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. It 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,

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United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast 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 Viceroyalty of New France

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Bailey Temple Church of God in Christ (approx. 0.9 miles away); New Bethel Baptist Church (approx. 1.2 miles away); Zion Lutheran Church (approx. 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). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Detroit.

Also see . . .
1. Orsel and Minnie McGhee House. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on June 1, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

2. Orsel and Minnie McGhee House. National Register of Historic

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

Places Registration Form (Submitted on June 1, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 5, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 1,331 times since then and 52 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.