Chase Mansion, 801 Griswold St

31. Chase Mansion

The estate has a rich history near two newer communities: Northville and Novi.

1830s: Known as the Beal Family Farm.

1899: Original home built.

1916: George B. Yerkes, relative of William Yerkes of Chase Farms, bought the property. The home burned down while being redecorated.

1922: Yerkes, now the Wayne Co. prosecutor, bought the existing structure. After his death in 1932, the property went to his son.

1937: William Chase, inventor of shatterproof glass, and his wife purchased the estate.

1939: Joe Louis stayed at the estate while training at the Wayne Co. Fairground, now Northville Downs, for a World Championship fight.

1989: Larry Bennett, president of the Livonia-based Premier Video, a video duplication firm, bought the house.

1997: Don Massey purchased the estate. He died in 2011.

2020: Northville Living and Learning Enrichment Center