1987 documentary on the history of Woodward Avenue narrated by Mort Crim. Featuring: Motown Records General Motors Fox and Hound Detroit Zoo Midtown Cafe Maccabees Building Detroit Institute of Art WXYZ radio
I grew up in Oak Park. Got my drivers license in 1965. Started cruising Woodward in my mom's 1962 Ford Sunliner convertible. From the Totem Pole to Teds.
I used to eat at that White Castle 0:14 back in the early 80’s...... I was born in Highland Park at D.O.H. where my grand mother worked as a cook. Lived on Cortland st. Then after the riots in 67 we moved to Ferndale, on Academy st. I traveled this entire route of Woodward many times, in fact I thought I might have been in this video... I’m sure I wasn’t far from where they shot a lot of this at the time..... Woodward was my stomping grounds....... We used to take Woodward to the Detroit River then drive North to Pontiac, then back to Ferndale just for fun...... I now live 40 miles south of Detroit, but I still make a point to Cruze Woodward from Detroit to Ferndale..... I grew up on Woodward. I was the third house East of Woodward my entire youth...... It’s amazing how a road can be so sentimental....... I also worked construction my entire adult life in Detroit... I worked on the construction of Comerica Park, Ford Field, MGM Casino, Chrysler Jefferson plant, Pole town plant, Mack ave plant, Chene Park, and many more...... My finger prints are all across the city....... I Love Detroit.....
I remember so much, so much. My Grandfather’s house was where home plate is now for the Tiger’s. I attended Franklin Elementary School and Cass Tech. I’m now 91, remembering ❤
Thanks for uploading this. Growing up in Detroit in the 70’s and 80’s, I instantly recognized newscaster and journalist Mort Crim’s voice from WDIV, Local 4. I graduated HS with his son, Al back in ‘83 from GP South HS.
How I remember Detroit as a child of the Baby Boomers era brings back smiles, and some tears. I remember attending school, and going on various field trips to The Wonder Bread Factory, The Vernors Plant, The Faygo Plant, The Bettermaid Potatoe Plant, and the three Automobile Plants (GM, Ford, and Chrysler). I can recall walking out of The Wonder Bread Plant smelling like Homemade Fresh Bread Mmmm the aroma still lingers in my mind. Oh well, move on who knows those field trips may come back for our young schoolchildren of today. Do you think? Hmmm 😒.
@PATRICIA Y Montagne - I, too, remember those things and more - family & school trips to Belle Isle, Detroit Zoo, and Boblo Island & ferry. The beautiful old churches, Ford St Union Depot, the downtown Hudson's, the Statler Hotel, so many grand old buildings, all gone. (How many beautiful, historic stone and brick buildings demolished to make room for modern steel buildings, parking lots or that stupid waste of money People Mover?) Sadly, those things are gone, never to return. They only exist in our memories now.
I remember the field trips and recreational centers. They will never come back for black children. they took trades out of our high schools , the stopped field trips for black children and they shut down the recreational centers. This was to shut off positive escape valves for our children's excess energy and shuttle them toward the prison system.
I can tell you we didn't do a single thing like previous generations, my siblings went to ford and gm and many others. Due to a number of factors the school districts can't afford nor be held responsible for any misfortune.. We did go to the Dia tho
Born in Detroit in 1954. Lived off e. Jefferson, across from belle isle. Rode the bus downtown on Saturday. I remember Woodward, shopping at lerners and Hudson was my favorite stores. Then lunch at big boys!❤
I'm in my mid 70's and the Detroit Zoo was my favorite place, my Mom took us. I went one summer to the Detroit Institute of Arts as a High School student...In 1979 I moved to Australia as an Art Teacher after 9 years US Army, including Vietnam War (2/502 Inf 101st Airborne). It's so sad about Michigan...Miss TEDS and cruising in my 63 and 1/2, Ford, 427 CU Inch, an insanely fast car.
This was truly fascinating! I thoroughly enjoyed watching it. It brought back many memories of growing up in Detroit. I lived six blocks from Woodward (off of E Grand Blvd), and saw many places that I had been to during my childhood years of growing up in Detroit.
While driving north on Woodward between 8 and 9 mile roads in my '63 Falcon Sprint with 260 Cubic Inch 4 barrel Hurst four speed shifter with a underdash 45 record player in 1968 I was drinking a beer and took a swig then looked off to my left to see a cop motioning me to pull over. I did and got a drinking and driving ticket. I went to court and paid a $25 fine and got 2 points on my license. Things were a lot different back then. Judges regarded drinking and driving a lot differently in those days...like an 'almost' crime.
I love Detroit. I grew up in Windsor, but both my parents worked in Detroit and my sisters and I spend weekend shopping in Detroit. I love that they say that the backbone of Detroit was built on strong, just as the music hall was. I love Detroit no matter it's often scary reputation. It was never scary to me, it was always home.
Best segment was at 31:38. Love going to the Woodward Dream Cruise. Whenever I go to a downtown Detroit event like the Jazz Festival now I park at northern segment of the new Q Line street car (even has WiFi) and for $3 can ride all day.
Grew up in Royal Oak. Grade school was real close to 11 Mile and Woodward. Was in the same junior high school with Alan Frey who years later, found out he is Glenn Frey’s younger brother. Played little league baseball at Memorial park which was at 13 Mile and Woodward. Ate once at the Totem Pole. Used to go to Red Barn near 10 mile and Woodward. My Dad took me to Lum’s every once in a while on Woodward. We went to Paul’s auto wash near 11 Mile and Woodward .
