors various sailing programs, including an adult Learnto-Sail program (188). Teaming up with the Challenge the Wind youth sailing organization in 2021, the two groups formed the Detroit Community Sailing Center at the Belle Isle Boathouse, with the DBC using their sailboats to continue offering an adult learn-to-sail program (189)

DBC members voted in February of 1996 to relocate the organization to St. Clair Shores. The club would move to the marina at the Shore Club Apartments at 9 mile and Jefferson, where they planned to build a new boat house. The club, which was suffering from declining membership and rising maintenance costs, stated that they had to choose “between dissolving the club or allowing it to continue in a more viable location.” At the time the club had around 150 members, down from 200 at the time of the club declaring bankruptcy in 1992 (184).

The Ballroom in 1996 just days before the DBC was forced to leave the building.95

While the sailing and social aspect of the club planned to move to St. Clair Shores, the rowing team still needed a facility to row out of. Operating under Friends of Detroit Rowing and competing under the name of “Detroit Boat Club Crew,” the rowers split from the formal Detroit Boat Club organization. Through ultimately a handshake agreement with the city, the rowers were allowed to use the boat bays and locker rooms of the boat house while the city used the rest of the building.

The DBC and DYC at the time were paying $1-a-year leases, which were negotiated in the 1930s, under contract the city was powerless to gain more revenue from them until the leases expired, which would be in the late 1990s. House Bill 5522 was passed with a 59-36 vote, calling for the club leases to be raised to levels that were comparable to the ones being paid by other marinas in southeastern Michigan. The DBC again argued that the land that the building sits on, which was built over the Detroit River, was first leased to them by the Army Corp of Engineers in 1893, however the city took the position that they owned the parking lot and, therefore, access to the building (178).

In August of 1997, the city hired the architecture firm of Hamilton Anderson for $65,000 to do a study on the building and see how much it would cost to renovate the structure (190). In October of 1998, Mayor Dennis Archer handed a “to-do” list to the City Council with the top projects he’d like completed. Among them was to try to find someone willing to spend the estimated $13 million (over $22.9 million in 2022) needed to renovate the DBC building or demolish it if no one came forward (191). The following year, the city began looking to the building as a potential source of income after proposals to charge a vehicle toll to enter the island drew criticism. They began soliciting bids to renovate the building and operate it under a proposed 39 year lease. By now, the estimated cost to redo the building had grown to $20 million (over $35.2 million in 2022). The city predicted that, if programmed correctly, the facility could bring the park nearly $200,000 (over $345,000 in 2022) a year in revenue. They proposed that it could host a boathouse, health club, restaurant, banquet facility, and swimming and boat lessons for children. Another proposal included a coffee shop, juice bar, and sports apparel store. FODR would be able to partner with the developer (192). Nothing came out of this proposal.

In 2005, a proposed $26-million project (over $38.2 million in 2022) from Central Place Planning Professionals LLC would have turned the DBC building and the Broadhead Armory directly across the river into restaurants, stores, and music venues, under a project proposal called Entertainment Bay, with water taxis connecting the two sites. Akinya Khalfani, CEO of the company, hoped to create a vibrant waterfront environment like what was happening in Baltimore, Boston, and Chicago (193). This proposal, too, did not go forward.

Proposals

BOTTOM:

TOP: Renderings

During Detroit’s then-mayor Kwame Kilpatrick’s infamous seventh State of the City address in March of appropriate for such a project. A member of the non-profit Friends of Belle Isle agreed that the island was an inappropriate site, quoted as saying “this is a park. This is not a college campus. It’s ridiculous (197).” The project’s foundation stated that the school wouldn’t be in session during the summer when the island had its highest usage and the gymnasium, pool, and other facilities could be used by the public. The dormitories were also proposed to be used by visitors during the Detroit Grand Prix (197), an Indy Car racing event that was held on the island from 1992-2001, 2007-08, and 2012-22, or other events. At the time, the Grand Prix had recently poured a 10-acre concrete pad near the western end of the island to service the races, which sat unused for 51 weeks of the year. The academy proposal brought forward other questions of how much development can take place on the island? If this project were to be approved, what is stopping private development such as condo towers or a corporate headquarters (197)? After being convicted of perjury and obstruction of justice, Kilpatrick resigned as mayor in September of 2008 and the maritime academy never moved forward. The most recent development proposal for the boathouse came in January of 2014 when Vintage Hotels Group, owned by Hong Kong billionaire Jimmy Lai, announced a $40 million proposal to renovate the boathouse into a 100-120 room boutique hotel with a restaurant and marina facilities. Initially, they said that the building would be restored to its original appearance, preserving original details. Friends of Detroit Rowing would have been allowed to remain in the building as well (198). Soon, a project rendering told another story, bringing into question whether the building would be saved or not as the rendering showed a new building, or largely altered existing building, that was 4.5 stories tall and clad in white stucco with a clay tile roof (200). It is unknown how far this project went, as at the time the city was negotiating with the state about leasing Belle Isle as a state park. 2008, he announced plans to renovate the boathouse as part of a $30-$45-million ($40-$60-million in 2022) residential maritime academy complex that would be constructed along Belle Isle’s shore between the bridge and Inselruhe Ave., that would hope to attract at-risk high school students. The 500-student Admiral J. Paul Reason Michigan Maritime Academy, named for the first African-American four-star admiral in the U.S. Navy, was set to open in 2010 if the project moved forward. The school would focus on aquatic, maritime, and nautical sciences and include dormitories, a restaurant, and a diesel engine repair shop. Besides renovating the boathouse, which would have the restaurant and a marina, the project would consist of a multi-acre complex of several new buildings that would have additional classrooms, dormitories, a gymnasium, pool, and other facilities. The city chose to work with Detroit-based Gunn Levine Architects, as one partner at the time was a leader in school design and another was nationally recognized for restoring historic buildings. The project would cost the students and city nothing, with funds being raised by a foundation. Bonds financing the project were to be issued by the Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority and as of May 2008, the project already received a $160,000 grant. While some supported the idea, many questioned the project, asking why this foundation would be raising money for a new school when the Detroit Public Schools district was closing buildings and losing money. The foundation’s board was also in question, with 2 of its 7 members being related to the mayor, who was then just being charged with felony perjury and obstruction charges (194-197). Others supported the project, but questioned locating a development of this size and scale on Belle Isle, as the complex of buildings would privatize nearly a half-mile of Belle Isle’s northern shore, as well as pave over public green space for new parking lots. They felt that there were numerous undeveloped areas along Detroit’s mainland shoreline that would be more of the Maritime Academy proposal from 2008. Renderings of the proposed hotel project from 2014. 98

With the Detroit Boat Club’s 175th Anniversary celebrations being planned for 2014, it was decided that the building should be spruced up as much as FODR could. This included repainting the main reception hall, patching holes in some of the ceilings, hanging historic rowing plaques in the trophy cases, restoring historic light fixtures, replacing carpeting, rebuilding the band shell, clearing an overgrown section of the east side of the property to create a new lawn, among other improvements.

programs for people living in the Metro Detroit area (201).

Friends

During the 175th celebrations, the building hosted two weddings for the families of former rowers, marking the first weddings held in the building since 1992. These initial projects began to 100

of Detroit Rowing

Beginning in 1996, FODR also partnered with Detroit’s Parks & Recreation department to offer free rowing classes for Detroit youth, a program which continued until around 2013 during the city’s bankruptcy (202). Despite all of this activity, with the rowers using the building daily year-round, most people visiting the island believed that the building was abandoned due to its crumbling exterior and since the rowers typically arrive in the mornings starting at 5am when Belle Isle opens and from 4:30-8pm in the evenings. Other events that the building hosted during this time included several Dragon Boat Festivals in the mid 2000s (203) as well as becoming a site for the Detroit Polar Plunge, an annual fundraiser for Special Olympics Michigan where participants jump into the frigid Detroit River in January or February in order to raise money and awareness for the organization, that was hosted at the boathouse from the late 2000s-2010s (204).

Through all of these proposals, Friends of Detroit Rowing continued to rent the building for thirty days at a time. Under that lease, only rowing was permitted in the building and the organization was forbidden to rent out the structure for private events. From the point that the city left the building in the late 1990s to 2014, the rowers were the only ones using it. Friends of Detroit Rowing made several attempts at an extended lease with the city, however these all fell through. The city was unwilling to work with the rowers as they hoped some big-name developer would swoop in and renovate the place. In the mean-time, the city allowed any money spent on improvements or work done to the boathouse to be considered as “prepaid rent.” During that period, the rowers put over $350,000 worth of work into the structure, doing what they could to keep the building together and functioning. These projects included replacing the boiler (which used funds that were originally raised to purchase a new rowing shell for the team), replacing plumbing and electrical, roof repairs, and whatever else they could do with the donations they had. If the rowers were not there and the building was left unoccupied, it most likely would not be standing today. Despite the issues of gaining an extended lease, the rowing team was still producing athletes that were competing at national and international levels, placing nearly 10 athletes on the U.S. national team at the Junior, U23, and Elite Levels who represented the United States at several World Championships as well as at the Olympics in 2004. They also began hosting junior and adult learn-to-row classes and recreational rowing spark some hope of what this building could look like if it was restored, but FODR held off on other major projects until their future in the building was more permanent.

When the management of Belle Isle turned over from the city to the State of Michigan in 2014, FODR worked with the state to sign a 30 year lease on the building in 2015 (205). Under this lease, the state required that the western porch wall be restored or removed as it was a safety hazard, that the pools be fenced off, and that FODR work to make the building more publicly accessible. Among the items the state agreed to on their part was a plan and funding to fill in the pools.

Although the rowers have a more permanent place in the building today than they had 20 years ago, they are still facing a difficult decision. A 2019 survey of the building conducted by SmithGroup estimated that the cost of renovating the building and island would cost around $44 million. That is including rebuilding seawalls, demolishing and filling in the pool and grounds, new utilities, and restoration work (206). With that daunting number, many rowers feel that FODR should leave the building in favor of a new structure located nearby so that money can be spent towards FODR’s main focus, rowing, rather than on this large building. Especially since the boat bays are already tight and are not big enough to store all the boats that are currently stored on the property. The indoor training facilities are also inefficient, with the weight room being split into two rooms and the 3rd floor erg rooms not large enough to hold a whole team at once.

In order to understand the boathouse further, the building’s past needed to be studied in order to develop an idea of its original design and how the building has evolved. As no original drawings of the building are known to exist, it was necessary to study the building itself by exploring attics, looking above drop ceilings, peering underneath the building at its foundations, and reading the brickwork and concrete for signs of where walls, windows, and doors were once located. While studying the building, old newspaper clippings, photographs, Boat Club News articles, and old club president’s reports were consulted to find out when things were changed and why they were changed. It was rewarding when assumptions about how a space originally looked was backed up in one of these sources. The plans presented in this book for 1902 and 1914 are the most accurate depictions of how the building was designed to date, however they still may be subject to change as more information is uncovered. It was found that the complaints about the building, that it is inefficient and confusing, is largely due to the later renovations from the 1960s on when spaces were subdivided into the confusing mess it is today. If many of these later additions were to be removed, that would lead to more usable space for rowing operations and other programming. Converting the whole building back to its original floor plan is not feasible nor would it solve all the issues regarding rowing operations in the building, as the original floor plan did not have a women’s locker room or indoor training space. Understanding the original floor plan however is the first step in creating a design that will help the building into the future. As the majority of the original walls are load bearing, knowing what was a later addition and what is original helps create a blank slate, particularly on the first floor, for new design to take place within the historic walls. By removing many of the later additions, the floor plan could potentially create more cohesive spaces that are more efficient to use. This would be a step forward in making it more feasible for FODR to remain in the boathouse.

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FIRST FLOOR - 1914 N 5’ 10’ 20’ 30’ 40’ 50’ PORCH BOAT BUILDING SHOP PORCH BOAT SLIPS FORMALTODININGROOM UPUP OFFICE DOCK EIGHTS SCULLINGBAYBAY FIRST FLOOR - CURRENT N 5’ 10’ 20’ 30’ 40’ 50’ BELLE ISLE PARK ROWING LAUNCH AREA E. PICNICBRIDGEWAY(1926) EAST LAWN GUARD SHACK (USED FOR STORAGE) CONCRETE(1926)BREAKWALL WOMEN’S RESTROOM MEN’S LOCKER ROOM WOMEN’S LOCKER ROOM MEN’S RESTROOM MEN’S SHOWERS RIVERSIDE PORCH BOAT REPAIR SHOP KENNETH L. BLUE BOAT ROOM BAY 1 BAY BAYBAY234 BOILER ROOM RIGGER ROOM BACK (ENCLOSEDHALLWAY1960S) ELECTRICAL ROOMSTORAGE REFRIGERATORSFORMER(STORAGE) WEIGHT ROOM MEN’S DRYING AREA ZIEMBA WEIGHT ROOM BRIDGE UNUSED WORKSHOP (STORAGE)REGATTAROOM VESTIBULESTAIRWAY TO MAIN RECEPTIONHALL FORMALTODININGROOM ELEVATOR MEN’S WASHROOMUP UP UP UP STORAGE STORAGE STORAGE POOL FILTRATION ROOM (DEFUNCT) STORAGE WOMEN’S POWDER ROOM WOMEN’S SHOWERS OAR STORAGEROOM WOMEN’S SITTING(UNUSED)ROOM WOMEN’S COAT (UNUSED)ROOM LIFE (STORAGE)ROOMGUARD STORAGE FRONT (ENCLOSEDHALLWAY1960S) FLOORPARTIALCOLLAPSE FIRST FLOOR - 1902 N 5’ 10’ 20’ 30’ 40’ 50’ PORCH UP CANOE BAYS FIRST FLOOR - CURRENT N 5’ 20’ 30’ 40’ 50’ BELLE ISLE PARK E. PICNICBRIDGEWAY(1926) EAST LAWN GUARD SHACK (USED FOR STORAGE) CONCRETE(1926)BREAKWALL BOAT REPAIR SHOP BAY RIGGER ROOM BACK (ENCLOSEDHALLWAY1960S) ELECTRICAL ROOMSTORAGE BRIDGE UNUSED STORAGE STORAGE STORAGE FRONT (ENCLOSEDHALLWAY1960S) ROWING LAUNCH AREA 103

PORCH BOAT BUILDING SHOP PORCH BOAT SLIPS FORMALTODININGROOM UPUP OFFICE DOCK EIGHTS SCULLINGBAYBAY EAST LAWN CONCRETE(1926)BREAKWALL WOMEN’S RESTROOM MEN’S LOCKER ROOM WOMEN’S LOCKER ROOM MEN’S RESTROOM MEN’S SHOWERS RIVERSIDE PORCH BOAT REPAIR SHOP KENNETH L. BLUE BOAT ROOM BAY 1 BAY BAYBAY234 BOILER ROOM RIGGER ROOM BACK (ENCLOSEDHALLWAY1960S) ELECTRICAL ROOMSTORAGE REFRIGERATORSFORMER(STORAGE) WEIGHT ROOM MEN’S DRYING AREA ZIEMBA WEIGHT ROOM UNUSED WORKSHOP (STORAGE)REGATTAROOM VESTIBULESTAIRWAY TO MAIN RECEPTIONHALL FORMALTODININGROOM ELEVATOR MEN’S WASHROOMUP UP UPUP UP STORAGE STORAGE STORAGE POOL FILTRATION ROOM (DEFUNCT) STORAGE WOMEN’S POWDER ROOM WOMEN’S SHOWERS OAR STORAGEROOM WOMEN’S SITTING(UNUSED)ROOM WOMEN’S COAT (UNUSED)ROOM LIFE (STORAGE)ROOMGUARD STORAGE FRONT (ENCLOSEDHALLWAY1960S) FLOORPARTIALCOLLAPSE FIRST FLOOR - 1902 N 5’ 10’ 20’ 30’ 40’ 50’ PORCH UP UP CANOE BAYS FIRST FLOOR - CURRENT N 5’ 10’ 20’ 30’ 40’ BELLE ISLE PARK E. PICNICBRIDGEWAY(1926) GUARD SHACK (USED FOR STORAGE) CONCRETE(1926)BREAKWALL BOAT REPAIR SHOP BAY 1 ELECTRICAL ROOMSTORAGE UP UP STORAGE STORAGE STORAGE FRONT (ENCLOSEDHALLWAY1960S)

N 5’ 10’ 30’ 40’ 50’ BALLROOM 20’ 5’ 10’ 30’ 40’ 50’20’ RECEPTIONLOBBY HALL CIGAR COUNTER RESTROOMMEN’S THIRDTOFLOOR UP UP DN BOATTOROOM DN TO FIRST FLOOR VERANDA UP TO FLOORTHIRD PORCH PORCH PORCH N UP THIRDTOFLOOR DN TO FIRST FLOOR OAKKITCHENROOMPORCH SECOND FLOOR - CURRENT THIRD FLOOR - CURRENT OFFICE COMMODORE’S BAR STORAGE SITTINGWOMEN’SROOM POWDERROOM RESTROOMWOMEN’S CHECKCOAT STORAGE MAIN DINING ROOM STORAGE STORAGE ELEVATOR DN POOLTODECK DN POOLTODECK DN DN DN PORCH COLLAPSED 105

BRIDGETO &BEACHTOCLUBYACHTDETROIT TO DETROIT 5’ 10’ 30’ 40’ 50’20’ PORCH BALLROOMBELOW BALCONY MAIN RECEPTION HALL BELOW RESTROOM TOWER UP TO ROOF GARDEN & OBSERVATION DECK UP DN RECEPTIONTOHALL DNTOFLOORSECONDPORCH N UP ATTICTO DN KITCHENTO PORCH THIRD FLOOR - CURRENT RIVER ROOM WOMEN’S CITY CLUB ROOMWOMEN’S REST ROOM MEN’S REST ENGINEER’SROOMCLOSET APARTMENTBATHROOM PRESIDENT’S LOUNGEBAR ISLAND ROOM BOARD ROOM PROJECTIONBOOTH SITTING AREA STORAGE STORAGEE ELEVATORSAFE DN POOLTODECK DN DN PORCH REMOVED BRIDGETO CLUBYACHTDETROIT 106

1902 1905 BOATS STORED IN THE DBC BOAT BAYS

1922 2022

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Coleman Young Recreation Center 2751 Robert Bradby Dr. (7 min., 2.8 miles) Joseph Walker Williams Center Swimming 8431 Rosa Parks Blvd. (16 min., 9.3 miles) Heilmann Community Center 19601 Crusade St. (20 min, 9.3 miles) Adams Butzel ComplexPOOLSSWIMMINGINDOORRECREATION6 3 4213 Boats in Boat Bay Boats not in Boat Bay ALL BOATS CURRENTLY STORED AT THE BOATHOUSE SITE 110

-Rowing sends the 3rd largest US delegation to the Olympics.

-The first amateur sport governing body in the U.S. was Philadelphia’s Schuylkill Navy, which Philadelphia-area clubs are still members of and hosts the Philadelphia rowing regattas.

-Rowing was the first intercollegiate sporting event in the United States, with Harvard and Yale racing in 1852.

-The first national governing body for a sport in the U.S. was the National Association of Amateur Oarsmen. Founded in 1872, the name was changed to USRowing in 1982 when it combined with the National Womens Rowing -TheAssociation.oldestintercollegiate national championship for any sport is the IRA (Intercollegiate Rowing Association) Championship, which has been held annually since 1895.

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ROWING CLUBS IN THE U.S.

rowing teams growing nearly every year. Rowing maintains the highest percentage of female high school athletes who go on to participate in their sport in college, including at the Division I level. Mens rowing is second to baseball overall while having the highest number of participants at the Division I level (212).

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Rowing is also growing in popularity because it is a full-body workout that people can do at any age. Unlike many sports, rowing has low impact on joints, which makes it easier for older people to pick up. Despite most people saying “you must have strong arms if you are a rower,” rowing is actually roughly 70% legs, 20% core and back, and only 10% arms, with arms mostly just serving as the connection point to the oar. Using arm strength in rowing is not considered proper form, as it could lead to lower back injuries. Legs are much more powerful than arms to drive a boat through the water, this being accomplished by use of a rolling, or sliding, seat. It also gets people active outdoors. Being out on the water in the early mornings can be a very calming and surreal experience, witnessing nearly every sunrise while pulling the shell through the water.

Rowing a 2,000 meter rowing race takes around 250 strokes and is completed between 5 and a half to 8 minutes. An eightoared shell weighs approximately 200lbs and seats eight rowers plus a coxswain. The total weight for an elite crew, with athletes and equipment, can weigh in at 1,750lbs, more than 3/4 of a ton. The physical toll that rowing a 2,000m race can place on the body is the equivalent to playing two basketball games back to back, but that energy is exerted in under 8 minutes (214).

There are also few team sports quite like rowing. A single rower in a boat can have a huge effect on its overall performance. A boat may have the fastest rower in the world in it but if the other people in the boat try to do things their own way and do not work together, the boat is not going to go anywhere. A boat doesn’t necessarily need all of the biggest and strongest people, it needs the people who work together the best. This may mean that someone who has a slow 2,000 meter erg time on land, (2,000 meters is the standard racing distance and the erg time is often taken into consideration when making boat lineups), they may still make a boat because their technique is better than someone who may be stronger than them.

While rowing often gets portrayed as this sport that is dominated by 150 year old rowing clubs, just over 50 clubs exist today that were founded before 1900 (207). Rowing is actually a rapidly growing sport in the United States with over 1,300 organizations currently registered with USRowing (208). This is more than double the number of clubs in 1999 (209) and eight times the number of clubs in 1968 (210). This growth includes Michigan, where nearly 30 of the over 40 rowing clubs in the state were founded within the last 30 years and over 35 have been founded in the last 40 years (211). This growth is largely due to women’s involvement in rowing, which significantly grew after the passing of Title IX in 1972 (211) and again in the late 1990s when women’s rowing became an NCAA sanctioned sport. Mens rowing is not NCAA sanctioned by choice (212), as it is governed by the Intercollegiate Rowing Association (IRA) which organized in 1895 and hosts the oldest collegiate national championship of any sport in the country. Today, the vast majority of collegiate rowers are female (212). This is partially due to universities with large men’s football squads needing to meet the rules of Title IX, which calls for women to have the same athletic opportunities as men. Rowing, which can include the participation of a large number of athletes and requires the use of costly equipment has become a popular option for universities to offer for women, compared to other sports which may not be able to meet such numbers. This has also forced many universities with historic mens rowing teams, such as Rutgers, to lose their varsity status and now compete as club teams in order to stay within Title IX rules (213) Due to the scholarship opportunities that rowing offers, particularly to women, rowing at the high school level has also surged to all-time highs, with the number of high school Rowing is not as easy as it looks, with form and technique being very important in moving a boat through the water. The four points of the rowing stroke are the catch (when the rower’s shins are perpendicular to the boat and they are ready to take a stroke), the drive (pulling the oar through the water), the finish or release (when their legs are flat, back angled, and arms pulled in to pull the oar out of the water), and the recovery (moving back up to the catch). For the stroke, the rower first initiates the leg drive. Once the legs are flat, then they lean back slightly. They then finish the stroke by pulling the oar handle to their chest, lifting the oar out of the water. Each stroke takes approximately 2 seconds to complete, and each rower must complete it perfectly in sync, getting their oars out of the water together, carrying their oars over the water at the same height, catching together, and driving together. If they are not together, if someone is short in the water or too long, if they do not work together, the boat will be off-set, tipping to one side or the other. If the rower rushes to get to the catch, it stops the boats momentum. The rower must instead slowly approach the catch, with the ratio being about 2-3 times longer to go up to the catch than it took to get to the finish during the drive. If a rower pulls with their arms (visible when their arms are bent during the drive), they will tire out faster and it can affect the set of the boat.

WOMEN - TOTAL COLLEGIATE PARTICIPATION (211) Rowing 18.3% 21,839 5,660 Ice Hockey 16.9% 12,496 2,107 Lacrosse 13% 106,050 13,745 Soccer 9.7% 406,169 39,384 Field Hockey 8.8% 61,741 5,463 Softball 8.7% 379,925 33,219 Cross Country 8.3% 222,652 18,538 Water Polo 7.9% 22,174 1,755 Swimming & Diving 7.1% 185,978 13,272 Track & Field 6.8% 498,131 34,080 Basketball 6.5% 409,185 26,765 Golf 6.5% 92,666 6,019 Bowling 6% 30,111 1,816 Volleyball 6% 461,956 27,708 Tennis 3.6% 195,235 7,082 SPORT % PLAYING IN COLLEGE U.S. HIGH ATHLETESSCHOOL U.S.ATHLETESCOLLEGIATE WOMEN - FORMER HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETES PARTICIPATING AT NCAA DIVISION I LEVEL Rowing 12.4% Ice Hockey 4.1% Lacrosse 3.5% Water Polo 2.9% Swimming & Diving 2.7% Track & Field 2.5% Cross Country 2.5% Soccer 2.1% Field Hockey 2.0% Softball 1.7% Golf 1.7% Basketball 1.1% Volleyball 1.1% Bowling 1.0% Tennis 0.6%

MEN - TOTAL U.S. COLLEGIATE PARTICIPATION Baseball 12% 507,883 60,696 Rowing 10.3% 19,747 2,926 Football 9.0% 93,442 29,287 Ice Hockey 7.9% 45,687 3,609 Lacrosse 7.4% 120,883 16,609 Soccer 7.4% 473,130 34,786 Swimming & Diving 6.9% 146,813 10,174 Water Polo 6.7% 22,929 1,527 Cross Country 6.5% 273,355 17,873 Golf 6.3% 162,508 10,200 Basketball 5.7% 547,271 31,255 Tennis 3.7% 164,191 6,101 Track & Field 5.6% 617,583 34,769 Volleyball 5.3% 69,704 3,679 Wrestling 4.5% 252,440 11,329 SPORT % PLAYING IN COLLEGE U.S. HIGH ATHLETESSCHOOL U.S.ATHLETESCOLLEGIATE MEN - FORMER U.S. HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETES PARTICIPATING AT NCAA DIVISION I LEVEL Rowing* 6.0% Football 2.8% Lacrosse 2.8% Ice Hockey 2.4% Water Polo 2.3% Swimming & Diving 2.2% Baseball 2.1% Track & Field 1.7% Cross Country 1.7% Golf 1.4% Wrestling 1.0% Basketball 0.9% Soccer 0.8% Tennis 0.6% Volleyball 0.6% *By choice men’s collegiate rowing is not an NCAA sport as it is governed by the Intercollegiate Rowing Association (IRA) which hosts the IRA National Championships. First hosted in 1895 it is the oldest collegiate national championship in the United States.

ROWING ORGANIZATIONS OF MICHIGAN Detroit Boat Club Crew Jr., Open, Masters Detroit River Detroit Wayne 1839 Wayne State University Rowing Club Collegiate Club 1957, 2018 Detroit Waterfront Rowing Association Jr., Open, Masters Detroit River Detroit Wayne 2002 Wyandotte Boat Club Jr., Open, Masters Detroit River Wyandotte Wayne 1875 Carlson High School Scholastic 1986 Crestwood High School Scholastic Grosse Ile High School Scholastic 1987-89 Roosevelt High School Scholastic 1940s Southgate Anderson High School Scholastic Trenton High School Scholastic 2014-15 Ecorse Boat Club Masters Detroit River Ecorse Wayne 1873 Orchard Lake St. Marys Crew Scholastic Orchard Lake Orchard Lake Oakland 1976 Cranbrook Kingswood Crew Scholastic Orchard Lake Orchard Lake Oakland Northville High School Scholastic Kent Lake Milford Oakland 2011 Michigan Rowing Association Collegiate Club Argo Pond Ann Arbor Washtenaw 1976, 1982 Ann Arbor Rowing Club Masters Argo Pond Ann Arbor Washtenaw 1980s Pioneer High School Crew Scholastic 1999 Huron High School Rowing Association Scholastic 1992 Washtenaw Rowing Center Junior, U23 Huron River Ann Arbor Washtenaw Skyline High School Scholastic 2009 Greenhills School Rowing Scholastic University of Michigan Womens Crew Collegiate DI Belleville Lake Belleville Wayne 1996 Eastern Michigan University Collegiate DI Ford Lake Ypsilanti Washtenaw 2001 Saline High School Rowing Scholastic 2004 Adrian College Rowing College DIII Devils Lake Addison Lenawee 2017 Buchanan Rowing Club Junior, Masters St. Joseph River Buchanan Berrien 2008 Spring Lake Crew Club, Inc. Scholastic Spring Lake Spring Lake Ottawa 2015 Grand Valley State University Rowing Club Collegiate Club Grand River Allendale Ottawa 1964 Rockford Rowing Crew Scholastic Grand River Belmont Kent 1996 Forest Hills Central High School Scholastic Grand River Ada Kent 1995 Forest Hills Eastern Crew Scholastic Grand River Ada Kent Forest Hills Northern High School Crew Scholastic Grand River Grand Rapids Kent Grand Rapids Rowing Association Junior, Masters Grand River Grand Rapids Kent 1880s, 1986 East Grand Rapids Crew Team Scholastic Reeds Lake East Grand Rapids Kent 2000 Michigan State University Women’s Crew Collegiate DI Grand River East Lansing Ingham Michigan State University Crew Club Collegiate Club Grand River East Lansing Ingham 1956-57 Lansing Rowing Club Masters Grand River East Lansing Ingham 1986 Bay City Rowing Club Jr., Open, Masters Saginaw River Bay City Bay 1989 Traverse Area Community Rowing Masters Boardman Lake Traverse City Grand Traverse 2012 Traverse City Tritons Rowing Scholastic Boardman Lake Traverse City Grand Traverse 2014 Lake Leelanau Rowing Club Jr., Masters Lake Leelanau Lake Leelanau Leelanau 2010 Northern Michigan College Rowing Club College Club Lake Leelanau Lake Leelanau Leelanau 1999 U.P. Rowing Youth, Masters Lake Superior Marquette Marquette 2004 Michigan Tech Rowing Club College Club Lake Superior Marquette Marquette 2002 Portage Lake Rowing Club Masters Portage Lake Houghton Houghton CLUB PROGRAMS BODY OF WATER CITY COUNTY 115 YEAR ORGANIZED

What is a boathouse?

At a minimum, boathouses are buildings that...house boats. Many, though, serve a much greater role than this basic purpose. Depending on the size of the club, university, or organization, boathouses may be as simple as a shed or shelter to protect the equipment from the elements or they can be as complex and large such as the Belle Isle Boathouse, serving as both a boathouse and a social clubhouse. The size of the building does not necessarily mean the crew that uses it is more or less successful. These spaces often become like second homes to their athletes due to the amount of time that they spend training there with their rowing families. Besides rowing these places become a spot to do homework, join an online class, a place to relax after a hard practice, somewhere to hold Saturday morning post-practice pancake breakfasts, a place to enjoy post-race drinks with friends visiting from other clubs, museums of their club’s past, and somewhere to socialize and host team Overdinners.30 boathouses, both historic and modern, were visited in Michigan, Ohio, New York, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania in order to understand how other clubs use their boathouses. With the clubs who use historic buildings, the way that their buildings have been adapted over time to serve modern uses was studied. For the modern boathouses, how are these new buildings designed? What new spaces are included here versus their historic counterparts?

