Tracy William McGregor [[1869 – May 6, 1936)

**Henry Whalley** · August-24-22, 08:15 AM

Tracy W. McGregor - Wikipedia

A local worth his salt.

**13606Cedargrove** · August-24-22, 08:30 AM

Indeed.

**Ray1936** · August-24-22, 10:51 AM

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/...tracy-mcgregor

**Kathleen** · August-24-22, 01:31 PM

I share the story of Tracy McGregor and his wife Katherine Whitney McGregor on both my Woodlawn Cemetery tour and my Yamasaki in the Cultural Center tour. One of Detroit's greatest philanthropists...and one of the least known. Thanks for posting!!

**jcole** · August-25-22, 07:19 AM

McGregor Elementary on the East side, I'm guessing

**Rocket** · August-25-22, 07:44 AM

Wiki doesn't say anything about how he made his fortune, or what places are named after him.

But the McGregor Library in Highland Park is one.

From the McGregor library website;

The need for a public library worthy of Highland Park’s growing population and prosperity was answered in 1918 by the donation of a building and land by Katherine and Tracy McGregor. The building, originally the home of a local businessman and major property owner Captain William Stevens, was converted by Katherine Whitney McGregor into a home for "homeless, crippled, and backward children" in 1903. She closed the home and donated it to the City of Highland Park on the stipulation that it be replaced as soon as possible with a new library building which would cost at least $255,000 and be bigger and more beautiful than the Utley Library, the most recent branch of the Detroit Public Library two miles south on Woodward Avenue.

**Kathleen** · August-25-22, 07:55 AM

Correct.

The Tracy McGregor Elementary School closed in 2007.

In 2018, the school was acquired by LifeBuilders to become an early childhood education facility.
https://www.lifebuildersdetroit.com/...in-regent-park

No idea what transpired with the building from 2007 to 2018.
Wonder if the Tracy McGregor bronze plaque is still inside?
https://omeka.svsu.edu/items/show/5146

**Kathleen** · August-25-22, 08:03 AM

Originally Posted by Rocket

Wiki doesn't say anything about how he made his fortune...

He married Katharine Whitney, the daughter of lumber baron David Whitney. Together they lived a life of service. With the early assistance of David Whitney.

Lovers who Loved to Give - the Story of Tracy and Katherine Whitney McGregor
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/love-...y-of_b_6949474

**Rocket** · August-25-22, 10:20 AM

Originally Posted by Kathleen

He married Katharine Whitney, the daughter of lumber baron David Whitney. Together they lived a life of service. With the early assistance of David Whitney.

Ahh, ok.

So "The Whitney Restaurant" [mansion] was one of the homes of the father in-law, Katharine's dad.

Cool connection.

**jcole** · August-26-22, 01:14 PM

I just asked a friend who I thought might know, but he doesn't know if the plaque was saved. 90% of the old school was too damaged to save but there is an early childhood Head Start program in what was saved of the building

Originally Posted by Kathleen

Correct.

The Tracy McGregor Elementary School closed in 2007.

In 2018, the school was acquired by LifeBuilders to become an early childhood education facility.
https://www.lifebuildersdetroit.com/...in-regent-park

No idea what transpired with the building from 2007 to 2018.
Wonder if the Tracy McGregor bronze plaque is still inside?
https://omeka.svsu.edu/items/show/5146