John W. Blodgett has created a gorgeous imitation of fairy-land at his new home at the corner of Robinson Road and Plymouth Avenue. No expense has been spared to make this development one of the most ravishingly beautiful home surroundings to be found anywhere outside of California and Florida. There the climate makes it comparatively easy to create wonderful things with semi-tropical trees, shrubs and flowers. Mr. Blodgett gave his landscape architects a free hand in the creation of this development and they appear to have mixed a due amount of genius with the lavish expenditure of money to good purposes. Some time I hope to see Mr. Blodgett open his gates at least one day a month during the summer season for the benefit of the public who would derive so much pleasure and satisfaction from being able to inspect this marvelous development at close range. Mr. Blodgett rendered Grand Rapids a yeoman service, which can never be computed in dollars and cents (perhaps millions would he more appropriate) by the erection of the Blodgett Memorial hospital and I believe the time is soon at hand when he will want to throw open his gardens to the public under proper restrictions as to hours and the conduct of his guests. It is just like Mr. Blodgett to do this, because all his life he has evidently undertaken to forget that he is one of the richest men in Michigan and to concede that a bulging bank account entails certain opportunities and involves certain responsibilities to the public which the good citizen of which—he is a conspicuous example—is bound to recognize and respect. MICHIGAN TRADESMAN 1928
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| MR JOHN W. BLODGETT GENERAL PLANTING PLAN, 1927 |
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| WEST, FRONT FACADE OFF PLYMOUTH AVENUE |
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| ENTRANCE COURTYARD |
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| SKETCH FOR FORMAL CIRCULAR AND CHINESE GARDEN |
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| CHINESE GARDEN |
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| PATH FROM HOUSE |
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| NORTHEAST CORNER |
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| FAR SOUTH-SIDE SHOWING "EMPEROR'S THRONE" AND "COIN" |
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| GARDEN SEAT DETAILS - Three piece semi-circular Chinese seat. All wood used in the construction to be well seasoned oak. Two to three coats of Chinese Red Mirrolac enamel paint should be the predominating color with black enamel used to bring out the swastikas above the legs and narrow band used on the leg itself. |
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| CHINESE COIN ON CHINESE GARDEN SEAT DESIGNED BY SEN YU, 1928 |
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| NORTH-WEST SIDE |
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| SOUTH-WEST SIDE |
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| CENTER OF CHINESE GARDEN WITH VIEW TO THE WEST |
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| BUDDHA , POOL AND BOG GARDEN |
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| IN THE DESIGN OF THE POOL WEEP HOLES WERE INCORPORATED TO SUSTAIN A BOG |
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| WEST-SIDE PATH OUTSIDE CHINESE GARDEN |
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| PATH OUTSIDE CHINESE GARDEN |
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| CURVED PATH OUTSIDE CHINESE GARDEN |
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| CENTER OF CHINESE GARDEN |
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| ARMILLARY DIAL FOR THE CHINESE GARDEN |
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| TO EVERYTHING THERE IS A SEASON, AND A TIME TO EVERY PURPOSE UNDER THE HEAVEN. Ecclesiastes |
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| VIEW TOWARDS HOUSE |
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| VIEW TOWARDS HOUSE |
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| STEPS TO CHINESE GARDEN FROM FORMAL CIRCULAR GARDEN |
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| STEPS FROM CHINESE GARDEN TO FORMAL CIRCULAR GARDEN |
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| CIRCULAR GARDEN |
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| VIEW FROM HOUSE |
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| CIRCULAR GARDEN |
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| ARBOR |
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| ARBOR PLAN |
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| EAST FACADE OF HOUSE |
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| EAST SIDE |
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| EAST SIDE TERRACE |
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| TERRACE |
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| TERRACE VIEW OF FISK LAKE |
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| VIEW FROM HOUSE TOWARDS FISK LAKE |
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| FISK LAKE |
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| VIEW TOWARDS HOUSE |
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| INLET FROM FISK LAKE |
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| WALK TO SERVICE AREA |
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| CHAUFFEURS COTTAGE, SEVEN CAR GARAGE |
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| SERVICE DRIVE, GREENHOUSE AND VEGETABLE GARDEN |
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| STEPS TO VEGETABLE GARDEN |
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| SERVICE DRIVE |
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| SERVICE COURT |
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| MAIL DROP OFF PLYMOUTH AVENUE |
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| GARAGE, CHAUFFEURS COTTAGE AND COLDBROOK CREEK |
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| GARAGE, CHAUFFEURS COTTAGE AND CULVERT UNDER SERVICE DRIVE |
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| SERVICE GATE OFF ROBINSON ROAD |
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| SERVICE DRIVE AND GATE HOUSE |
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| GREENHOUSE, CHAUFFEURS AND GARDENERS COTTAGE |
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| CHAUFFEURS AND GARDENERS COTTAGE |
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| GREENHOUSE |
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| HEAD HOUSE |
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| CUTTING GARDEN |
I'm pleased to report through efforts of many, myself included, restoration of the gardens has been approved. Work has begun on the Chinese garden with expected replanting next year based on the original designs by Percival Gallagher of the Olmsted Brothers firm.
ReplyDeleteI've been in this house, as a guest. The grounds with the lake are really considerable, laid out in concert with the other two original houses which surround the private lake. At least that's how I recall that info. Nice to see it here, with the old photos.
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