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Prior to the main boathouse trip, the boathouses along the Cuyahoga River in Cleveland were visited. The first was the Cleveland Rowing Foundation, whose boathouse houses six high schools and four university rowing teams. They have a large steel-framed structure that is five bays wide with eights racks at front and fours racks at the rear with boats stacked 6 high. This building also has offices, restrooms, a large erging bay, a weight area, and a lounge space. They also have a large Quonset hut-style tent structure, with four bays that are three doubles racks deep with boats also stacked 6 high. These structures offer a lot of space, with wide aisles and rooms built specifically for a modern rowing team, something that isn’t typically available to a club that uses a historic building (215).

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CLEVELAND, OHIO

CLEVELAND ROWING FOUNDATION

THE FOUNDRY CUYAHOGA RIVER

Nearby, the Foundry, which offers rowing, sailing, and fitness programming, converted 65,000 square feet of vacant historic industrial buildings that once housed several different businesses into a state-of-the-art, non-profit athletic center. The facility was built out between 2015-2017 and includes indoor rowing tanks, indoor training spaces, and boat storage. They also boast to have the longest rowing dock in the world. Around 250 athletes train at the facility daily and the building has event spaces capable of hosting 300 people. Initially founded as a rowing center, the Foundry partnered with Cleveland Metroparks to create Cleveland’s first community sailing center (216). Their athletic spaces are also available as training spaces for non-rowing athletes, an option to gain additional income by keeping those indoor spaces programmed while the team is out on the river. What if the Belle Isle Boathouse became a more-efficient athletic facility such as the Foundry? The boathouse site already has a rowing and sailing group using the facility, if the rest of the building was converted over into an athletic facility, people who don’t row or sail could have memberships to use the indoor equipment. This would bring in additional income and potentially more people who would become interested in rowing or sailing.

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An additional boathouse, the Fontana Boathouse, was constructed in 2007 from plans originally created by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1905 for the University of Wisconsin but was never built. Initially constructed by a now-defunct organization, West Side now operates the building and it houses one college and one junior team as well as private boats. It stores 4 singles, 1 double, 6 fours, and 6 eights. They have begun renting the event space on the second floor to see if that is a sustainable source of revenue.

BUFFALO, NEW YORK WEST SIDE ROWING CLUB BLACK ROCK CHANNEL 123

Overall, West Side’s methods seem to be working, as seen with their large program numbers and success rate. This boathouse was really eye-opening in that such a large program can operate while having locker facilities that are smaller than those at the DBC. It also gave more of an understanding about the size of the facility in terms of boat storage and indoor training spaces. The feedback that was received from West Side regarding how they recruit for their programs was also insightful in how Friends of Detroit Rowing could improve their community outreach.

Families who need assistance apply within the first two weeks of the season and the club’s financial secretary reaches out to the family individually, agreeing on a reduced or free fee. They have found that middle schools are more open to sending their students to row than high schools as they want their students to try new things. Proposing rowing to high schools has been more difficult as they usually want to keep the students on

The club would like to have a dedicated team van to get kids to practice but have found it difficult gaining funding for one as most organizations willing to donate money do not want it going towards a vehicle (217).

West Side employs three full-time positions: Rowing Operations, Boathouse Operations, and Community Outreach.

Students that do not go to an affiliated high school will row as West Side Rowing Club and every athlete rows as West Side during the summers. Some schools have a relationship with West Side where they may not have an official team but they will supply a bus to get kids from their school to the boathouse.

The Community Outreach Director focuses on increasing accessibility to rowing, obtaining grant money to sponsor athletes, and get the knowledge of rowing out there. West Side never turns anyone who is interested in rowing away and has their Schaab fund which helps with financial assistance.

locker space. The men’s locker room was slightly smaller.

their sports teams. They recommend showing up at the school office in late September to talk to the athletic director, rather than sending an email, that way they can have a conversation with them. They’ll often help run a gym class at the school and bring ergs down in order to help pitch rowing. Each official high school program is responsible for fundraising for their teams.

The next boathouses visited were those of West Side Rowing Club in Buffalo, New York. Organized in 1912, West Side currently has approximately 600 athletes that use their facility per season, 75% of whom are women. They also host the rowing teams of around 6 high schools, 3 universities, as well as club rowing at the junior, open, and masters levels. Their summer youth learn-to-row camp typically has 200-250 kids that range from 6th-8th grade, with 150 kids being a low year. Due to the large amount of middle schoolers participating in their learnto-row program, West Side has recently begun hosting an allyear middle school team.

The main “Doc” Schaab Boathouse opened in 1978 after their previous building further down the Black Rock Channel was lost to fire. It has 4 rowing bays that had during the visit approximately 25 eights, 29 four-man boats (4+, 4-, 4x), 10 two-man boats (2x/-), and 40 singles. A fifth bay was used as an erg room, with approximately 30 standard Concept 2 RowErgs, 2 BikeErgs, and a squat rack. Coaches at the club stated that they were in need of a much larger erg room in order to grow their program. The first floor also had a boat repair shop, a large indoor rowing tank, and restrooms. On the second floor was a large banquet room that was lined with plaques that were won by the club over the years. Also on this floor were the locker rooms, which were much smaller than those found at DBC. The women’s locker room in particular was recently expanded to have 5 toilets and 3 showers with coach

Boston University Cambridge DeWolfe Boat House (1999)

VIEWED ON TRIP Riverside Boat Club Cambridge Boathouse (1912) Community Rowing, Inc. Boston Harry Parker Boathouse (2008) Ruth W. Somerville Sculling Pavilion

ROWING BOATHOUSES

The largest, and oldest, historic boathouses of the Charles are those of Harvard University. The Newell Boathouse, which was built in 1900, was a gift from the Harvard Club of New York. Today, it is used solely by Harvard’s varsity men’s rowing programs (218). The Weld Boathouse, built in 1906, was originally used by Harvard’s freshmen crews. Today, it is used by Radcliffe Women’s Crew, Harvard’s

The Charles River is very active with small boats other than rowing, with sailing clubs, public kayak and canoe rental pavilions, and other small boat access points. The banks of the river are full of activity, with people walking, biking, running, and enjoying the outdoors.

Buckingham Browne & Nichols Cambridge Cambridge Boat Club Cambridge Boathouse (1909) Sculling storage building

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women’s rowing program that retains their name from the former Radcliffe College, as well as the university’s recreational sculling program (219). Both boathouses are approximately 23,000 square feet (220). These buildings are similar to the Belle Isle Boathouse in terms of size and the era they were constructed in, however they differ in that these structures were built specifically for rowing, whereas the Belle Isle Boathouse also had the other aspects of being a private club. Three historic clubs are among the programs on the Charles, including the Union Boat Club (1851), Riverside Boat Club (1869), and Cambridge Boat Club (1909). Riverside and Cambridge Boat Clubs rent part of their facilities two high school teams, with most of the boats for those programs being stored Amongoutside. the newer boathouses on the river are those of Community Rowing Inc, which opened their facility in 2008 (221). Their structures show what modern boathouses can be, rather than being like other clubs that use imitations of older boathouses, like Northeastern University.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge H.W. Pierce Boat House (1966) Union Boat Club Boston Boathouse (1909)

Northeastern University Boston Henderson Boathouse (1989) Boston-Latin School Boston

The Charles River, home to the famous Head of the Charles Regatta, is shared by numerous rowing organizations. Of the almost 20 boathouses, nearly all of them are shared by multiple rowing groups, including high school, collegiate, and club rowing programs. This leads to many organizations storing boats and other equipment outside on racks in unenclosed areas surrounding their boathouses.

The Winsor & Belmont Hill Schools Cambridge Winsor & Belmont Hill Boathouse (2002)

BOSTON-CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS

Harvard University & Radcliffe College Cambridge/Boston Weld Boat House (Radcliffe) (1906) Newel Boat House (1900)

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Designed by Anmahian Winton Architects, the building earned Architect Magazine’s P/A Award for smart and progressive design, as well as earning the Chicago Antheum Museum of Architecture and Design’s The American Architecture Award for 2008. It uses geothermal heating units and special drainage areas so that the parking lots and runoff from the boathouse do not drain directly into the Charles River (221-224).

COMMUNITYarea. INC.

The private boats are stored in an adjacent building known as the Ruth B. Somerville Sculling Pavilion. With its shingled glass walls, the pavilion offers a glimpse at the rowing shells inside and serves as a billboard of sorts along a bike path (225). This building shows how a simple rowing storage building can still be something beautiful and not just a pole-barn. The coaching office in the main boathouse is an interesting idea for something to be included in a boathouse, as it provides locker and storage space as well as a meeting room. This would be beneficial in the Belle Isle Boathouse so that coaches can store equipment in a single spot, rather than being spread between the men’s and women’s locker rooms. This could also be a place where CoxBoxes and SpeedCoaches are charged and checked out by athletes, as CRI does with its main information desk

Community Rowing Inc. (CRI) in Brighton, Massachusetts serves between 2-5,000 athletes annually with junior and rec rowers. They share the Harry Parker Boathouse with Boston College, which is its own entity. The majority of the rowers here are recreational rowers, however they still maintain a large competitive team. Their state-of-the-art, 30,000 square foot boathouse features a main common room that also serves as the erg room with space for 60 rowing machines. They also have a weight room, locker rooms, single-user restrooms, administration offices, a coaching office, and classrooms.

ROWING,

Riverside Boat Club was organized in 1869 by a group of men who were mostly employed by Riverside Press. Their current boathouse opened in 1912 after losing their previous building to fire the year before (226). This structure’s first floor is mostly boat bays but also has the women’s locker room. The second floor has the “grand room,” which is used for workout and social space, some offices, and the men’s locker room. This locker room is in a way shoe-horned into a portion of the grand room, with a partition wall enclosing the locker room. In addition to being occupied by Riverside Boat Club, the site is also home to the crews of Boston College High School and Simmons College, who store their boats outside (227)

The oarlocks for the boats stored inside have a portion of a tennis ball attached to a bungee that goes over the oarlock’s top nut, helping to protect the hulls of passing boats as they are removed from the building. As with most of the Boston rowing clubs, boats that are stored outside are not fenced in like they would be in most other cities. To keep people off of the club’s floating docks, a drawbridge is raised when the crews are not using the boats that are stored outside and it is lowered when they need to access the

RIVERSIDEdock.BOAT

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The boat bay floors are of crushed stone in order to allow water to drain. One of the boat bays is leased to Cambridge Rindge and Latin School Rowing, which also stores boats outside.

Cambridge Boat Club was organized in April of 1909 with this boathouse opening soon after. The building was moved to its present site in 1947 and extensively renovated and expanded in 1999, allowing for an accessible main entrance, first floor toilet and shower facilities, additional boat storage, offices, and a library. The building is also used as the headquarters of the Head of the Charles Regatta (228). This boathouse is similar to the Belle Isle Boathouse in that it has larger social spaces than most rowing clubs of the period. It differs in that it still maximizes the amount of boat storage space on the first floor.

Also on the property is a small wood structure that provides additional boat storage and features an interesting design with a long window opening at the roof line to allow for natural light to illuminate the

Founded on March 6, 1838, the Narragansett Boat Club is the oldest rowing club in the United States, being 11 months older than the Detroit Boat Club. By the late 1890s, the club had grown into a large social boating organization, constructing a prominent boathouse and clubhouse in 1897 along the Seekonk where they hosted many social events. By the Great Depression, the club’s membership dwindled and the large boathouse was sold to Brown University. Narragansett constructed the much smaller, current boathouse in 1938. After the club was re-energized in the 1960s it continued to grow, forcing the need for a 55’ addition to the boathouse in 1992 in order to accommodate more boats. Today, the club has around 250 members (229), not including junior athletes who are not counted as members. The boathouse is a wood structure that sits on wood pilings over the river. Its boats are stored in an interesting manner, in that some are angled and tucked partially behind one another. Due to the boathouse’s smaller size, nearly the same amount of boats that are stored in the building are stored outside in a large fenced-in lot. The second floor has a large social room and restrooms. Outside, a tall and narrow shed with a sliding door protects additional sweep

PROVIDENCE,oars.RHODE ISLAND NARRAGANSETT BOAT CLUB SEEKONK RIVER 135

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Among the last, if not the only, 19th century wood boathouses of its type left in the United States is that of the Palisade Boat Club. Located along the Hudson River, straddling the borders of Yonkers and Hastings, New York, the club organized just following the Civil War in 1866 with the present boathouse opening in late 1869. It is constructed of timber beams that are locked together with wooden pegs. In 1910, it was moved just over 2 miles to its present site in order to make way for a railroad right of way. Today, it is accessed by a pedestrian bridge over the Metro-North Railroad Hudson Line that gives access to both the Palisade and its neighbor the Yonkers Yacht AlthoughClub.

founded as a rowing club, the Palisade discontinued rowing in the 1930s and is today home to a large number of kayak and canoing enthusiasts that store their boats inside as well as people who enjoy paddle boarding, jet skiing, sailing, and power boats. It has the honor of being the oldest known boathouse still occupied by its original club in the United States and the Palisade is the oldest boat club in the state of New York (230). The building has a single large boat bay on the first floor with a mens and womens rest room at the rear as well as a workshop. Upstairs is a main club room, enclosed sleeping porch, and exterior porch, as well as a men’s locker room and kitchen. After receiving some modifications over the years, the club has recently been working to restore the exterior to its original appearance (231). Many of the boat clubs of Detroit’s former boathouse district were arranged in a similar fashion to this building, with a long and narrow footprint. It was great to have the opportunity to get a glimpse at what the old Detroit boathouses may have been like YONKERS,inside. BOAT CLUB HUDSON RIVER

NEW YORK PALISADE

Top left: the reception room. Top right: kitchen Middle right: locker room. Bottom: the boat bay.

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On the second day of my 5 day boathouse trip, I showed up to the Palisade Boat Club in Yonkers, New York. The clubhouse’s address is along the road at the top of a steep hill, at the bottom of which are railroad tracks and on the other side of that is the boathouse. In order to access the boathouse, you must cross an old truss pedestrian bridge over the tracks. On the trail down the hill, there are signs that say “ATTENTION : PRIVATE PROPERTY. PLEASE DO NOT PROCEED BEYOND THIS POINT (but if you’re interested in becoming a member...we would LOVE to talk to you!)” After trespassing across the bridge, I met two members of the Palisade Boat Club, one of which was this man, named Ed. In exchange for helping to carry trash bags back across the bridge to the top of the hill, Ed allowed me to spend as much time as I wished exploring their boathouse and even invited me back to watch the game with them later that afternoon (which I had to decline due to my travel schedule). Ed is a retired mechanic for the Fire Department of New York and was a 9/11 first responder. He answered my questions about the boathouse as well as tell his story of what it was like being at Ground Zero in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks. Over the last 20 years, Ed and the other first responders have suffered countless health issues from breathing in the dust that drifted through the city after the attack. Besides having the opportunity to visit this rare historic boathouse, having the chance to talk to Ed about his experience was one of the highlights of my trip.

New York City was the birthplace of American rowing, with the first documented boat races taking place there and rowing clubs forming there (15). By the mid 19th century, a boathouse district known as Scullers Row had appeared along the Harlem River, with clubs such as the Atalanta, First Bohemian, Lone Star, Nonpareil, and the New York Athletic Club being stationed adjacent to one another along its banks. By 1937, New York City park commissioner Robert Moses had other ideas for the banks of the Harlem and began evicting the boat clubs. Unable to find new locations to row from, one by one these old clubs vanished, with the last of the boathouses burning in the 1970s (232).

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Today, a new boathouse sits near the former Scullers Row site: the Peter J. Sharp Boathouse. Designed by Armand LeGardeur in 2001, the boathouse was built by the New York Restoration Project as part of an effort to restore parks in the area. The group’s founder wished to provide an opportunity to local kids to be able to have access to the sport. Due to concerns of a boathouse structure harming the ecosystem on the shore, the building was constructed as a floating boathouse, rising and dropping 6’ daily with the tide (233-235). Since 2012, the boathouse has been managed by Row New York, and has been owned by the organization since 2017. Row New York is an organization that is able to give access to the sport of rowing to kids who would most likely not be able to with 84% of its athletes not having to pay anything to participate (236).

Over on the Hudson River, the crews of Columbia University utilize two neighboring structures. One, is the historic GouldRemmer Boathouse, which opened in 1895 and was moved to its current location in 1989. The other is essentially a modern version of the old, the 1929 Boathouse, which opened in 2001. The original boathouse could no longer support the rowing program so it was decided that a new structure be added. This building has three boat bays, an erg room, a weight room, and a meeting area. The old building is used as an administrative house for meetings. Only one room in the Gould-Remmer is mostly original to how it was in 1895 (237). The boathouses are nestled within the public green space of Muscota Marsh, which was opened to the public in 2014. The site has beautiful gardens of native plants, salt marsh, and freshwater wetlands, all of which helps improve water runoff quality (240). Green space such as this could be introduced to the Belle Isle Boathouse in order to help manage water on the grounds as well as well as help create a green ecosystem that is beautiful to look

UNIVERSITY NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK HUDSON RIVER, SPUYTEN DUYVIL CREEK, HARLEM RIVER

COLUMBIAat.

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Monmouth Boat Club

Although the club has around 250 members today, they will tell you that they are a drinking club with a rowing problem. To this extent, the main Oneida Boat Club operates mostly as a social club with a separate organization, the Delaware River Rowing Club, managing rowing operations. Still, the Oneida Boat Club sponsors scholarships every year to local high school students to give them the opportunity to row (245).

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While founded as a rowing club, the organization’s main focus since around WWI has been sailing, with rowing being reintroduced in the last few decades (241). The final New Jersey stop was at the Oneida Boat Club of Burlington. The Oneida was organized in 1873 with their current boathouse opening on New Years Eve, 1902 (242). The building is a wood structure, three and a half stories tall. The first floor had the boat bays, the second had lounge space, and the third featured a large combination of a locker room and gymnasium. While the Detroit Boat Club’s building also opened in 1902, it had all of the modern conveniences, including electric lighting. The Oneida’s boathouse was constructed similarly to how many 19th century boathouses were, with gas jets for lighting still visible in the building today (245).

On the way to Philadelphia, the boathouse of the Monmouth Boat Club in Red Bank, New Jersey was briefly visited. This club was founded in 1879 with their current boathouse opening 16 years later in 1895.

By the 1990s, boats were no longer stored within the walls of the historic structure (244). Instead, the club converted the former boat bays into their bar, with their boats being stored near by until a new boat storage building was constructed just behind the old building in 2014. The Delaware River Rowing Club was organized the following year (246).

RED BANK & BURLINGTON, NEW JERSEY MONMOUTH BOAT CLUB, ONEIDA BOAT CLUB NAVESINIK RIVER, DELAWARE RIVER

In the case of the Oneida, it is interesting to see how the boathouse of a typical 19th century rowing club would have looked inside, particularly the spaces on the building’s third floor which are nearly the same as they were 120 years ago. It is also interesting to see how this building has evolved to match the changing interests of the club. As it became more of a social organization, the building’s boat bays were converted into a bar while the boats are now stored in an adjacent structure. The new building offers protected boat and equipment storage, while being very bare bones with a dirt and gravel floor. At the same time, they are still able to enjoy the historic boathouse. This visit aids in figuring out how the Belle Isle Boathouse can be altered from its historic purpose while still maintaining its historic spaces.

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TOP: The combination gymnasium and men’s locker room at the Oneida Boat Club. Women are not allowed above the first floor of the

BOTTOM:clubhouse.The Jack A. McBride Boat House. Opened in 2014, the building stores the equipment for the rowing side of the club, the Delaware River Rowing Club.

MIDDLE: The Onedia’s bar which is located in the clubhouse’s former boat bays. The space was converted from boat storage to a bar between the 1970s and 1990s. As with most historic clubs, the walls are lined with historic club memorabilia including newspaper articles, the original club constitution, oars, plaques, and other items.

Other clubs, such as Penn AC, still struggle with creating equal PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA

The reason why Boathouse Row has 11 of the roughly 17 known remaining 19th century rowing boathouses in the United States, as well as the two oldest existing rowing boathouses, is because all of these structures were required to be constructed of stone or brick. In 1859, the city condemned the wooden boathouses that had hastily sprung up along the banks of the Schuylkill in what was to become Fairmount Park. The following year, they allowed for three new stone boathouses to be constructed, of which one and a half remain today, Philadelphia Girls’ and a portion of Fairmount, are the oldest in the US. A few small boathouses appeared not long after 1860 without approval of the commission but were ordered to be demolished in 1867. At that point, the commission required that any boathouse without “architectural adornment” be torn down. Only picturesque stone boathouses designed in the popular architectural styles space, as their weight room is within their men’s locker room. Their women’s locker room is only accessible by an exterior staircase and the weight room is only accessible if the men are not present. They are planning a renovation project within the next several years to address this concern. Due to the size constraints of these buildings, Penn’s boathouse after its renovation will be the only historic boathouse on the row that is ADA accessible, as none of the other buildings have elevators to get to the upper floors. As these buildings were built before the modern rowing machine was invented, they do not have dedicated erg spaces. Instead, many of their social rooms serve the dual purpose of being event space and indoor training space. These social spaces still serve as active rowing hang-out spaces, with rowers sticking around for a quick breakfast before they go to work or somewhere to do homework between classes. A common theme among the boathouses is their proud rowing history and heritage, with their walls lined with trophies, plaques, memorabilia, photos, and other items showing their long Despitehistories.thesize constraints of these historic structures, the clubs of Boathouse Row still produce some of the most competitive athletes in the United States. of their day would gain the commission’s approval. While nearly every other boathouse constructed in the United States during the 19th century was clad in wood, which is more susceptible to rot and fire, the Philadelphia boathouses were constructed of more durable stone. By the 1890s and 1900s, the commission became more lax and the newer brick boathouses of Bachelors Barge Club, Fairmount Rowing Association, and Sedgley Club were constructed at that time (247, 248).

Located just above the Fairmount Dam along the northern bank of the Schuylkill River, Philadelphia’s Boathouse row is home to the largest concentration of historic rowing clubs and boathouses in the United States. With 12 historic boathouses hosting not only their historic clubs: Bachelors (1853), University (1854), Undine (1856), Malta (1860), Pennsylvania (1861), Vesper (1865), Crescent (1867), Penn AC (1871), Penn (1872), Fairmount (1877), and Philadelphia Girls’ (1938), in addition to the Sedgeley Club (1897), but also serving separate high school and university rowing programs.

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Over the years, nearly all of the boathouses have received numerous additions and alterations to their original structures, the most recent being that of the University of Pennsylvania’s boathouse which is undergoing renovations that are to be completed in 2022. All of the boathouses store boats on the ground floor, with the upper floor (or floors) serving as locker, reception, dormitory, and gymnasium space. As the sport of rowing changed over the years, some spaces in these buildings have been altered in order to address new programming. The majority of these buildings had to work in women’s locker rooms when women were admitted to their rowing ranks beginning in the 1970s. Some, such as Undine, were able to wall off a portion of the men’s locker room to form this space in a way that makes it look as though it has been there all along in their historic building.

CRESCENT BOAT CLUB 5 BOATHOUSE ROW

Founded: 1871, 1922 Boathouse: 1873 Additions & Renovations: 1883, 1968, 1981 The current boathouse opened in 1873 and was expanded in 1883. In 1968, the utilitarian boat bay addition was added to the structure and in 1981 the second floor locker room addition was completed. This boathouse is expected to be renovated in the upcoming years to bring it up to date (259).

Founded: 1877 Boathouse: 1860, 1904 Additions & Renovations: 1875, 1945 Originally a double boathouse constructed by the defunct Pacific Barge Club in 1860. Quaker City Barge Club purchased the northern half in the mid1860s. Fairmount purchased the Pacific portion in 1881 and demolished it in 1904. Fairmount purchased the Quaker City portion in 1945 (249, 247).

PENN AC ROWING ASSOCIATION

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PENNSYLVANIA BARGE CLUB 4 BOATHOUSE ROW

Founded: 1872 Boathouse: 1874 Additions & Renovations: 1921 (demo. 2020), 1968, 2020-22. The rowing program of the University of Pennsylvania, the building’s middle portion was constructed in 1874 with a later extension. The building is currently being renovated with the 1921 addition being demolished and a new addition being built in its place to update the building’s facilities (256).

FAIRMOUNT ROWING ASSOCIATION

Founded: 1865, renamed as Vesper in 1870 Boathouse: 1873 Additions & Renovations: 1898, 1960s, 1995 Vesper built its double boathouse with Malta Boat Club in 1873. The second floor was added in 1898 with later additions and renovations taking place in the 1960s and in the 1990s. The latter renovation updated many spaces, including the locker rooms and social rooms (254, 247).

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Founded: 1867 Boathouse: 1868 Additions & Renovations: 1871, 1891, 1960s, 2012 Constructed as a double boathouse with Pennsylvania Barge Club. Tower was added in 1871. Current footprint is from the 1891 renovation which removed earlier ornamentation and replaced it with current scheme (251, 247).

Founded: 1861, Reorganized 2008 Boathouse: 1868-69 Additions & Renovations: 1871, 1912, 2009 Constructed as a double boathouses with Crescent Boat Club. Building was enlarged in 1871. Second floor was significantly altered in 1912 and a third floor was added. Club became defunct in 1955 and was reorganized in 2008. Building was renovated and updated in 2009 (250, 247).

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COLLEGE BOAT CLUB

Founded: 1856 Boathouse: 1882-83 Additions & Renovations: 1997-99 Designed by influential architect Frank Furness, Undine’s boathouse is probably the most original boathouse on the row. It retains most of its original features with the building being restored in the 1990s. Undine also maintains its upriver social clubhouse, the Castle Ringstetten, from 1875.

Founded: 1853 Boathouse: 1893-94 Additions & Renovations: In 1893, the club replaced their 1860 boathouse with the present structure. Despite some interior renovations, the majority of the building’s footprint remains the same. Bachelors is the oldest continuous rowing club in the United States. They also maintain their 1884 social clubhouse, the Button.

Founded: 1938 Boathouse: 1861 Additions & Renovations: 1930s, 1994, 1990s, 2010s, 2020s. Philadelphia Girls was organized in 1938 as a place for women to row when the male-only clubs barred them from joining. The building was constructed by the Philadelphia Skating Club and Humane Society in 1861. It is the oldest surviving complete rowing boathouse in the United States (261, 247).

BARGE CLUB 7 BOATHOUSE ROW

BACHELORS BARGE CLUB 6 BOATHOUSE ROW

Founded: 1854 Boathouse: 1871 Additions & Renovations: 1891, 1932 Originally a double boathouse that was shared with the Philadelphia Barge Club, the middle portion is original to 1871. It was significantly expanded in 1891. UBC purchased the Philadelphia Barge Club (8 Boathouse Row) portion in 1932 (253, UNIVERSITY247).

UNDINE BARGE CLUB 13 BOATHOUSE ROW

SEDGELEY CLUB 15 BOATHOUSE ROW

PHILADELPHIA GIRLS ROWING CLUB 14 BOATHOUSE ROW

Founded: 1897 Boathouse: 1902, 1887 Additions & Renovations: 1959, 2000s, 2010s, 2020s. The Sedgeley Club was founded as a women’s bike, barge, and canoe club in 1897. Today, the building serves mostly as a social and events facility. It was constructed around the Turtle Rock Lighthouse, which was constructed in 1887. The building has received several significant restorations recently.

MALTA(247).BOAT CLUB 9 BOATHOUSE ROW

Founded: 1860 Boathouse: 1873 Additions & Renovations: 1880, 1901 Malta purchased a boathouse that was located on this site in 1865. In 1873, they built the current double boathouse with Vesper Boat Club. The structure was expanded in 1880 and again in 1901, making it the tallest boathouse on the row

UNIVERSITY BARGE CLUB Kitchen Main sitting room, featuring Bruce the Moose and UBC history.

BACHELORS BARGE CLUB Main room, serving both as social and indoor workout space. Refrigerator and stove tucked away in a closet adjacent to bar.

FAIRMOUNT ROWING ASSOCIATION Bar. Each member gets their own mug with their name on it. John Carlin Room, which serves as social and erg space.

SOCIAL SPACES of BOATHOUSE ROW Besides being places to row, the boathouses also have intimate social rooms for members to relax and have fun.

Vesper bar sitting area. Vesper bar. A small kitchen is located in the room behind bar.

PENN AC ROWING ASSOCIATION Penn AC’s bar & social rooms A small kitchen adjacent to the main social room.

UNDINE BARGE CLUB Undine has a sitting room adjacent to a large porch. A small kitchen is tucked away behind the trophy case.

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VESPER BOAT CLUB

These spaces include sitting rooms, kitchens, and bars. Most of the large social rooms also double as indoor training space.

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Although the Detroit Boat Club aimed to build one of the most up-to-date boathouses in 1902, one area that could have been improved upon was the width of its boat bays. It seems the boat bays of the Belle Isle Boathouse were designed to have boats on one side of most bays. Today, there are double the amount of boats stored inside than there were 120 years ago.

In Philadelphia, these older boathouses were constructed with much wider bays, with the exception of Vesper and Malta whose bays are similar in width to the eights bay of the Belle Isle wide boat bays at Undine Barge Club.

Bottom: The narrow boat bays of Vesper Boat Club.

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At the Belle Isle Boathouse, if the boat room was increased to its original size it would allow for boats to be spaced out more, leading to less damage while getting boats out.

In addition to the tennis ball top-nut covers that were observed at Riverside Boat Club, Bachelors Barge Club had another method. Instead, some of their boats have a sleeve that fits over the oarlock that is made of old fire hose, keeping the fragile shells from getting dinged on the top nuts of the other Ifboats.devices such as these were created for the boats at the Belle Isle Boathouse, it could help lead to less damage to club boats while removing them from the building.

UNIVERSITY BARGE CLUB DISPLAYED at BOATHOUSE ROW

HISTORY

Among the better examples of a club displaying its history is found at University Barge Club. Their boathouse walls are plastered in photos, documents, newspapers, and plaques of not only UBC history but that of Philadelphia rowing, representing every era from the 19th Century until present. Each framed item is hand labeled describing what it is depicting and placing it in context, allowing visitors to learn about the club’s history. This would be a great project for the Belle Isle Boathouse to undertake to honor those who have rowed for the Detroit Boat Club Crew over the past 180 years.

