WOOD, Alfred (1849-1902), an architect of Detroit, Mich. who later moved to Amherstburg, Ont. and worked there for nearly a decade before returning to Detroit. Born in England in 1849, he may have received his education and training there before emigrating to the United States. His name first appears as a professional architect in the Detroit City Directory in 1874, and the following year he was invited by William Scott to become a partner in the new firm of William Scott & Co., Architects (Detroit Free Press, 4 May 1875, 1). After 1890 he moved to Canada, but instead of locating his office in the rapidly growing city of Windsor, he chose to settle in the small town of Amherstburg, nearly 15 miles to the south, and he maintained an office there until 1899. His decision to move there may have been prompted by his poor health; in 1896 it was reported that he was “....recuperating from a 6 year spell of shattered health and affected eyesight” (Detroit Free Press, 6 Sept. 1896, 16).
In 1894 he was commissioned by James A. Randall to design two large summer residences on Bois Blanc Island, Ont., one in the Queen Anne style, and one in the Old Colonial style. Both were located on the south side of the road leading from Randall Dock, and were the subject of one of the most detailed architectural descriptions ever published on a 19th C. summer property anywhere in Ontario (see the Amherstburg Echo, 14 Sept. 1894, p. 5). He also obtained several commissions for residential and resort buildings on Pelee Island, Ontario. Wood returned to the Detroit area after 1899, and died there on 4 August 1902 (obituary Detroit Free Press 5 Aug. 1902, 5).
BOIS BLANC ISLAND, ONT., two large summer residences for James A. Randall, fronting on the Amherstburg Channel, 1894 (Amherstburg Echo, 14 Sept. 1894, 5, extensive descrip.)
AMHERSTBURG, ONT., a large residence for A.E. Rondot, located on the riverfront, below the town of Amherstburg, designed in “....the Romanesque style” and adjoining the residence of P.B. Leighton (Amherstburg Echo, 21 Sept. 1894, 8, descrip.)
AMHERSTBURG, ONT., extensive renovations and alterations to Christ Church [Anglican], a historic church originally built in 1779-83, Ramsay Street near Gore Street (Detroit Free Press, 6 Sept. 1896, 16, illus. & descrip.)
AMHERSTBURG, ONT., The Anglo-American Hotel, Apsley Street at Richmond Street, for John Maloney, 1898 (Amherstburg Echo, 4 March 1898, 8, descrip.; 3 June 1898, 1, illus. & descrip.; C.R., ix, 9 March 1898, 3, descrip.; Evening Record [Windsor], 18 March 1898, 4)
PELEE ISLAND, ONT., a two storey boat house at Pelee North “opposite the Island House Hotel”, 1899 (Evening Record [Windsor], 28 June 1899, 7)
PELEE ISLAND, ONT., major addition of a large verandah “...with five massive stone piers” for the Boat Club, for Charles M. Mills, club manager, 1899 (Evening Record [Windsor], 28 June 1899, 7)
PELEE ISLAND, ONT., major alterations and additions to residence for Frank Harris, North End, Pelee Island, 1899 (Evening Record [Windsor], 28 June 1899, 7)
PELEE ISLAND, ONT., alterations and additions to clubhouse for Dr. McCormick, at Pelee North, 1899 ((Evening Record [Windsor], 15 Sept. 1899, 2)