Discuss Detroit » Archives - January 2008 » Former Book Family Mansion on E. Jefferson « Previous Next »
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Grumpyoldlady
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Username: Grumpyoldlady

Post Number: 14
Registered: 06-2005
Posted on Monday, February 18, 2008 - 5:14 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Anyone have any photos or info on the old Book family mansion at 8469 E. Jefferson? More recently known as the Kearney Building or Kearney Travel Building. I used to deal with a graphic arts company based in the building and always wanted to know more about it. It has the tiniest elevator I've ever been in.
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Iddude313
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Username: Iddude313

Post Number: 156
Registered: 07-2005
Posted on Monday, February 18, 2008 - 2:48 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Is that the building at Jefferson and Burns?
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Cuylerst
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Username: Cuylerst

Post Number: 1
Registered: 02-2008
Posted on Tuesday, February 19, 2008 - 5:51 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Yes, Jefferson and Burns. I believe the Books moved to the Garden Court apts sometime after WWII. Their youngest son was killed in the Battle of the Bulge. There were usually 4 or 5 servants, including a chauffeur (who lived above the carriage house with his wife and son). The house was built for J.B. Book Jr. and his wife Sarah Peck Book who were married around 1910. They moved into the house around 1917. They had 3 sons and 1 daughter. The family spent the summer months at "Bookwood", their home near Grand Bend, Ontario. J.B. died in 1963, Sarah in 1976. None of their children are living. I was in the "house" several years ago. It seemed like the integrity of the home was still intact, if a little worse for wear. I believe the first floor was used pretty much strictly for entertaining. The kitchen(s) and service entrance were in the back. As Jefferson Ave. was widened, the house crept closer and closer to the traffic, until there isn't much of a yard left.
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Rhymeswithrawk
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Username: Rhymeswithrawk

Post Number: 1136
Registered: 11-2005
Posted on Tuesday, February 19, 2008 - 11:29 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

You're talking about this house, right? What's it used for now?

0%2C5,http://maps.google.com/m aps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=burns +and+jefferson,+detroit,+mi&sl l=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=48.6 88845,77.080078&ie=UTF8&ll=42. 355404,-82.989253&spn=0.002795 ,0.004705&z=18&layer=c&cbll=42 .354711,-82.989835&cbp=1,283.6 977194159899,,0,5
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Kathinozarks
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Username: Kathinozarks

Post Number: 1107
Registered: 11-2006
Posted on Tuesday, February 19, 2008 - 11:44 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

It's for sale? Yes, that's a sign in the front yard. What is the company? I couldn't enlarge it enough to figure it out.

If someone knows whose sign that is please post. Thank you.
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Rel
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Username: Rel

Post Number: 181
Registered: 02-2008
Posted on Tuesday, February 19, 2008 - 11:45 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

The last time I was in there was a few years ago. It was rented commercial space. There was a cute little gift shop in the lower level. Lawyers' offices, travel agency, etc.
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Iddude313
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Username: Iddude313

Post Number: 158
Registered: 07-2005
Posted on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 - 11:27 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Cheryl Huff has her hands all over that building.
Nuff said.
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Lefty2
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Username: Lefty2

Post Number: 1223
Registered: 07-2007
Posted on Thursday, February 21, 2008 - 12:03 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

ol Huff n' Puff
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Lefty2
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Username: Lefty2

Post Number: 1240
Registered: 07-2007
Posted on Friday, February 22, 2008 - 5:08 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Some copper crooks also had their hands all over this building, as some of the downspouts and wiring is missing.
Designed In 1911 By Louis Camper.
16365 Sq.Ft. Plus 2000 SF. Carriage House
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Livernoisyard
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Username: Livernoisyard

Post Number: 5314
Registered: 10-2004
Posted on Friday, February 22, 2008 - 5:11 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

That's a big house. I thought Favre's 12,000 sf house in Mississippi was large.
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Kathleen
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Username: Kathleen

Post Number: 2785
Registered: 10-2003
Posted on Friday, February 22, 2008 - 6:55 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

That would be Kamper, not Camper!!

Louis Kamper was the architect of choice who designed many of the Book Brothers' buildings.

In fact, members of the Book family are interred, with Kamper and some of his family, at the Kamper-designed Mausoleum at the Roseland Park Cemetery in Berkley (Woodward and Twelve Mile Rd.).

Haven't been inside this Book building in over 30 years when I used Kearney Travel to book my trip to Europe while I was in college.
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Lefty2
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Username: Lefty2

Post Number: 1242
Registered: 07-2007
Posted on Friday, February 22, 2008 - 7:06 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

It's yours for a measly 800K. (I cut and paste Camper line, agents fault;)
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Terridarlin
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Username: Terridarlin

Post Number: 53
Registered: 02-2007
Posted on Friday, February 22, 2008 - 7:35 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Who's Cheryl Huff?
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Lefty2
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Username: Lefty2

Post Number: 1244
Registered: 07-2007
Posted on Friday, February 22, 2008 - 10:35 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

She owns a lot of property around Indian Village.
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Terridarlin
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Username: Terridarlin

Post Number: 54
Registered: 02-2007
Posted on Saturday, February 23, 2008 - 8:13 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Thanks Lefty2 I was just wonderin'.
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Grumpyoldlady
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Username: Grumpyoldlady

Post Number: 16
Registered: 06-2005
Posted on Sunday, February 24, 2008 - 11:12 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Where can i find a detailed real estate listing for the property? I'd love to see how the interior is described. It has been about 25 years since I was in the building...I worked on a corporate publication that used Frank Moran Associates at the graphic arts studio for the publication. Their offices were on either the 2nd or 3rd floor. OHHHHH that tiny elevator still gives me the creeps. I wish I'd been brave enough to just wander around in the building and explore.
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Mauser765
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Username: Mauser765

Post Number: 2540
Registered: 01-2004
Posted on Monday, February 25, 2008 - 3:00 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

"In fact, members of the Book family are interred, with Kamper and some of his family, at the Kamper-designed Mausoleum at the Roseland Park Cemetery in Berkley (Woodward and Twelve Mile Rd.)."

http://www.detroitfunk.com/200 7/09/roseland_park_mausoleum.h tml
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Lefty2
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Username: Lefty2

Post Number: 1257
Registered: 07-2007
Posted on Monday, February 25, 2008 - 9:52 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

This is it, no other pictures of inside - Remarks: "Reduced Price" 1.25 Mil To 750 K A Must See!! The Kearney Building Formerly J.burgess Book Home. Designed In 1911 By Louis Camper. This Indian Village Mansion Now Converted To Commercial Offices Still Maintains Its Elegant Renaissance Charm. 21 Offices On 3 Floors, Additional 2000 Sq. Ft., Carriage House Converted To Office Space. Pre-approval Required Before Viewing.
Check out some of these beauties in Indian Village
http://www.mlsfinder.com/mi_realcomp/lawrencemassey/index.cfm?action=searchresults&searchkey=50ff63ad-d04c-9da7-a997-9b5e48c29915&npp=10

book  mansion
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Grumpyoldlady
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Username: Grumpyoldlady

Post Number: 18
Registered: 06-2005
Posted on Monday, February 25, 2008 - 1:38 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Thanks for the photo! The link just took me to a real estate search site.

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