Undine’s boathouse is among the better preserved buildings on the row, really giving a glimpse at what boathouses of the 19th century were like. Its trophy cases are packed with the silver cups won by the club over the past 160 years. The walls feature silk national championship banners, framed documents, and many plaques with photos from over the years set in between. As with University Barge Club, nothing is in a particular order. Instead, new plaques are mixed in with the old, representing the long and continuing lineage of Undine.

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For these reasons, no organization that was “simply” a rowing club has ever undertaken a restoration and renovation project on a boathouse or clubhouse like the Belle Isle Boathouse project would be. Historic boathouses have been restored or renovated or are under restoration or renovation currently, but none of these structures are over 25,000 square feet with most of it being dedicated to ballrooms, dining rooms, full-service kitchens, and other social rooms like at the Belle Isle Boathouse.

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RENOVATION PRECEDENTS

For this reason, precedents for the renovations and restorations of the historic homes of old rowing clubs that are similar to that of the Belle Isle Boathouse are hard to come by. Besides the ongoing stabilization and restoration projects of clubs such as those on Boathouse Row, the majority of these large-scale boathouse projects come from the Ivy League rowing teams. Particularly those of Columbia, Princeton, Penn, and Harvard. Columbia opted to build a new facility next door to their 1895 boathouse in 2001. Harvard is beginning to undertake large-scale renovations and restorations of Newell and Weld Boathouses in order to bring them up to date. Princeton and Penn redesigned and added onto their historic structures in order to increase their functionality. These were done when other universities, such as Yale, demolished their historic structures in favor of modern rowing facilities. In relation to the Belle Isle Boathouse, Temple University’s East Park Canoe House renovation is another project that can be looked at, as it is a brick and stucco boathouse that was saved after being condemned by the city, though it is a much smaller building. While none of these projects are exactly like what the Belle Isle Boathouse project will entail, they offer ideas of how other organizations have reimagined their historic boathouses so that they will continue to serve the needs of their future rowers.

The Belle Isle Boathouse is the only structure of its kind in the United States, if not the world. The Detroit Boat Club of 1902 was no longer just a rowing club, it was a full fledged social club, while also offering sailing and swimming. Most rowing clubs were simply rowing clubs, however most would still include a room or two for socialization, as seen in the Palisade Boat Club or at Boathouse Row. Most yacht, social, or athletic clubs that were at the scale of the DBC did not have a rowing team, or if they did it was hardly a main focus and their crews fizzled out over the years. Similar size rowing structures are found in Boston and Cambridge, with Harvard’s Newell and Weld Boathouses, as well as the Cambridge Boat Club. These three structures were all built in the same decade as the Belle Isle Boathouse, with Newell (1900), Weld (1906), and Cambridge (1909). While the size of these boathouses rival that of the Belle Isle Boathouse, they were all built as rowing boathouses with rowing largely remaining the main focus. The first floor of all three buildings are almost completely dedicated to shell storage space, whereas the DBC’s first floor was divided roughly as half boat bays and half locker room (prior to the addition). With the Harvard boathouses, the second floors were mostly locker rooms with a large clubroom space. Cambridge Boat Club divides its upper floors into social and locker room space as well, with additions to its social spaces being made during a large renovation in the late 1990s. None of these boathouses ever supported a social club of 1,000-1,500 members as the Belle Isle Boathouse did. The multiple offerings that the DBC provided besides rowing would place it among the ranks of the New York Athletic Club and other organizations of that nature, though its membership numbers paled in comparison. NYAC differs from the DBC in that it has separate buildings for most of its functions, with a rowing boathouse separate from its clubhouses and gymnasiums .

Original plans to Weld Boathouse show how even though this structure has a similar amount of floor space as the Belle Isle Boathouse, Weld was strictly for rowing and maximizes its space for this purpose.

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SHEA ROWING CENTER PRINCETON UNIVERSITY 157

In 1996, Princeton University’s historic Class of 1887 Boathouse, which opened on the banks of Lake Carnegie in 1913, was in desperate need of work. Finally, a call to action occurred when a large window came crashing to the ground during a meeting at the boathouse, causing Princeton’s rowing community to spring into action. For this project, their goals for the boathouse “1.were:The project would be done right for the future of Princeton 2.rowing.Theboathouse would be returned to its former splendor; and 3. Equitable facilities would be built for all the men’s and women’s crews that comprise Princeton rowing.” Princeton alumni Jeff Peterson of the firm Architectural Resources Cambridge was tapped for the project. Similar to how the Belle Isle Boathouse is the first major building people see coming over the Belle Isle Bridge, Princeton’s boathouse is the first beacon welcoming people to Princeton’s campus as they cross the Washington Road Bridge. For this reason, the iconic exterior of the building was to be maintained while the 20,000 square foot interior was redesigned in order to better serve modern collegiate rowing. Also similar to the Belle Isle Boathouse, new spaces had been crammed into the old building, creating a confusing maze of spaces that needed to go. It was decided that the entrance be moved to the tower with racing shells continuing to be stored on the first floor. The upper floor features matching mens and women’s locker rooms as well as a large club room. A 15,000 square-foot addition, the Prentke Training Center, was added to the complex, with new training facilities including a rowing tank, additional boat bays, coaching offices, and four training rooms. The new complex was dedicated in 2000 as the Shea Rowing Center (266-269).

SIZE: Original Building: 20,000 sq ft, Addition: 15,000sqft COST: $6 million ($10.3 million in 2022 when adjusted for inflation)

FIRST FLOOR 1. Entry 5. Repair Bay 2. Stair 6. Boat Bay 3. Hall 7. Tank Room 4. 1.SECONDMechanicalFLOORLanding 8. Gallery 2. Stair 9. Club Room 3. Living Room 10. Sikes Room 4. Bedroom 11. Workout 5. Lockers 12. Weights 6. Showers 13. Office 7. Toilet 158

COLLEGEmillion BOAT

4. Bolster

MADEIRA SHELL HOUSE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA May ProposedOctober20212021Project159

The University of Pennsylvania’s College Boat Club started its life in 1874 as a single bay boathouse with a second floor social and locker space. In 1920, two additional bays were added onto the south side of the building with a second floor added around 1930 to house the growing team. In 1980, an additional boat bay and second floor was added to the north side of the building for the women’s team. In 2020, it was decided that the boathouse should be redesigned in order to help grow Penn’s program, with the project expected to be completed in 2022. for the project were: Rowing. usable space. overall functionality. recruitment. Expand and upgrade locker rooms. Remediate existing structural concerns. Improve training and team spaces. Preserve a historic landmark. The project is designed by Ewing Cole. As the site is restricted by the Vesper and Penn AC property lines on either side of the building, the second floor would need to be reconfigured the most in order to increase usable space. The new design would restore many missing elements from the original 1874 structure with the new additions being more harmonious with the structure as a whole. As the 1920 addition would not be able to support a new second floor, it was demolished and a new structure built in its place. The new second floor will be at a consistent level, rather than being at different heights as it once was. The newly designed structure accentuates the original building’s features and redesigns the newer additions to be more harmonious in the historic district. Among the interesting ideas of the project is opening the entire original portion of the building’s second floor to be a large “grand hall,” rather than keeping it as mostly the men’s locker room as it was previously.

Goals

1. Showcase Penn

2. Increase

While the boathouse is being renovated, the Penn rowing teams utilized a large quonset hut tent-structure on the opposite side of the river (255-258).

3. Improve

SIZE: Current Structure: 10,552 sq ft, Proposed: 13,034 sq ft COST: $13.5 CLUB

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Constructed as a public canoe shelter in 1914, the East Park Canoe House has been leased to the rowing crews of Temple University by the city of Philadelphia since 1967. By January 2008 however, the condition of the building was so poor that the city was forced to condemn it, leaving Temple’s rowing program using a quonset hut tent structure. This was the first of a number of hurdles thrown in the way of the Temple crew. At that point, the old structure was headed for demolition with a new, 23,000 square foot boathouse proposed to replace it.

Five years later, Temple’s president announced that the rowing program would be among several sports to be cut due to budget reasons. At that point it looked as though both the crew and the boathouse were destined to disappear forever. Then, a Temple board member stepped up and donated $3 million towards renovating the East Park Canoe House. Despite never rowing nor having grown up in Philadelphia, Gerry Lenfest stated “I couldn’t believe that Temple, the city’s principal university, with the most graduates, couldn’t have a place on the Schuylkill. The sport is so germane to the city.” The city of Philadelphia chipped in an additional $2.5 million to finish the project. Ground was broken in mid-2015 and the structure was rededicated in March of 2017, just over 8 years after the crew was forced to move out (270-282). Its brick walls were repaired and rebuilt, the wood trusses and framing replaced, and the red roof tiles were replaced with new ones sourced from the original manufacturer. Nearly all of the structure’s original doors and windows remained so they were also restored and reused in the building. The interior was redesigned to be closer to its original layout. Flood vents were installed in the building’s interior walls and the floor is constructed of 5’x5’ concrete slabs with open joints to allow water to escape in predicted future flooding events.

EAST PARK CANOE HOUSE

The project won a Grand Jury Award from the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia for the meticulous restoration work that was completed (280) This is one of two other known rowing clubs in the United States that is designed in a similar style to the Belle Isle Boathouse.

TOP: The canoe house in October of 2021. BOTTOM: The canoe house after it was condemned in 2008.

Temple University

161

SIZE: 7,000 sq ft COST: $5.5 million

It is unrealistic for the rowers of Friends of Detroit Rowing to be able to support a building of this size on their own with how large the program currently is. If they were to share the building with other organizations that support other forms of boating, it could become an aquatic center, providing a much needed public gateway to the Detroit River. This would help increase awareness for the building, public access to the structure, help keep this large building fully programmed, and provide opportunities for Detroiters to get out and enjoy one of the city’s largest public assets: the Detroit River. The boathouse is the perfect location for an aquatic center in Detroit for multiple reasons. Belle Isle’s northern shore offers the most protection for recreational boats than anywhere else on the Detroit River. The majority of the river is lined with hard breakwall surfaces, constructed of concrete and steel. When powerboats or freighters pass by, their wake bounces off these hard surfaces, which makes the water rougher and more dangerous for non-powered boats.

Currently,location. public boating rentals, such as kayaks and canoes, are located at the Flynn Pavilion on the island and near the Detroit Yacht Club. While these give access to the island’s canal and lake system, the Belle Isle Boathouse could provide access to the Detroit River itself, something that is currently lacking on the island. It is really the only building that could be suited for this, as it is one of a handful of buildings that is located along the island’s shoreline rather than being inland. OF THE BELLE ISLE BOATHOUSE - a proposal

164

While visiting other cities, particularly Boston and Philadelphia, it was noticed that their waterfronts are much more active than Detroit’s and there are more public access points to get onto the river than what Detroit has. While over 63% of Detroit’s shoreline is publicly accessible, either with parks or the riverwalk, these places really only allow for people to look out at the water, but there are still very few places to actually get out onto the river.

Belle Isle’s northern channel between the island and Detroit has the majority of the river’s soft shorelines, either being lined by natural shore or riprap breakwalls. The northern channel is also a no wake zone, meaning powerboats are required to slow down, providing further safety to non-powered boats. Due to the width of the river, the waterway has little protection from wind. Belle Isle offers access to water that is protected from the wind no matter the direction and it can be found typically within a half mile of the boathouse.

FUTURE

All of these factors makes Belle Isle’s northern shore the most optimal place for a public boating facility. The boathouse sits on the best location in this recreational boating sweet spot, as it is adjacent to the Douglas MacArthur Bridge. This makes it easily accessible whether people are walking, biking, or driving to the boathouse. It is also one of the first buildings that visitors to the island see as they come over the bridge and it is the last one everyone passes when they leave, making it a highly visible

DETROIT, MICHIGAN

1401 Broadway St. (10 min., 4 miles)

SOFT SHORELINE

SCOTT MIDDLE GROUND

themarkbikeWithnorthernthatbuildingTheWHYboathouseeveryoneitride,ofopportunity

GATEWAY

Brennan Pools, Rouge Park Outdoor Pools

The majority of the shorelines along the northern channel of the Detroit River are soft shorelines, where the shore is either natural or of riprap. The majority of Detroitʼs shoreline below the Belle Isle Bridge is hard shore line, comprised of concrete or steel seawalls. Hard shorelines are more dangerous for unpowered boats because any wake from power boats gets bounced off these seawalls, creating rough water. Belle Isleʼs northern shore offers access to the majority of the cityʼs soft shorelines, creating a safer environment.

151617

PLACES TO SWIM

One of the main hurdles for people to join an aquatic sport is not knowing how to swim. According to the Boll Family YMCA Downtown, 7/10 Detroit children do not know how to swim. The Detroit Aquatic Center could team up with these swimming locations and organizations across the city to help teach those who need swimming lessons, opening the door to Detroiters to be able to get out and enjoy the Detroit River.

Belle Isle Beach, Belle Isle Detroit River Riverbank Dr. (2 min., 1 mile)

A accessoutDetroitʼsTheover this 165

gateway

Brennan Pool Dr. (25 min., 18 miles)

POOLSSWIMMINGINDOORYMCA

Boll Family YMCA Downtown Detroit (Detroit Swims)

SWIMMINGOUTDOOR

The Detroit River is one of Detroitʼs greatest public assets. Over 63% of Detroitʼs shoreline is publicly accessible, offering places for people to look out over the river. However, there are very few places for the public to gain access to get out onto the river itself. The Belle Isle Boathouse can serve as this gateway to get people out onto the Detroit River.

Public launching area Private launching area Planned launching area Place where you can get close to the water 166

A GATEWAY

riprap.DetroitThe hardboatsareshoremoregetsnortherncreatinga

WHY THE BELLE ISLE BOATHOUSE?

The boathouse sits in a very prominent location on Belle Isle. It is the first building that anyone coming onto the island sees and it is the last building that everyone passes on their way off the island. It is located along the northern shore of Belle Isle, which is the most protected stretch of river. With it being in close proximety to the bridge, it allows for a shorter walk, bike ride, and or drive from the mainland to the building. The halfway mark of the new Ironbelle Trail is right in front of the boathouse, opening the opportunity for the building to serve as a rest area on the trail. TO THE DETROIT RIVER

EAST WIND SOUTH WIND NORTH WIND river. No that has some and safer to 167

Blvd. (13 min., 6 miles)EAST WIND SOUTH WIND NORTH WIND river. No that has some and safer to 168

The accessoutDetroitʼsDetroitover this gateway 169

themarkbikeWithnorthernthatbuildingTheWHYboathouseeveryoneitride,ofopportunityAGATEWAY

NO WAKE ZONE SHALLOW WATER WINDSOR, ONTARIO DETROIT, MICHIGAN BELLE ISLE PARK SCOTT MIDDLE GROUND LIVINGSTON CHANNEL

PROTECTED WATER

The northern shore of Belle Isle offers the most protection to unpowered boats on the Detroit River. This location is a no wake zone, meaning power boats must travel at a reduced speed. For over a half mile from the boathouse upstream there is shallow water that stretches 700ʼ from shore, slowing the river current and creating a safe space for rowing shells, kayaks, and other small boats to travel. The north channel also offers protection from wind in nearly every direction, whereas anywhere else on the river is particularly affected by southwest wind which blows directly up the river.

SOFT SHORELINE

the riprap.DetroitThe hardboatsareshoremoregetsnortherncreatinga

(Detroit OutdoorSwims)PoolsDetroitRiver

A GATEWAY TO THE DETROIT RIVER

170

EAST WIND WIND PROTECTION Belle Isle provides the most protection from wind than anywhere else on the river. No matter the direction, there is typically a spot in the vacinity around Belle Isle that has some proection from wind. Lack of wind makes the water flater, and therefore easier and safer to row on.

WHY THE BELLE ISLE BOATHOUSE?

PROPOSED SITE 171

The fence surrounding the parking lot would be removed and replaced by a garden, which would improve appearances of the site. These gardens would be similar to those found in the park surrounding Columbia University’s boathouses.

If the building is to become the home of a growing aquatic center, it will need an extra boat storage facility. This building would be two bays to start, which would be capable of holding all of the boats that are currently stored in the main boat bays. This would provide a storage space while the western portion of the building is being restored. Once that project is complete, most, if not all the boats could be moved back into the boathouse. The new boat storage building would still have room for all of the other boats that are not stored in the boat bays, as well as room for additional equipment. In the future, additional bays could be added for uses such as space for Wayne State’s rowing team or for kayaking and other small boats. The optimal site for this building would be at the western end of the club’s parking lot. By locating the building here, it allows the main boathouse and the boat storage building to work together as a campus. If the new building were to be located at the eastern edge of the parking lot, it would be separated from the main boathouse which could lead to wasted time at practice with people running back and forth between the two buildings. The parking spaces would be reconfigured so that a walkway can be constructed along the seawall, which could link up to the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Trail that was recently constructed. A new floating dock would be located along the seawall. By having the dock parallel to the seawall rather than perpendicular to it, this would allow for the current sailing docks to remain in place as well as make it easier to dock with the strong current. A new access bridge would be constructed to allow for larger construction equipment to enter the island. An additional dock would extend off this new bridge so that kayaks and other small boats could launch here. Trailers would continue to be stored at the east end of the parking lot.

The rowing docks at the island’s west end would be altered by having a single large ramp to access the docks. This would allow boats from any boat bay to access any available dock, rather than everyone getting bunched up trying to get onto the middle dock because turning boats to go to the other two are a pain. The Ontario Dock would be removed to provide for a larger, protected learn-to-row basin that has less obstacles. For the sailing center, the main T-dock and east dock would be restored to increase the capacity of boats moored on site. The T-dock would also allow for some protection from boat wake and wind for small boats. Outside of the back hallway, there would be racks for kayak owners to store their boats on site.

Rather than demolishing the pools and pool deck and paying to have all of the concrete removed, this proposal would demolish the pool deck, using the concrete to form part of a new rip rap breakwall that would be constructed around the existing steel breakwall. A new walking surface would be constructed on the original structure, as this seems to be in good shape. The pools would be converted into a large rain garden and retention pond system which would help control the ground water levels on the island and under the building. Additional rain gardens would be planted at points around the island in order to help control the wetness of the usable grounds. By using native plants in these rain gardens, their deep root systems would help soak up excess water, unlike grass which has shallow root systems 283-285).

Over the last two years, the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Trail has been under construction around Belle Isle’s perimeter. It is part of Michigan’s Iron Belle Trail system that runs from Belle Isle to Ironwood in the Upper Peninsula, the longest designated state trail in the United States. With the trail head is at the head of Belle Isle, the boathouse is located at the 2.5 mile mark, about halfway around the island. The boathouse can serve as a stopping point on the trail, with its restroom and locker facilities as well as the potential refreshment businesses and information center. The parking lot also allows for a large event staging area for runs and biking events. All of these uses will help keep the site programmed, bringing in additional people and added income for the building.

FUTURE-PLANSITE building.onworktoislandtoaccessvehicleforAllowBRIDGENEW NEWBRIDGE LAUNCHKAYAKPUBLICROWING/SMALLBOATFLOATINGDOCK AREALAUNCHROWINGENLARGEDBASINLEARN-TO-SAILBASINLEARN-TO-ROW SHELLBAND FLOORDANCE LAWNCONCERT GARDENRAINPOOLOLYMPICPOND STORAGEKAYAK RACKSBIKE RD.RIVERBANK RD.RIVERBANK PICNICWAY WAYPICNICE. EXPANSIONFUTUREHOUSESHELLNEW BAYKAYAK STATE-WAYNE BAYUNIVERSITY RESTORED1926BRIDGE BREAKWALLRIPRAP SAIL HOUSE DOCKERIE DOCKLYONS DOCKHURON CENTERSAILINGCOMMUNITYDETROIT AREALAUNCHINGBOATSMALL CREWCLUBBOATDETROIT BREAKWALLRIPRAP LAWNEAST PUBLIC RESTROOMS KAYAK RENTAL WORK SHOP RIVERWALK RIVERWALK RIVERWALK LOTPARKING FENCEREPLACETOGARDENS CONNECTIONTOIRONBELLETRAIL RIVERWALKRIVERWALK INFORMATION 1926RESTORED BREAKWALLTORIVERDETROITTOBRIDGEBEACH & DETROIT YACHT CLUB PARKISLEBELLE DETROITTO HARBORLINE SHORELINEISLEBELLEORIGINAL N 100’50’40’30’20’10’PARKINGTRAILER STORAGEBOAT& TRAILIRONBELLE TRAILIRONBELLE * 172

RIGHT TOP: A section of the Olympic pool rain garden and site. BOTTOM LEFT: Rain garden near Columbia University’s BOTTOMboathouses.RIGHT: Root depths of native plants compared to grass.

3 RIVERSIDE FACADE PRIORITY OF ATTENTION 3. SEGMENT 1 PORCH FACADE THE OTHER FACES ARE OF THE SAME CONDITION 1’ RIPRAP BREAKWALL RECORD WATER LOW AVERAGE WATER LEVEL RECORD WATER HIGH 174

LEFT: A rendering of the Olympic pool rain garden.

1234 RIVERSIDE FACADE PRIORITY OF ATTENTION WORST: SEGMENT 4, OAK ROOM PORCH 2. SEGMENT 3 FACADE 3. SEGMENT 1 PORCH FACADE THE OTHER FACES ARE OF THE SAME CONDITION 1’ 1914

The building’s facade has been divided into 4 segments in order to aid in the order of what work is more urgent.

175

Due to Belle Isle’s placement on the National Historic Register, the exterior of the boathouse must be restored back to a period of significance. For this, the period of 1914-1930s was chosen as all of the major additions to the building were completed by this time. Most of the windows and doors that were installed in the 1950s and 1960s are literally falling off the building due to decay while the building’s remaining original doors and windows remain in surprisingly good shape for their age.

More photos of the building’s exterior exist than photos of the interior to aid in recreating elevations for how the building looked at different points in its life, however after close inspections of several photos, certain smaller changes were noticed within a short amount of time, including window sizes and additional doors.

176

Taking what was learned about the building’s construction, later additions to the first floor were removed, bringing the plan back to its load bearing walls. The goals that guided this design were:-Increased boating and athletic space. -Increased public access. -Efficient use of the building’s space. -Better connection between the building and the river.

Beginning with the first floor, the front hallway was studied as the starting point for this project. This space could serve as a way to keep the building regularly accessible to the public by transforming it into an initial welcome space to the boathouse. This would allow people to walk into the building at any time and learn something about rowing, the building, and Belle Isle, while keeping the rest of the building secured. As this hallway was originally a porch, the cinder block walls that currently enclose the space would be replaced by large glass garagestyle doors. This would allow for airflow in the summer while still allowing the room to be occupiable during the winter. In what is now the rigger storage room, this space could become a coaches office similar to that found at Community Rowing Inc. This would be beneficial to the rowers as it would provide a unisex space where coaches can store equipment such as megaphones, CoxBoxes, SpeedCoaches, bow lights, launch keys, and other items. Currently, most coaches store their equipment in several lockers in the locker rooms, which makes it not accessible to a coach of the opposite gender. Other equipment is currently stored in other portions of the building or brought home by coaches. By creating a single space for these items, it would be easier to keep track of equipment. The office could also be a space for the coaches to meet with parents or athletes, as well as people who are interested in rowing or the other programs at the boathouse. The location of

a since-removed original window would be reopened to allow natural light into this room. As the building would serve as a public athletic center, restrooms that are easy to access are needed and should open off of this front hallway. Based on what was learned at West Side Rowing Club and Community Rowing Inc, the current Belle Isle Boathouse locker rooms are way larger than they need to be. If organizations that have 600-5,000 athletes have locker rooms that are not that large, the ones at the Belle Isle Boathouse can be shrunk to free up floor space. Both the men’s and women’s locker rooms in this design were shrunk down, sharing the space where the men’s locker room is now located. In what is now the Ziemba weight room, this space would be cut in half to create the men’s and women’s restrooms. They would be centered on two large existing archways that are in the northern brick wall. Where the men’s locker space currently is would be split into the new men’s and women’s locker rooms. Where the men’s restroom and showers are currently would be divided into new shower facilities. The unused pool filtration room on the building’s north side, formerly a porch, would be repurposed partially into a hallway for the locker rooms and partially returned to being a porch. Moving the restrooms to the front of the building, rather than leaving them in their current locations, would make them easier to find. Since much of the first floor plumbing will eventually need to be replaced, this new location would shorten the distance that the new pipes would have to run, making it less expensive due to less materials being used and less foundation walls that the pipes would need to run through. The size of these facilities are similar to those found at West Side Rowing Club. The men’s wash room, the portion of the restroom where the sinks are located, has two arched doorways in this space that are not visible due to the drop ceiling. In this proposal, the space would be converted to have smaller lockers for people to lock up phones and other small items before going out on the water.

PROPOSED FIRST FLOOR 177

With the women’s locker room moved, this would reopen the last 1/3 of the building’s original boat room, including the currently-enclosed fifth rowing bay. This would allow for either the boats that are currently in the bays to be spaced out more by allowing for boats to only be on one half of each bay or it would allow for more boats in the current configuration. If the boat repair shop were moved to the north side of the space, the bump out on that side would allow for more space to work in the shop. The wall that separates the boat bay from the hallway would be replaced with glass, allowing the boats to be secured but also allowing for visitors to the building to be able to see the boats. This would also allow for more light to pass through to the hallway. On the eastern end of this floor, the hallway to the main locker room would be larger, allowing for some weight machines to be placed along one wall. Part of what was once the men’s shower room would be opened up to the main weight room through a arched opening that has been bricked in since 1914. This would allow for a larger and more cohesive weight room facility. Along the back hallway, the original porch openings would have glass garage doors similar to those along the front hallway space. The three rooms along this hall would be rentable space for tenants. This could include a refreshment stand, boat rental offices, or a pop up store space. The work shop would be moved to where the old refrigerators currently are so that the spaces with windows could be used for the rentable space. Other improvements to this floor would include reopening original window and door openings that would allow for more natural light and ventilation to occur. This would help reconnect this floor to the outdoors rather than being the dark space that it currently is. By making these changes, the first floor would be a more welcoming and cohesive space for athletes and visitors.

KAYAK STORAGE BIKE RACKS EAST LAWN MEN’S RESTROOM RESTOREDBREAKWALL1926 WOMEN’S RESTROOM MEN’S LOCKER ROOM WOMEN’S LOCKER ROOM MEN’S SHOWERS WOMEN’S SHOWERS RIVERSIDE PORCH BOAT REPAIR SHOP KENNETH L. BLUE BOAT ROOM BAY 1 BAY BAYBAY234BAY5BAY6 BOILER ROOM COACHING OFFICE ISLAND-SIDE PORCH ELECTRICAL ROOMSTORAGE EQUIPMENTSTORAGE WEIGHT ROOM WEIGHT ROOM WEIGHT ROOM SITTING AREA WORKSHOP RENTALKAYAK RAIN GARDEN RAIN GARDEN RAIN GARDEN RAIN GARDEN RAIN GARDENRAIN GARDEN RAIN GARDENRAIN GARDENRAIN GARDEN RIPRAP BREAKWALL VESTIBULESTAIRWAY TO MAIN RECEPTIONHALL FORMALTODININGROOM ELEVATOR SMALL LOCKER ROOMUP UP UPUP UP STORAGE RAIN GARDEN RAIN GARDEN RAIN GARDEN STORAGE OR OFFICE

The main dining room would be restored closer to its 1930s appearance, as restoring it to its 1902 appearance would involve replicating the original wall paneling and plasterwork and removing the commodore’s bar, as half of that space was originally part of the dining room. If that was reclaimed as part of the dining room, it would add an extra bay to the dining area that would create a larger room, giving more options for athletic space. The bar could be moved to the other half of the current commodore’s bar room, however this would remove the seating area.

Other major projects would involve rebuilding the porch structures, reconstructing the west porch wall and third floor porch, the replication of the building’s original iron balconies, and new exterior staircases to the pool deck and third floor porch.

The second floor has the majority of the building’s historic interior spaces, in particular the ballroom, reception hall, dining room, and oak room. While these spaces have those formal titles, the ballroom does not have to be a place for dancing and the dining room doesn’t have to be a place for eating. These spaces can become workout spaces, art galleries, a pop up restaurant, classrooms, yoga studio, erg rooms, and event spaces.

PROPOSED SECOND FLOOR 179

The ballroom and reception hall would be restored closer to their 1902-1920s appearances, as these are the only two rooms in the building that are still mostly in their original configurations. In the ballroom, this would include repairing and painting the walls, restoring the original windows and doors to working order, replicating the original light fixtures, and potentially restoring the ceiling to its 1902 blue and white scheme. The reception room would have a new oak floor installed, missing light fixtures replicated, restoring the original French door entrances, and replicating the sinceremoved bench seating in the south lobby space.

The reception hall would serve as the main access hub of the building, allowing for different events to take place in various parts of the building simultaneously. The kitchen would become a cooking classroom and pop-up restaurant space. As a full-time restaurant would most likely not be successful, a popup restaurant space would allow for different restaurants to experiment in this unique space, which would create interest in eating there as there would be different restaurants depending on the year. A cooking classroom would give use to this space if it is not being used for a pop-up restaurant. The men’s restroom would be expanded to help serve the extra use the building would be getting, as well as making it more accessible.

SECOND FLOOR - FUTURE N 5’ 10’ 30’ 40’ 50’ Pop-upBALLROOMrestaurantsWorkoutspaceClassroomspaceEventSpaceExhibitionSpace 20’ THIRD FLOOR - FUTURE N 5’ 10’ 30’ 40’ 50’20’ RECEPTIONLOBBY HALL Central core of building COMMODORE’S BAR DINING ROOM Pop-up STORAGEExhibitionClassroomWorkoutrestaurantsspacespaceEventSpaceSpaceCIGAR COUNTER Place to sell items CHECKCOAT WOMEN’S RESTROOM MEN’S RESTROOM PORCH DINING BALCONY RECONSTRUCTEDBALCONY BALCONYOARSMEN’SRECONSTRUCTED THIRDTOFLOOR UP UP DN BOATTOROOM UP TO FLOORTHIRD PORCH PORCH REBUILT DININGPop-upOAKPORCHROOMrestaurantsWorkoutspaceClassroomspaceEventSpaceExhibitionSpaceREBUILTPORCH WOMEN’S SITTING ROOM POWDERROOM RESTOREDPORCHELEVATOR POP-UP KITCHEN / COOKING CLASSROOM UP THIRDTOFLOOR DN FIRSTTOFLOOR 180

BALLROOM181

RECEPTION HALL 182

DINING ROOM183

OAK ROOM 184

In order to create this space, the current mens and womens restrooms would be removed along with the engineers apartment that has only been used for storage over the last 30 years. The room where an ice machine was located for the bar would be converted into a new single-user restroom.

