Midwest in Detroit in Wayne County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Orsel McGhee House

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, May 5, 2021

1. Orsel McGhee House Marker

Inscription. In 1944 the Orsel McGhees, a black family, moved here into what was then an all-white neighborhood. A neighboring family won a court order revoking the McGhees’ purchase of the house on the basis of a restrictive covenant forbidding non-white residents. The McGhees, aided by the NAACP and represented by Thurgood Marshall, appealed the case to the U.S. Supreme Court. The court’s 1948 decision in favor of the McGhees upheld the principle of freedom from discrimination in the enjoyment of property rights.

Erected 1983 by Michigan History Division, Department of State. (Marker Number L0486.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1944.

Location. 42° 21.316′ N, 83° 7.169′ W. Marker is in Detroit, Michigan, in Wayne County. It is in Midwest. Marker is on Seebaldt Street, 0.1 miles east of Beechwood Street, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4626 Seebaldt St, Detroit MI 48204, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Bailey Temple Church Of God In Christ (approx. 0.9 miles away); Zion Lutheran Church (approx.

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1.6 miles away); Motown (approx. 1.7 miles away); Detroit July 1967 (approx. 1.8 miles away); Temple No. 1 / Masjid Wali Muhammad (approx. 1.9 miles away); Elijah McCoy Homesite (approx. 2 miles away); Wyoming Avenue (approx. 2.1 miles away); Martin Kundig (approx. 2.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Detroit.

Also see . . . Sipes v. McGhee. Excerpt:

"This property shall not be used or occupied by any person or persons except those of the Caucasian race."

(Submitted on May 5, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan.)

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, May 5, 2021

2. Orsel McGhee House Marker

Owner has placed a clamp on light to the pole for the marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 5, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 788 times since then and 117 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 5, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.