Home - ARDMORE PARK PLACE

A Prestigious Historical St. Clair Shores' Landmark

Ardmore Park Place, once known as the Schnieder Farm,

was built after the Civil War in the 1870's.

The original property consisted of six hundred and forty acres.

The home was built of solid brick construction with walls 18" thick,

rising three stories high. The house remained the

Schnieder's place of residence from the 1870's

through the early 1900's during which time they raised thirteen children.

A change of ownership led to the beginning of a colorful history,

starting during the Prohibition Era.
The house became a bordello, blind pig and gambling house.
Accessible entry was only allowed with secret passwords.
Once inside, you were greeted by music of the times

and table dancers.
You could enjoy a bottle of beer for only five cents.
The second and third floors were left to the ladies of the night.
A sentinel, placed on the roof, kept watch for those uninvited guests.
Hidden passageways led the patrons to the woods behind the house.

At the end of Prohibition, the house was purchased

and converted to Reenies Lodge.
It became a dining facility and ballroom with dancing

to the big band sound.
During the 1950's, the home became E.C. White's Furniture Store,
which was in business until the early 1980's.