PROPOSED THIRD FLOOR 185

By having these dedicated indoor training spaces (the weight room on the first floor and the erg room on the third), this would allow for people to use the building both as an athletic center and a place for event rentals simultaneously without having to sacrifice the athletic side if there is an event rental. It would benefit athletes, especially those that have to train around strange work or school schedules, by allowing them to come to the boathouse on their own time to practice. Rather than them getting a gym membership somewhere else, they would be keeping their money at the boathouse. This also opens the door to additional income from people who aren’t interested in getting out on the water but would be interested in using the indoor training rooms in this unique location to workout, similar to what the Foundry offers.

The western portion of the third floor would remain relatively the same to how it is used currently, with historic details being restored or reconstructed. The tower staircase would again allow access to a reconstructed roof garden and deck area.

After visiting the boathouses of Philadelphia’s Boathouse Row, a feature that made their boathouses feel more like a home was their lounge spaces that allowed the rowers to hang out after practice. Most of their rowers have key fobs or keys to access to their buildings at most hours, allowing them to use the space to study, do homework, or prepare quick meals. A space that is dedicated to this purpose should be included in the Belle Isle Boathouse, and it should be a space accessible to athletes even if other rooms in the building are being rented out. The proposed location for a space like this in the Belle Isle Boathouse is the island room, as it is adjacent to the erg room, back staircase, and the president’s bar. This room would have a kitchenette, with a stove, sink, and refrigerator. This would allow for athletes to make meals after practice before heading to work or school or be the beginning of a new tradition of the team having post-practice breakfast together at the boathouse on Saturday mornings. The room would also have tables and a lounge area. Since it is adjacent to the bar, the two rooms could work together and hold more people for larger get-togethers.

The hallway would be slightly wider than it is now and would connect the island room, elevator, back staircase, and bar, creating a more simple U-shape. Within the new erg room, the window openings would be restored to their 1914 appearances.

The renovated eastern addition to the third floor would provide for a new, cohesive and dedicated indoor training space. Even if the western portion of the building was being used for events, this room could fit nearly 40 ergs on its main floor, about as many as can fit in the ballroom. Currently, the Women’s City Club room and river room only allow for 25 ergs split between them. This portion of the building has some of the more inefficient uses of space on the upper floors, with odd closets, hallways, and underused rooms.

The current Pewabic tile fireplace surround in the Women’s City Club room would be removed and relocated elsewhere. There is a suspected enclosed fireplace in this room that could be opened up instead. A complaint about working out in this area is the low ceiling, which makes the space feel stuffy compared to the ballroom. In order to make the space feel less enclosed, the majority of the attic floor above would be removed, allowing for the space to stretch up to the roof structure. A portion of the attic floor over the hallway and restroom would remain as a loft with another portion serving as a sort of catwalk that would extend to the east between the columns. This new elevated area could be used as additional workout space, a hangout space, or a meeting space, as well as somewhere for coaches to oversee the athletes.

BRIDGETO &BEACHTOCLUBYACHTDETROIT TO DETROIT THIRD FLOOR - FUTURE N 5’ 10’ 30’ 40’ 50’20’ DINING BALCONY RECONSTRUCTEDBALCONY REBUILT DINING PORCH BOARDPORCHROOM BALLROOMBELOW BALCONY MAIN RECEPTION HALL BELOW RESTROOM PRESIDENT’S BAR KITCHENETTE SITTING AREA OFFICE -WorkoutLOUNGEspace-Eventspace TOWER UP TO ROOF GARDEN OBSERVATION&DECK UP DN RECEPTIONTOHALL DNTOFLOORSECONDPORCH REBUILT RECONSTRUCTED PERGOLA INDOORENLARGEDTRAININGROOMRESTROOMELEVATORUP LOFTTO DN KITCHENTO ATHLETE LOUNGE A place HangMakeRelaxto:amealoutwithfriendsDohomeworkRead 186

building to be redesigned in order to maximize boat storage space, increase efficient indoor training spaces, and open it up for regular public access, all while still preserving its historic character. By renovating and restoring the boathouse over building to be redesigned in order to maximize boat storage space, increase efficient indoor training spaces, and open it up for regular public access, all while still preserving its historic character. By renovating and restoring the boathouse over time, it would be more feasible for Friends of Detroit Rowing to accomplish this task. A separate organization, similar to the Detroit Yacht Club Foundation which was founded in 2011 as a public charity that focuses its resources on preserving and restoring the DYC clubhouse, should be created to help work towards this. Friends of Detroit Rowing would then be relieved from the burden of working out how the boathouse will be restored and be allowed to instead focus on its mission of promoting the growth of rowing. By partnering with other organizations and businesses that would share the building, it would allow for the site to be fully programmed, sharing the cost of building maintenance while increasing awareness for the site by allowing more people to have access to it. Although it may be easier and less expensive for Friends of Detroit Rowing to simply move out of the building into a new pole-barn structure permanently, it is important for them to stick by their historic landmark boathouse. As of 2021, it became the last historic rowing structure on the Detroit River when the former boathouse of Ecorse Rowing Club was demolished. It is important to not let the Belle Isle Boathouse fall to the same fate. A restored Belle Isle Boathouse would be something that not only this generation of rowers could be proud of, but future rowers as well, in addition to many more people who would be able to access the Detroit River through the doors of this significant historic landmark.

CONCLUSION 187 Anyone can feel the history when they walk through the boathouse doors. Nearly every single national champion that the Detroit Boat Club Crew has ever produced has walked the same floors, taken boats out of the same boat bays, and hung their plaques on its walls to inspire the next generation. People who have rowed for multiple clubs and only competed for the DBCC for a season will often say they miss rowing out of the old boathouse. Its a different experience rowing in Detroit and this building is part of it. This boathouse has served the Detroit Boat Club Crew for 120 of its 183 years, the longest of any of the club’s previous buildings. The boathouse has provided a home to its rowers, through good and bad times. Its first Olympian trained from here in 1904. Its where two eight-oared shells were dedicated honoring two of the club’s oarsmen who did not return home from World War I. Its rowers posed in front of the same bay doors the rowers use today with the Hanlan Trophy in 1930, marking the club’s first senior heavyweight eight victory. They won this trophy again two years later, just before their coach was informed he was being let go as the club could no longer afford to pay his salary due to the depression. Its next generation of Olympians trained from here in 1940, before the games were canceled and they served in World War II instead. The first high school crews were created to take their place, earning the club its first National Championship points victory in 1946. The club was put back on the map in the 1950s when it sent its top seven oarsmen, Welchli, the McKinlay’s, McIntosh, Gardiner, Costello, and Hoover, to the Olympics, with six of them bringing home silver medals. They were followed up by the club shattered records at the US and Canadian National Championships for number of points and events won just a few years later. The momentum continued through the 1960s, 70s, and 80s, ranking the DBC within the top rowing clubs in the United States, at fourth for total number of national victories and tied for most points trophy wins. These oarsmen all trained from this boathouse, leaving behind their plaques and trophies on its walls and in the display cases so their accomplishments can continue to inspire the rowers of the future. When the Detroit Boat Club was forced to move out in 1996, the boathouse continued to provide a home for the rowers. If the rowers were not allowed to stay in the building, this historic rowing program may have been forced out of existence as there was nowhere else to go. If the building did not have any occupants, it may have been lost to demolition or neglect long ago. The rowers were saved by the boathouse and the boathouse was saved by the rowers. The Belle Isle Boathouse sits on the best location on the Detroit River to host an aquatic center, as Belle Isle’s northern channel offers the most protection from wind and boat wake. Its location, adjacent to the Douglas MacArthur Bridge, also makes it easily accessible for people who are walking, biking, or driving onto the island. As the first and last building that people can see when visiting Belle Isle, it is a highly visible, prominent site. Belle Isle is also in need of such a facility in order to increase its recreational offerings to get out onto the river that surrounds the island.

By renovating this historic asset in a way that preserves its historic beauty while also increasing usable space and functionality, it would be a huge win for not only the rowers of the Detroit Boat Club Crew but also for the City of Detroit. This building has the potential to serve as a greater gateway for more Detroiters to access their most prominent public space: the Detroit River. This thesis shows how it is possible for the

The Ballroom and Reception Hall are the only two rooms in the building that still mostly show their 1902 appearance. This restoration would mostly return the room to 1902, restoring the original windows and doors, repairing the floor, restoring the plaster and woodwork, replacing light fixtures. The ceiling was originally blue and white, a decision will have to be made on whether it should return to this paint scheme.

Weight Room Room FloorTheReinfocedweightroom floor has signs of deterioration underneath and should be reinforced.

2nd Floor West Porch, Segment 1ThisRebuildporchis original to the building and is constructed with cinder slabs, which have severely deteriorated. In order for the rowers to be able to keep using the building, this porch needs to be rebuilt so that it is safe to be around. It is over the front portion of the boat bays and the oar room. The timeline for this project is expedited due to a recent collapse of half of this segment.

South Elevation, Segment 4 ThisRepairsegment mostly needs brick and stucco repair. Historic window openings would return, porch would be opened back up.

Walkway around property

The concrete slabs of the pool deck are in poor condition and should be replaced before work begins on the elevations and roofs. The utility bridge should be replaced with one that would allow for heavy equipment to access the island. Broken concrete to be used to fill in areas around pool for base fill for rain gardens.

South Elevation, Segment 2ThisRestorationsegmentmostly needs stucco and brick repair. Historic windows and doors would be restored.

The major rain garden and retention pond will be in the

South Elevation, Segment 1ThisRestorationsegmentmostly needs stucco and brick repair. Projection booth would be removed in this phase, as it is in poor condition. Historic windows and doors would be restored

womenʼs additionfloor3rdandfirst

2nd Floor North Porch, Segment 1Rebuild

Back Hallway Public Space. With the porch opened back up the three rooms in the back hallway can be repurposed for more public uses. One room could be the office for a kayak rental company. The shop could be used as a place for people to use wood working tools. These rooms mostly need painting and some electrical.

South Elevation, Segment 3Reconstruction & Restoration

South Porch, Reinforcment & WhileWaterproofingthisslabisnotinas bad of shape as other ones, it has been compromised due to leaks. The slab needs to be reinforced from the underside and the surface waterproofed and restored with red tile.

With the roof and exterior walls repaired, the Island Room can be renovated. Drop ceilings removed, walls finished. This room will eventually have a kitchenette installed. Walkway around property

South Elevation, Segment 4ThisRepairsegment mostly needs brick and stucco repair. Historic window openings would return, porch would be opened back up.

Before more work is done on the building, a new shell storage building needs to be built. This structure would fit all the boats that are currently in the boat bays. Once work on the west wall is complete, some boats can be moved back in main building. This structure would start out as 2 bays and would be able to be expanded if there is a future need.

Oak Room Porch - Demolition, TheRebuildporchcolumns are severely deteriorated. If porch is demolished it would not affect the rest of the building structure. This could be rebuilt at a later date.

Ballroom Restoration

The guard shack can become a place where people can learn more about what to do on Belle Isle, what is going on with the boathouse.

The lower portion of the main staircaseʼs wall is severely deteriorated and needs immediate attention.

The floor of the tower, also a cinder slab, is in poor condition and needs to be replaced in order to create a safe walking surface for roof repairs to be made.

South Elevation, Segment 2

East Elevation

Make Front Hallway Publicly Accessible, Stage 1

An addition from the 1940s would be demolished and the first floor wall would be reconstructed to appear as the building looked in the 1910s. Historic windows and doors would be restored. Porches would be waterproofed

Convert guard shack into information booth. The guard shack can become a place where people can learn more about what to do on Belle Isle, what is going on with the boathouse.

become an athlete repaired, the Island Room removed, walls finished. kitchenette installed.

Oak Room Porch - Demolition, TheRebuildporchcolumns are severely deteriorated. If porch is demolished it would not affect the rest of the building structure. This could be rebuilt at a later date.

FloorSECURING THE ENVELOPE PROPOSED RENOVATION TIMELINE 189

Rain Gardens

New Shell House Before more work is done on the building, a new shell storage building needs to be built. This structure would fit all the boats that are currently in the boat bays. Once work on the west wall is complete, some boats can be moved back in main building. This structure would start out as 2 bays and would be able to be expanded if there is a future need.

Pool Deck, Bridge Replacement

fireplace.removinglanterns,featuresappearance.theTheMainbuilding

North Elevation, Segment 1 Restoration & Reconstruction

New Shell House

A public riverwalk that will allow people to walk around the Tower Floor Rebuild

When the club originally opened, the staircase in the tower led to a roof garden and observation deck. Over the years, the tower staircase has been altered and the roof is not a good walking surface. This project would restore the interior of the tower to be easily accessible, as well as construction of a roof area for people to sit and view the Detroit skyline.

PROJECTSMAJOR andcostlybewillthatprojectsLarge professionals.ofworktherequire PROJECTSMINOR bydonebecanthatprojectsSmaller volunteers. constructed1withorderforthisporchisoverroom.Thecollapse

Build Coaching Office. The coaching office would be a place where people can learn about rowing. It is also a place where coaching equipement, such as speed coaches, cox boxes, hardware, megaphones, launch keys, etc. can be stored and easily accessible. It also provides a unisex space for coaches to store their equipment, as currently most coaches store their items in the locker rooms. This renovation would include removal of drywall and drop ceilings, paint walls and ceiling, New door, New window, new light fixtures. Shrink the Locker Rooms. The boathouse locker rooms are larger than many rowing clubs that have by far more people rowing than the DBCC has. By shrinking the womenʼs locker rooom Bay 5 can be reopened, allowing for more boat storage. By shrinking the menʼs locker room, it widens the hallway connecting the weight rooms, allowing for more space for indoor training. These spaces will allow for more programming.

The front hallway can become a place where people can learn about the building, Belle Isle, how to join the programs there. This space would remain open to the public even when the rest of the building is closed.

South Porch, Reinforcment &

Pool Deck, Bridge Replacement

ThisRestorationsegmentmostly needs stucco and brick repair. Historic windows and doors would be restored.

Ballroom Restoration

A public riverwalk that will allow people to walk around the perimeter of the boathouse island. Accessible from the Ironbelle Trail.

The floor of the tower, also a cinder slab, is in poor condition and needs to be replaced in order to create a safe walking surface for roof repairs to be made.

Roof, Segments This roof is over the is mostly in decent the chimney and Before work can begin and interior restoration order to ensure that compromised due Rain Gardens

This segment is over the womenʼs locker room and is also in bad conditon. Rebuild would be similar to that of the West Porchʼs. Main Staircase Rebuild

Tower & Roof Deck Project

Convert guard shack into information booth.

Roof, Segment 3 - Replace The flat roof over segment 3 is old and causes the most leaks in the building. This roof is important to replace because the roof structure is cinder slab concrete which is presently mostly in good shape. If it were to deteriorate due to further leaks then it would be a more costly issue.

Main Staircase - Rebuild

The lower portion of the main staircaseʼs wall is severely deteriorated and needs immediate attention.

Back Hallway Public Space.

North Elevation, Segment 1Restoration & Reconstruction

WhileWaterproofingthisslabisnotinas bad of shape as other ones, been compromised due to leaks. The slab needs reinforced from the underside and the waterproofed and restored with red tile.

1st Floor Drywall & Drop Ceiling

2nd Floor North Porch, Segment 1Rebuild This segment is over the womenʼs locker room and is also in bad conditon. Rebuild would be similar to that of the West Porchʼs.

CRITICAL

Island Room to become an athlete hangout space.

South Elevation, Segment 1 -

Shrink the Locker Rooms. The boathouse locker rooms are larger than many rowing clubs that have by far more people rowing than the DBCC has. By shrinking the womenʼs locker rooom Bay 5 can be reopened, allowing for more boat storage. By shrinking the menʼs locker room, it widens the hallway connecting the weight rooms, allowing for more space for indoor training. These spaces will allow for more programming.

StartingRemovalinthe 1960s, many walls on the first floor were covered with drywalll and the ceilings lowered with drop ceilings. With rising river levels, the drywall has been ruined and with various leaks the drop ceilings do not look nice. This project would remove the drywall and drop ceilings, paint the brick walls and ceilings, and repair electrical when needed. Build Coaching Office. The coaching office would be a place where people can learn about rowing. It is also a place where coaching equipement, such as speed coaches, cox boxes, hardware, megaphones, launch keys, etc. can be stored and easily accessible. It also provides a unisex space for coaches to store their equipment, as currently most coaches store their items in the locker rooms. This renovation would include removal of drywall and drop ceilings, paint walls and ceiling, New door, New window, new light fixtures.

ThisRestorationsegmentmostly needs stucco and brick repair. Projection booth would be removed in this phase, as it is in poor condition. Historic windows and doors would be restored

Make Front Hallway Publicly Accessible, Stage 1

Tower Floor Rebuild

1st Floor Drywall & Drop Ceiling

The major rain garden and retention pond will be in the Olympic pool and areas surrounding the pool deck. Smaller rain gardens will be planted around the property.

This segment was altered in the 1930s to add the womenʼs sitting and powdered rooms, in the 1950s with the addition of picture windows, and in the 1960s with the first floor porch being enclosed. This project would reconstruct the 3rd floor to its original appearance, repair the second floor and replace the roof, and reopen the porch openings on the first floor.

Brick restored.openingsand

With the porch opened back up the three rooms in the back hallway can be repurposed for more public uses. One room could be the office for a kayak rental company. The shop could be used as a place for people to use wood working tools. These rooms mostly need painting and some electrical.

Main Reception Hall Restoration Reception Hall, or Lobby, space is one of two rooms in building that has remained largely intact to its 1902 appearance. This restoration would help bring back many features that were removed, including reinstalling removing paint from wood beams, and restoring the fireplace.Elevation

Build Coaching Office. The coaching office would be a place where people can learn about rowing. It is also a place where coaching equipement, such as speed coaches, cox boxes, hardware, megaphones, launch keys, etc. can be stored and easily accessible. It also provides a unisex space for coaches to store their equipment, as currently most coaches store their items in the locker rooms. This renovation would include removal of drywall and drop ceilings, paint walls and ceiling, New door, New window, new light fixtures. Shrink the Locker Rooms. The boathouse locker rooms are larger than many clubs that have by far more people rowing than the has. By shrinking the womenʼs locker rooom Bay reopened, allowing for more boat storage. By shrinking the menʼs locker room, it widens the hallway connecting the weight rooms, allowing for more space for indoor training. These spaces will allow for more programming.

PROJECTSMINOR bydonebecanthatprojectsSmaller volunteers.

The major rain garden and retention pond Olympic pool and areas surrounding the pool rain gardens will be planted around the property.

East Elevation - Restoration Brick and stucco would be restored. Historic window openings would be returned and historic windows would be restored.

Main Reception Hall Restoration

the most weathering on the building, causing the 2nd floor porch wall and 3rd floor porch to be removed. This project would reconstruct the missing 2nd floor porch wall and 3rd floor porch, as well as repair the existing brickwork and stucco. Openings for bays 5-6 would be reopened during this project.

The last major work on this facade took place in the 1960s and has severely weathered and is a safety hazard with falling stucco. This elevation is the one in the worst shape on the building and needs to be repaired before work on the dining room can begin. Besides brick and stucco work, period windows and doors would be installed and the roof ballustrade reconstructed.

Presidentʼs Bar, Lounge WithRenovationstheroofandexterior walls repaired, these rooms can receive more effort towards renovations. The Lounge would have its carpet removed and new or restored flooring installed, ceiling repair. If it is wished that the porthole windows be returned to this room then the plaster ceiling would need to be removed. The bar could recieve repaired or replaced wall coverings (depending on if sailboat wallpaper is to remain), repair bar and light fixtures, remove carpeting and decide on flooring, repair ceiling.

This roof over the addition is believed to be one of the newer ones on the building, however it was last replaced in 1955. It mostly springs leaks where the flat roof and pitched roof meet. Before work can begin on the exterior brickwork and stucco and interior restoration the roof needs to be replaced in order to ensure that further work on the building will not be compromised due to leaks.

The Reception Hall, or Lobby, space is one of two rooms in the building that has remained largely intact to its 1902 appearance. This restoration would help bring back many features that were removed, including reinstalling lanterns, sconces, bench seating, rebuilding doors, removing paint from wood beams, and restoring the fireplace.

South Elevation, Segment 2ThisRestorationsegmentmostly needs stucco and brick repair. Historic windows and doors would be restored.

Erg Room Renovation

Roof, Segment 4 - Replace newer ones on the building, however it was last replaced in 1955. It mostly springs leaks where the flat roof and pitched roof meet. Before work can begin on the exterior to be replaced in order to ensure that further work on the North Elevation, Segment 3Restoration & Reconstruction

North Elevation, Segment 4Repair & Reconstruction. This elevation mostly needs brick and stucco work. Historic window openings would be restored in this project. If the Oak Room porch was not rebuilt after its demolition it could be rebuilt now. openings would be returned and historic windows would be BrickRestoration&Stuccorestoration. French doors would be reconstructed. 2nd floor porch would be reopened. 1st floor doorways would be restored.

The dining room would be restored to how it appeared in the 1930s as that was when the details of the room were altered from how they were in 1902.

The dining room would be restored to how it appeared in altered from how they were in 1902. This room would be restored to how it appeared when it was originally built in 1914. Restoration would be mostly electrical, restoring the ceiling, and replacing the floor.

Weight Room Room FloorTheReinfocedweightroom floor has signs of deterioration underneath and should be reinforced.

SECURING THE ENVELOPE Rain Gardens

West Elevation - Reconstruction & ThisRestorationelevationreceives

1960s, many walls on the first floor were covered with drywalll and the ceilings lowered with drop ceilings. With rising river levels, the drywall has been ruined and with various leaks the drop ceilings do not look nice. This project would remove the drywall and drop ceilings, paint the brick walls and ceilings, and repair electrical when needed.

Island Room to become an athlete hangout space. With the roof and exterior walls repaired, the Island Room can be renovated. Drop ceilings removed, walls finished. This room will eventually have a kitchenette installed.

The last major work on this facade took place in the 1960s and has severely weathered and is a safety hazard with falling stucco. Is in the worst shape on the building and needs to be repaired before work on the dining room can begin. New Locker Rooms & Restrooms

The flat roof over segment 3 is old and causes the most because the roof structure is cinder slab concrete which is presently mostly in good shape. If it were to deteriorate due to further leaks then it would be a more costly issue.

South Elevation, Segment 3Reconstruction & Restoration

Roof, Segments 1-2 Replace

WithRenovationstheroofandexterior walls repaired, these rooms can receive more effort towards renovations. The Lounge would have its carpet removed and new or restored flooring installed, ceiling repair. If it is wished that the porthole windows be returned to this room then the plaster ceiling would need to be removed. The bar could recieve repaired or replaced wall coverings bar and light fixtures, remove carpeting and decide on flooring, repair ceiling.

Segments 1-2 - Replace the Ballroom and Main Reception Hall and decent shape, however it springs leaks around where the roofs of segment 1 and 2 meet. begin on the exterior brickwork and stucco restoration the roof needs to be replaced in that further work on the building will not be to leaks.

Erg Room Renovation

Roof, Segment 3 - Replace

North Elevation, Segment 3Restoration & Reconstruction

WithRenovationstheroofandexterior walls repaired, these rooms can receive more effort towards renovations. The Lounge would have its carpet removed and new or restored flooring installed, ceiling repair. If it is wished that the porthole windows be returned to this room then the plaster ceiling would need to be removed. The bar could recieve repaired or replaced wall coverings (depending on if sailboat wallpaper is to remain), repair bar and light fixtures, remove carpeting and decide on flooring, repair ceiling.

Roof, Segment 3 - Replace

North Elevation, Segment 3 - Brick and Stucco Repair

French doors would be reconstructed. 2nd floor porch would be reopened. 1st floor doorways would be restored.

This project would reconfigure the menʼs and womenʼs locker rooms, shrinking them both in size and making them front entrance so that they would be accessible to the womenʼs locker room was. Boat room wall along the interior hallway would be replaced with glass. Locker room floor should be reinforced at this point as the structure hasdeterioration.Dining Room Restoration

Walkway around property A public riverwalk that will allow people to walk around the perimeter of the boathouse island. Accessible from the Ironbelle Trail.

Dining Room Restoration

South Elevation, Segment 3Reconstruction & Restoration

North Elevation, Segment 1Restoration & Reconstruction

This renovation would join the River and Womenʼs City Club rooms into one large indoor training space. The walls separating the two rooms would be removed. The Engineerʼs Apartment would be removed. The restrooms will be replaced by one single user restroom in the ice accordingly. Most of the attic floor would be removed, creating a 1.5 story space with a loft and catwalk being created out of the remaining attic floor. New electrical would be installed. New plumbing for new restroom. Removal of old plumbing.

Oak Room Restoraion

South Elevation, Segment 2ThisRestorationsegmentmostly needs stucco and brick repair. Historic windows and doors would be restored.

Weight Room Room FloorTheReinfocedweightroom floor has signs of deterioration underneath and should be reinforced.

190

Presidentʼs Bar, Lounge

This project would reconfigure the menʼs and womenʼs locker rooms, shrinking them both in size and making them easier to access. The restrooms would be located near the front entrance so that they would be accessible to the public. The boat bays would expand into where the womenʼs locker room was. Boat room wall along the interior hallway would be replaced with glass. Locker room floor should be reinforced at this point as the structure has deterioration. ones, it has needs to surfacebe

Roof, Segment 4 - Replace

Dining Room Restoration

The Reception Hall, or Lobby, space is one of two rooms in the building that has remained largely intact to its 1902 appearance. This restoration would help bring back many features that were removed, including reinstalling removing paint from wood beams, and restoring the fireplace.

This renovation would join the River and Womenʼs City Club rooms into one large indoor training space. The walls separating the two rooms would be removed. The Engineerʼs Apartment would be removed. The restrooms will be replaced by one single user restroom in the ice machine room and the hallway would be adjusted accordingly. Most of the attic floor would be removed, creating a 1.5 story space with a loft and catwalk being created out of the remaining attic floor. New electrical would be installed. New plumbing for new restroom. Removal of old plumbing.

This room would be restored to how it appeared when it was originally built in 1914. Restoration would be mostly electrical, restoring the ceiling, and replacing the floor.

ThisRestorationelevationreceives the most weathering on the building, causing the 2nd floor porch wall and 3rd floor porch to be removed. This project would reconstruct the missing 2nd floor porch wall and 3rd floor porch, as well as repair the existing brickwork and stucco. Openings for bays 5-6 would be reopened during this project.

West Elevation Reconstruction &

Weight Room Renovation. Room can be repainted, new electrical.

Restoration and stucco would be restored. Historic window would be returned and historic windows would be North Elevation, Segment 2BrickRestoration&Stuccorestoration. French doors would be reinstalled on 3rd floor. 3rd floor ballustrade would be reconstructed. 2nd floor porch would be reopened. 1st floor doorways would be restored.

The major rain garden and retention pond will be in the Olympic pool and areas surrounding the pool deck. Smaller rain gardens will be planted around the property.

This roof is over the Ballroom and Main Reception Hall and the chimney and where the roofs of segment 1 and 2 meet. Before work can begin on the exterior brickwork and stucco and interior restoration the roof needs to be replaced in order to ensure that further work on the building will not be compromised due to leaks.

Erg Room Renovation

Presidentʼs Bar, Lounge

An addition from the 1940s would be demolished and first floor wall would be reconstructed to appear as building looked in the 1910s. Historic windows and doors would be restored. Porches would be waterproofed

This roof is over the Ballroom and Main Reception Hall and is mostly in decent shape, however it springs leaks around the chimney and where the roofs of segment 1 and 2 meet. Before work can begin on the exterior brickwork and stucco and interior restoration the roof needs to be replaced in order to ensure that further work on the building will not be compromised due to leaks.

North Elevation, Segment 3 - Brick and Stucco Repair

Starting in the 1960s, many walls on the first covered with drywalll and the ceilings lowered ceilings. With rising river levels, the drywall ruined and with various leaks the drop ceilings nice. This project would remove the drywall ceilings, paint the brick walls and ceilings, electrical when needed.

When the club originally opened, the staircase in the tower led to a roof garden and observation deck. Over the years, good walking surface. This project would restore the construction of a roof area for people to sit and view the Detroit skyline.

Weight Room Renovation. Room can be repainted, new electrical.

StartingRemovalinthe

PROJECTSMINOR thatprojectsSmaller

Oak Room Restoraion

North Elevation, Segment 2 BrickRestoration&Stuccorestoration. French doors would be reinstalled on 3rd floor. 3rd floor ballustrade would be reconstructed. 2nd floor porch would be reopened. 1st floor doorways would be restored.

This renovation would join the River and Womenʼs City Club rooms into one large indoor training space. The walls separating the two rooms would be removed. The Engineerʼs Apartment would be removed. The restrooms will be replaced by one single user restroom in the ice machine room and the hallway would be adjusted accordingly. Most of the attic floor would be removed, creating a 1.5 story space with a loft and catwalk being created out of the remaining attic floor. New electrical would be installed. New plumbing for new restroom. Removal of old plumbing.

Roof, Segments 1-2 Replace

West Elevation Reconstruction & ThisRestorationelevationreceives the most weathering on the building, causing the 2nd floor porch wall and 3rd floor porch to be removed. This project would reconstruct the missing 2nd floor porch wall and 3rd floor porch, as well as repair the existing brickwork and stucco. Openings for bays 5-6 would be reopened during this project.

Main Reception Hall Restoration

Tower & Roof Deck Project

New Locker Rooms & Restrooms

North Elevation, Segment 3 Restoration & Reconstruction

SECURING THE ENVELOPE

Reception Hall, or Lobby, space is one of two rooms in building that has remained largely intact to its 1902 appearance. This restoration would help bring back many features that were removed, including reinstalling lanterns, sconces, bench seating, rebuilding doors, removing paint from wood beams, and restoring the fireplace.Elevation

The dining room would be restored to how it appeared in the 1930s as that was when the details of the room were altered from how they were in 1902.

Main Reception Hall Restoration

Roof, Segment 4 - Replace This roof over the addition is believed to be one of the newer ones on the building, however it was last replaced in 1955. It mostly springs leaks where the flat roof and pitched roof meet. Before work can begin on the exterior brickwork and stucco and interior restoration the roof needs to be replaced in order to ensure that further work on the building will not be compromised due to leaks.

The flat roof over segment 3 is old and causes the most leaks in the building. This roof is important to replace because the roof structure is cinder slab concrete which is presently mostly in good shape. If it were to deteriorate due to further leaks then it would be a more costly issue.

volunteers.

West Elevation - Reconstruction & ThisRestorationelevationreceives the most weathering on the building, causing the 2nd floor porch wall and 3rd floor porch to be removed. This project would reconstruct the missing 2nd floor porch wall and 3rd floor porch, as well as repair the existing brickwork and stucco. Openings for bays 5-6 would be reopened during this project.

This room would be restored to how it appeared when it was originally built in 1914. Restoration would be mostly electrical, restoring the ceiling, and replacing the floor.

Restoration would be returned and historic windows would be BrickRestoration&Stuccorestoration.