@@erdingtown Being African Amercan and having been born and raised in Detroit, I have never believed in violence and I have never understood the point of rioting. The few that choose to riot have made our whole race look bad. As far as negotiating, there was little willingness of certain people to negotiate when it came to race in terms of equal rights. At least in a general sense.
Decline always, sooner or later, follows in the path of greatness. A joyful video because despite what some people believe we are all in this together. As Detroit begins its climb, starting in the core from which it grew, it shows its strength, its class and its courage considering the disrespect that the fallen must endure. Mort Crim: also courage and class. This video, like Detroit, is a winner. When you can rise to the top and still not give up; if you know that to even get back to where you were 25, 50, 75 years ago is a moonshot; and you do it, and you push forward, you stumble, but you won't quit; you are the real deal, all that, the leader. You are, as they say, all that. Not that Detroiters need to be told that, but as a former Windsorite whose French-Canadian history dates back to the time of the Cadillac --the explorer not the de Ville-- what's good for Detroit is good for North America. Now do all of us a favour: wear your masks so you can vote to get rid of Trump who is NOT great and NOT worthy of a great nation. Russia, maybe, U.S.A., hell no!
Oh, you planning on coming over and voting for Kammala the Kommie and Creepy Sleepy Joe? Soros putting a lot of money in to get his globalist puppet picks in office. Tell you what, stay across the river, vote in your own elections, enjoy Trudeau, and have it for yourself. If I want to live in Venezuela, I would move there, not vote to bring it here.
Hi I’m from two years in the future, I just wanted to tell you what a lousy idea you had to elect Biden. We are engaging in proxy warfare, gas prices are high, the Southern border is wide open, and for some reason we trying to challenge both Russia and China to a direct confrontation. So thanks for the lousy advice.
My dad played there for Henery Ford years ago when in Highschool. He and his brother used to Harass Edsel Ford in school . My Grandfathers old repair shop is part of Deerfield Village. Purchased lock stock and barrel by Henery Ford. All his tools, everything. My Dad told me of the storys of his youth and how it all changed when he was called to a place called Normandy Beach to fight the Germans. He is gone now but I still remember his storys.
I GREW UP IN PONTIAC AND WOODWARD AVENUE ON THE SECOND WEEK OF AUGUST EVERY YEAR *** HOSTING THE DREAM CRUISE !!! PEOPLE WOULD LINE THE STREETS JUST TO SEE ALL THE OLD AND BEAUTIFUL AUTOMOBILES GOING UP AND DOWN THE STREET !!! YOU COULD SEE THE PRIDE OF THE PEOPLE THERE !!! FEELING SO PROUD KNOWING THAT SO MANY OF THEM HAD A HAND IN BUILDING MANY OF THEM !!! EVEN AFTER THE AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY HAD ABANDONED THOSE SAME PEOPLE WHO WORKED SO HARD TO MAKE THEM THEIR FORTUNES !!! LEAVING BEHIND THEM PEOPLE AND FAMILIES WITHOUT JOB'S AND ABANDONED PLANTS AND BUILDINGS AND POLLUTED LAND AND WATERS !!! PEOPLE LOST THEIR HOMES * AND ANY POSSIBLE HOPE ON WHAT TO DO TO HELP THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES FROM RUIN !!!
Born in 1976 on Westside on Mendota between Schoolcraft and Jefferies Freeway until age 5 and in 1981 we moved to the Eastside on Marlborough south of Jefferson between Freud and Essex. I recall visits to the Eastern Market on Saturday Mornings where we'd be there forever because my pops grew up in the Brewster Projects and he'd know everyone in that area. We'd then go visit family on Euclid between Lasalle and 12th. Summers were highlighted at Belle Isle, Bob-lo, and Hart Plaza and the Christmas Holiday started with the Thanksgiving Day Parade on Woodward and nearly ending with the Christmas Carnival at Cobo Hall just before Christmas...damn. Walking home for lunch from Guyton Elementary School I'd hear my mother listening to Martha Jean The Queen on AM Radio and seeing Detroit Edison (local electrical company) Commercials with a young Isiah "Zeke" Thomas reminding people to "look up" to be aware of electrical wires and also his mother Mary Thomas famously saying, "Oh Isiah"....so many memories of the 1980s. Damn I love my City of Detroit.
Great video for 1987,!!! I used to work on Woodward Ave at Wayne State University in a mansion that had been donated to the university and was the offices of The Labor Relations Department of Wayne State University of which I was secretary to the Director of said dept. I would walk to the National Bank of Detroit to do our departmental banking n at lunch I would walk to the Catholic Church which was almost a cathedral n say some prayers n eat my lunch!!! This was in 1978 approximately!!! It was beautiful then, n my Ballet Studio was in Woodward n 7 Mile Rd in an art deco building that houses a gay bar on the main street area n The Detroit Chamber Ballet 🩰 Society, of which I was a member of the Corps Du Ballet, for 6 years, was on the upper floor of the building;!! It was a wonderful area then and I am sure it could be again!!!! Sadly, I haven't lived there since 2001, when I moved to Ohio, so watching this ab fab video made my day today strolling down Woodward Ave in Detroit Michigan, down Memory Lane!!! Thank you for posting!!!!
Many many years ago my dad would take us kids downtown! We watched Vernors ginger ale being bottled and Better Made Potato chips being made! The river front to watch the boats! Senate Coney Island, Greek Town and a number of places was great fun for us! Then as a young Federal Agent working out of the federal building at Fort and Shelby I learned much more! Having lunch at the Free Press building and hitting the streets for drug dealers! I noticed everyday the demise of a wonderful city! It’s heartbreaking!
