Lumber Baron, Owned steam barge fleet, Home is now Whitney Restaurant.
In 1857, David Whitney, a descendant of early Massachusetts settlers, came west to Detroit to run the operations of two East Coast firms involved in the lumber industry. By the 1870s, Whitney had branched out on his own, investing in pinelands primarily in Wisconsin and Michigan. Becoming involved in maritime transportation, Whitney also owned an extensive fleet of steam barges and consorts. This fleet shipped lumber, as well as iron ore from Lake Superior ports, to manufacturing and distributing centers along the lower lakes. By the turn-of-the- century, Whitney had become one of Michigan's wealthiest citizens, owning large amounts of land and holding interest in many banking institutions and industrial corporations. In 1890, construction began on a lavish new residence for Whitney and his family-- a project which took four years to complete.
When he died in 1900 Whitney was the wealthiest man in Detroit with a fortune estimated at $15 million. There are claims his home, turned into a restaurant is haunted.
Death was Heart Attack -
Very Famous Detroiter
In 1857, David Whitney, a descendant of early Massachusetts settlers, came west to Detroit to run the operations of two East Coast firms involved in the lumber industry. By the 1870s, Whitney had branched out on his own, investing in pinelands primarily in Wisconsin and Michigan. Becoming involved in maritime transportation, Whitney also owned an extensive fleet of steam barges and consorts. This fleet shipped lumber, as well as iron ore from Lake Superior ports, to manufacturing and distributing centers along the lower lakes. By the turn-of-the- century, Whitney had become one of Michigan's wealthiest citizens, owning large amounts of land and holding interest in many banking institutions and industrial corporations. In 1890, construction began on a lavish new residence for Whitney and his family-- a project which took four years to complete.
When he died in 1900 Whitney was the wealthiest man in Detroit with a fortune estimated at $15 million. There are claims his home, turned into a restaurant is haunted.
Death was Heart Attack -
Very Famous Detroiter
Lumber Baron, Owned steam barge fleet, Home is now Whitney Restaurant.
In 1857, David Whitney, a descendant of early Massachusetts settlers, came west to Detroit to run the operations of two East Coast firms involved in the lumber industry. By the 1870s, Whitney had branched out on his own, investing in pinelands primarily in Wisconsin and Michigan. Becoming involved in maritime transportation, Whitney also owned an extensive fleet of steam barges and consorts. This fleet shipped lumber, as well as iron ore from Lake Superior ports, to manufacturing and distributing centers along the lower lakes. By the turn-of-the- century, Whitney had become one of Michigan's wealthiest citizens, owning large amounts of land and holding interest in many banking institutions and industrial corporations. In 1890, construction began on a lavish new residence for Whitney and his family-- a project which took four years to complete.
When he died in 1900 Whitney was the wealthiest man in Detroit with a fortune estimated at $15 million. There are claims his home, turned into a restaurant is haunted.
Death was Heart Attack -
Very Famous Detroiter
In 1857, David Whitney, a descendant of early Massachusetts settlers, came west to Detroit to run the operations of two East Coast firms involved in the lumber industry. By the 1870s, Whitney had branched out on his own, investing in pinelands primarily in Wisconsin and Michigan. Becoming involved in maritime transportation, Whitney also owned an extensive fleet of steam barges and consorts. This fleet shipped lumber, as well as iron ore from Lake Superior ports, to manufacturing and distributing centers along the lower lakes. By the turn-of-the- century, Whitney had become one of Michigan's wealthiest citizens, owning large amounts of land and holding interest in many banking institutions and industrial corporations. In 1890, construction began on a lavish new residence for Whitney and his family-- a project which took four years to complete.
When he died in 1900 Whitney was the wealthiest man in Detroit with a fortune estimated at $15 million. There are claims his home, turned into a restaurant is haunted.
Death was Heart Attack -
Very Famous Detroiter
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