South Hills in Grand Rapids in Kent County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

May House

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, July 4, 2021

1. May House Marker

Inscription. This house was built in 1908-09 for local clothier Meyer S. May and his wife. Sophie Amber. Frank Lloyd Wright designed the house in the prairie style. It was his first major commission in Michigan. May was the son of Abraham May, founder of May and Son clothing store in 1906 Meyer became president of the store, which was the first in the nation to display clothes on Batts hangers. Meyer May lived here until his death in 1936. The home was used as a private residence until 1985. In 1986, Steelcase Inc. began the complete restoration of the house, its interior and grounds.

Erected 1987 by Bureau of History - Michigan Department of State. (Marker Number L1342.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Frank Lloyd Wright, and the Michigan Historical Commission series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1908.

Location. 42° 57.244′ N, 85° 39.543′ W. Marker is in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in Kent County. It is in South Hills. It is on Madison Avenue Southeast near Logan Street SE, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 450 Madison Ave SE, Grand Rapids MI 49503, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in West Michigan.

It is also in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other

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markers are within walking distance of this marker: Gerald R. Ford Boyhood Home / President Gerald R. Ford (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Castle (approx. 0.4 miles away); Bishop Frederic Baraga (approx. 0.4 miles away); Voigt House (approx. 0.4 miles away); Catholic Central High School (approx. half a mile away); Saint Andrew School Memorial (approx. half a mile away); Lincoln Place (approx. half a mile away); St. Andrew's Cemetery (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Grand Rapids.

Photographed by Thomas Smith, March 6, 2021

2. May House Marker

Photo of home showing Frank Lloyd Wright design elements. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, July 4, 2021

3. Photo of home showing Frank Lloyd Wright design elements.

Photographed by Thomas Smith, March 6, 2021

4. May House Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on July 5, 2021. It was originally submitted on April 6, 2021, by Thomas Smith of Waterloo, Ill. This page has been viewed 491 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 5, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. 2. submitted on April 6, 2021, by Thomas Smith of Waterloo, Ill. 3. submitted on July 4, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. 4. submitted on April 6, 2021, by Thomas Smith of Waterloo, Ill. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.