William H. Wells House, Historic residence on East Jefferson Avenue, Detroit, US
The William H. Wells House is a stone mansion on East Jefferson Avenue in Detroit featuring Romanesque Revival architecture. The main building includes a distinctive tower with a pointed roof at one corner and is accompanied by a separate stone structure from the same period.
The house was designed in 1889 by William Henry Miller, a Cornell University graduate and one of the leading architects of that era. Miller brought his distinctive approach from the East Coast to Detroit, creating an uncommon building style for the region.
The house reflects how Detroit's wealthy families chose to build and display their homes during the late 1800s. The stone construction and large rooms show the way successful people of that era wanted to live and be seen.
The location on East Jefferson Avenue makes the building easily visible from the street for viewing its architecture. The site is best explored on foot to appreciate the details of the stonework and distinctive tower from different angles.
This is the only known Detroit building designed by William Henry Miller, even though he designed many prominent structures at Cornell University. The fact that this respected architect left only one building in the city makes it a rare example of his work outside his home region.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