Rain Gardens

1st Floor Drywall & Drop Ceiling

Additional Information 191

Coleman Young Recreation Center

Martin Luther King, Jr. Senior High School 3200 E. Lafayette St. (5 min., 2 miles)

Mumford High School 17525 Wyoming Ave. (22 min., 14 miles)

Cass Technical High School 2501 2nd Ave. (11 min., 4.9 miles)

Western International High School 1500 Scotten St. (15 min., 8 miles)

Central High School 2425 Tuxedo St. (17 min., 9.9 miles)

Joseph Walker Williams Center Swimming Pool 8431 Rosa Parks Blvd. (16 min., 9.3 miles)

Brennan Pools, Rouge Park Outdoor Pools

POOLSSWIMMINGINDOORRECREATION&PARKSDETROITDETROITPUBLICSCHOOLSINDOORSWIMMINGPOOLS6 5 2 1 4 3 16 17 5421367 8 7 9 11 14 10

109811121314 sport River.doorswim.YMCAisthesehelpto 193

East English Village Preparatory Academy 5020 Cadieux Rd. (19 min., 8.2 miles)

Belle Isle Beach, Belle Isle Detroit River Riverbank Dr. (2 min., 1 mile)

Patton Community Center 2301 Woodmere St. (20 min., 13 miles) Northwest Activites Center 18100 Meyers Rd. (21 min., 14 miles)

POOLSSWIMMINGINDOORYMCA

Brennan Pool Dr. (25 min., 18 miles)

Renaissance High School* 6565 Outer Dr. W. (21 min., 15 miles)

12 Boll Family YMCA - Downtown Detroit (Detroit Swims) 1401 Broadway St. (10 min., 4 miles)

Burton International Academy 2001 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd. (13 min., 6 miles)

Adams Butzel Complex 10500 Lyndon St. (20 min., 13 miles)

SWIMMINGOUTDOOR 151617

Heilmann Community Center 19601 Crusade St. (20 min, 9.3 miles)

2751 Robert Bradby Dr. (7 min., 2.8 miles)

POOLSSWIMMINGINDOORRECREATION&PARKSDETROITDETROITPUBLICSCHOOLSINDOORSWIMMINGPOOLS6 5 2 1 4 3 16 8 17 8 7 9 11 14 10 12 13 POOLSSWIMMINGINDOORYMCAOUTDOORSWIMMING

PLACES TO SWIM

194

Storage rooms built along south east corner of building for club equipment. (1st floor)

1955 River Room opens. (1st floor) Attic fire forces rebuild of roof structure (3rd floor)

1950 Ballroom has been painted. (2nd floor)

Old Salem Room redecorated. (2nd floor) Women’s Lounge redecorated. (2nd floor) Exterior protective painting. Broken cement around pool replaced. New steel dock added to main dock.

NewParkingconstructed.Lotconstructed.pedestrianbridge& breakwall. Island partially constructed.

1952 New wall light fixtures in Women’s Lounge. (2nd floor) Kitchen updated. (2nd floor)

1903 Ice room floor fails, is rebuilt. (1st floor)

Current white plaster rococo chandeliers installed in cocktail lounge. (3rd floor)

Parking lot resurfaced, circle is paved. New T-dock, catwalks, electricity, and water service to docks to replace 1922 dock. New interlocking steel sheet pile retaining wall around east portion of island. New 15” channel on top of present piling. Roof and exterior repairs.

Dike built around club property for high water. Docks are underwater. Sewer Exteriorrepaired.partially repaired and repainted. Sheet piling needs replacement. Old portion of T-dock unsafe.

1953 Current projection booth has been built by now. (3rd floor)

KNOWN CHANGES TIMELINE 195

1930s Cocktail Lounge constructed. (3rd floor) Women’s locker room constructed. (1st floor) Island reaches current size

DBC is looking for a new site, potentially along Lake St. Clair.

1914 Addition constructed 1919? Original projection booth added. (3rd floor) 1922 Original main dock constructed. 1926 Pools

1951 West porch barricaded. (3rd floor)

New dock constructed on east end of DBC island. Band shell rebuilt.

1909 Locker room floor rebuilt. (1st floor)

Wooden louver doors installed separating Oak Room from Dining Room. (2nd floor)

Water damages River Room, Cocktail Bar, Mural Lounge, Main Dining Room, Oak Room, Kitchens, Ladies’ Powder Room, Grill, Locker Room.

Oak Room redecorated. (2nd floor)

1954 Commodore’s bar is redecorated. (2nd floor)

Folding wall added to close off balcony to ballroom. (3rd floor)

Male employee locker room modernized. (1st floor)

New carpeting on main staircase, balcony, and cocktail lounge. (3rd floor)

New bar, all new built-in leather seating. Old bar top has new Formica covering. (3rd floor)

1939 Ballroom Renovated (2nd floor) Band shell constructed. 1940 Lightning strike damages chimney, new roof. Both rebuilt. (2nd floor)

1940s North porch wall in front of ballroom rebuilt. (1st-3rd) 1946 Seawall addition. 1948 Grill redecorated. (1st floor) Cocktail Lounge redecorated. (3rd floor)

Grill opens to a “sidewalk cafe.” (1st floor) Room that surrounded where Olympian wall is currently has been removed. (3rd floor)

New docks upstream from band shell with room for 8 boats ($12,456.27). New sidewalk from south east corner of clubhouse for trash removal.

Locker room floors are tiled. (1st floor)

Kitchen updated. (2nd floor)

Wall paneling and drop ceiling installed on ground floor. (1st floor)

Porch outside ballroom and carpenter shop in attic are being worked on.

Southwest porch walled off. (2nd floor)

Dining room balcony removed due to sag. (2nd floor)

Picture windows installed in dining room. (2nd floor)

1962 House Committee Budget: $35,000 ($333,200 in 2022)

New docks. New exterior finish. “Junk” removed to provide usable storage space.

Acoustic tiles installed on Oak Room ceiling. (2nd floor)

Sailboat wallpaper present in President’s Bar. (3rd floor) Guard shack at DBC bridge. Chain link fence installed around parking lot, club must beautify area. Lighted planters constructed at club entrance. Decorative cinder block wall constructed around club service area. Hard top paving discussed for parking lot.

Plumbing and drains replaced under men’s locker room. (1st floor)

Women’s lounge renovated. (2nd floor) New carpeting on staircase and third floor. (3rd floor)

Three French doors along north porch replaced with picture windows. (3rd floor)

Area where telephone booths were located walled off for storage space. (2nd floor)

1961 New 8” water main from city to improve flow of water. Water heating system installed for pool.

Lockers possibly painted current colors (blue for men, pink for women). (1st floor) Grill redecorated. (1st floor)

1957 Men’s and Women’s locker rooms are rearranged, 110 new men’s lockers. (1st floor)

Picture windows, dimmer switch installed in Cocktail Lounge. (3rd floor)

Ceiling dropped, walls & trophy cabinets redecorated.

1964 Ground floor hallway tiled to decrease maintenance costs . (1st floor)

Pool staircase replaced. New pool filtration system.

Women’s locker room renovation underway. (1st floor)

Ground floor repainted. (1st floor)

New glass and china storage room built on small porch outside kitchen (plywood). (2nd floor)

Bar installed in grill. (1st floor)

White louvered shutters added to ballroom windows (2nd floor)

1960 New cement walk to sailing dock. Old shipyard with crane removed and area sodded. New 16 well dock extending north from band shell. Wells along north side of pool cleared to tie up visiting boats. Lawn refurbished. Pool refurbished, shallow end possibly created at this time. Grill renovated, air conditioning installed, picture windows installed. (1st floor) Men’s locker room refurbished, lockers added and new ventilation. (1st floor)

1958 Air conditioning installed in board room. (3rd floor) Board room redecorated, 2 French doors are replaced with windows. (3rd floor) Parking lot expanded, sheet piling completed and area filled.

1959 President’s Bar redecorated. (3rd floor) 9 sections of pool deck are replaced.

New carpeting in Island Room, Bar, Cocktail Lounge. (3rd floor)

Island Room created in former Mural Room space. (3rd floor) Elevator project underway. New dock pilings installed. City inspector insists on corrections to plumbing facilities. New transformers installed for power and lighting with new electrical panels installed. Both locker rooms need future enlargements. Exterior of boathouse repainted.

Bar added to Commodore’s Room, becomes Commodore’s Cocktail Lounge (2nd floor)

Exhaust fans on south side of ballroom. (2nd floor)

Oak Room repaneled where it had water damage from 1955 fire. (2nd floor) Dining room renovated. (2nd floor)

1963 Ballroom, Dining Room, Oak Room redesigned by Donald P. Burrows (2nd floor) of J.L. Hudson’s.Current sconces installed in dining room (2nd floor)

196

2018 Kitchen roof rebuilt. (2nd floor)

Main dock extended 185’ downstream (8 wells) 241’ upstream (14 wells). Ontario Dock extended 1 well. Seawall construction on main dock to protect from boat wash.

1982 Women’s City Club Room created. (3rd floor)

Sail shed rebuilt.

2016 Island Room repainted, floor refinished, ceiling tiles repaired, new windows. (3rd floor)

River Room carpet ripped up, room is repainted (3rd floor)

Louvered panel door has been installed in Commodore’s Bar. (1st floor) “Boxes” have been constructed under south-lobby wood beams by this point (2nd floor) Current sconces in Oak Room. (2nd floor)

Restoration Project Day, Two ballroom round windows restored, staircase stained glass restored, some stucco on south porch repaired.

1983 Electrical Room Update.

Junior Sailing Docks rebuilt, repainted.

Women’s City Club floor painted. (3rd floor)

New rowing dock constructed of Styrofoam and wood Locker room project completed, cost $10,000 ($88,735.80 in 2022) Dock Project cost $58,000 ($514,667.65 in 2022)

Pumps installed around property for flooding.

Locker rooms have added ventilation, new drop ceilings, new floors to (1st floor) lower maintenance costs.

New turquoise carpeting in lobby and Commodore’s Bar. (2nd floor)

2019 Stained glass windows restored, reinstalled. (2nd floor)

Club acquires 600+ surplus evergreen trees from future site of Grosse Pointe North. 6 Koster Blue Spruce (3 planted in circle at entrance, 3 to the left of children’s pool. Upright Japanese Yew, Spreading Juniper, Blue Pfitzer Juniper, Blue Hetz Juniper, Mountbatten Blue Juniper, Andorra Juniper, Myer’s Juniper, Spiny Greek Juniper, Hill’s Dundee Juniper, Blauws Blue Vase Juniper, Pyramidal Arborvitae, Globe Arborvitae, Canadian Hemlock. New landscaping at entrance to main dock.

Elevator repaired to working order. Ziemba weight room repainted, new floor. (1st floor)

Parking lot is paved.

Grill renovated. (1st floor)

2015 Board Room restored, replastered, repainted, window uncovered, mirrored glass (3rd floor) in ballroom window replaced with clear, missing moldings replicated, new fixtures. Bathroom by board room restored. (3rd floor)

1968 Funds for new projects due to government knocking money off the excise tax if its used for construction and reconstruction. Ballroom floor replaced (2nd floor) Oak Room porch enclosed for year-round use (2nd floor)

South porch opening #3 opened, porch columns and beam painted, stucco repaired, (2nd floor) railings stripped and restored to original green color. Reception room wood paneling restored. (2nd floor) West porch wall removed. (2nd floor)

1980s North porch by staircase is enclosed with glass (2nd floor)

Dining room ceiling partially repainted. (2nd floor)

Addition to Ontario Dock.

1981 Coat Check Room Renovation. (2nd floor) Men’s Restroom Renovation. (2nd floor) Ladies Lounge Renovation. (2nd floor)

Porch dining proposed for Oak Room, exterior staircase installed. (2nd floor)

Stucco repair, replacement, repainting

Women’s Sitting Room repainted, new windows. (2nd floor) Band shell rebuilt. Ramps to rowing docks repainted. Seawall repainted. east lawn cleared and re-sodded. Downstairs hallway & boat room floor repainted. New rowing dock built.

1966 Kitchens are updated. (1st floor)

2017 New seat cushions in President’s Bar, lighting fixed, plumbing fixed. (3rd floor)

2012 Finger docks removed. 2014 Reception Room repainted, new carpeting, trophy cases restored, lighting (2nd floor) restored. Commodore’s Bar repainted, new carpeting, bar rebuilt. (2nd floor)

197

Parking lot repaved with asphalt, bumper blocks installed. 18” slope towards river ($25,000 / $221,839)

1 Billionth gallon of water pumped into pool. New sprinkler system installed around lawn that uses river water. Parking lot planter installed at club entrance

2020 1 coat of finish put on river room floor. (3rd floor) Concrete barrier built at end of bridge to keep water out.

1965 Interior renovations mainly focus on changing colors by repainting and wall-papering.

Bar dance floor repainted, plaster repaired. (3rd floor)

2021 New boiler installed. New stairs built for bridge. 2022 Women’s City Club chimney removed (3rd floor)

CONSTRUCTEDYEAR COST AT TIME CONSTRUCTIONOF COST ADJUSTED FOR INFLATION (IN 2022 DOLLARS) Third Boathouse 1858 $250 $8,765.37 Fourth Boathouse 1873 $6,000 $143,752.00 Fifth Boathouse 1891 $8,000 $252,750.77 Sixth Boathouse 1894 $23,000 $768,906.05 Current Boathouse 1902 $50,000 $1,671,534.88 Addition 1913-14 $40,000 $1,150,016.00 DBC Boathouse Cost Comparisons Current Boathouse Total Major Construction Cost (2022 Dollars): $2,821,550.88 Rebuilding Exterior 1919-20 $14,000 $201,252.80 Total Cost (2022 Dollars): $3,022,803.68 198

The ballroom is one of two spaces in the boathouse that has a close resemblance to how it looked when the building opened in 1902. Major changes have included the ceiling color scheme being changed and original light fixtures removed.

BALLROOM. 9 Nov. 2021 North East BALLROOM. 9 Nov. 2021 East BALLROOM. 9 Nov. 2021 South West BALLROOM. 9 Nov. 2021 West BALLROOM 199

BALLROOM. 9 Nov. 2021 South Eest BALLROOM. (1905) North East BALLROOM. 9 Nov. 2021 North West BALLROOM. (1905) South East 200

BALLROOM. 9 Nov. 2021 North West BALLROOM. 9 Nov. 2021 North BALLROOM. 9 Nov. 2021 South East BALLROOM. 9 Nov. 2021 South BALLROOM 201

BALLROOM. 9 Nov. 2021 North East BALLROOM CEILING West BALLROOM. 9 Nov. 2021 South West BALLROOM STAGE DETAIL. 9 Nov. 2021 West 202

BALLROOM. 9 Nov. 2021 East BALLROOM. 9 Nov. 2021 East BALLROOM. 9 Nov. 2021 East BALLROOM. 9 Nov. 2021 East BALLROOM These photos give glimpses at the ceiling’s original blue and white paint scheme. 203

BALLROOM. 9 Nov. 2021 BALLROOM. 9 Nov. 2021 BALLROOM. 9 Nov. 2021 BALLROOM. 9 Nov. 2021 204

BALLROOM. 9 Nov. 2021 West BALLROOM. 9 Nov. 2021 East BALLROOM Water damage in the box window and bow window areas of the ballroom, as well as the location of a now-removed window in the bow window. 205

BALLROOM. 9 Nov. 2021 South West BALLROOM, CENTER WINDOW OF BOW WINDOW. 9 Nov. 2021 206

The Reception Room is one of two spaces in the boathouse that has a close resemblance to how it looked when the building opened in 1902. Major changes have included the wood beams in the lower

207

RECEPTION ROOM - LOBBY. 9 Nov. 2021 North West RECEPTION ROOM - LOBBY. 9 Nov. 2021 North RECEPTION ROOM - LOBBY. 9 Nov. 2021 South East RECEPTION ROOM - LOBBY. 9 Nov. 2021 South RECEPTION ROOM portions being painted, the oak floor replaced with carpeting, the removal of the cigar counter bay window, and the fireplace getting painted.

RECEPTION ROOM - LOBBY. 9 Nov. 2021 North East RECEPTION ROOM - LOBBY. 9 Nov. 2021 East RECEPTION ROOM - LOBBY. 9 Nov. 2021 South West RECEPTION ROOM - LOBBY. 9 Nov. 2021 West 208

RECEPTION ROOM - LOBBY. 9 Nov. 2021 North East RECEPTION ROOM - LOBBY. 9 Nov. 2021 East RECEPTION ROOM - LOBBY. 9 Nov. 2021 North East RECEPTION ROOM - LOBBY. 9 Nov. 2021 East RECEPTION ROOM 209

RECEPTION ROOM - LOBBY. 9 Nov. 2021 South East RECEPTION ROOM - LOBBY. 9 Nov. 2021 South RECEPTION ROOM - LOBBY. 9 Nov. 2021 South East RECEPTION ROOM - LOBBY. 9 Nov. 2021 South 210

RECEPTION ROOM - LOBBY. 9 Nov. 2021 South West RECEPTION ROOM - LOBBY. 9 Nov. 2021 West RECEPTION ROOM - LOBBY. 9 Nov. 2021 South West RECEPTION ROOM - LOBBY. 9 Nov. 2021 West RECEPTION ROOM 211

RECEPTION ROOM - LOBBY. 9 Nov. 2021 North West RECEPTION ROOM - THIRD FLOOR. 9 Nov. 2021 South West RECEPTION ROOM - LOBBY. 9 Nov. 2021 North West RECEPTION ROOM - THIRD FLOOR. 9 Nov. 2021 North West 212

RECEPTION ROOM - LOBBY. 9 Nov. 2021 South West RECEPTION ROOM - LOBBY. 9 Nov. 2021 West RECEPTION ROOM - LOBBY. 9 Nov. 2021 North East RECEPTION ROOM - LOBBY. 9 Nov. 2021 East RECEPTION ROOM 213

RECEPTION ROOM - LOBBY. 9 Nov. 2021 North West RECEPTION ROOM - LOBBY. 9 Nov. 2021 North RECEPTION ROOM - LOBBY. 9 Nov. 2021 South East RECEPTION ROOM - LOBBY. 9 Nov. 2021 South 214

RECEPTION ROOM. 9 Nov. 2021 North East RECEPTION ROOM. 9 Nov. 2021 South East RECEPTION ROOM 215

Reception Hall Fireplace. 9 Nov. 2021 East Reception Hall Staircase Window. 9 Nov. 2021 North 216

References 217

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3. Peverelly, Charles A. The Book of American Pastimes. Charles A. Peverelly, New York, 1866 4. “A New Boat Club.” Detroit Free Press 8 Jun 1860: Page 1. www.Newspapers.com. 23 April 2022. https://www.newspapers.com/image/118134212/?terms=%22zephyr%22

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19. “Excelsior Boat House” Detroit Free Press 26 Oct 1871: Page 4. www.Newspapers.com. 23 April https://www.newspapers.com/image/118150460/?terms=%22boat%2Bhouse%222022.

3. www.Newspapers.com. 23 April https://www.newspapers.com/image/118139938/?terms=%22Detroit+Boat+Club%222022. 11. “Consolidation of the Spartans with the Zephyr Boat Club.” Detroit Free Press 16 Mar 1876: Page 1. www.Newspapers.com. 23 April https://www.newspapers.com/image/118185709/?terms=%22spartan%222022. 12. “Centennial Boat Club Ball.” Detroit Free Press 9 Apr 1876: Page 3. www.Newspapers.com. 23 April https://www.newspapers.com/image/118186080/?terms=%22spartan%2Bboat%2Bclub%222022. 13. “Club House Dedication.” Detroit Free Press 1 Jul 1877: Page 1. www.Newspapers.com. 23 April https://www.newspapers.com/image/118216365/?terms=%22Boat%2BClub%222022. 14. Centennial Book 15. Crowther, Samuel. Rowing and Track Athletics. The MacMillan Company, New York, 1905. Pg 151 16. J. W. Weeks & Co. Detroit City Directory for 1879. J. W. Weeks & Co., Detroit, 1879. Pg 56 17. 18. “Serious Conflagration. Destruction of the Boat House of the Excelsior Boat Club.” Detroit Free Press 1 Aug 1871: Page 1. www.Newspapers.com. 23 April https://www.newspapers.com/image/118150133/?terms=%22Excelsior%222022.219

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20. “The Detroit River Navy. Novel Feature - A Water Social.” The Detroit Free Press, 12 Jul 1868, p. 1. Newspapers. Accessed 23 April https://www.newspapers.com/image/118146059/?terms=%22Detroit+River+Navy%222022.

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32. Wolf, Eric. “The D.B.C., Eric Wolf Imparts Some Sage Advice to Ye Vallant Oarsmen.” The Evening Telegraph, Detroit, MI, 31 Dec 1877. Cory Andrews Scrapbook (1876-78, 1896-1901), Detroit Boat Club Archive. 33. “They’re Coming. The Sixth (sic) Annual Regatta of the National Association of Amateur Oarsmen to be Held at Detroit.” The Detroit Free Press, 14 Jan 1877, p. 1. Newspapers. Accessed 23 April ta%22%2B%22oarsmen%22https://www.newspapers.com/image/118193115/?terms=%22national%22%2B%22regat2022.

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6. Clark, Charles F. Annual Directory of the City of Detroit. Charles F. Clark, 1864. Pg 306 7. “Wolverine Boat Club. Their New Club House and Its Opening.” Detroit Free Press 1 Jul 1865: Page 3. www.Newspapers.com. 23 April in February.” Detroit Free Press 1 Mar 1867: Page 5. www.Newspapers.com. 23 April Jun 1869: Page 3. www.Newspapers.com. Detroit Free Press Jan 1865: Page

27. Farmer, Silas. The History of Detroit and Michigan. Pg. 73 Silas Farmer & Co., Detroit, 1884. Pg. 73. 28. “Linden Park. The Case of Moses W. Field and His Donation to the City of Detroit.” The Detroit Free Press, 30 Dec 1888, p. 8. Newspapers. Accessed 23 April https://www.newspapers.com/image/118766413/?terms=%22Linden%20Park%22&match=12022.

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71. “History.” New York Athletic Club Yacht Club.” Accessed 23 April 2022. https://www.nyac.org/history

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39. “Forsest Basics: Michigan Forest History.” Michigan State University https://mff.forest.mtu.edu/PDF/1-TreeBasics/3-History.pdfExtension.

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https://www.newspapers.com/image/117698998/?terms=%22excelsior%22

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74. “It Is Now A Total Loss. Fire Destroyed the Building of the Detroit Boat Club.” The Daily Herald (Port Huron, Michigan) 18 Oct 1901: Page 1. www.Newspapers.com. 23 April https://www.newspapers.com/image/323573790/?terms=%22Detroit%2BBoat%2BClub%222022.

75. “The Lesson of Three Fires.” Detroit Free Press 19 Oct 1901: Page 4. www.Newspapers.com. 23 April 2022. https://www.newspapers.com/image/119576083 220

53. “The Park and Boulevard Commissioners.” The Detroit Free Press, 16 Aug 1889, p. 8. Newspapers. Accessed 23 April https://www.newspapers.com/image/118806649/?terms=%22Campau%20Park%22&match=12022.

73. “It Lies In Ruins. Detroit Boat Club House Destroyed by Fire.” The Windsor Star (Windsor, Ontario) 18 Oct 1901: Page 1. www.Newspapers.com. 23 April https://www.newspapers.com/image/500237553/?terms=%22Detroit%2BBoat%2BClub%222022.

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70. “A Successful Affair.” The Detroit Free Press, 29 Jun 1894, p. 8. Newspapers. Accessed 23 April 2022.

70. “Detroit Boat Club Yachtsmen.” The Detroit Free Press, 5 Feb 1899, p. 26. Newspapers. Accessed 23 April 2022.

56. “The Detroit Boat Club. The Affairs of this Organization Shown to be in a Prosperous Condition.” The Detroit Free Press, 14 Mar 1890, p. 5. Newspapers. Accessed 23 April 2022. 57. Allnutt, Brian. “Belle Isle and Olmmsted’s Forgotten Legacy.” The Detroit Free Press, 18 Apr 2016. www.modeldmedia.com. Accessed 23 April https://www.modeldmedia.com/features/belle-isle-olmsted-legacy-041816.aspx2022.

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71. “New Home For Oarsmen.” The Detroit Free Press, 7 Jan 1894, p. 6. Newspapers. Accessed 23 April 2022.

69. “Viewed By Members. The Ruins of the Detroit Boat Club House.” The Detroit Free Press, 16 Oct 1893, p. 5. Newspapers. Accessed 23 April 2022.

74. Based on the membership lists of clubs such as the Michigan Yacht Club, many members of the various yachting organizations were also members of the DBC.

37. “Sporting Matters. Aquatic. No Regatta This Season.” The Detroit Free Press, 13 Jul 1881, p. 6. Newspapers. Accessed 23 April https://www.newspapers.com/image/117673097/?terms=%22Alaska%2BBoat%2BClub%222022.

35. “Sayings and Doings.” The Detroit Free Press, 21 Feb 1877, p. 1. Newspapers. Accessed 23 April https://www.newspapers.com/image/118196645/?terms=%22Boat%2BClub%222022.

38. “The Regatta.” The Detroit Free Press, 12 Aug 1882, p. 1. Newspapers. Accessed 23 April match=1https://www.newspapers.com/image/117676281/?terms=%22Belle%20Isle%22%20%22boathouse%22&2022.

house%22&match=1https://www.newspapers.com/image/117676345/?terms=%22Belle%20Isle%22%20%22boat2022. 51.

58. Based on what is visible in Olmsted’s plans. 59. “Plans for Improving Belle Isle.” The Detroit Free Press, 24 Jan 1887, p. 5. Newspapers. Accessed 23 April board%22https://www.newspapers.com/image/117699804/?terms=%22donaldson%22%2B%22park%2B2022.

60. Austin, Dan. “Belle Isle Casino (old).” www.historicdetroit.org. Accessed 23 April 2022. https://historicdetroit.org/buildings/belle-isle-casino-old

72. “Boat Club House Was Destroyed.” Detroit Free Press 18 Oct 1901: Page 1. www.Newspapers.com. 23 April https://www.newspapers.com/image/119575895/2022.

47.

44. There are no mentions of the Detroit River Navy after the beginning of 1886. 45. There are no mentions of The Centennial Boat Club after 1889. 46. Michigan Supreme Court. Pridgeon v. Excelsior Boat Club. no. 66 Mich. 326, 16 June 1887. Caselaw Access https://cite.case.law/mich/66/326/.Project, Accessed 23 Apr. 2022. Wolverine Boat Club disbanded at the end of the 1893 season. The DBC, Mutuals, and Wolverines were the three main clubs at this time. There were a handful of other clubs that must have been on a small scale or did not get far past their founding before disbanding as they did not race. 48. This number is estimated on information found in Source 3, along with additional research in various newspaper articles. Source 3 mostly focuses on eastern rowing clubs and is also based on the number of rowing clubs that responded to their request for information. Janssen, Frederick William. “A History of American Amateur Athletics and Aquatics: With the Records.” Outing Company, 1888. Princeton https://books.google.com/books?id=7a5MAAAAYAAJ&source=gbs_navlinks_sUniversity. “Sayings and Doings.” The Detroit Free Press, 20 Aug 1882, p. 1. Newspapers. Accessed 23 April “The Oar. Detroit Boat Club Annual.” The Detroit Free Press, 14 Jan 1887, p. 2. Newspapers. Accessed 23 April Park Commissioners.” The Detroit Free Press, 29 Dec 1886, p. 8. Newspapers. Accessed 23 April 2022.

https://historicdetroit.org/architects/alpheus-w-chittenden 83.

Part 4, Pg 4. www.Newspapers.com. 23 April https://www.newspapers.com/image/1216987632022. 86. “Boat House To Be Best Built.”

101. Cuono, Ciro. Cinder Concrete Slab Construction. Structure Magazine, Apr. 2015. https://www.structuremag.org/?p=8405 102. “Work Done by the Cleveland Silex Stone Co.” The Detroit Free Press, 4 Jul. 1902, part 2, p. 7. Newspapers. Accessed 24 April https://www.newspapers.com/image/118284626/?terms=%22Cleveland%20Silex%22&match=12022.

97. “D.B.C. Men Were Pleased.” Detroit Free Press 5 Aug 1902: Pg 3. www.Newspapers.com. 23 April 2022. https://www.newspapers.com/image/118285081/?terms=%22Boat%2BClub%22

108. The Hollow Building Tile Association. Combination Long Span Floors One-Way System, Fig. 1038, 1922. Handbook of Hollow Building Tile Construction, Third Edition. The Hollow Building Tile Association, 1922, p. 72. Inspectapedia.com. Web. 24 April https://inspectapedia.com/structure/Handbook-Of-Hollow-Building-Tile-Construction.pdf2022.

www.Newspapers.com.

https://www.newspapers.com/image/121691972/?terms=%22Boat%2BClub%22 82. Malbouef,

78. “News of the Architects.” Detroit Free Press 10 Nov 1901: Part 3, Pg. 11. www.Newspapers.com. 23 April from Dexter M. Ferry, Jr. Boat Club News, 1935. 80. “Local Detroit Free Press 21 Nov 1901: Pg. 10. www.Newspapers.com. 23 April Perplexed.” Detroit Free Press 4 Dec 1901: Page 10. www.Newspapers.com. 23 April 2022. Stephen. “Alpheus W. Chittenden.” Historicdetroit.org. Accessed 24 April 2022. “Sayings Detroit Free Press 21 Dec 1901: Page 5. www.Newspapers.com. 23 April 2022. Begun. Piling for Coffer Dams At D.B.C. House Under Way.” Detroit Free Press 22 Dec 1901: Page 5. www.Newspapers.com. 23 April Detroit Free Press 29 Dec 1901: Detroit Free Press 29 Dec 1901: Part 1, Pg 9. 1 Jan 1902: Part 2, Pg 4. 23 April 2022. 16 Mar 1902: Part 3, Pg 2. 23 April

104. “The Cleveland Silex Stone Co., Whose Offices Are At 922-923 Hammond Building, Detroit.” The Detroit Free Press, 23 Jul. 1903, part 2, p. 9. Newspapers. Accessed 24 April https://www.newspapers.com/image/118565579/?terms=%22Cleveland%20Silex%22&match=12022.

