Lewis E. Maire Elementary School was opened its doors to students on Oct. 20, 1936. It was named in honor of Dr. Lewis E. Maire, and energetic and industrious man who was instrumental in bringing about the consolidation of five districts into our current system.
Maire's architects were O'Dell and Rowland
The school history is depicted in several murals by local muralist Dennis Orlowski
Lewis E. Maire Elementary School opened its door to children on October 20, 1936. The architects of the building were Augustus O’Dell and Wirt Rowland. The building was named in honor of Dr. Lewis E. Maire, an energetic and industrious ophthalmologist who was instrumental in bringing about the consolidation of five separate school districts together in our current system.
The Maire parents and students have been active members of the community since the beginning. In the 1940’s the PTA organized fundraising efforts like the National Defenes Dime and Quarter day, paper drives and stamp bond programs. Their generous contributions were able to sponsor 1 regular Jeep, 2 flying Jeeps, 2 amphibious Jeeps and 1 ambulance transport plane that was named The Old Gray Maire in honor of this school. The pilot of the plane was Staff Sergeant Lionel Montagne of Detroit. He was proud to fly a plane sponsored by local children.
For Maire’s 50th birthday in 1986, local muralist Dennis Orlowski created a mural on one side of the library that depicts important aspects of Maire’s first fifty years. In 2011, Orlowski came back to Maire and painted an updated mural on the other side of the library that shows the changes in education since the last mural.
Maire is listed in the Michigan State Register of Historic Sites.
Dr. Lewis Emil Maire owned a farm on the Clinton River and traveled through Grosse Pointe to downtown Detroit. He noticed a large newly built frame house for sale but felt he could not afford it. Nevertheless he inquired about the property, purchased it and moved to Grosse Pointe in the fall of 1899. (Source: Dr. Edward Maire, his son)
This move was fortunate for the Grosse Pointe community. In addition to being a well known eye and ear doctor, Dr. Maire was an outstanding citizen. He was involved in several medical groups and for more than a quarter of a century conducted free eye and ear clinics. He was a collector of art and an avid gardener.
Dr. Maire instituted the State Enabling Act to set up Township Boards of Health and helped establish the Grosse Pointe Board of Health. He helped organize the village of Grosse Pointe Park and served on its board for four years.
One of his ambitions, perhaps influenced by his need to educate his nine children, was playing a part in making the Grosse Pointe School System one of the best. He was a member of the Board of Education for twelve years and its President for one. At this time, in 1921 there were five separate school systems, none of which could support a high school. Dr. Maire was one of a group which pushed for the consolidation of the districts into the current system so that higher education would be available for the children.
It is no wonder that after his death in 1935, a public petition was placed with the Grosse Pointe Board of Education to name the new school, Maire, in his honor for his services to the community and especially for the development of education in Grosse Pointe.
Maire School children sold bonds, had paper drives and collected enough money to sponsor several Jeeps for the WWII effort. One of these was an ambulance plane that was named the Old Gray Maire in honor of our school. The pilot, Lionel Montagne was also from this area. He was very proud to fly this plane.
