Reuther, Walter P. and May Wolf, House

The Walter and May Reuther House possesses exceptional significance as the home of Walter Phillip Reuther, world leader in the international social history of the labor movement from 1936 until 1970 at the height of his career as head of the United Auto Workers. He lived here with his wife May Wolf Reuther, their two daughters, Linda and Elisabeth, from 1951 until 1970. The complex was a summer residence from purchase in 1951 until 1953 when the family set up principal residency here on Paint Creek. While Reuther's lifelong role in labor was very public, he centered his family life at this private complex until his death in 1970. Working on the buildings and landscaping here was his only hobby if he ever had one. Secondly, the complex embodies distinctive characteristics combining International Style and Ranch style architecture in a unique, residential complex in a natural setting created by Walter Reuther who was influenced by architect Oskar Stonorov of Philadelphia.

The Walter P. and May Wolf Reuther House is comprised of the combined acreage of 2.11 acres of adjacent lots 9, 10 and 11 of the Paint Creek Court subdivision off Ellamae Road in section 21 of Oakland Township, Oakland County, Michigan. The three secluded adjacent lots contain a main house used as the Reuther residence, which is a modern wood sided home with stone chimneys situated close to winding Paint Creek, a modern soaring wood and glass-walled guest house facing Paint Creek and a modern ranch style guard house close to Ellamae Road. The Reuthers made their first land purchase in 1951 closely followed by the United Automobile Workers' (UAW) purchase for the guard house lot. Over the time of 1951 to 1970, Walter Reuther with his woodworking skills, hard work ethic and influenced by his friend and architect Oskar Stonorov, converted the original cottage into the main house suited to his and his family's needs, and built the guest house. At the same time, Walter, starting as president of the UAW in 1946, rose to prominence as one of labor's most dynamic and innovative leaders as well as a humanitarian whose impact ranged well beyond the labor field while he lived here. The UAW built the guard house with a drive-through garage underneath it as a protective measure for the Reuther family. The complex also contains a tool shed, a playhouse and a one car wood garage in a natural and wooded setting. The three-lot complex includes security fencing and natural design for privacy. The Reuther family with their bodyguards occupied this complex from 1951 until the untimely deaths of Walter and May Reuther on May 9, 1970. The family heirs and UAW sold the lots upon settlement of the estate in 1973. The complex remains virtually intact from 1970 to now.