Midtown in Detroit in Wayne County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Mackenzie House
Photographed by Joel Seewald, June 4, 2015
1. Mackenzie House Marker
This 1895 Queen Anne style house, designed by Malcolmson & Higginbotham, was the home of David Mackenzie. Educator, scholar, and humanitarian, Mackenzie fostered higher education for Detroit students. While principal of Central High School, then housed in what is now "Old Main," he established the Detroit Junior College in 1917. Six years later that institution expanded to become the College of the City of Detroit with Mackenzie as its first dean. This was the nucleus from which Wayne State University grew.
Erected 1979 by Michigan History Division, Department of State. (Marker Number S514.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1895.
Location. 42° 21.188′ N, 83° 4.05′ W. Marker is in Detroit, Michigan, in Wayne County. It is in Midtown. It is on West Forest Avenue 0.1 miles south of 2nd Avenue, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Detroit MI 48202, 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 walking distance of this marker: First Unitarian Universalist Church (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Hilberry Theatre (about 600 feet away); Thompson Home (about 800 feet away); West Canfield Historic District
this page online
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. To better understand the relationship, study each marker in the order shown.
Also see . . .
1. Wayne State University. (Submitted on June 11, 2015, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)
2. History students gain experience for their futures by working with Detroit's past.
The Mackenzie House was the home of Wayne State's founder, David Mackenzie. With the belief that people's race, class and gender should not limit their ability to obtain a quality education, Mackenzie founded Detroit Junior College in order to create an accessible university. Five years later, it transformed into the College of the City of Detroit until it became Wayne State University in 1956.(Submitted on April 28, 2025, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)
Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, February 1, 2025
2. Mackenzie House and Marker
The house was moved from Cass Avenue to the corner of Forest and 2nd Avenues.
Photographed by Joel Seewald, June 4, 2015
3. Mackenzie House and Marker
Photo of Mackenzie House at its former location at 4756 Cass Avenue.
Photographed by Joel Seewald, June 4, 2015
4. Mackenzie House
Photo of Mackenzie House at its former location at 4756 Cass Avenue.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 17, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 11, 2015, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 989 times since then and 72 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on June 11, 2015, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. 2. submitted on February 2, 2025, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. 3, 4. submitted on June 11, 2015, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