103. “The Cleveland Silex Stone Company” The Detroit Free Press, 15 Sep. 1909, part 2, p. 7. Newspapers. Accessed 24 April https://www.newspapers.com/image/118634474/?terms=%22Cleveland%20Silex%22&match=12022.

https://www.newspapers.com/image/121688392/?terms=%22Boat%2BClub%222022. 81. “D.B.C. Men

94. “Boat Club Opening Next Week.” Detroit Free Press 30 Jul 1902: Pg 9. www.Newspapers.com. 23 April 2022. https://www.newspapers.com/image/118284999/?terms=%22Boat%2BClub%22

105. “Floor of Ice Chest Dropped Out.” Detroit Free Press 27 May 1903: Pg. 5. www.Newspapers.com. 23 April 2022. 106. Ferry, Dexter M., Jr. “Detroit Boat Club President’s Report. Annual Meeting 1908.” p. 3. Detroit Boat Club Archive. 107. Hawley, George E. “Detroit Boat Club President’s Report, 1920.” p. 4-7. Detroit Boat Club Archive.

https://www.newspapers.com/image/119581233/?terms=%22Boat%2BClub%222022. 79. Story

96. “Detroit Boat Club Ready.” Detroit Free Press 3 Aug 1902: Part 1, Pg 9. www.Newspapers.com. 23 April https://www.newspapers.com/image/118285039/?terms=%22Boat%2BClub%222022.

Brevities.”

95. “Sayings and Doings.” Detroit Free Press 2 Aug 1902: Pg 5. www.Newspapers.com. 23 April 2022. https://www.newspapers.com/image/118285025/?terms=%22Boat%2BClub%22

98. “Boat Clubmen Entertained Ladies.” Detroit Free Press 6 Aug 1902: Pg 5. www.Newspapers.com. 23 April https://www.newspapers.com/image/118285093/?terms=%22Boat%2BClub%222022.

and Doings.”

99. “Society.” Detroit Free Press 31 Aug 1902: Part 2, Pg 1. www.Newspapers.com. 23 April https://www.newspapers.com/image/118285435/?terms=%22Boat%2BClub%222022.

76. “Boat Club Men Are Ready.” Detroit Free Press 19 Oct 1901: Page 1. www.Newspapers.com. 23 April 2022. https://www.newspapers.com/image/119576036/?terms=%22Boat%2BClub%22

77. “Fire-Proof Club House, Detroit Boat Club Will Have It Next Summer.” Detroit Free Press 23 Oct 1901: Page 10. www.Newspapers.com. 23 April https://www.newspapers.com/image/119577320/?terms=%22Boat%2BClub%222022.

https://www.newspapers.com/image/121699351/?terms=%22Boat%2BClub%22 88. “Society.” Detroit Free Press

109. Fence blocking 3rd floor west porch visible in a 1951 photo published in the Boat Club News. Detroit Boat Club Boat Club News Archive, 1950-1959. 110. 2nd Floor walled in, as seen in photos of the west wall. 111. Sometime in the early 1940s this portion of the building was rebuilt, based on its appearance in photos published in the Boat Club News. This portion was left unpainted and without stucco for several years.

https://www.newspapers.com/image/121696623/?terms=%22Boat%2BClub%222022. 85. “Handsome New Home For The Detroit Boat Club.”

https://www.newspapers.com/image/121696348/?terms=%22Boat%2BClub%22 84. “Work Has

www.Newspapers.com. 23 April https://www.newspapers.com/image/121698382/?terms=%22Boat%2BClub%222022. 87. “Building In 1901.” Detroit Free Press

www.Newspapers.com.

https://www.newspapers.com/image/118282920/?terms=%22Boat%2BClub%222022. 89. “Springtime Scenes At Belle Isle.” Detroit Free Press 20 Apr 1902: Part 5, Pg 2. www.Newspapers.com. 23 April https://www.newspapers.com/image/118283488/?terms=%22Boat%2BClub%222022. 90. “Boat Club Boats Are Here.” Detroit Free Press 31 May 1902: Pg 10. www.Newspapers.com. 23 April 2022. https://www.newspapers.com/image/118284098/?terms=%22Boat%2BClub%22 91. Jackson, Joe S. “Sporting Facts and Fancies.” Detroit Free Press 4 Jun 1902: Pg 3. www.Newspapers.com. 23 April https://www.newspapers.com/image/118284177/?terms=%22Boat%2BClub%222022. 92. “McLeod-Shnaekel Piano Co.” Detroit Free Press 29 Jun 1902: Part 1 Pg 8. www.Newspapers.com. 23 April https://www.newspapers.com/image/118284536/?terms=%22Boat%2BClub%222022. 93. “Society.” Detroit Free Press 27 Jul 1902: Part 2 Pg 1. www.Newspapers.com. 23 April https://www.newspapers.com/image/118284943/?terms=%22Boat%2BClub%222022.221

100. “Troublous Are Times In Many Fields of Sport.” Detroit Free Press 31 Aug 1902: Part 1, Pg 7. www.Newspapers.com. 23 April https://www.newspapers.com/image/118285431/?terms=%22Boat%2BClub%222022.

132. Information on the club’s spending and renovation projects come from the 1950s issues of the Boat Club News. Detroit Boat Club Boat Club News Archive, 1950-1959. 133. Berm constructed. Boat Club News, Issues April-November, 1952. Detroit Boat Club Boat Club News Archive 1950-1959.

135. Mackey, Roberta “New Birthday Dress.” The Detroit Free Press, 7 Feb 1955, p 1. Newspapers. Accessed 23 Apr 2022.

134. Information on the club’s spending and renovation projects come from the 1951-1959 Boat Club News.Detroit Boat Club Boat Club News Archive 1950-1959.

https://www.newspapers.com/image/98443058

144. “Boat Clubs Told Bias Must End.” Detroit Free Press 23 January 1969: Page 3-A (3). www.Newspapers.com. 4 February https://www.newspapers.com/image/98160857/?terms=%22Boat%2BClub%222019.

146. Kraus, Robert “Boat Club Challenges Belle Isle Ownership.” Detroit Free Press 8 February 1969: Page 3-A (3). www.Newspapers.com. 4 February https://www.newspapers.com/image/98164326/?terms=%22Boat%2BClub%222019.

https://www.newspapers.com/image/98851012/?terms=%22Boat%2BClub%222019. 151.

https://www.newspapers.com/image/98444243/

137. Renovations. Boat Club News, March, 1957. Detroit Boat Club Boat Club News Archive, 1950-1959.

148. “Boat Club Offers to Sell.” Detroit Free Press 14 March 1969: Page 3-A (3). www.Newspapers.com. 4 February https://www.newspapers.com/image/99430826/?terms=%22Boat%2BClub%222019.

150.

www.Newspapers.com.

145. Neuman, Ladd “Boat Clubs’ Foe May Scuttle Sons.” Detroit Free Press 24 January 1969: Page 3-A (3). www.Newspapers.com. 4 February https://www.newspapers.com/image/98160982/?terms=%22Boat%2BClub%222019.

152.

147. McBrearty, William “Boat Clubs on Belle Isle Are Not Free Loaders.” Detroit Free Press 11 March 1969: Page 6-A (6). www.Newspapers.com. 4 February https://www.newspapers.com/image/99430534/?terms=%22Boat%2BClub%222019.

136. “$100,000 Fire Hits Detroit Boat Club.” The Detroit Free Press, 3 Jul 1955, p 1. Newspapers. Accessed 23 Apr 2022.

138. Information about renovations come from Boat Club News, historic photographs, and current observations of the building.

140. Mudge, James “Council Launches Probe of ‘Bias’ At Boating Clubs.” Detroit Free Press 19 July 1967: Page 4-A (4). www.Newspapers.com. 4 February https://www.newspapers.com/image/97537475/?terms=%22Boat%2BClub%222019.

141. “City Outlaws Bias At Belle Isle Clubs.” Detroit Free Press 24 August 1967: Page 3-A (3). www.Newspapers.com. 4 February https://www.newspapers.com/image/98898475/?terms=%22Boat%2BClub%222019.

143. Cooper, David “City to Act on Bias at Yacht Clubs.” Detroit Free Press 22 January 1969: Page 3-A (3). www.Newspapers.com. 4 February https://www.newspapers.com/image/98160780/?terms=%22Boat%2BClub%222019.

142. Goltz, Gene “Negroes Plan to Oust Belle Isle Boat Clubs.” Detroit Free Press 12 January 1969: Page 3-A (3). www.Newspapers.com. 4 February https://www.newspapers.com/image/98159073/?terms=%22Boat%2BClub%222019.

https://www.newspapers.com/image/98852029/?terms=%22Boat%2BClub%222019. 222

149. Neuman, Ladd “Integration Fight: No Sale, City Aide Tells Boat Club.” Detroit Free Press 18 March 1969: Page 3-A (3). www.Newspapers.com. 4 February https://www.newspapers.com/image/98850906/?terms=%22Boat%2BClub%222019. “Boat Clubs Are Defended.” Detroit Free Press 20 March 1969: Page 17-A (17). 4 February “City, Yacht Clubs Striking Race Pact.” Detroit Free Press 29 March 1969: Page 11-B (29). www.Newspapers.com. 4 February https://www.newspapers.com/image/98851618/?terms=%22Boat%2BClub%222019. Mollison, Andrew “Action Against Boat Clubs Delayed.” Detroit Free Press 1 April 1969: Page 11-A (11). www.Newspapers.com. 4 February

139. New china storage room. Boat Club News, February 1962. Detroit Boat Club Boat Club News Archive, 1960-1969

112. “Detroit Boat Club President’s Report.” Detroit Boat Club, 1957. Detroit Boat Club Archive. 113. “New Junior Membership.” Detroit Free Press 10 Dec 1908: Pg 7. www.Newspapers.com. 23 April ce%22%2B%22oarsmen%22https://www.newspapers.com/image/118595421/?terms=%22detroit%22%2B%22board%2Bof%2Bcommer2022. 114. Nickalls, Vivian. Oars, Wars and Horses. Hurst & Blackett, LDT., 1932. 115. “D.B.C. Crews Will Train In New Dormitory.” Detroit Free Press 11 Dec 1913: Pg 14. www.Newspapers.com. 23 April 2022. https://www.newspapers.com/image/119362200/?terms=%22boat%20club%22&match=1 116. “Deparating Year Gives Much Work For Contractors.” Detroit Free Press 4 Jan 1914: Part 5, Pg 2. www.Newspapers.com. 23 April 2022. https://www.newspapers.com/image/119388759/?terms=%22boat%20club%22&match=1 117. “New Work Comes From Architects In Good Volume.” Detroit Free Press 8 Mar 1914: Part 5, Pg 2. www.Newspapers.com. 23 April 2022. https://www.newspapers.com/image/119480538/?terms=%22boat%20club%22&match=1 118. “Detroit Boat Club Senior Crew Is Rounding To Form.” Detroit Free Press 26 Jun 1914: Pg 14. www.Newspapers.com. 23 April 2022. https://www.newspapers.com/image/119556226/?terms=%22boat%20club%22&match=1 119. Year estimated based on when the projection booth appears in historic photographs. 120. Story from the Boat Club News, 1960s. Detroit Boat Club Boat Club News Archive, 1960-1966. 121. “Society.” Detroit Free Press 15 Aug 1926: Page 48. www.Newspapers.com. 23 April 2022. 122. Pool Renovation. Boat Club News, 1960s. Detroit Boat Club Boat Club News Archive, 1960-1966. 123. Information on seawall in front of boat bays based on historic photos. Detroit Boat Club Boat Club News Archive. 124. “Weissmuller Qualifies For Olympic Team By Winning 100-Meter Final.” The Detroit Free Press, 23 Jun 1928, p. 13. Newspapers. Accessed 23 Apr 2022. 125. “When Tarzan Struck Gold at the Games.” International Olympic Committee, 30 Mar 2021. Olympics.com. Accessed 23 Apr https://olympics.com/en/news/when-tarzan-struck-gold-at-the-games-the-legend-of-johnny-weissmuller2022. 126. Information on the Grill Room comes from historic photographs. 127. Information on Bar comes from Boat Club News. Detroit Boat Club Boat Club News Archive. 128. Old Salem Room Created. Boat Club News, October 1948. Detroit Boat Club Boat Club News Archive 1940-1949. 129. Band shell Rebuilt. Boat Club News, Feb. 1954. Detroit Boat Club Boat Club News Archive, 1950-1959. 130. Kalbfleisch, M. M. “Minutes of the One Hundredth Annual Meeting of Detroit Boat Club.” 21 Nov 1939. Detroit Boat Club Archive. 131. DBC looking into moving to new site on Lake St. Clair. Boat Club News, Oct. 1948. Detroit Boat Club Boat Club News Archive 1940-1949.

175. Tempest, Rone “Ladies Fill City Club To Bid a Final Adieu.” Detroit Free Press 20 Nov 1975: Page 16D (84). www.Newspapers.com. 23 Apr https://www.newspapers.com/image/98215766/?terms=%22Women%27s%2BCity%2BClub%222022.

155. “U.S. Court Bars Boaters’ Ouster.” Detroit Free Press 13 May 1969: Page 3-A (3). www.Newspapers.com. 4 February

172. Whittaker, Jeanne “Detroit’s Clubs: Many Long-Standing Barriers Are Falling.” Detroit Free Press 13 July 1975: Page 3-B (46). www.Newspapers.com. 4 February https://www.newspapers.com/image/98212143/?terms=%22Boat%2BClub%222019.

171. Tempest, Rone “Boat Clubs Settle Race Dispute with City.” Detroit Free Press 26 October 1974: Page 3-A (3). www.Newspapers.com. 4 February https://www.newspapers.com/image/98291710/?terms=%22Boat%2BClub%222019.

156. Neuman, Ladd “CRR Rules Boat Clubs Still Biased.” Detroit Free Press 19 June 1969: Page 1-2A (12). www.Newspapers.com. 4 February Club Detroit Free Press 13 May 1969: Page 1-A (1). Detroit Free Press 11 October 1969: Page 6-A (6). www.Newspapers.com. Bids Stay Detroit Free Press 5 November 1969: Page 3-A (3). Detroit Free November 1969: Page 3-A (3). 1969: Page 1-B (23).

www.Newspapers.com. 4 February https://www.newspapers.com/image/98899342/?terms=%22Boat%2BClub%222019. 161. “Tipoff, The Detroit Boat Club.” Detroit Free Press 9 November

173. “Peter Strong, Dentist, Civil Rights Activist.” Detroit Free Press 31 May 2002: Page 5B (98). www.Newspapers.com. 4 November https://www.newspapers.com/image/361387830/?terms=%22boat%2Bclub%222021.

176. “Women’s Building To Reopen.” Detroit Free Press 5 Mar 1976: Page 6B (18). www.Newspapers.com. 23 Apr https://www.newspapers.com/image/98560648/?terms=%22Women%27s%2BCity%2BClub%222022.

Set To Sail Away To Suburbia.”

154. “Boat Club Fight Delayed by City.” Detroit Free Press 17 April 1969: Page 10-B (30). www.Newspapers.com. 4 February https://www.newspapers.com/image/98858943/?terms=%22Boat%2BClub%222019.

169. Tempest, Rone “Trial Starts For Detroit Boat and Yacht Clubs.” Detroit Free Press 25 July 1974: Page 10-D (58). www.Newspapers.com. 4 February https://www.newspapers.com/image/98183097/?terms=%22Boat%2BClub%222019.

177. Bell, Dawson. Kleinknecht, William “House targets Belle Isle golfers, boaters.” Detroit Free Press 30 Apr 1992: Pg 23. www.Newspapers.com. 23 Apr 2022. 178. “Lansing Roll Call.” Detroit Free Press 7 May 1992: 12D (104). www.Newspapers.com. 23 Apr match=1https://www.newspapers.com/image/99697339/?terms=%22Detroit%20Boat%20club%22&2022.

https://www.newspapers.com/image/98877261/?terms=%22Boat%2BClub%222019.

https://www.newspapers.com/image/98856935/?terms=%22Boat%2BClub%222019. 157. Ricke, Tom “Boat

153. Oppedahl, John “City Told To Rule on Boat Clubs.” Detroit Free Press 15 April 1969: Page 3-A (3). www.Newspapers.com. 4 February https://www.newspapers.com/image/98853874/?terms=%22Boat%2BClub%222019.

179. Wilson, Janet “Are men in fast cars stealing a city’s jewel?.” Detroit Free Press 23 May 1992: Pg 1. www.Newspapers.com. 23 Apr https://www.newspapers.com/image/998267412022.

www.Newspapers.com. 4 February https://www.newspapers.com/image/98899290/?terms=%22Boat%2BClub%222019. 160. “Boat Club Delays Action.”

182. “Boat Club Seeks New Members.” Detroit Free Press 16 Mar 1993: Pg 10A. www.Newspapers.com. 23 Apr https://www.newspapers.com/image/97994802/?terms=%22boat%2Bclub%222022.

168. “Discrimination on Belle Isle.” Detroit Free Press 3 May 1974: Page 8-A (8). www.Newspapers.com. 4 February https://www.newspapers.com/image/98190302/?terms=%22Boat%2BClub%222019.

174. “Women’s City Club Will Sell Building.” Detroit Free Press 26 Feb 1975: Page 5A (9). www.Newspapers.com. 23 Apr https://www.newspapers.com/image/98198836/?terms=%22Women%27s%2BCity%2BClub%222022.

www.Newspapers.com. 4 February https://www.newspapers.com/image/98899528/?terms=%22Boat%2BClub%222019. 162. Shanahan, Edward “Bias Furor Forces City Boat Club to Sell Belle Isle Site.” Detroit Free Press 12 February 1970: Page 2-B (20). www.Newspapers.com. 4 February https://www.newspapers.com/image/98888183/?terms=%22Boat%2BClub%222019. 163. Whittaker, Jeanne “Mansions On View.” Detroit Free Press 8 December 1971: Page 5-C (33). www.Newspapers.com. 4 February https://www.newspapers.com/image/99012080/?terms=%22Boat%2BClub%222019. 164. Woolley, John “City Accused of Stalling in Boat Club Case.” Detroit Free Press 10 April 1972: Page 5-B (15). www.Newspapers.com. 4 February https://www.newspapers.com/image/99128060/?terms=%22Boat%2BClub%22#2019. 165. Neubacher, Jim “Boat Club Set to Stay On Isle.” Detroit Free Press 10 October 1971: Page 6-D (46). www.Newspapers.com. 4 February https://www.newspapers.com/image/99195164/?terms=%22Boat%2BClub%222019. 166. Heldman, Louis “Belle Isle Clubs’ Bias Suit Stalled.” Detroit Free Press 23 April 1973: Page 3-A (3). www.Newspapers.com. 4 February https://www.newspapers.com/image/98338997/?terms=%22Boat%2BClub%222019. 167. Heldman, Louis “Young Fights Bias At Clubs on Belle Isle.” Detroit Free Press 29 April 1974: Page 3-A (3). www.Newspapers.com. 4 February https://www.newspapers.com/image/98188956/?terms=%22Boat%2BClub%22https://www.newspapers.com/image/981889372019.223

180. “Bankruptcies.” Detroit Free Press 14 Sep 1992: 14F (59). www.Newspapers.com. 23 Apr 2022. https://www.newspapers.com/image/100128742

in City.”

Press 6

www.Newspapers.com. 4 February https://www.newspapers.com/image/98852661/?terms=%22Boat%2BClub%222019. 158. “Boating’s High Cost.”

4 February https://www.newspapers.com/image/98853037/?terms=%22Boat%2BClub%222019. 159. Ricke, Tom “Boat Club Faction

181. Andrews, Sharony “Boat Club splits on plans to stay open.” Detroit Free Press 25 Jan 1993: Pg 1B. www.Newspapers.com. 23 Apr https://www.newspapers.com/image/97984517/?terms=%22boat%20club%22&match=12022.

170. Tempest, Rone “Boat Clubs Near Deal In Race Suit.” Detroit Free Press 24 October 1974: Page 3-A (3). www.Newspapers.com. 4 February https://www.newspapers.com/image/982908982019.

197. Gallagher, John “Academy could alter Belle Isle.” Detroit Free Press 9 Jun 2008: Pg 11A. www.Newspapers.com. 23 Apr “Plan Would Renovate Detroit Boat Club As Boutique Hotel On Belle Isle.” CBS Detroit 25 Jan

200. Welch, Sherri “Will historic Detroit Boat Club structure survive development plan?” Crains Detroit Business 13 Feb 2014. 23 Apr ture-survive-development-planhttps://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20140213/BLOG009/140219934/will-historic-detroit-boat-club-struc2022.

217. “West Side Rowing Club.” WSRC, West Side Rowing Club, https://www.wsrc.org. Information also comes from interviewing West Side RC coaching staff.

192. Dade, Corey “Belle Isle boat club seeking developers.” Detroit Free Press 9 Sep 1999: Pg 7B. www.Newspapers.com. 23 Apr https://www.newspapers.com/image/100071961/?terms=%22boat%2Bclub%222022.

218. “Newell Boathouse, Home of Harvard’s Men’s Crew.” Go Crimson, Harvard University Athletics, https:// gocrimson.com/sports/2020/5/8/newell-boathouse.aspx?id=3593

209. Rowing clubs of the United States, 1999 210. Rowing Guide ‘68. Pg. 311-359 National Association of Amateur Oarsmen, Philadelphia, 1968. 211. Miller, Ed “Title IX plays big role in rise of women’s rowing.” The Virginian Pilot 25 May 2007. pilotonline. com. 23 Apr 2022. article_d38b5fda-81d0-57dd-bca6-35abd7bf7573.htmlhttps://www.pilotonline.com/sports/college/university-virginia/

183. “Michigan Memo. Rising Tide.” Detroit Free Press 3 Jun 1993: Pg 2F. www.Newspapers.com. 23 Apr 2022. https://www.newspapers.com/image/97732175/?terms=%22boat%20club%22&match=1 184. Gerritt, Jeff “Complex for Belle Isle close to being approved.” Detroit Free Press 28 Feb 1996: Pg 1B. www.Newspapers.com. 23 Apr https://www.newspapers.com/image/99307443/?terms=%22Boat%20Club%22&match=12022. 185. “Friends of Detroit Rowing.” 106th Men’s National Championships Program. Friends of Detroit Rowing July 16-18, 1982. Friends of Detroit Rowing Archive. 186. “Edison Boat Club, Relic Of A Different Era, To Close After Season’s End.” Deadline Detroit 16 Mar 2019. after_season_s_end?fb_comment_id=2191304314246379_2192432764133534https://www.deadlinedetroit.com/articles/21892/edison_boat_club_relic_of_a_different_era_to_close_ 187. Walsh-Sarnecki, Peggy “Regatta a testimonial to sheer perseverance.” Detroit Free Press 3 Jul 1999: Pg 3A. www.Newspapers.com. 23 Apr https://www.newspapers.com/image/100047638/?terms=%22boat%20club%22&match=12022. 188. “Detroit Boat Club: The Oldest Yachting Club in the Americas.” Detroit Boat Club. Detroitboatclub.clubexpress.com. 189. “Detroit Community Sailing Center: Sailing Detroit.” Detroit Community Sailing Center. https://www.sailingdetroit.org/#/ 190. Hackney, Suzette “Battered Belle Isle boat club could get new life.” Detroit Free Press 10 Aug 1997: Pg 1B. www.Newspapers.com. 23 Apr https://www.newspapers.com/image/99410207/?terms=%22boat%2Bclub%222022. 191. Hurt, Charles “Archer makes fall ‘to-do’ list.” Detroit Free Press 4 Oct 1998: Pg 1B. www.Newspapers.com. 23 Apr 2022. https://www.newspapers.com/image/100175005/?terms=%22boat%2Bclub%22

195.

https://detroit.cbslocal.com/2014/01/25/plan-would-renovate-belle-isles-detroit-boat-club-as-boutique-hotel/2014.

206. SmithGroup master plan for the Belle Isle Boathouse, 2019. Friends of Detroit Rowing. 207. The number of pre-1900 rowing clubs was compiled by comparing historic club lists with modern lists in order to see which ones still exist, as well as which ones were reorganized later.

208. “Find a Club.” USRowing, USRowing, https://usrowing.org/sports/2019/10/24/find-a-club.aspx.

212. “College Rowing and Scholarship Opportunities.” Loyola Academy Rowing Association, in_College_.pdfhttps://cdn1.sportngin.com/attachments/document/ac74-2316517/2020-2021_LARA_Rowing_2020-2021.

199. Henderson, Tom “Canadian hotel plans meetings on Belle Isle boat club.” Crains Detroit Business 2 Feb 2014. 23 Apr isle-boat-clubhttps://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20140202/NEWS/302029981/canadian-hotel-plans-meetings-on-belle-2022.

196. Riley, Rochelle “Maritime academy seems a sound idea.” Detroit Free Press 15 May 2008: Pg 1B. www.Newspapers.com. 23 Apr https://www.newspapers.com/image/363410276/?terms=%22boat%2Bclub%222022.

203. Walsh-Sarnecki, Peggy “Dragon-like boats set to race in Detroit River.” Detroit Free Press 21 May 2003: Pg 6B. www.Newspapers.com. 23 Apr https://www.newspapers.com/image/361937809/?terms=%22boat%20club%22&match=12022.

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205. King, R.J. “Friends of Detroit Rowing Sign 30-year Lease to Operate Detroit Boat Club.” DBusiness 1 May 2015. Dbusiness.com. 23 Apr operate-detroit-boat-club/https://www.dbusiness.com/daily-news/exclusive-friends-of-detroit-rowing-sign-30-year-lease-to-2022.

215. “Cleveland Rowing Foundation.” Clevelandrowing, Cleveland Rowing Foundation, https://www.clevelandrows.org/. 216. “The Foundry.” Cleveland Foundry, The Foundry, https://www.clevelandfoundry.org

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204. “Belle Isle’s Polar Plunge to help Special Olympics.” Detroit Free Press 9 Mar 2007: Pg 2B. www.Newspapers.com. 23 Apr https://www.newspapers.com/image/363340863/?terms=%22boat%20club%22&match=12022.

194. Henderson, Stephen “Sadly, Kilpatrick still can’t own up to liesl.” Detroit Free Press 12 Mar 2008: Pg 1A. www.Newspapers.com. 23 Apr https://www.newspapers.com/image/3633934622022. Erb, Robin. Dawsey, Chastity Pratt. “MSU professor advised mayor on plan for boarding school.” Detroit Free Press 12 Mar 2008: Pg 6A. www.Newspapers.com. 23 Apr https://www.newspapers.com/image/363393134/?terms=%22boat%2Bclub%222022.

193. King, R.J. “Retail, entertainment complex may dock at boat club.” Detroit Free Press 3 Jul 2005: Pg 1B. www.Newspapers.com. 23 Apr https://www.newspapers.com/image/362533459/?terms=%22boat%2Bclub%222022.

213. Associated Press. “Budget Casualty: Rutgers Forced to Cut Six Sports.” ESPN, ESPN Internet Ventures, 14 July 2006, https://www.espn.com/college-sports/news/story?id=2519938.

201. Information from members of Friends of Detroit Rowing. 202. Walsh-Sarnecki, Peggy “Dawn Patrol.” Detroit Free Press 29 Aug 2000: Pg 7F. www.Newspapers.com. 23 Apr https://www.newspapers.com/image/3613635692022.

214. “Rowing Quick Facts.” USRowing, https://usrowing.org/sports/2016/6/28/5286_132107073222944384.aspx?id=114.USRowing,

219. “Weld Boathouse, Home of Harvard’s Women’s Crew.” Go Crimson, Harvard University Athletics, https:// gocrimson.com/sports/2020/5/8/weld-boathouse.aspx?id=3596

234. Finn, Robin. “Oars Fly in Rumble on the River.” New York Times 22 Jun 2012. nytimes.com. 23 Apr takes-over-the-sharp-boathouse.htmlhttps://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/24/nyregion/after-rumble-on-the-harlem-river-a-new-crew-2022.

222. “Harry Parker Boathouse.” bc eagles, Boston College https://bceagles.com/facilities/harry-parker-boathouse/7Athletics,

235. Hewitt, Ed. “A Boathouse Grows in Manhattan: New Boathouse to Support Row New York Mission. Row2k 19 Aug 2020. Row2k.com. 23 Apr support-row-new-york-mission/https://www.row2k.com/features/5183/a-boathouse-grows-in-manhattan--new-boathouse-to-2022

224. Interview with CRI Staff. 225. “Personal Boat Storage.” Community Rowing, Community Rowing, https://www.communityrowing.org/about/facilities/60-personal-boat-storageInc.

236. “Programs.” Row New York. rownewyork.org. 23 Apr 2022 https://rownewyork.org/programs/ 237. “Boathouses.” Columbia University Athletics, Columbia https://gocolumbialions.com/facilities/boathouses/25.University, 223

244. Pearsall, Richard “Keeping a boat club afloat.” Courier-Post, Camden, NJ. 13 May 1995: Pg 1B. www.Newspapers.com. 23 Apr 2022. Oneida Boat 20club%22&match=1https://www.newspapers.com/image/183821632/?terms=%22oneida%20boat%Club

238. “1929 Boathouse.” KBL Architects, https://kblarchitects.squarespace.com/work/columbia-crew-pkblarchitects.squarespace.com

239. “1929 Boathouse.” KBL Architects, https://kblarchitects.com/Columbia-University-Crew-Housekblarchitects.com

227. Information from boathouse visit with Anthony Delgreco. 228. “History.” Cambridge Boat https://www.cambridge-boat-club.org/about/historyClub.

233. Braun-Silva, Bethany. “Row New York Takes Over Ownership of Peter Jay Sharp Boathouse.” NY Metro Parents 29 Mar 2017. nymetroparents.com. 23 Apr https://www.nymetroparents.com/article/row-new-york-purchases-peter-jay-sharp-boathouse2022.

241. “History.” monmouthboatclub, Monmouth Boat https://monmouthboatclub.org/page-18249/.Club, 23 Apr 2022.

229. Moser, Albin. “History of Narragansett Boat Club.” rownbc, Narragansett Boat Club, https://www.rownbc.org/about/history. 230. The Palisade Boat Club, Palisade Boat Club, https://thepalisadeboatclub.com. Accessed 12 Apr. 2022

248. Brown, Dotty. Boathouse Row: Waves of Change in the Birthplace of American Rowing. Temple University Press, 2017. 249. Silverberg, Lee. “History.” Fairmount Rowing Association, Fairmount Rowing Association, 19 May 2008, http://fairmountrowing.org/history. 23 Apr 2022 250. “History.” pennsylvaniabargeclub, Pennsylvania Barge Club., https://pennsylvaniabargeclub.com/history/. 23 Apr 2022. 251. “History.” crescentboatclub, Crescent Boat Club., https://crescentboatclub.org/history/. 23 Apr 2022. 252. “History.” bachelorsbargeclub, Bachelors Barge Club., http://www.bachelorsbargeclub.org/history. 23 Apr. 2022. 253. “Boathouse History.” universitybargeclub, University Barge Club., http://www.universitybargeclub.com/ boathousehistory/. 23 Apr 2022. 254. “Vesper - A Brief History.” vesperboatclub, Vesper Boat Club., https://www.vesperboatclub.org/v/about/. 23 Apr 2022. 255. “Boathouse, University of Pennsylvania.” facilities.upenn, University of 23https://www.facilities.upenn.edu/maps/locations/boathouse-university-pennsylvania.Pennsylvania,Apr2022.