Not dead yet. Do you still live in the area? I live in Brush Park just off Woodward Avenue. There is massive development underway along Woodward. Check it out.
@Waterlec That is not far off what is happening. Ten core neighborhoods have been identified. They will receive the lions share of resources. Repaving, school upgrades, enhanced lighting etc... The other areas will receive focused demolition and the surrounding areas essentially mothballed. The downtown area is being renovated in a big way. I live in Brush Park. Fifteen years ago the neighborhood was abandoned. Today is a thriving and rapidly growing area. Over 2500 housing units are under construction in Brush Park with 2000 more in the works. Brush Park is a good example of the success of one of the target neighborhoods. The problem elsewhere is the scale of the problem. The fact is that demolition of remaining structures will take many years. The scope of the problem combined with ongoing violent crime adds to the challenge. This is an old video. The city core is coming back in a big way. The outer areas will take a lot longer.
omg o.g state fair I'm a 31 y. o man tearing up at the memories, I could see the ferris wheel from my house on 20218 charleston that whole neighborhood has been devastated by blight, just recently demolished with about 2/3 houses per block for about 4 streets until John r. my elementary school "grayling elementary" was directly across from the fairgrounds "demolished mid 2000's"" .... good times. blessings to all.... man good times, Amazon bought the state fair grounds. from 20218 Charleston I used to see my school an the fairs skyline, now u can see a MASSIVE E-commerce Amazon building, which is not a bad thing because of the jobs, but man do times changes..... one word... blight. be blessed. better days are coming.
Woodward and Six Mile "McNichols" on the border of Highland Park, used to have a bunch of Vaudeville theaters, built way back when. They became X-rated by the Seventies, and the streets were full of Vice. Later-the area became Too Dangerous even for THAT (plus, you had the rise of videotapes) so they All closed down.
William Beaumont hospital is still open its on thirteen mile and Woodard ave I was born at William. Beaumont hospital June 30th 1962 and my brother Marc was born January 20th 1961 at William Beaumont hospital is adding on they have a. air flight for. truma like head injuries or life treating injuries my dad had open heart surgery and my step mom Jolene and I had my tubes burned there I had my surgery January 29th 1990
My family moved into detroit in 1979 when they immigrated from yemen on the eastside but the area was getting dangerous so they moved out to hamtramck in 1992
I wish that Detroit had built taller buildings than the Penobscot Building and that hotel in the Renissance Center, build an city everyone could be proud of, blacks and whites.
AT th-cam.com/video/WZXFhWTjo7U/w-d-xo.htmlm49s the Highland Park Model T plant was designed by two men, not just Albert Kahn. Edward Gray was Henry Ford's Chief Engineer and played a major role in the design of the plant as well. In fact in the Wikipedia listing you'll see his man mentioned as well. See this article- flic.kr/p/24BQURu
So my city really been like this forever … 😂 that’s crazy a lot has changed but a lot has stayed the same some may say worst ; but I would’ve thought it’ll be better bet then again when you think of the riots and everything else; a lot of outside influences changed it for the worst. I wish I could’ve experienced Detroit in the 80’s/90s. It’s a lot of other cities that were affected and effected by those same influences at the same time it’s crazy how shxt be setup; I got that hate/love feel for my city overall fr fr… it shouldn’t be so damn dangerous not like that but we really don’t got nothing not even an amusement park .
Wow, those angels remind me of the fountain at my grandpas house. They distroyed it. I ws heartbroken. They said it was not structurally sound. it was the first house in morton grove. with that kind of history and the european painting and woodworking and ornamentation, they could have figured out a way to put a few beams in there ans save it an use it as a historical society. People think that that certain historical structures dont need to be preserved because we need progress. I look around the united states and if this is what progress has done, maybe we need a lot less "progress".
This title is a misrepresentation. This is NOT a history of Woodward Avenue but a story of the decline of Detroit's main street that divides the city between east and west and once held some of the most prominent stores, offices, and theater districts in the nation. What would have made a stronger and more appropriate presentation would have been to show the developmental history, and then its decline explaining why it happened. One point that was made here was the betrayal of the automotive industry, supported by the shot of General Motors behind a derelict store front. As this stands, it is an incomplete and unrealized subject.
I grew up in Detroit in the 40s and 50s. Went back a while ago for my high school's 50th reunion. Detroit is now a total rat hole. It will never come back. Yes the riots of 1967 were the beginning of the end.
