Westcroft Gardens is a remarkable testament to the legacy of the Macomb family, which dates back seven generations. Established on July 6, 1776, Westcroft was purchased from the Potawatomi Indians and has seen several major changes since, transforming from hay fields to being acquired by Robert Lee Stanton in 1873, eventually evolving into 5 1/2 acres of landscaped botanical gardens thanks to the vision of Ernest Newman Stanton in 1925.
History of Westcroft Gardens
Westcroft Gardens is a truly remarkable place. The eighth generation of the Macomb family, who have owned and operated it for seven generations, is still in charge today. Established on July 6, 1776, Westcroft was purchased from the Potawatomi Indians, who had camped there to hunt, fish, and gather wild fruits. In 1791, William bought Alexander’s share of Grosse Ile for £200, and many Indian artifacts have been found in Westcroft over the years. It is an incredible testament to the legacy of the Macomb family that this historic farm is still thriving today.
In 1811, President Madison and William’s three sons were recognized as the official owners of Grosse Ile, and a photocopy of the deed is still kept in the Westcroft office. David Macomb owned the central part of Grosse Ile and built the large white house on West River Road, north of the entrance to Westcroft. This incredible building was constructed by John Anthony Rucker II in 1835—an impressive feat for the time.
In 1873, Rucker’s cousin’s son, Robert Lee Stanton, purchased the farm and house in order to bring his widowed mother, Alexandrine Macomb Stanton, back to Grosse Ile. Robert Stanton farmed Westcroft as a diversified farm, with hay for the horses that pulled the Detroit trolleys as the main product. However, with the invention of the automobile by Henry Ford, the need for hay for trolley horses quickly became obsolete. Ernest Newman Stanton, Robert’s son, saw an opportunity to make use of the land and proudly transformed the treeless hay fields into 5 1/2 acres of landscaped botanical gardens. He built the white barn by the parking lot in 1925 and is credited with turning Westcroft into a nursery specializing in acid-soil plants such as rhododendrons, azaleas, laurels, and dogwood.
Ernest’s ingenuity further changed the landscape of Westcroft when he was asked to produce food for the armed services during World War II. With his foresight and ambition, Ernest raised thousands of turkeys until V-J Day, and the farm never looked back. Connie Lee Stanton de Beausset inherited Westcroft in 1984 and wanted to honor her father’s legacy by keeping the gardens open to all nature lovers. The 8th generation of the Macomb brothers’ descendants now run Westcroft after Denise de Beausset managed it for more than 30 years, Alexander de Beausset’s son, and his niece.
In 2020, Westcroft Gardens & Farm launched a new brand identity! This transformation was inspired by the farm’s rich history and is destined to create a bright future. The new logo honors the barn that has been standing for over a hundred years, a symbol of resilience and longevity. The modern colors and fonts represent a commitment to progress while acknowledging the significance of the past. The renaming of Westcroft Gardens & Farm focuses on diversified farming activities and encourages the organization to continue growing.
Westcroft Gardens is an incredible property filled with history, tradition, and imagination. We can still feel the presence of former owner William Macomb, who bought the land from the Potawatomi Indians in 1791, and its legacy continues to live on today. Ernest N. Stanton not only kept Westcroft as a functioning agricultural farm but also transformed it into a botanical garden. While technology replaces obsolete products, Westcroft’s real product—its history, tradition, and imagination—enduringly passes from one generation to the next.