243. Winne, Judy. “Worn Old Lady Plans to Do Herself Up Nice.” Courier-Post, Camden, NJ. 27 Sep 1973: Pg 9. www.Newspapers.com. 23 Apr 2022. Oneida Boat 20club%22&match=1https://www.newspapers.com/image/181355056/?terms=%22oneida%20boat%Club

240. “Muscota Marsh.” New York City Department of Parks & Recreation, nycgovparks.org. https://www.nycgovparks.org/highlights/muscota-marsh

231. Information from boathouse visit. 232. McCormick, Katharine. “Rowing in New York City: A Lost Legacy?” East River Crew, Lost_LegacyArticle2012.05.30.pdfhttp://www.eastrivercrew.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/HistoryRowing-RowingInNYC-A_1999.

220. Rosenberg, John S. “Newell and Weld Boathouses Scheduled for Major Renovation.” Harvard Magazine, Harvard Magazine Inc, 3 Mar 2022. https://www.harvardmagazine.com/2022/03/harvard-reno vates-newell-weld-boat-houses, 23Apr2022. 221. “Community Rowing Boathouse / Anmahian Winton Architects” 25 May 2010. ArchDaily. Accessed 23 Apr 2021. anmahian-winton-architects><https://www.archdaily.com/61394/community-rowing-boathouse-ISSN0719-8884

223. “Case Study: Harry Parker Community Rowing Boathouse and Sculling Pavilion.” Extechnic, Extech Exterior Technologies, Inc., ruth-w-somerville-sculling-pavilion/https://extechinc.com/case-study-harry-parker-boathouse-and-

245. Information from boathouse visit, 2021. 246. “Home.” Delaware River Rowing Club, https://sites.google.com/delawareriverrowingclub.org/publicdelawareriverrowingclub.org.

242. “Items of General and Personal Interest to Burlington County Readers.” Courier-Post, Camden, NJ. 30 Dec 1902: Pg 8. www.Newspapers.com. 23 Apr 2022. Oneida Boat club%22&match=1https://www.newspapers.com/image/480131592/?terms=%22oneida%20boat%20Club

247. Charleton, James H. “Boathouse Row.” National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination Form. History Division, National Park Service. 27 Nov 1983. https://npgallery.nps.gov/ GetAsset/9506b040-fe2b-4eb2-b28b-292c298648e7

226. Garver, Richard. “Riverside Boat Club The First 150 Years.” Riverside Boat Club, 2019. 0c/1641848405318/RBC-at-150_Published+10-24-21.pdfsquarespace.com/static/59b5a650197aea58a80fe2bc/t/61dc9e4e662ee5579365e2https://static1.

256. “University of Pennsylvania Boathouse: Renovation & Addition to the Penn Boathouse.” phila.gov, Ewing Cole. https://www.phila.gov/media/20201106110017/11-Boathouse-Row-revised.pdf. 23 Apr 2022 257. Brown, Dotty. “Penn’s Boathouse: Something Old, A Lot That’s New.” 29 Oct. 2021. Boathouserowthebook, Boathouse Row The Book. something-old-a-lot-thats-new/.https://boathouserowthebook.com/2021/10/29/penns-boathouse-23Apr.2022

294. “Belle Isle Park Advisory Committee Minutes.” Michigan Department of Natural Resources 20 Jan. Minutes/minutes-jan-20-2022.pdf?rev=3c4665b9ea6a41e8ab30a14f5e0899d3https://www.michigan.gov/-/media/Project/Websites/dnr/Documents/Boards/BIPAC/BIPAC-2022.

292. Bhattacharya, Esha. Diversity in Rowing, or the Lack Thereof. Row2k,8 Oct. 2020. Accessed 23 April 2022 https://www.row2k.com/features/5280/Diversity-in-Rowing--or-the-Lack-Thereof/

269. “C. Bernard

277. Muentes, Jeseamy. “Temple Boathouse Opens Again After 8 Years.” 1 Dec 2016. Temple Update, Temple Update. https:// templeupdate.com/temple-boathouse-opens-again-after-8-years/ 278. “New home for Temple teams.” The Philadelphia Inquirer 10 Mar 2017: Pg B2. image/279883507/?terms=%22East%20Park%20Canoe%20House%22&match=1https://www.newspapers.com/

290. Rodriguez, Michela. Why Popularity Of Women’s Rowing Has Skyrocketed In The Last Two Decades. The Post Game,26 Feb. 2014. Accessed 23 April http://www.thepostgame.com/blog/eye-performance/201401/womens-rowing-college-popularity2022

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279. “East Park Canoe House Ribbon Cutting.” Mar. 2017. SMP https://smparchitects.com/east-park-canoe-house-ribbon-cutting/Architects. 280. Jaffe, Alan. “Restoration of East Park Canoe House Wins Preservation Award.” WHYY, WHYY, 19 Apr. 2017, https://whyy.org/articles/restoration-of-east-park-canoe-house-wins-preservation-award/. 281. “Boathouses.” WHYY, WHYY, 19 Apr. https://whyy.org/articles/restoration-of-east-park-canoe-house-wins-preservation-award/.2017, 282. Brown, Dotty. “Temple Crew Home At Last.” 31 Jul. 2017. Boathouserowthebook, Boathouse Row The Book. https://boathouserowthebook.com/2017/07/31/temple-crew-home-at-last/ 283. Hampton, Nan, and Chris Caran. “Ask Mr. Smarty Plants - Native Plants for Retention Pond in Michigan.” Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, The University of Texas at Austin, 10 June 2008, https://www.wildflower.org/expert/show.php?id=2454&frontpage=true. Accessed 12 Apr. 2022 284. “Recommended Native Plants.” The Rouge. https://therouge.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Top-20Plants-2014-PDF.pdf 285. “Plants for Rain Gardens. The Rouge, Friends of the Rouge. https://therouge.org/plantsforraingardens/ 286. “Our Mission.” DYC Foundation, Detroit Yacht Club Foundation. http://www.dycfoundation.com/about 287. “Odds of a High School Athlete Making a College Team: Scholarship Stats.com.” Scholarship Stats.com | Play Your Sport in College!, Scholarship Stats.com, 8 Oct. 2020, https://scholarshipstats.com/varsityodds. 288. Mendenhall, Thomas C. “Highlights From 150 Years of American Rowing.” Philadelphia Girls Rowing Club. https://pwrc.org/uploads/3/5/3/4/35347869/150yearsrowing.pdf

291. “The Resurgence of Rowing.” PRNewswire, Cision US Inc. 6 Jul 2016, https://www.prnewswire.com/newsreleases/the-resurgence-of-rowing-300294717.html

224

258. “A Landmark Renovation: Madeira Shell House.” ewingcole, Ewing Cole. https://www.ewingcole.com/portfolio_page/ madeira-shell-house/. 23 Apr. 2022 259. “History.” pennac, Penn AC Rowing Association, https://www.pennac.org/about/history/. 23 Apr 2022. 260. “The Boathouse.” undine, Undine Barge Club, https://undine.com/wordpress/about-2/the-boat-house/. 23 Apr 2022. 261. “Clubhouse.” philadelphiagirlsrowingclub, Philadelphia Girls’ Rowing Club, https://www.philadelphiagirlsrowingclub. org/about-us/clubhouse. 23 Apr 2022. 262. “The Boathouse Past and Future.” friendsofhistoricsedgeley, Friends of Historic Sedgeley, http://www. friendsofhistoricsedgeley.org/the-boathouse-past-and-future/. 23 Apr 2022. 263. “Preserving the Lighthouse.” friendsofhistoricsedgeley, Friends of Historic Sedgeley, http://www.friendsofhistoricsedgeley. org/preserving-the-lighthouse/. 23 Apr 2022. 264. “Sedgeley Club.” sedgeleyclub, Sedgeley Club, http://www.sedgeleyclub.org. 23 Apr 2022. 265. “Annual Opening At Detroit Boat Club.” Detroit Free Press 26 May 1904: Pg 3. www.Newspapers.com. 23 April 2022. https://www.newspapers.com/image/118594299/?terms=%22Chittenden%22 266. “Shea Rowing Center.” Princeton University. https://goprincetontigers.com/facilities/shea-rowing-center/16. 267. “The Making of a Boathouse: The C. Bernard Shea ‘16 Rowing Center.” 10 Apr. 2002. Princeton Alumni Weekly, Princeton University. https://www.princeton.edu/~paw/web_exclusives/features/features_041002g.html. 268. “C. Bernard Shea Rowing Center.” Peterson Architects. PrincetonUniversity-SheaRowingCenterBrochure-PetersonArchitects.pdfhttp://andovercrew.com/Boathouse/OtherBTH/ Shea Rowing Center.” Peterson Architects. https://peterson-architects.com/projects/princeton/ Jeff. “Code violations shutter boathouse used by 4 schools.” The Philadelphia Inquirer 30 Jan 2008: Pg B4. Dec 2012: The 30 July 2015, The Philadelphia Inquirer 31 Jul 2015: Pg B2. 276. Carrion, Angelly. “Restoration Commencing on 100-Year-Old Temple Boathouse. Phillymag, Philadelphia Magazine, 4 Aug 2015, philadelphia/https://www.phillymag.com/property/2015/08/04/east-park-canoe-house-restoration-

289. Macur, Juliet. “Colleges; Never Rowed? Take a Free Ride.” The New York Times, 28 Mar. 2004, nytimes.com. Accessed 23 April https://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/28/sports/colleges-never-rowed-take-a-free-ride.html2022.

293. “Belle Isle Park Advisory Committee Minutes.” Michigan Department of Natural Resources 23 Sep. http://169.62.82.226/documents/dnr/BIPAC_draft_minutes_2021-09-23_738595_7.pdf2021.

270. Shields,

beginning_of_the_renovation_of_historic_East_Park_Canoe_House.html.https://www.inquirer.com/philly/education/20150731_Temple_marks_ 275. Edinger-Turoff, Erin. “Temple kicks off boathouse rebirth.”

Pg B1. newspapers.com/image/199717504/?terms=%22East%20Park%20Canoe%20House%22&match=1https://www. 272. “Inquirer Editorial: Renovating Canoe House Makes Sense for Rowers.” Https://Www.inquirer.com, The Philadelphia Inquirer, 21 Mar. 2013, Renovating_Canoe_House_makes_sense_for_rowers.html.https://www.inquirer.com/philly/opinion/inquirer/20130321_Inquirer_Editorial__ 273. “Lenfest helps Temple rebuild canoe house.” Philadelphia Daily News 29 Jul 2015: Pg 37. com/image/198619693/?terms=%22East%20Park%20Canoe%20House%22&match=1https://www.newspapers. 274. Edinger-Turoff, Erin. “Temple Marks Beginning of Renovation of East Park Canoe House.” Https://Www.inquirer.com,

House%22&match=1https://www.newspapers.com/image/199353126/?terms=%22East%20Park%20Canoe%20 271. Hill, Miriam. “Temple seeks a riverside addition.” The Philadelphia Inquirer 19

21. Men’s Eight on the Float. 1904-1905. Charles S. Ritter Scrapbooks. Detroit (MI) Public Library. Burton Historical Collection. Photographed by Stephen Malbouef 12 Sep 2019. 22. Malbouef, Stephen. Girls eight lifting boat out of the water. 7 Oct 2019. Junior Afternoon Practice 10-7-19. Friends of Detroit Rowing Archive. 23. Malbouef, Stephen. Girls eight up and over heads. 7 Oct 2019. Junior Afternoon Practice 10-7-19. Friends of Detroit Rowing Archive. 24. Malbouef, Stephen. Girls eight split to shoulders. 7 Oct 2019. Junior Afternoon Practice 10-7-19. Friends of Detroit Rowing Archive.

INSIDE COVER8. Malbouef, Stephen. Boys Eight With Freighter. 2022. Friends of Detroit Rowing Archive. Pg. i 9. Malbouef, Stephen. Camryn Teranes Racing Isabelle Sawicki’s quad through the bridge. 10 Jul 2020. Practice 10JUL2020. Friends of Detroit Rowing Archive.

INTRODUCTION, Pg. ix-x 26. In the Footsteps of Champions collage, Stephen Malbouef, 2022. 12. Two people watching an eight from the porch. 1904-1905. Charles S. Ritter Scrapbooks. Detroit (MI) Public Library. Burton Historical Collection. Photographed by Stephen Malbouef 12 Sep 2019.

18. Two rowers sitting on the ramp, one rower walking in the bay. 1904-1905. Charles S. Ritter Scrapbooks. Detroit (MI) Public Library. Burton Historical Collection. Photographed by Stephen Malbouef 12 Sep 2019.

14. James Wray in a single. 1904-1905. Charles S. Ritter Scrapbooks. Detroit (MI) Public Library. Burton Historical Collection. Photographed by Stephen Malbouef 12 Sep 2019.

3. Malbouef, Stephen. Chris Douglas carrying oars. 26 Jun 2020. Junior AM Practice 26JUN2020. Friends of Detroit Rowing Archive.

COVER 1. The Tradition of Rowing Collage by Stephen Malbouef, 2022. 2. Malbouef, Stephen. Boys eight on the dock. 7 Oct 2019. Junior Afternoon Practice 10-7-19. Friends of Detroit Rowing Archive.

16. DBC team sitting on the ramp. 1904-1905. Charles S. Ritter Scrapbooks. Detroit (MI) Public Library. Burton Historical Collection. Photographed by Stephen Malbouef 12 Sep 2019.

THESIS STATEMENT, Pg. vii 20. Passing on the Tradition collage, Stephen Malbouef, 2022.

25. Log Book page that covers 1905 N.A.A.O. Regatta. 1905.. Detroit Boat Club Log 1842-1969. Detroit (MI) Public Library. Burton Historical Collection. Photographed by Stephen Malbouef 12 Sep 2019.

13. Sailing past the boathouse. 1904-1905. Charles S. Ritter Scrapbooks. Detroit (MI) Public Library. Burton Historical Collection. Photographed by Stephen Malbouef 12 Sep 2019.

4. Malbouef, Stephen. Roman Lesnau leaving for a morning row. 29 Jun 2020. Morning Practice 29JUN2020. Friends of Detroit Rowing Archive. 5. They Won the Hanlan Trophy. 1930. Centennial Book of the Detroit Boat Club Jan 1940. Pg. 114. 6. Two oarsmen on dock. 1904. Charles S. Ritter Scrapbook. Detroit (MI) Public Library. Burton Historical Collection. Photographed by Stephen Malbouef 12 Sep 2019. 7. Fred Standish on dock. 1904. Charles S. Ritter Scrapbook. Detroit (MI) Public Library. Burton Historical Collection. Photographed by Stephen Malbouef 12 Sep 2019.

7. Fred Standish on dock. 1904-1905. Charles S. Ritter Scrapbooks. Detroit (MI) Public Library. Burton Historical Collection. Photographed by Stephen Malbouef 12 Sep 2019.

27. International Champions at 145 Pounds. 12 Aug 1928. Detroit Free Press, Page 19. Newspapers.com.

28. Malbouef, Stephen. Bricked-in Bay 5 Opening. 7 Oct 2019. Junior Afternoon Practice 10-7-19. Friends of Detroit Rowing Archive. 29. Malbouef, Stephen. Boys Eight rolled riverside down. 7 Oct 2019. Junior Afternoon Practice 10-7-19. Friends of Detroit Rowing Archive. 30. Malbouef, Stephen. Ashley Doyle Carrying a double. 26 Jun 2020. Junior AM Practice 26JUN2020. Friends of Detroit Rowing Archive. 31. DBC Olympic Trials 4-. 1932. Family of Nathan Goodnow, Former Champion DBC Oarsman. 32. Log Book page that covers 1912 N.A.A.O. Regatta. 1912. Detroit Boat Club Log 1842-1969. Detroit (MI) Public Library. Burton Historical Collection. Photographed by Stephen Malbouef 12 Sep 2019. PG. xi-xii 33. Poolside at the Detroit Boat Club, 1930s. Detroit Boat Club Archive. PG. 0-0 34. Boat race on Detroit River / 10 oared barge race, Detroit River Navy DPA3898. Detroit (MI) Public Library. Digital Collections. Web. 23 April https://digitalcollections.detroitpubliclibrary.org/islandora/object/islandora%3A1499852022.

ABSTRACT, Pg. iii 10. Malbouef, Stephen. Girl’s Four Heading to the Docks. 29 Sep 2021. Junior Practice 29Sep2020. Friends of Detroit Rowing Archive. CONTENTS, Pg. v 11. On the Float 1904-05 Collage. Stephen Malbouef, 2022. 12. Two people watching an eight from the porch. 1904-1905. Charles S. Ritter Scrapbooks. Detroit (MI) Public Library. Burton Historical Collection. Photographed by Stephen Malbouef 12 Sep 2019.

14. James Wray in a single. 1904-1905. Charles S. Ritter Scrapbooks. Detroit (MI) Public Library. Burton Historical Collection. Photographed by Stephen Malbouef 12 Sep 2019.

15. Straight Four rowing past the boathouse. 1904-1905. Charles S. Ritter Scrapbooks. Detroit (MI) Public Library. Burton Historical Collection. Photographed by Stephen Malbouef 12 Sep 2019.

17. Four people in a canoe in the DBC canal. 1904-1905. Charles S. Ritter Scrapbooks. Detroit (MI) Public Library. Burton Historical Collection. Photographed by Stephen Malbouef 12 Sep 2019.

19. Coach Wray and his oarsmen on the float. 1904-1905. Charles S. Ritter Scrapbooks. Detroit (MI) Public Library. Burton Historical Collection. Photographed by Stephen Malbouef 12 Sep 2019.

6. Two oarsmen on dock. 1904-1905. Charles S. Ritter Scrapbooks. Detroit (MI) Public Library. Burton Historical Collection. Photographed by Stephen Malbouef 12 Sep 2019. IMAGES 225

56. Twentieth Anniversary of the Detroit Boat Club program 7404.757.B4L. 28 Aug 1876. Detroit (MI) Public Library, Burton Historical Collection. Scanned by Stephen Malbouef 27 Dec 2017.

59. Sailing ships docked near the Detroit Boat Club EB02c978. Abt. 1873. Detroit (MI) Public Library. Digital Collections. Web. 23 April https://digitalcollections.detroitpubliclibrary.org/islandora/object/islandora%3A1570492022.

63. Annual Regatta of the National Association of Amateur Oarsmen At Detroit. 1877. Harpers Weekly. Friends of Detroit Rowing Archive. PG 15-16 64. Detroit’s East Riverfront, 1884 map with land use overlay, street names, and boathouse locations. Stephen Malbouef, 2021. 65. Sanborn Fire Insurance Map from Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan, Vol. 1. 1884. Library of Congress Geography and Map Division Washington, D.C. 20540-4650 USA. Web. 23 April 2022. https://www.loc.gov/item/sanborn03985_001/ 66. Sanborn Fire Insurance Map from Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan, Vol. 2. 1884. Library of Congress Geography and Map Division Washington, D.C. 20540-4650 USA. Web. 23 April 2022. http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.gmd/g4114dm.g03985188402

https://digitalcollections.detroitpubliclibrary.org/islandora/object/islandora%3A1568762022. PG 7-8 45. Boat race on Detroit River

http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.gmd/g4114dm.g03985188402 49.

https://digitalcollections.detroitpubliclibrary.org/islandora/object/islandora%3A1510252022. 40.

islandora%3A149755https://digitalcollections.detroitpubliclibrary.org/islandora/object/2022. 53.

60. Detroit Boat Club Building DPA3479. 1873. Detroit (MI) Public Library. Digital Collections. Web. 23 April https://digitalcollections.detroitpubliclibrary.org/islandora/object/islandora%3A1488862022.

54. Russell House DPA3087. 1871. Detroit (MI) Public Library. Digital Collections. Web. 23 April islandora%3A148753https://digitalcollections.detroitpubliclibrary.org/islandora/object/2022.

PG 11-12

dora%3A157695https://digitalcollections.detroitpubliclibrary.org/islandora/object/islan 37.

51.

50. Brow, Andrew J. Up Detroit River to Belle Isle EB02c147. bet. 1873-1889. Detroit (MI) Public Library. Digital Collections. Web. 23 April dora%3A155726https://digitalcollections.detroitpubliclibrary.org/islandora/object/islan2022.

https://digitalcollections.detroitpubliclibrary.org/islandora/object/islandora%3A148964

55. Biddle House EB02g265. Detroit (MI) Public Library. Digital Collections. Web. 23 April 2022. islandora%3A160412https://digitalcollections.detroitpubliclibrary.org/islandora/object/

https://digitalcollections.detroitpubliclibrary.org/islandora/object/islandora%3A1499852022. 46. Detroit Parks in 1879 Diagram Comparison.

58. Detroit Boat Club Program for event at Detroit Opera House. 17 Apr 1877. Cory Andrews Scrapbook (1876-78, 1896-1901) Detroit Boat Club Archive. Photographed by Stephen Malbouef 30 Jan 2022.

PG 1-2 35. Current Map of Detroit with 1839 Overlay. Stephen Malbouef, 2021 36. Docks and boathouse at the Detroit River EB02d861. Detroit (MI) Public Library. Digital Collections. Web. 23 April 2022. Detroit News. Detroit Boat Club in 1868. 1868. Centennial Book of the Detroit Boat Club, Jan. 1940. Pg. 15. 38. Wolverine Boat Club Building DPA3480. Detroit (MI) Public Library. Digital Collections. Web. 23 April 2022.

https://www.loc.gov/item/sanborn03985_001/ 48.

https://digitalcollections.detroitpubliclibrary.org/islandora/object/islandora%3A151070 PG 5-6 43. Randall.

67. Detroit’s East Riverfront, 1897 map with land use overlay, street names, and boathouse locations. Stephen Malbouef, 2021. 68. Sanborn Fire Insurance Map from Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan, Vol. 4. 1897. Library of Congress Geography and Map Division Washington, D.C. 20540-4650 USA. Web. 23 April 2022. http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.gmd/g4114dm.g03985189704

https://digitalcollections.detroitpubliclibrary.org/islandora/object/islandora%3A158750 44. Boats

42. Randall.

61. Detroit Boat Club, Detroit Side. Private Collection. PG 13-14 62. Detroit Challenge Cup. 1933. 1933 NAAO Annual Yearbook. Miller, Bill. National Association of Amateur Oarsmen Trophies. Rowinghistory.net. Web. 23 April http://www.rowinghistory.net/resources/naao-trophies2022

57. Invitation to an event held by the Excelsior Boat Club at the Biddle House 1931.031.026. Detroit (MI) Historical Society. Digital Collections. Web. 23 April 4002-B699-023152345025https://detroithistorical.pastperfectonline.com/Archive/1896521D-0AA1-2022.

PG 3-4 39. Stevenson, Frederick James. View of Detroit riverfront DPA5077. 1866. Detroit (MI) Public Library. Digital Collections. Web. 23 April Current Map of Detroit with 1856-61 Overlay. Stephen Malbouef, 2021 Image 39 with street names and landmarks labeled. 41. Detroit News. Detroit Boat Club in 1868. 1868. Centennial Book of the Detroit Boat Club, Jan. 1940. Pg. 15. Wolverine Boat Club DPA4976. Detroit (MI) Public Library. Digital Collections. Web. 23 April 2022. Excelsior Boat Club EB02e614. Detroit (MI) Public Library. Digital Collections. Web. 23 April 2022. at Belle Isle Park EB02c524. Detroit (MI) Public Library. Digital Collections. Web. 23 April DPA3898. Detroit (MI) Public Library. Digital Collections. Web. 23 April Stephen Malbouef, 2022. 47. Sanborn Fire Insurance Map from Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan, Vol. 1. 1884. Library of Congress Geography and Map Division Washington, D.C. 20540-4650 USA. Web. 23 April 2022. Sanborn Fire Insurance Map from Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan, Vol. 2. 1884. Library of Congress Geography and Map Division Washington, D.C. 20540-4650 USA. Web. 23 April 2022. Detroit Park & Open Space Overlay. Stephen Malbouef, 2022. PG 9-10 50. Brow, Andrew J. Up Detroit River to Belle Isle EB02c147. bet. 1873-1889. Detroit (MI) Public Library. Digital Collections. Web. 23 April https://digitalcollections.detroitpubliclibrary.org/islandora/object/islandora%3A1557262022. Society Collage by Stephen Malbouef, 2022. 52. Bardwell, Jex. Detroit Opera House, 1871 DPA4615. 1871. Detroit (MI) Public Library. Digital Collections. Web. 23 April Arbeiter Hall DPA1826. 1881. Detroit (MI) Public Library. Digital Collections. Web. 23 April 2022.

islandora%3A147854https://digitalcollections.detroitpubliclibrary.org/islandora/object/ 226

88. Detroit Boat Club. EB02f750. 1890-1893. Detroit (MI) Public Library. Digital Collections. Web. 23 April 2022. 89. Gardiner, W. H. Detroit Boat Club. DPA4975. 1890-1893. Detroit (MI) Public Library. Digital Collections. Web. 23 April 2022. 90. Detroit Boat Club Gate. 21 Jun 1891. Detroit Free Press 21 Jun 1891. Pg. 19. Newspapers.com. Web. 23 April 2022. 91. Detroit Boat Club Cafe. 21 Jun 1891. Detroit Free Press 21 Jun 1891. Pg. 19. Newspapers.com. Web. 23 April 2022. 92. Detroit Boat Club Reception Room. 21 Jun 1891. Detroit Free Press 21 Jun 1891. Pg. 19. Newspapers.com. Web. 23 April 2022. PG 27-28 93. Detroit Boat Club.DPA4973. 1894-1901. Detroit (MI) Public Library. Digital Collections. Web. 23 April 2022. 94. Detroit Boat Club 2014.002.430. 1898. Detroit (MI) Historical Society. Digital Collections. Web. 23 April 2022. 95. Interior View, Detroit Boat Club House. 720.4 I56. 1895. Inland Architect Vol. 25, No. 1. Ryerson and Burnham Art and Architecture Archive. Art Institute of Chicago. Accessed 23 Apr 2022. https://artic.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/mqc/id/9317/rec/3 96. Detroit Boat Club Reception Room. 7 Jan 1894. Detroit Free Press 7 Jan 1894. Pg. 6. Newspapers.com. Web. 23 April 2022. 97. The Good Old Days at the Boat Club. 1894-1901. Centennial Book of the Detroit Boat Club, Jan. 1940. Page 23. PG 29-30 98. Heap of embers all that is left of the handsome boat clubhouse. Oct. 1901. Unknown Newspaper. Cory Andrews Scrapbook (1876-78, 1896-1901), Detroit Boat Club Archive. Scanned by Stephen Malbouef 30 Jan 2022. 99. Belle Isle From Above. 1905-1913. Friends of Detroit Rowing Archive. PG 31-32 100. Chittenden, Alpheus. New Home for the Detroit Boat Club. Perspective View of the Proposed Fine Building. 29 Dec 1901. Detroit Free Press 29 Dec 1901. Pg. 30. Newspapers.com. Web. 23 April 2022. PG 33-34 101. Detroit News. Detroit Boat Club. Abt. 1905. Detroit News Photograph Collection. Walter P. Reuther Library, Wayne State University. Wayne State Digital Collection. Web. 23 April 102. Excelsior Boat Club clubhouse at the foot of Joseph Campau EB02g241. Detroit (MI) Public Library. Digital Collections. Web. 23 April 35-36 Detroit Boat Club Site Plan, 1902. Research, Compiled, & Drawn by Stephen Malbouef, 2021. 104. Detroit Boat Club First Floor Plan, 1902. Research, Compiled, & Drawn by Stephen Malbouef, 2021. PG 37-38 105. Detroit Boat Club Second Floor Plan, 1902. Research, Compiled, & Drawn by Stephen Malbouef, 2021. 106. Detroit Boat Club Third Floor Plan, 1902. Research, Compiled, & Drawn by Stephen Malbouef, 2021. PG 39-40 107. Main Reception Hall facing north east, 1900s. Friends of Detroit Rowing Archive. 108. Malbouef, Stephen. Main Reception Hall north east. 2021. Friends of Detroit Rowing Archive. PG 17-18 69. Current Map of Detroit with 1860s-1870s Overlay. Stephen Malbouef, 2021 70. Current Map of Detroit with 1880s Overlay. Stephen Malbouef, 2021 71. Current Map of Detroit with 1890s Overlay. Stephen Malbouef, 2021 72. Excelsior Boat Club 1964.125.099f. Detroit (MI) Historical Society. Digital Collections. Web. 23 April 2022. 73. Excelsior Boat Club. Friends of Detroit Rowing Archive. 74. Deans, Brow & Godfrey Centennial Boat Club EB02h022. Detroit (MI) Public Library. Digital Collections. Web. 23 April 2022. 75. Detroit Boat Club EB02g347. Detroit (MI) Public Library. Digital Collections. Web. 23 April 2022. 76. View of Edgemere Yacht Club bh004588. Detroit (MI) Public Library. Digital Collections. Web. 23 April 2022. 77. Solvay Boat Club and Dock in Wintertime DPA0135. Detroit (MI) Public Library. Digital Collections. Web. 23 April 2022. PG 19-20 78. Belle Isle with Bridge. DPA3845. 1895. Detroit (MI) Public Library. Digital Collections. Web. 23 April 2022. PG 21-22 79. View along sandy shore with waves rolling in. EB02f716. Detroit (MI) Public Library. Digital Collections. Web. 23 April 2022. 80. Topographical Map of Belle Isle Park Showing Contours Item Number 661-z21. Job #661, Belle Isle Park. Frederick Law Olmsted Archives. Web. 23 April 2022. https://www.flickr.com/photos/olmsted_archives/40740480493/in/ album-72157638290836244/ PG 23-24 81. Belle Isle Park/ Preliminary Plan Item Number 661-48. Job #661, Belle Isle Park. Frederick Law Olmsted Archives. Web. 23 April 2022. https://www.flickr.com/photos/olmsted_archives/38765763421/in/ album-72157638290836244/ 82. Shipley & Ladd. Sheltered Pier DPA3659. 1888. Detroit (MI) Public Library. Digital Collections. Web. 23 April 2022. 83. Mr. Warren’s drawing of Belle Isle. Item Number 661-z2. Job #661, Belle Isle Park. Frederick Law Olmsted Archives. Web. 23 April 2022. https://www.flickr.com/photos/olmsted_archives/38765767121/in/ album-72157638290836244/ 84. Sanborn Fire Insurance Map from Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan, Vol. 8. 1915- Feb 1951. Library of Congress Geography and Map Division Washington, D.C. 20540-4650 USA. Web. 23 April 2022. http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.gmd/g4114dm.g03985195108 85. Holcombe & Metzen. Belle Isle Boathouse. DPA3634. Detroit (MI) Public Library. Digital Collections. Web. 23 April https://digitalcollections.detroitpubliclibrary.org/islandora/object/islandora%3A1498172022. Holcombe & Metzen. Belle Isle Casino. DPA3711. Detroit (MI) Public Library. Digital Collections. Web. 23 April https://digitalcollections.detroitpubliclibrary.org/islandora/object/islandora%3A1496242022. PG 25-26 87. Detroit Boat Club. EB02e714. 1890-1893. Detroit (MI) Public Library. Digital Collections. Web. 23 April https://digitalcollections.detroitpubliclibrary.org/islandora/object/islandora%3A1588902022.

https://digitalcollections.detroitpubliclibrary.org/islandora/object/islandora%3A1596242022. PG

103.

https://digital.library.wayne.edu/mirador?id=wayne:vmc69&type=ImageView2022.