They did not Spotlight the Elias Brothers Big Boy, Drive In, Restaurant. Where we had little intercoms in our parking spaces. You would find a parking spot. You would order from your car. And a lovely person would bring the food out to you. And it was a popular place for the guys to show off their hot cars. They would cruise around the parking lot. It was great. And then there was the, Howard Johnson's Restaurant. Where they had all-you-can-eat clam strips on Wednesdays. I loved that so. Mom and dad would take me and my younger brother down there occasionally. On Wednesday nights for clam strips. They were so good! But I really love the salad dressing at the Elias Brothers Big Boy. That was the best salad dressing ever! And it has eluded me now for over 50 years. I've gotten close. But never the same. And then one day. It was a beautiful summer day. Just before school let out summer vacation. I'm standing on the corner of Eleven Mile Rd. and Woodward Avenue. Waiting for the light to change so I can cross Eleven Mile Rd. As my house was only one block away. Behind the Golf Gas Station. On the corner. But then I stepped into the street off the curb. When I shouldn't have. And I was nearly hit by a car. That almost ran over my foot. When I suddenly realized. I had just watched a movie with this car in it. The car in the movie was painted white. This one had a beautiful Copper Color Paint Job. It was the Chrysler Turban Car. Oh my God! I thought it was a fake for the movie? It wasn't! It was real! And it almost ran over my foot at Eleven Mile Rd. and Woodward Avenue. Oh my God! It was right out of the movie! In the late 1960s. I already knew the Batmobile was a fake jet car. It wasn't for real. I didn't think the one in the movie of the Lively Set. Starring, Doug McClure, James Darren and Pamela Tiffin. Was real? It was Very Real. And was driven by some businessman looking guy. How cool was that to an, 8-year-old walking home from school. On a summer day. Growing up off of Woodward Avenue and Eleven Mile Rd. In the 1960s. Was. To put it mildly. JUST FABULOUS! And while there was a lot of, Drag Racing on Woodward Avenue. In 1965. My mother bought her first New Car. A 1965, Chevrolet Corvair Monza. And what did mommy start doing? We would be coming home from Food Shopping. With me in the front seat and my little brother in the backseat with the groceries. And if mom came up alongside another Corvair.. At the light. She would drag race another Corvair to the next light! It was Awesome of Mom! We were really a part of that Culture of Detroit. It was Infectious. In the mid-1960s. I also remember. Our first Nuclear Power Plan. The Enrico Fermi Nuclear Power Plant. On Lake Erie. And ever since they opened it. And powered it up. It had problems. We had multiple warnings on radio and TV. To stay indoors. There's a problem with the nuclear power plant. They could never figure out? It wasn't until 50 years later. When they shut down the plant, permanently. And cool down the reactor core. When they drained the core. They finally found out what the problem was all those decades. During construction. Some worker. Through his empty Coca-Cola can. Into the bottom of the receptacle. And it stayed there. Affecting the, nuclear fission process. Repeatedly. Oh my God? It caused numerous problems through the years. There were releases. Of nuclear garbage. Into the air. I grew up being slightly affected. I guess? We got a bigger dose than most.. And as a young teenager. I thought it was just Awesome. I could ride my bicycle from Royal Oak/Huntington Woods. Then into another country called Canada. Though we could never go through the tunnel. We had to take the Ambassador Bridge over into Windsor, Ontario, Canada. And that was so cool to do as a young teenager! I could ride my bicycle into a foreign country. From my home in Huntington Woods/Royal Oak, Michigan. That was pretty awesome for a teenager. Of only 13. And when customers asked us what we were going to do in Canada? Us young teenagers would say… We came here to buy drugs! And they would just mumble and say get the hell out of here. And we would laugh. And go ride our bicycles around downtown, Windsor, Canada. Just to do it. That's all we did. And then circled back out to go home. About 13 miles away. And I was in a foreign country on my bicycle. As a young teenager growing up in the suburbs of Detroit. What an awesome time I had. And I started my career at Dondero High school. They had an FM Educational Radio Station. WOAK-FM. The Voice of Royal Oak Public Schools. I went to Longfellow Elementary. And then I went to Clara Barton Junior Hi. And as I was making out my schedule for Dondero High School. My parents were getting divorced. I knew mother was going to move us away. And it was the 1st Year of Computerized Scheduling. And I told my Counselor. I absolutely, positively, had to have. The Broadcasting Course. My first year. First semester. I absolutely have to have that. They said no problem. The schedules are now Computerized. And so on the first day of school. I am all excited and fired up! And they hand me my schedule. And there on my schedule. Is that course. That begins with a B. And ends with the letter G. Though it was not Broadcasting. It was Baking. They scheduled me with the girls for the Baking Class. I laughed. So I went to my Counselor. And told them they got part of my selection right. But the part in the middle was wrong. And you will have to change my schedule to put me into Broadcasting. They told me they could not do that. The course was full for the year. I would have to take it next year. I said No! We had a Contract! You are to put me in now. They said no. We can give you a study hall instead. I don't want to study hall! I want the course! They said no not this year. I was Outraged! And so I went to the Radio Station to the Teacher. Mrs. Sheila Bickle. And I asked her. What do I need to get on the Radio Station? She proceeded to tell me in the course. The entire first half of the year. Is, taken up. Preparing you for your FCC 3rd Class Radiotelephone Broadcasting License. Then once you pass that. You can start producing your own radio shows. Like how to change the oil on your car. How to build a backyard, gymnasium set. How to bake cookies. How to balance a checkbook. And other exciting radio shows like that. You will get to do. Once you pass your FCC License, exam. She proceeded to tell me. She would put me on the Air. If I get my license. And I asked her how to do that? She said you write to the FCC. Send them 5 dollars. They will send you a study guide. I said thanks.. I'll be back. So I mail the way my 5 dollars. To the FCC. And I waited. And I waited.. I waited some more. About 2 weeks. It didn't show. So? I went to my local Electronics Stores. Which was RadioShack, Lafayette Electronics, Allied Electronics. And Olson's Electronics. And one of them had a 3rd Party FCC Study Guide. Which I purchased. For the next 4 days. I studied this manual. Even while running track. And on the fifth day, Friday. I cut school. I got on a bus heading downtown Detroit. And went to the FCC building. I walked into the FCC. Paid my fee of, $15 was it? And proceeded to take the test. I aced the test. At 15 years of age. I was incredibly excited! I asked the nice FCC lady. How long will it take before I received my license at home? She said normally that takes 10 days-2 weeks. I said okey-dokey. I will be looking forward to that. Well I'm not certain what happened? I don't know if it was the expression on my face? But the following morning at 10 AM. Our mail came. And my mother tells me. There's a manila envelope from the FCC for me. Well? (More True Dreams in following post)
The Roper City and Country School domes were built with high efficiency construction techniques. The were built with a special machine that, from the center, constructed the dome from foam beams. The machine was removed. The dome was covered with concrete and steel mesh. Doors and windows were cut in the walls. It was said that they could be heated with just one light bulb. With all of those kids jumping around they probably had to be air conditioned year round. I was in engineering school in the 60s at the University of Detroit. I went on a field trip to the school to observe the construction. Very forward looking for its time..
