History and Origins
What French term does “Grosse Pointe” translate to in English?
Big/Fat Point
How many Grosse Pointe communities are there today?
Five (Grosse Pointe, Grosse Pointe Farms, Grosse Pointe Park, Grosse Pointe Woods, and Grosse Pointe Shores).
What yacht club, founded in 1914, is located in Grosse Pointe?
The Grosse Pointe Yacht Club.
How many high schools are in the Grosse Pointe Public School System?
Two (Grosse Pointe North and Grosse Pointe South).
Which U.S. president once visited Grosse Pointe to give a speech at the War Memorial?
John F. Kennedy (in 1960 during his presidential campaign)
Which European country first settled the Grosse Pointe area?
France
What large body of water borders Grosse Pointe?
Lake St. Clair.
Which Grosse Pointe community is home to the annual Santa Claus Parade, a tradition since 1975?
The Village in Grosse Pointe.
What is the mascot of Grosse Pointe South High School?
The Blue Devils.
What movie featured scenes filmed in Grosse Pointe, giving the area pop culture fame?
Grosse Pointe Blank (1997)
What kind of land divisions were the original farms in Grosse Pointe based on?
Ribbon farms (long, narrow strips of land extending back from the water).
What famous road runs along the shoreline of Grosse Pointe?
Lakeshore Drive (also called Jefferson Avenue in parts).
Which major university has a satellite campus in Grosse Pointe?
Wayne State University (Grosse Pointe War Memorial programs).
What year did Grosse Pointe High School (now Grosse Pointe South) first open?
1928.
What type of architecture are many historic Grosse Pointe homes known for?
Tudor Revival and Colonial Revival
In which century were the first European settlers establishing farms in Grosse Pointe?
The 18th century (1700s).
What is the main shopping district in downtown Grosse Pointe called?
The Village.
What is the War Memorial in Grosse Pointe Farms dedicated to?
Honoring veterans of World War II and later conflicts.
What is the name of the public library system that serves Grosse Pointe?
The Grosse Pointe Public Library.
Which Detroit professional sports team owner once lived in Grosse Pointe Shores?
Mike Ilitch, owner of the Detroit Red Wings and Tigers.
What industry made Grosse Pointe especially attractive to wealthy Detroiters in the early 20th century?
The automobile industry.
Which Grosse Pointe community contains the Ford House, the historic estate of Edsel and Eleanor Ford?
Grosse Pointe Shores.
What popular summer activity takes place along Lake St. Clair near Grosse Pointe?
Boating and sailing.
Which Grosse Pointe high school is located in Grosse Pointe Woods?
Grosse Pointe North.
Which Grosse Pointe community is the largest by population?
Grosse Pointe Woods.