86.

227

147. Malbouef, Stephen. Foundations Under Back Hallway 1, 2021. Friends of Detroit Rowing Archive. 148. Malbouef, Stephen. Foundations Under Back Hallway 2, 2021. Friends of Detroit Rowing Archive.

138. Malbouef, Stephen. Boathouse Foundation Under Boat Bays 3. Friends of Detroit Rowing Archive. PG 63-64

122.

134. Detroit Publishing Co., Copyright Claimant, and Publisher Detroit Publishing Co. Detroit Boat Club, Belle Isle Park. Photograph. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, <www.loc.gov/item/2016802051/>. PG 59-60

119.

139. “The Cleveland Silex Stone Company” The Detroit Free Press, 15 Sep. 1909, part 2, p. 7. Newspapers. Accessed 24 April Silex%22&match=1https://www.newspapers.com/image/118634474/?terms=%22Cleveland%202022.

17. Four people in a canoe in the DBC canal. 1904-1905. Charles S. Ritter Scrapbooks. Detroit (MI) Public Library. Burton Historical Collection. Photographed by Stephen Malbouef 12 Sep 2019. 228

142. Malbouef, Stephen. Floor Slab Deterioration Above Boat Shop, 2021. Friends of Detroit Rowing Archive. 143. Malbouef, Stephen. Roof Slab Deterioration Above Bar Dance Floor Attic, 2021. Friends of Detroit Rowing Archive. 144. Malbouef, Stephen. Floor Slab Deterioration Above Women’s Locker Room, 2021. Friends of Detroit Rowing Archive.

133. Detroit Publishing Co., Copyright Claimant, and Publisher Detroit Publishing Co. Detroit Boat Club, Belle Isle Park, Detroit, Mich. Photograph. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, <www.loc.gov/item/2016794930/>.

130. Malbouef, Stephen. Main Reception Hall Woodwork. 2021. Friends of Detroit Rowing Archive.

131. 21 Facinating Early Photographs of Venice. The Telegraph, 1 Apr 2018. photographs-of-venice/venice14/telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/italy/galleries/fascinating-early-https://www.

140. The Hollow Building Tile Association. Combination Long Span Floors One-Way System, Fig. 1038, 1922. Handbook of Hollow Building Tile Construction, Third Edition. The Hollow Building Tile Association, 1922, p. 72. Inspectapedia.com. Web. 24 April https://inspectapedia.com/structure/Handbook-Of-Hollow-Building-Tile-Construction.pdf2022.

135. Malbouef, Stephen. Boathouse Foundation Under Boat Bays. Friends of Detroit Rowing Archive.

129. San Marina Canal, Venice, Italy. 30 Stunning Pictures of Venice From the 1890s. Vintage Everyday. 24 Dec 2017. https://www.vintag.es/2017/12/30-stunning-color-picturesof-venice.html

136. Malbouef, Stephen. Detroit Boat Club Riverside Elevation, 1902.Researched and Compiled by Stephen Malbouef. PG 61-62

123.

132. The Rialto Bridge. Venice in beautiful old color images, 1890. Rare Historical Photos. https:// rarehistoricalphotos.com/venice-in-beautiful-old-color-images-1890/ PG 57-58

PG 41-42

PG 43-44 111. Detroit Publishing Co., Copyright Claimant, and Publisher Detroit Publishing Co. Ball room, Detroit Boat Club, Detroit, Mich. [Cbetween 1900 and 1910] Photograph. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, <www. 112.loc.gov/item/2016814927/>.Malbouef,Stephen.Ballroom north east, 2021. Friends of Detroit Rowing Archive. 45-46 Ballroom facing south east, 1900s. Friends of Detroit Rowing Archive. 114. Malbouef, Stephen. Ballroom south east, 2021. Friends of Detroit Rowing Archive. 47-48 115. Cafe, 1900s. Friends of Detroit Rowing Archive.

116. Malbouef, Stephen. Dining Room, south west, 2021. Friends of Detroit Rowing Archive. 49-50 Ladies’ Sitting Room, 1900s. Detroit Boat Club Archive. 118. Malbouef, Stephen. Commodore’s Bar north west, 2021. Friends of Detroit Rowing Archive. 51-52 Malbouef, Stephen. Portholes in attic above bar dance floor, facing North. 2021. Friends of Detroit Rowing Archive. Malbouef, Stephen. Attic above bar dance floor, West. 2021. Friends of Detroit Rowing Archive. Malbouef, Stephen. Attic above bar dance floor, North East. 2021. Friends of Detroit Rowing Archive. Malbouef, Stephen. Attic above bar dance floor, North East, 2. 2021. Friends of Detroit Rowing Archive. Malbouef, Stephen. President’s Bar dance floor, North East. 2021. Friends of Detroit Rowing Archive. PG 53-54 Club Den, North West. 1900s. Friends of Detroit Rowing Archive. 125. Malbouef, Stephen. Board Room North West, 2017. Friends of Detroit Rowing Archive. PG 55-56 Malbouef, Stephen. The Venetian Details of the Detroit Boat Club line overlay, 2021. 128. Boat Club Fireplace, 1900s. Friends of Detroit Rowing Archive.

131. Vendramin Calergi Palace. 30 Stunning Pictures of Venice From the 1890s. Vintage Everyday. 24 Dec https://www.vintag.es/2017/12/30-stunning-color-pictures-of-venice.html2017.

145. Malbouef, Stephen. Foundations Under Men’s Locker Room 1, 2019. Friends of Detroit Rowing Archive.

113.

121.

124.

117.

126.

137. Malbouef, Stephen. Boathouse Foundation Under Boat Bays 2. Friends of Detroit Rowing Archive.

109. Main Reception Hall facing south east, 1900s. Detroit Boat Club Archive. 110. Malbouef, Stephen. Main Reception Hall north east. 2021. Friends of Detroit Rowing Archive.

141. Malbouef, Stephen. Axon of the Floor Structure of the Belle Isle Boathouse, 2022. PG 65-66

146. Malbouef, Stephen. Foundations Under Men’s Locker Room 2, 2019. Friends of Detroit Rowing Archive.

120.

153. Detroit Publishing Co., Publisher. Detroit Boat Club, a card party, Belle Isle Park, Detroit, Mich. [Between 1900 and 1915] Photograph. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, <www.loc.gov/ item/2016810701/>.

157. Close up of deterioration of Image 155. Detroit Publishing Co., Copyright Claimant, and Publisher Detroit Publishing Co. On the veranda, Detroit Boat Club, Detroit, Mich. [Cbetween 1900 and 1910] Photograph. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, <www.loc.gov/item/2016814928/>.

165.

Inspecting the New Eight-Oared Shell, 1939. Centennial Book of the Detroit Boat Club, Pg. 61. 229

156. Close up of deterioration of Image 155. Detroit Publishing Co., Copyright Claimant, and Publisher Detroit Publishing Co. On the veranda, Detroit Boat Club, Detroit, Mich. [Cbetween 1900 and 1910] Photograph. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, <www.loc.gov/item/2016814928/>.

161. Malbouef, Stephen. Oak Room Porch Deterioration, 2021. Friends of Detroit Rowing Archive.

PG 71-72

162. Malbouef, Stephen. North Facade Deterioration, 2021. Friends of Detroit Rowing Archive. PG 73-74 163. Malbouef, Stephen. Ballroom From Third Floor, 2021. Friends of Detroit Rowing Archive.

166. Malbouef, Stephen. Attic over President’s Bar, Facing East, 2021. Friends of Detroit Rowing Archive. 167. Malbouef, Stephen. Attic, Facing Northeast, 2021. Friends of Detroit Rowing Archive. PG 169.75-76Detroit Publishing Co., Copyright Claimant, and Publisher Detroit Publishing Co. Detroit Boat Club, Belle Isle Park, Detroit, Michigan. [Cbetween 1910 and 1920] Photograph. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, <www.loc.gov/ 170.item/2016814184/>.FormerOarsmen

178. Detroit Boat Club Pedestrian Bridge Under Construction, 1926. Friends of Detroit Rowing Archive. PG 83-84

172. Build Rowing Shells At The Detroit Boat Club, 1930s. Centennial Book of the Detroit Boat Club, Pg. 141. 173. Malbouef, Stephen. Detroit Boat Club Riverside Elevation, 1914. Researched and Compiled by Stephen Malbouef, 2021. PG 77-78 174. Malbouef, Stephen. Detroit Boat Club Site, 1914. Researched and Compiled by Stephen Malbouef, 2021.

150. Close up of deterioration in Image 133. Detroit Publishing Co., Copyright Claimant, and Publisher Detroit Publishing Co. Detroit Boat Club, Belle Isle Park, Detroit, Mich. Photograph. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, <www.loc.gov/item/2016794930/>.

158. Malbouef, Stephen. Deterioration of east side of main staircase, 2021. Friends of Detroit Rowing Archive.

175. Malbouef, Stephen. Detroit Boat Club First Floor, 1914. Researched and Compiled by Stephen Malbouef, 2021. PG 79-80 176. Malbouef, Stephen. Detroit Boat Club Second Floor, 1914. Researched and Compiled by Stephen Malbouef, 2021. 177. Malbouef, Stephen. Detroit Boat Club Third Floor, 1914. Researched and Compiled by Stephen Malbouef, 2021. PG 81-82

179. Detroit Boat Club Pool Foundation Under Construction, 1926. Friends of Detroit Rowing Archive. 180. Detroit Boat Club Pool Under Construction, 1926. Heinrich, Jon. D.B.C. Pool History, Boat Club News May 1986. Friends of Detroit Rowing Archive. PG 85-86 181. Opening of the Detroit Boat Club Pool, Detroit Free Press 22 Aug 1926. Newspapers. 182. Detroit News. Detroit Boat Club Pools 2013.049.292, 1953. Detroit Historical Society. 33. Poolside at the Detroit Boat Club, 1930s. Detroit Boat Club Archive. 183. Diving Tower at the Detroit Boat Club Pool, Detroit Boat Club Archive. 184. Weissmuller Qualifies For Olympic Team, Detroit Free Press, 1928. Newspapers. 185. Detroit Boat Club Pool. Heinrich, Jon. D.B.C. Pool History, Boat Club News May 1986. Friends of Detroit Rowing Archive. 186. Detroit Boat Club Pool, 1970s-90s, Detroit Boat Club Archive. 187. Detroit Boat Club Pool, 1990s-2000s, Detroit Boat Club Archive. PG 87-88 189. Ross, Judson O. Painting of an aerial view of the Detroit Boat Club, 2014.074.001. 1937. Detroit Historical Society. PG 89-90 190. Eight in front of DBC Boathouse, 1958. Boat Club News, Fourth Issue, 120th year. Jul 1958. Detroit Boat Club Archive. 191. Kreft, Mark A. Boaters Haven 2008.033.058., 1970. Detroit Historical Society.

160. Malbouef, Stephen. West Facade Deterioration, 2021. Friends of Detroit Rowing Archive.

154. Malbouef, Stephen. South Porch, 2016. Friends of Detroit Rowing Archive. PG 69-70 155. Detroit Publishing Co., Copyright Claimant, and Publisher Detroit Publishing Co. On the veranda, Detroit Boat Club, Detroit, Mich. [Cbetween 1900 and 1910] Photograph. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, <www.loc.gov/item/2016814928/>.

164. Malbouef, Stephen. Attic over Main Reception Hall, Facing South, 2021. Friends of Detroit Rowing Archive. Malbouef, Stephen. Attic over Main Reception Hall, Facing Northwest, 2021. Friends of Detroit Rowing Archive.

151. Close up of deterioration in Image 133. Detroit Publishing Co., Copyright Claimant, and Publisher Detroit Publishing Co. Detroit Boat Club, Belle Isle Park, Detroit, Mich. Photograph. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, <www.loc.gov/item/2016794930/>.

159. Malbouef, Stephen. Main Staircase, 2021. Friends of Detroit Rowing Archive.

152. Close up of deterioration. Detroit Publishing Co., Publisher. Detroit Boat Club, a card party, Belle Isle Park, Detroit, Mich. [Between 1900 and 1915] Photograph. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, <www.loc.gov/item/2016810700/>.

171. Temporary Lounge In The Ballroom, October 1925. Collection of the daughter of Clair Ditchy. See the Detroit Boat Club of the past in these historic photos. 5 Jan 2017. Curbed https://detroit.curbed.com/2017/1/5/14167224/detroit-boat-club-historic-photosDetroit

PG 101-102 205. Image

209. Current third floor

PG 103-104 206. Current

199. Vintage Hotels Group. Rendering of Hotel Site Proposal. Hall, David. Henderson, Tom. Canadian hotel plans meetings on Belle Isle boat club. Crain’s Detroit, 2 Feb 2014. hotel-plans-meetings-on-belle-isle-boat-clubhttps://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20140202/NEWS/302029981/canadian-

201.

203. Photo

202.

204. Photo

207. Current

230

PG 105-106 208. Current second floor

PG 107-108 210. Photo by author. 211. Boats stored in DBC boat bays graphic by author. 212. Photo by author 213. Photo by author 214. Photo by author 215. Photo by author 216. Photo by author 217. Photo by author 218. Photo by author 219. Photo by author 220. Photo by author PG 109-110 221. Boat bay collage by author with photos taken by author. 222. All boats currently stored at boathouse site graphic by author. PG 111-112 223. Rowing in the United States graphic by author. PG 113-114 224. Photo by author 225. Photo by author PG 115-116 226. Rowing in Michigan graphic by author. 227. Photo by author 228. Photo by author 229. Photo by author PG 117-118 230. Photo by author 231. Photo by author 232. Photo by author 233. Photo by author 234. Photo by author 235. Photo by author 236. Photo by author PG 91-92 192. Boat Club From Above. Detroit Boat Club Archive. PG 93-94 193. Lobby, 1996. Detroit Boat Club Archive. PG 95-96 194. Ballroom, 1996. Detroit Boat Club Archive. PG 97-98 195. Malbouef, Stephen. Boat Club Proposal Collage, 2022. 196. Maritime Academy Proposal Rendering, Detroit Free Press, 15 May 2008, Pg 1B. Newspapers. legacy/363410276/?terms=%22boat%2Bclub%22https://www.newspapers.com/image/ 197. Gallagher, John. Academy could alter Belle Isle headline, Detroit Free Press, 9 Jun 2008, Pg. 11A. legacy/362649554/?terms=%22boat%2Bclub%22https://www.newspapers.com/image/Newspapers. 198. Gunn Levine Architects. Maritime Academy Proposal Rendering, Detroit Free Press, 9 Jun 2008, Pg. 11A. Newspapers. image/legacy/362649554/?terms=%22boat%2Bclub%22https://www.newspapers.com/

200. Vintage Hotels Group. Project Rendering of Belle Isle Boathouse Hotel Proposal. Welch, Sherri. Will historic Detroit Boat Club structure survive development plan?. Crain’s Detroit, 13 Feb 2014. BLOG009/140219934/will-historic-detroit-boat-club-structure-survive-development-https://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20140213/plan 99-100 Pidgeon, Tom. Brian Benz Coaching Learn To Row. Detroit Free Press 29 Aug 2000, Pg. 8F. Newspapers. https://www.newspapers.com/image/361363578/ Photo of lobby by author. of commodore’s bar by author. of trophy case by author. by author. site plan by author. first floor plan by author. plan by author. plan by author.

269. Photo by author 270. Photo by author 271. Photo by author 272. Photo by author 273. Photo by author 274. Photo by author PG 121-122 275. Photo by author 276. Photo by author 277. Foundry collage by author with photos taken by author. 278. Photo by author 279. Photo by author 280. Photo by author PG 123-124 281. West Side collage by author with photos taken by author. 282. Photo by author 283. Photo by author 284. Photo by author 285. Photo by author 286. Photo by author 287. Photo by author 288. Photo by author 289. Photo by author 290. Photo by author 291. Photo by author 292. Photo by author 293. Photo by author PG 125-126 294. Photo by author 295. Photo by author 296. Photo by author 297. Photo by author 298. Photo by author 237. Photo by author 238. Photo by author 239. Photo by author 240. Photo by author 241. Photo by author 242. Photo by author 243. Photo by author 244. Photo by author 245. Photo by author 246. Photo by author 247. Photo by author 248. Photo by author 249. Photo by author 250. Photo by author 251. Photo by author 252. Photo by author 253. Photo by author 254. Photo by author 255. Photo by author 256. Photo by author 257. Photo by author 258. Photo by author 259. Photo by author 260. Photo by author 261. Photo by author 262. Photo by author 263. Photo by author 264. Photo by author 265. Photo by author 266. Photo by author PG 119-120 267. Photo by author 268. Photo by author 231

330. Photo by author PG 131-132 331. Photo by author 332. Photo by author 333. Photo by author 334. Photo by author 335. Photo by author 336. Photo by author PG 133-134 337. Photo by author 338. Photo by author 339. Photo by author 340. Photo by author 341. Photo by author 342. Photo by author 343. Photo by author 344. Photo by author PG 135-136 345. Photo by author 346. Photo by author 347. Photo by author 348. Photo by author 349. Photo by author 350. Photo by author 351. Photo by author 352. Photo by author PG 137-138 Yonkers, PG 1 353. Photo by author 354. Photo by author 355. Photo by author 356. Photo by author 357. Photo by author 358. Photo by author 299. Photo by author 300. Photo by author 301. Photo by author 302. Photo by author 303. Photo by author 304. Photo by author 305. Photo by author 306. Photo by author 307. Photo by author 308. Photo by author 309. Photo by author 310. Photo by author 311. Photo by author 312. Photo by author 313. Photo by author 314. Photo by author 315. Photo by author 316. Photo by author 317. Photo by author PG 127-128 318. Photo by author 319. Photo by author PG 129-130 320. Photo by author 321. Photo by author 322. Photo by author 323. Photo by author 324. Photo by author 325. Photo by author 326. Photo by author 327. Photo by author 328. Photo by author 329. Photo by author 232

PG 147-148 Philadelphia 2 387. Photo by author 388. Photo by author 389. Photo by author 390. Photo by author 391. Photo by author 392. Photo by author 393. Photo by author 394. Photo by author 395. Photo by author 396. Photo by author 397. Photo by author 398. Photo by author 399. Photo by author PG 149-150 Philadelphia 3 400. Photo by author 401. Photo by author 402. Photo by author 403. Photo by author 404. Photo by author 405. Photo by author 406. Photo by author 407. Photo by author 408. Photo by author 409. Photo by author 410. Photo by author 411. Photo by author 412. Photo by author 413. Photo by author 414. Photo by author 415. Photo by author 416. Photo by author 417. Photo by author PG 139-140 Yonkers, PG 2 359. Photo by author 360. Photo by author 361. Photo by author 362. Photo by author 363. Photo by author 364. Photo by author 365. Photo by author 366. Photo by author PG 141-142 New York 367. Photo by author 368. Photo by author 369. Photo by author 370. Photo by author 371. Photo by author 372. Photo by author 373. Photo by author PG 143-144 New Jersey 374. Photo by author 375. Photo by author 376. Photo by author 377. Photo by author 378. Photo by author 379. Photo by author 380. Photo by author 381. Photo by author 382. Photo by author 383. Photo by author PG 145-146 Philadelphia384.Photoby author 385. Photo by author 386. Photo by author 233

447. Ewing Cole. Existing First Floor Plan. 2020. Phila.gov. University of Pennsylvania Boathouse: Renovation & https://www.phila.gov/media/20201106110017/11-Boathouse-Row-revised.pdfAddition.

446. Ewing Cole. Proposed Second Floor Plan. 2020. Phila.gov. University of Pennsylvania Boathouse: Renovation & https://www.phila.gov/media/20201106110017/11-Boathouse-Row-revised.pdfAddition.

464.

234

PG 151-152 Philadelphia 3 418.

448. Ewing Cole. Proposed First Floor Plan. 2020. Phila.gov. University of Pennsylvania Boathouse: Renovation & https://www.phila.gov/media/20201106110017/11-Boathouse-Row-revised.pdfAddition. Fox, Charles. East Park Canoe House. 2008. The Philadelphia Inquirer. 451. Photo by author 452. Alvarez, Alejandro A. Temple marks beginning of renovation of East Park Canoe House . 2015. The Philadelphia Inquirer. marks_beginning_of_the_renovation_of_historic_East_Park_Canoe_House.html.https://www.inquirer.com/philly/education/20150731_Temple_ Photo by author 454. Photo by author 455. Photo by author 456. Photo by author 457. Photo by author 458. Photo by author PG 163-164 459. Photo by author PG 165-166 460. Overlay created by author. Aerial view of Detroit from Google Maps. 461. Overlay created by author. Aerial view of Detroit from Google Maps. PG 167-168 462. Overlay created by author. Aerial view of Detroit from Google Maps. 463. Overlay created by author. Aerial view of Detroit from Google Maps. Overlay created by author. Aerial view of Detroit from Google Maps. 465. Overlay created by author. Aerial view of Detroit from Google Maps. Photo by author 419. Photo by author 420. Photo by author 421. Photo by author 422. Photo by author 423. Photo by author 424. Photo by author PG 153-154 Philadelphia 4 425. Photo by author 426. Photo by author 427. Photo by author 428. Photo by author 429. Photo by author 430. Photo by author 431. Photo by author 432. Photo by author 433. Photo by author PG 155-156 & Stearns. Weld Boathouse First Floor Plan. The Brickbuilder, 1907. Beyond the gilded age. http://www.beyondthegildedage.com/2012/11/the-weld-boathouse.html 435. Peabody & Stearns. Weld Boathouse Second Floor Plan. The Brickbuilder, 1907. Beyond the gilded age. http://www.beyondthegildedage.com/2012/11/the-weld-boathouse.html 157-158 436. Shea Rowing Center. Peterson Architects. https://peterson-architects.com/projects/princeton/ 437. Shea Rowing Center. Peterson Architects. https://peterson-architects.com/projects/princeton/ 438. Shea Rowing Center. Peterson Architects. https://peterson-architects.com/projects/princeton/ 439. Shea Rowing Center. Peterson Architects. https://peterson-architects.com/projects/princeton/ 440. C. Bernard Shea Rowing Center First Floor Plan. Peterson Architects. OtherBTH/PrincetonUniversity-SheaRowingCenterBrochure-PetersonArchitects.pdfhttp://andovercrew.com/Boathouse/ 441. C. Bernard Shea Rowing Center Second Floor Plan. Peterson Architects. Boathouse/OtherBTH/PrincetonUniversity-SheaRowingCenterBrochure-PetersonArchitects.pdfhttp://andovercrew.com/ 159-160 442. Photo by author 443. Photo by author

Precedents434.Peabody

PG 161-162 449. Photo by author 450.

453.

444. Ewing Cole. North Elevation Rendering. 2020. Phila.gov. University of Pennsylvania Boathouse: Renovation & https://www.phila.gov/media/20201106110017/11-Boathouse-Row-revised.pdfAddition.

445. Ewing Cole. Existing Second Floor Plan. 2020. Phila.gov. University of Pennsylvania Boathouse: Renovation & https://www.phila.gov/media/20201106110017/11-Boathouse-Row-revised.pdfAddition.

487. Frederick M. Delano cuts the club’s 95th birthday cake. 1934. Centennial Book of the Detroit Boat Club, 1940. Pg. 58. 488. 115. Cafe, 1900s. Friends of Detroit Rowing Archive. 489. Serving Staff of the Detroit Boat Club, 2014.102.003. 1939. Detroit Historical Society. 490. Boat Club Banquet, 1935, 2014.102.008. Detroit Historical Society. Image reversed by author. 491. Oak Room Collage by author. 492. Current photos by author. 493. Historic photo from the Detroit Boat Club Boat Club News Archive. PG 185-186 494. Proposed third floor plan by author. PG 187-188 495. Photo by author PG 189-190 496. Renovation timeline by author PG 191-192 497. Photo by author PG 193-194 498. Image overlay by author. Aerial photo of Detroit from Google Maps. PG 197-198 Detroit News. Detroit Boat Club in 1868. 1868. Centennial Book of the Detroit Boat Club, Jan. 1940. Pg. 15. 54. Detroit Boat Club Building DPA3479. 1873. Detroit (MI) Public Library. Digital Collections. Web. 23 April https://digitalcollections.detroitpubliclibrary.org/islandora/object/islandora%3A1488862022. 79. Gardiner, W. H. Detroit Boat Club. DPA4975. 1890-1893. Detroit (MI) Public Library. Digital Collections. Web. 23 April 2022. 83. Detroit Boat Club.DPA4973. 1894-1901. Detroit (MI) Public Library. Digital Collections. Web. 23 April 2022. 133. Detroit Publishing Co., Copyright Claimant, and Publisher Detroit Publishing Co. Detroit Boat Club, Belle Isle Park, Detroit, Mich. Photograph. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, <www.loc.gov/ item/2016794930/>. 499. Riverside of the Detroit Boat Club, 1910s. Detroit Boat Club Archive. Image cropped by author. 500. Riverside of the Detroit Boat Club, 1910s. Detroit Boat Club Archive. PG 199-200 501. Photo by author 502. Photo by author 503. Photo by author PG 169-170 466. Overlay created by author. Aerial view of Detroit from Google Maps. 467. Overlay created by author. Aerial view of Detroit from Google Maps. PG 171-172 468. Proposed site plan by author PG 173-174 469. Watercolor by author 470. Site section by author 471. Photo by author 472. Natura, Heidi. Root Systems of Prairie Plants. Conservation Research Institute, 1995. Designs By Nature LLC. Native Plants of Michigan. https://designsbynaturellc.com PG 175-176 473. Building elevation diagram by author. 474. Process for creating historic elevation by author with images from various archives. PG 177-178 475. Proposed first floor plan by author. PG 179-180 476. Proposed second floor plan by author. PG 181-182 477. Ballroom Collage by author. 478. Current images by author. 479. Event images by Thomas Malbouef, Jr. 111. Detroit Publishing Co., Copyright Claimant, and Publisher Detroit Publishing Co. Ball room, Detroit Boat Club, Detroit, Mich. [Cbetween 1900 and 1910] Photograph. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, <www.loc.gov/item/2016814927/>. 480. Main Reception Hall Collage by author. 481. Current images by author. 109. Main Reception Hall facing south east, 1900s. Detroit Boat Club Archive. 482. Event photos by Thomas Malbouef, Jr. 483. Standish family looking over Fred Standish trophy collection. 1939. Centennial Book of the Detroit Boat Club, Pg. 99. PG 183-184 484. Dining Room Collage by author. 485. Current images by author. 486. Event images by Thomas Malbouef, Jr. 235

530. Photo by author 531. Photo by author 532. Photo by author 533. Photo by author 534. Photo by author PG 209-210 535. Photo by author 536. Photo by author 537. Photo by author 538. Photo by author 539. Photo by author 540. Photo by author 541. Photo by author 542. Photo by author PG 211-212 543. Photo by author 544. Photo by author 545. Photo by author 546. Photo by author 547. Photo by author 548. Photo by author 549. Photo by author 550. Photo by author PG 213-214 551. Photo by author 552. Photo by author 553. Photo by author 554. Photo by author 555. Photo by author 556. Photo by author 557. Photo by author 558. Photo by author 504. Photo by author 505. Photo by author 111. Detroit Publishing Co., Copyright Claimant, and Publisher Detroit Publishing Co. Ball room, Detroit Boat Club, Detroit, Mich. [Cbetween 1900 and 1910] Photograph. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, <www.loc.gov/item/2016814927/>. 506. Photo by author 113. Ballroom facing south east, 1900s. Friends of Detroit Rowing Archive. PG 201-202 507. Photo by author 508. Photo by author 509. Photo by author 510. Photo by author 511. Photo by author 512. Photo by author 513. Photo by author 514. Photo by author PG 203-204 515. Photo by author 516. Photo by author 517. Photo by author 518. Photo by author 519. Photo by author 520. Photo by author 521. Photo by author 522. Photo by author PG 205-206 523. Photo by author 524. Photo by author 525. Photo by author 526. Photo by author PG 207-208 527. Photo by author 528. Photo by author 529. Photo by author 236

PG 215-216 559. Photo by author 560. Photo by author 561. Photo by author 562. Photo by author PG 217-218 563. References Collage by author 564. Articles from Cory Andrews Scrapbook. Detroit Boat Club Archive. 565. Bill Maher in a racing single. Friends of Detroit Rowing Archive. 566. Detroit Boat Club. University of Windsor. Leddy Library. Mike Skreptak Collection; Dexter Box. 567. Detroit Jr. Eight Winners, C.S.A.R.A. Regatta. 1922. Grand Rapids Boat and Canoe Club Scrapbooks (RHC-54). Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives. RHC-54_Photographs-GRRC30 568. Com. Wm. A. Petzold’s Ketch “Josephine II.” Centennial Book of the Detroit Boat Club. 1940. Pg. 88. 569. Photos by author. PG 239-240 570. Photo of author by Thomas Malbouef, Jr. 571. Boathouse trip photos from author. INSIDE BACK572.COVERPhoto by author BACK COVER 573. Detroit Boat Club Boat Bay photo by author 237

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About the author

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From frequent trips to Greenfield Village with his family to family trips along the east coast, Stephen Malbouef has been surrounded by history and historic architecture since an early age. After receiving a tour of the Guardian Building by its thendoorman Christopher Roddy while in elementary school, he has been fascinated with Detroit’s history and Whilearchitecture.inmiddle school, he learned from a friend about the rowing program that was using the Detroit Boat Club building on Belle Isle. He soon signed up for the Detroit Boat Club Crew’s learn-torow program during summer of 2013. Having never really participated in sports, part of his reason for trying rowing was so he could get inside the historic boathouse. After that summer, he was hooked and has been actively competing for the DBCC for nearly 10 Whileyears.always interested in the history of the DBCC, he really began researching the club towards the end of high school and found that much of the club’s history was written over 100 years ago, much of it was inaccurate, and little was actually known about many aspects of the DBCC and its building. Since then, he has spent countless hours researching the history of this important organization, uncovering many facts that had been lost for years. He graduated from Grosse Pointe South High School in 2017 and chose to attend the University of Detroit Mercy’s School of Architecture and Community Development so that he could spend more time working within the city of Detroit. In addition to his DBCC research, Stephen also enjoys researching his family’s genealogy, drawing, painting with watercolors, and reading about Detroit history. He is also an active volunteer at Detroit’s historic Redford Theatre.