I grew up in Oak Park. Got my drivers license in 1965. Started cruising Woodward in my mom's 1962 Ford Sunliner convertible. From the Totem Pole to Teds.
I used to eat at that White Castle 0:14 back in the early 80’s...... I was born in Highland Park at D.O.H. where my grand mother worked as a cook. Lived on Cortland st. Then after the riots in 67 we moved to Ferndale, on Academy st. I traveled this entire route of Woodward many times, in fact I thought I might have been in this video... I’m sure I wasn’t far from where they shot a lot of this at the time..... Woodward was my stomping grounds....... We used to take Woodward to the Detroit River then drive North to Pontiac, then back to Ferndale just for fun...... I now live 40 miles south of Detroit, but I still make a point to Cruze Woodward from Detroit to Ferndale..... I grew up on Woodward. I was the third house East of Woodward my entire youth...... It’s amazing how a road can be so sentimental....... I also worked construction my entire adult life in Detroit... I worked on the construction of Comerica Park, Ford Field, MGM Casino, Chrysler Jefferson plant, Pole town plant, Mack ave plant, Chene Park, and many more...... My finger prints are all across the city....... I Love Detroit.....
My Mom worked at DOH. I drove her and picked her up from there many a day...
Right on brother!!!🙂
I remember so much, so much. My Grandfather’s house was where home plate is now for the Tiger’s. I attended Franklin Elementary School and Cass Tech. I’m now 91, remembering ❤
Thanks for uploading this. Growing up in Detroit in the 70’s and 80’s, I instantly recognized newscaster and journalist Mort Crim’s voice from WDIV, Local 4. I graduated HS with his son, Al back in ‘83 from GP South HS.
How I remember Detroit as a child of the Baby Boomers era brings back smiles, and some tears. I remember attending school, and going on various field trips to The Wonder Bread Factory, The Vernors Plant, The Faygo Plant, The Bettermaid Potatoe Plant, and the three Automobile Plants (GM, Ford, and Chrysler). I can recall walking out of The Wonder Bread Plant smelling like Homemade Fresh Bread Mmmm the aroma still lingers in my mind. Oh well, move on who knows those field trips may come back for our young schoolchildren of today. Do you think? Hmmm 😒.
PATRICIA Y Montagne Lazarecky the wonder bread plant is Motor City Casino
@PATRICIA Y Montagne - I, too, remember those things and more - family & school trips to Belle Isle, Detroit Zoo, and Boblo Island & ferry. The beautiful old churches, Ford St Union Depot, the downtown Hudson's, the Statler Hotel, so many grand old buildings, all gone. (How many beautiful, historic stone and brick buildings demolished to make room for modern steel buildings, parking lots or that stupid waste of money People Mover?) Sadly, those things are gone, never to return. They only exist in our memories now.
I remember the field trips and recreational centers. They will never come back for black children. they took trades out of our high schools , the stopped field trips for black children and they shut down the recreational centers. This was to shut off positive escape valves for our children's excess energy and shuttle them toward the prison system.
I can tell you we didn't do a single thing like previous generations, my siblings went to ford and gm and many others. Due to a number of factors the school districts can't afford nor be held responsible for any misfortune..
We did go to the Dia tho
I miss Detroit. Class of 79 Cass Tech.
I love to see beautiful buildings and it looks like Detroit has some incredible architecture.
Thank u so much for uploading video! That's my mother @ 20:07 doing what she loved best 😇🥲 I miss her sooooooo much ❤️
How wonderful!
Born in Detroit in 1954. Lived off e. Jefferson, across from belle isle. Rode the bus downtown on Saturday. I remember Woodward, shopping at lerners and Hudson was my favorite stores. Then lunch at big boys!❤
Even if Detroit comes back it won't feel the same as it once was. The first decline ruins the feeling forever.
I was born in Detroit in 1940 and left in 1985 lived on American street now they say that's one of the worst streets in Detroit SAD
Imagine what they said after the depression era, Detroit never recovered its position as the busiest port in the world.
I'm in my mid 70's and the Detroit Zoo was my favorite place, my Mom took us. I went one summer to the Detroit Institute of Arts as a High School student...In 1979 I moved to Australia as an Art Teacher after 9 years US Army, including Vietnam War (2/502 Inf 101st Airborne). It's so sad about Michigan...Miss TEDS and cruising in my 63 and 1/2, Ford, 427 CU Inch, an insanely fast car.
Good ol' Mort Crim.
This was truly fascinating! I thoroughly enjoyed watching it. It brought back many memories of growing up in Detroit. I lived six blocks from Woodward (off of E Grand Blvd), and saw many places that I had been to during my childhood years of growing up in Detroit.
While driving north on Woodward between 8 and 9 mile roads in my '63 Falcon Sprint with 260 Cubic Inch 4 barrel Hurst four speed shifter with a underdash 45 record player in 1968 I was drinking a beer and took a swig then looked off to my left to see a cop motioning me to pull over. I did and got a drinking and driving ticket.
I went to court and paid a $25 fine and got 2 points on my license.
Things were a lot different back then. Judges regarded drinking and driving a lot differently in those days...like an 'almost' crime.
I love Detroit. I grew up in Windsor, but both my parents worked in Detroit and my sisters and I spend weekend shopping in Detroit. I love that they say that the backbone of Detroit was built on strong, just as the music hall was. I love Detroit no matter it's often scary reputation. It was never scary to me, it was always home.
