HISTORIC LA SALLE GARDENS

LaSalle Gardens was established in 1908 on Detroit's West Side approximately 4 miles from downtown. La Salle Gardens is a historic neighborhood in Detroit, Michigan that was developed by Colonel Frank J. Hecker north of St. Agnes Catholic Church. The neighborhood became a wealthy enclave with large homes, including 4,000-square-foot mansions and 3,000- to 4,000-square-foot duplexes. It's also home to Aretha Franklin's childhood home and borders Henry Ford Hospital. 

The community is primarily residential consisting of over 200 single and two family houses, examples of upper and middle class architect and builder-designed residential architecture erected in Detroit between 1911 and 1938. The tree lined streets surround a large city park featuring walkways crossing the park straight and diagonally with mature trees, wide expanses of grass and swings and benches. The park, originally designed by New York artist and Landscape engineer Charles A Platt, is the focal point of the community. Platt was credited with bringing the Italianate influence to America through his recreation of Italian Gardens from Renaissance and Baroque palaces.

LaSalle Gardens is generally bounded by Virginia Park (alley north of) on the north, West Grand Boulevard on the south, 14th Street on the east, and Linwood Avenue (alley west of) on the west. LaSalle Gardens is included in the greater Virginia Park Community.

The LaSalle Gardens Community Association hosts several events throughout the year including...
• Motorcity Makeover projects
• An annual Perennial Exchange
• A Summer Cookout
• Halloween Treats and Greets
• Christmas Caroling in the Park
• Quarterly Community meetings

Read more about La Salle Gardens History here!