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Where the shoreline turns: the real point in Grosse Pointe, lined with lake mansions
01 / Why it matters
If you've wondered where the “point” in Grosse Pointe is, it's here. Just east of the War Memorial the shoreline bends so sharply that you end up facing east over the lake instead of south. The Farms has more varied terrain than its southern neighbors, with curving streets alongside the grid that runs out of Detroit and a low ridge through the middle of town.
The city was born out of a tavern dispute. In 1893 residents northeast of Fisher Road objected to liquor sales at Termont's roadhouse and broke away from the old Village of Grosse Pointe, forming the Village of Grosse Pointe Farms. It became a city in 1949.
Lake Shore Drive, the Pointes' showpiece lakefront road, runs through here and turns up in the movies Grosse Pointe Blank and Gran Torino. Up on “the Hill” on Kercheval you'll find shops, restaurants and the main public library, and down on the lake sits the War Memorial, the community's living room.
02 / Known for
The point itself: just east of the War Memorial the shoreline makes its big turn.
It split off from the old Village of Grosse Pointe in 1893 over liquor sales at a roadhouse.
Home of the Provencal–Weir House, built around 1823 and the oldest structure in the Pointes.
Site of Rose Terrace, Anna Dodge's 1934 château, whose demolition in 1976 galvanized local preservationists.
03 / What’s on
Oct 1, 2026, 6:00 PMDirty Dog Jazz Cafe · Planet D Nonet (PD9) is a streamlined version of the big bands from the 1930s, often featuring guest vocalists to expand their performance versatility. Their lineup recalls the earliest big bands during swing's evolution, blending small-group agility with a larger harmonic palette.
Oct 2, 2026, 6:30 PMDirty Dog Jazz Cafe · Planet D Nonet (PD9) is a streamlined version of the big bands from the 1930s, often featuring guest vocalists to expand their performance versatility. Their lineup recalls the earliest big bands during swing's evolution, blending small-group agility with a larger harmonic palette.
Oct 3, 2026, 6:30 PMDirty Dog Jazz Cafe · Planet D Nonet (PD9) is a streamlined version of the big bands from the 1930s, often featuring guest vocalists to expand their performance versatility. Their lineup recalls the earliest big bands during swing's evolution, blending small-group agility with a larger harmonic palette.
Oct 6, 2026, 12:00 PMGrosse Pointe War Memorial · American Red Cross blood drive on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, from noon to 6 p.m. in the Grosse Pointe War Memorial Ballroom in Grosse Pointe Farms. All blood types needed; one donation can save up to three lives—register to donate.
Oct 7, 2026, 5:30 PMThe War Memorial · The Grosse Pointe War Memorial hosts a community evening on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. at The War Memorial in Grosse Pointe Farms: meet local clubs and nonprofits, plus a 6–7 p.m. keynote with Priya Parker and moderator Ann Delisi. If community-building is your thing, this is for you; separate registration required for the keynote.
Oct 7, 2026, 6:30 PMDirty Dog Jazz Cafe · The GUD Band is a live music group from Detroit known for blending soul, blues, and jazz into their energetic performances. Their style incorporates R&B, funk, soul, gospel, and modern hits to create a fresh yet nostalgic sound.
Oct 8, 2026, 8:00 AMFreeGrosse Pointe War Memorial · Grosse Pointe War Memorial hosts a veterans’ morning meetup on Thursday, October 8, at 8 a.m. at the Grosse Pointe War Memorial in Grosse Pointe Farms. A relaxed way to connect with local veterans. Free to attend; registration encouraged.
Oct 8, 2026, 10:00 AMThe War Memorial · Grosse Pointe War Memorial leads a 90-minute history tour of the elegant Alger House on Thursday, October 8, at 10 a.m. at The War Memorial in Grosse Pointe Farms. Intimate, limited to 20, wheelchair accessible, and free with Pay What You Wish.
Oct 8, 2026, 6:00 PMDirty Dog Jazz Cafe · Russ Macklem is a Detroit/Windsor-based trumpeter, composer, educator and recording artist. His 2023 debut album, The South Detroit Connection, was JUNO-nominated and was the first live album recorded in Windsor in 22 years. The Russ Macklem Detroit Quintet performs regularly across the Midwest.
Oct 9, 2026, 6:30 PMDirty Dog Jazz Cafe · Russ Macklem is a Detroit/Windsor-based trumpeter, composer, educator and recording artist. His 2023 debut album, The South Detroit Connection, was JUNO-nominated and was the first live album recorded in Windsor in 22 years. The Russ Macklem Detroit Quintet performs regularly across the Midwest.
Oct 10, 2026, 6:30 PMDirty Dog Jazz Cafe · Russ Macklem is a Detroit/Windsor-based trumpeter, composer, educator and recording artist. His 2023 debut album, The South Detroit Connection, was JUNO-nominated and was the first live album recorded in Windsor in 22 years. The Russ Macklem Detroit Quintet performs regularly across the Midwest.
Oct 13, 2026, 6:00 PMThe War Memorial · Grosse Pointe War Memorial hosts its Silent Book Club on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at 6 p.m. at The War Memorial in Grosse Pointe Farms. Bring your current read for a quiet hour; complimentary coffee and tea, with wine and cheese-and-cracker boxes for purchase. Monthly registration; members are pre-registered.
04 / Places
05 / What to do
The 1910 Italian Renaissance-style Alger House by Charles A. Platt, on one of the highest spots along the lakeshore. Since 1949 it's been a World War II memorial and community center with concerts, lectures, exhibits and classes.
Official site ↗The Grosse Pointe Historical Society's farmhouse from around 1823 at 376 Kercheval, with a log cabin from about 1840 next door. As of 2026 it's open the second Saturday of each month from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., or by appointment.
Official site ↗Best by car or bike: the continuation of Jefferson Avenue along the water, mansions on one side and Lake St. Clair on the other.
Official site ↗06 / History
Around this year Pierre Provencal built his farmhouse near the lake end of today's Provencal Road; it was moved to its present spot on Kercheval around 1914.
The Village of Grosse Pointe Farms was formed when residents northeast of Fisher Road broke from the old village.
Russell A. Alger Jr. and his family moved into their lakefront house designed by Charles A. Platt.
Anna Thompson Dodge, widow of Horace Dodge, built the Rose Terrace mansion on Lake Shore Drive.
The village became a city, and the Alger family donated their house to the Grosse Pointe War Memorial Association.
Rose Terrace was torn down despite being a state historic site since 1971. The Dodge art collection went to the Detroit Institute of Arts.
07 / Born here
08 / People
Population and area are Census Bureau figures (Grosse Pointe Farms city).
Change since 2020, per the Census Bureau estimate: −4.1 percent.