Thank you.....born and raised
Thanks for sharing this. Hard to believe the way everything looked back then. Pride!
Do an update Woodward 2022, thank God we don't look like what we've been through 🙏🏾❤✊🏿#313strong
Great segment Mort Crim!
Best segment was at 31:38. Love going to the Woodward Dream Cruise. Whenever I go to a downtown Detroit event like the Jazz Festival now I park at northern segment of the new Q Line street car (even has WiFi) and for $3 can ride all day.
Grew up in Royal Oak. Grade school was real close to 11 Mile and Woodward. Was in the same junior high school with Alan Frey who years later, found out he is Glenn Frey’s younger brother. Played little league baseball at Memorial park which was at 13 Mile and Woodward. Ate once at the Totem Pole. Used to go to Red Barn near 10 mile and Woodward. My Dad took me to Lum’s every once in a while on Woodward. We went to Paul’s auto wash near 11 Mile and Woodward .
Detroit is the greatest city in America, wonderful video!
Rapture582-Greatest city, uh, what?
Rapture582 why is it when africans don’t get what they want , they use violence? How about negotiations? Detroit is gone for ever.
@@erdingtown Being African Amercan and having been born and raised in Detroit, I have never believed in violence and I have never understood the point of rioting. The few that choose to riot have made our whole race look bad. As far as negotiating, there was little willingness of certain people to negotiate when it came to race in terms of equal rights. At least in a general sense.
💪💪💯
Was*
Decline always, sooner or later, follows in the path of greatness. A joyful video because despite what some people believe we are all in this together. As Detroit begins its climb, starting in the core from which it grew, it shows its strength, its class and its courage considering the disrespect that the fallen must endure. Mort Crim: also courage and class. This video, like Detroit, is a winner. When you can rise to the top and still not give up; if you know that to even get back to where you were 25, 50, 75 years ago is a moonshot; and you do it, and you push forward, you stumble, but you won't quit; you are the real deal, all that, the leader. You are, as they say, all that. Not that Detroiters need to be told that, but as a former Windsorite whose French-Canadian history dates back to the time of the Cadillac --the explorer not the de Ville-- what's good for Detroit is good for North America. Now do all of us a favour: wear your masks so you can vote to get rid of Trump who is NOT great and NOT worthy of a great nation. Russia, maybe, U.S.A., hell no!
Oh, you planning on coming over and voting for Kammala the Kommie and Creepy Sleepy Joe? Soros putting a lot of money in to get his globalist puppet picks in office. Tell you what, stay across the river, vote in your own elections, enjoy Trudeau, and have it for yourself. If I want to live in Venezuela, I would move there, not vote to bring it here.
Hi I’m from two years in the future, I just wanted to tell you what a lousy idea you had to elect Biden. We are engaging in proxy warfare, gas prices are high, the Southern border is wide open, and for some reason we trying to challenge both Russia and China to a direct confrontation. So thanks for the lousy advice.
My dad played there for Henery Ford years ago when in Highschool. He and his brother used to Harass Edsel Ford in school . My Grandfathers old repair shop is part of Deerfield Village. Purchased lock stock and barrel by Henery Ford. All his tools, everything. My Dad told me of the storys of his youth and how it all changed when he was called to a place called Normandy Beach to fight the Germans. He is gone now but I still remember his storys.
I GREW UP IN PONTIAC AND WOODWARD AVENUE ON THE SECOND WEEK OF AUGUST EVERY YEAR *** HOSTING THE DREAM CRUISE !!!
PEOPLE WOULD LINE THE STREETS JUST TO SEE ALL THE OLD AND BEAUTIFUL AUTOMOBILES GOING UP AND DOWN THE STREET !!!
YOU COULD SEE THE PRIDE OF THE PEOPLE THERE !!!
FEELING SO PROUD KNOWING THAT SO MANY OF THEM HAD A HAND IN BUILDING MANY OF THEM !!!
EVEN AFTER THE AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY HAD ABANDONED THOSE SAME PEOPLE WHO WORKED SO HARD TO MAKE THEM THEIR FORTUNES !!!
LEAVING BEHIND THEM PEOPLE AND FAMILIES WITHOUT JOB'S AND ABANDONED PLANTS AND BUILDINGS AND POLLUTED LAND AND WATERS !!! PEOPLE LOST THEIR HOMES * AND ANY POSSIBLE HOPE ON WHAT TO DO TO HELP THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES FROM RUIN !!!
Born in 1976 on Westside on Mendota between Schoolcraft and Jefferies Freeway until age 5 and in 1981 we moved to the Eastside on Marlborough south of Jefferson between Freud and Essex.
I recall visits to the Eastern Market on Saturday Mornings where we'd be there forever because my pops grew up in the Brewster Projects and he'd know everyone in that area.
We'd then go visit family on Euclid between Lasalle and 12th.
Summers were highlighted at Belle Isle, Bob-lo, and Hart Plaza and the Christmas Holiday started with the Thanksgiving Day Parade on Woodward and nearly ending with the Christmas Carnival at Cobo Hall just before Christmas...damn.
Walking home for lunch from Guyton Elementary School I'd hear my mother listening to Martha Jean The Queen on AM Radio and seeing Detroit Edison (local electrical company) Commercials with a young Isiah "Zeke" Thomas reminding people to "look up" to be aware of electrical wires and also his mother Mary Thomas famously saying, "Oh Isiah"....so many memories of the 1980s.
Damn I love my City of Detroit.
Yall need to do s 2020 version this to old we in the future now😎
Born at Beaumont hospital lived across Woodward from the zoo proud to be from there .
Very interesting.
Wow what a great video clip!!! I always wanted to see this from years past. I had family that grew up around Woodward avenue here.
When I turned 19 my cousin took me to Canada in 1995 and oh man what what those Canadian girls did for a toonie
Great video for 1987,!!! I used to work on Woodward Ave at Wayne State University in a mansion that had been donated to the university and was the offices of The Labor Relations Department of Wayne State University of which I was secretary to the Director of said dept. I would walk to the National Bank of Detroit to do our departmental banking n at lunch I would walk to the Catholic Church which was almost a cathedral n say some prayers n eat my lunch!!! This was in 1978 approximately!!! It was beautiful then, n my Ballet Studio was in Woodward n 7 Mile Rd in an art deco building that houses a gay bar on the main street area n The Detroit Chamber Ballet 🩰 Society, of which I was a member of the Corps Du Ballet, for 6 years, was on the upper floor of the building;!! It was a wonderful area then and I am sure it could be again!!!! Sadly, I haven't lived there since 2001, when I moved to Ohio, so watching this ab fab video made my day today strolling down Woodward Ave in Detroit Michigan, down Memory Lane!!! Thank you for posting!!!!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Many many years ago my dad would take us kids downtown! We watched Vernors ginger ale being bottled and Better Made Potato chips being made! The river front to watch the boats! Senate Coney Island, Greek Town and a number of places was great fun for us! Then as a young Federal Agent working out of the federal building at Fort and Shelby I learned much more! Having lunch at the Free Press building and hitting the streets for drug dealers! I noticed everyday the demise of a wonderful city! It’s heartbreaking!
Not dead yet. Do you still live in the area? I live in Brush Park just off Woodward Avenue. There is massive development underway along Woodward. Check it out.
@Waterlec That is not far off what is happening. Ten core neighborhoods have been identified. They will receive the lions share of resources. Repaving, school upgrades, enhanced lighting etc... The other areas will receive focused demolition and the surrounding areas essentially mothballed. The downtown area is being renovated in a big way. I live in Brush Park. Fifteen years ago the neighborhood was abandoned. Today is a thriving and rapidly growing area. Over 2500 housing units are under construction in Brush Park with 2000 more in the works. Brush Park is a good example of the success of one of the target neighborhoods. The problem elsewhere is the scale of the problem. The fact is that demolition of remaining structures will take many years. The scope of the problem combined with ongoing violent crime adds to the challenge. This is an old video. The city core is coming back in a big way. The outer areas will take a lot longer.
omg o.g state fair I'm a 31 y. o man tearing up at the memories, I could see the ferris wheel from my house on 20218 charleston that whole neighborhood has been devastated by blight, just recently demolished with about 2/3 houses per block for about 4 streets until John r. my elementary school "grayling elementary" was directly across from the fairgrounds "demolished mid 2000's"" .... good times. blessings to all....
man good times, Amazon bought the state fair grounds. from 20218 Charleston I used to see my school an the fairs skyline, now u can see a MASSIVE E-commerce Amazon building, which is not a bad thing because of the jobs, but man do times changes..... one word... blight. be blessed. better days are coming.
Thank heavens it was saved!
Seeing a young Craig Covey was awesome.
Being from the Detroit area n growing up there, I can't wait to see what this video has to offer!!!
Very nice, though the opening part is missing. This video starts with describing the Motown building at the north edge of downtown.
Thanks for the trip !
My mother used to work on the 6th floor of the Maccabees Mutual Building...
Woodward and Six Mile "McNichols" on the border of Highland Park, used to have a bunch of Vaudeville theaters, built way back when. They became X-rated by the Seventies, and the streets were full of Vice. Later-the area became Too Dangerous even for THAT (plus, you had the rise of videotapes) so they All closed down.
Mort Crim. Darn near almost forgot about you. Wish You well in retirement in FL.
I love Detroit, I Went to Wayne State University!
William Beaumont hospital is still open its on thirteen mile and Woodard ave I was born at William. Beaumont hospital June 30th 1962 and my brother Marc was born January 20th 1961 at William Beaumont hospital is adding on they have a. air flight for. truma like head injuries or life treating injuries my dad had open heart surgery and my step mom Jolene and I had my tubes burned there I had my surgery January 29th 1990
My family moved into detroit in 1979 when they immigrated from yemen on the eastside but the area was getting dangerous so they moved out to hamtramck in 1992
I lived on hazelwood and woodward back in the early 80s with great grandma
I wish that Detroit had built taller buildings than the Penobscot Building and that hotel in the Renissance Center, build an city everyone could be proud of, blacks and whites.
Crack was the straw that broke Detroit's back 😲
Indeed
@Gorgon Don Mexican cartels
Crack was the straw that broke Detroit back
Yup...That and the big three left us with no warning and no back up plan for employment...It was a death blow..DETROIT FOLKS LIKE TO WORK!!
Na...racism destroyed Detroit. Crack was simply another tool.
14:10 Oh snap the police chief from Beverly Hills cop is a real cop! :)
yes he was and a good man in his last days it was an honor to know him personally
So cool
The car radio,the girls trickin
D town all day
very nice please invest in the entire area make it all look nice one nice wont look good if the others are run down .
An interesting overview.
AT th-cam.com/video/WZXFhWTjo7U/w-d-xo.htmlm49s the Highland Park Model T plant was designed by two men, not just Albert Kahn. Edward Gray was Henry Ford's Chief Engineer and played a major role in the design of the plant as well. In fact in the Wikipedia listing you'll see his man mentioned as well. See this article- flic.kr/p/24BQURu
So my city really been like this forever … 😂 that’s crazy a lot has changed but a lot has stayed the same some may say worst ; but I would’ve thought it’ll be better bet then again when you think of the riots and everything else; a lot of outside influences changed it for the worst. I wish I could’ve experienced Detroit in the 80’s/90s. It’s a lot of other cities that were affected and effected by those same influences at the same time it’s crazy how shxt be setup; I got that hate/love feel for my city overall fr fr… it shouldn’t be so damn dangerous not like that but we really don’t got nothing not even an amusement park .
That Vincent Chin murder was sad, and all so familiar
Wow, those angels remind me of the fountain at my grandpas house. They distroyed it. I ws heartbroken. They said it was not structurally sound. it was the first house in morton grove. with that kind of history and the european painting and woodworking and ornamentation, they could have figured out a way to put a few beams in there ans save it an use it as a historical society. People think that that certain historical structures dont need to be preserved because we need progress. I look around the united states and if this is what progress has done, maybe we need a lot less "progress".
1987
Woodward turns into Widetrack not Saginaw
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HA, this is cute. 30 years ago, when there were still open businesses and it didn't look like a warzone
You're a fucking moron, there are businesses all over woodward today, stop spewing ignorance you ignoramus.
This title is a misrepresentation. This is NOT a history of Woodward Avenue but a story of the decline of Detroit's main street that divides the city between east and west and once held some of the most prominent stores, offices, and theater districts in the nation. What would have made a stronger and more appropriate presentation would have been to show the developmental history, and then its decline explaining why it happened. One point that was made here was the betrayal of the automotive industry, supported by the shot of General Motors behind a derelict store front. As this stands, it is an incomplete and unrealized subject.
Volume much too low...detracts from film!
How is it today?
Great
23/534
Miss. Ross. Miss. Miller.
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Dumbo 🐘 at the end lol
68 riots!
I grew up in Detroit in the 40s and 50s. Went back a while ago for my high school's 50th reunion. Detroit is now a total rat hole. It will never come back. Yes the riots of 1967 were the beginning of the end.
rom an European city to an African city in a few years period
no captioning =thumbs down
That church on 12 mile and woodward looks exactly the same on the outside as it did in the 1930s I live around the corner from it
Sad seeing how much is paved over, gone and destroyed now
This is a great video! We'd love to use it in our film. Do you have an email we can reach you at?
Hello! Happy to chat, you can email at my channel name at gmail
They did not Spotlight the Elias Brothers Big Boy, Drive In, Restaurant. Where we had little intercoms in our parking spaces. You would find a parking spot. You would order from your car. And a lovely person would bring the food out to you. And it was a popular place for the guys to show off their hot cars. They would cruise around the parking lot. It was great.
And then there was the, Howard Johnson's Restaurant. Where they had all-you-can-eat clam strips on Wednesdays. I loved that so. Mom and dad would take me and my younger brother down there occasionally. On Wednesday nights for clam strips. They were so good!
But I really love the salad dressing at the Elias Brothers Big Boy. That was the best salad dressing ever! And it has eluded me now for over 50 years. I've gotten close. But never the same.
And then one day. It was a beautiful summer day. Just before school let out summer vacation. I'm standing on the corner of Eleven Mile Rd. and Woodward Avenue. Waiting for the light to change so I can cross Eleven Mile Rd. As my house was only one block away. Behind the Golf Gas Station. On the corner. But then I stepped into the street off the curb. When I shouldn't have. And I was nearly hit by a car. That almost ran over my foot. When I suddenly realized. I had just watched a movie with this car in it. The car in the movie was painted white. This one had a beautiful Copper Color Paint Job. It was the Chrysler Turban Car. Oh my God! I thought it was a fake for the movie? It wasn't! It was real! And it almost ran over my foot at Eleven Mile Rd. and Woodward Avenue. Oh my God! It was right out of the movie!
In the late 1960s. I already knew the Batmobile was a fake jet car. It wasn't for real. I didn't think the one in the movie of the Lively Set. Starring, Doug McClure, James Darren and Pamela Tiffin. Was real? It was Very Real. And was driven by some businessman looking guy. How cool was that to an, 8-year-old walking home from school. On a summer day.
Growing up off of Woodward Avenue and Eleven Mile Rd. In the 1960s. Was. To put it mildly. JUST FABULOUS!
And while there was a lot of, Drag Racing on Woodward Avenue. In 1965. My mother bought her first New Car. A 1965, Chevrolet Corvair Monza. And what did mommy start doing?
We would be coming home from Food Shopping. With me in the front seat and my little brother in the backseat with the groceries. And if mom came up alongside another Corvair.. At the light. She would drag race another Corvair to the next light! It was Awesome of Mom! We were really a part of that Culture of Detroit. It was Infectious. In the mid-1960s.
I also remember. Our first Nuclear Power Plan. The Enrico Fermi Nuclear Power Plant. On Lake Erie. And ever since they opened it. And powered it up. It had problems. We had multiple warnings on radio and TV. To stay indoors. There's a problem with the nuclear power plant. They could never figure out?
It wasn't until 50 years later. When they shut down the plant, permanently. And cool down the reactor core. When they drained the core. They finally found out what the problem was all those decades.
During construction. Some worker. Through his empty Coca-Cola can. Into the bottom of the receptacle. And it stayed there. Affecting the, nuclear fission process. Repeatedly. Oh my God? It caused numerous problems through the years. There were releases. Of nuclear garbage. Into the air. I grew up being slightly affected. I guess? We got a bigger dose than most..
And as a young teenager. I thought it was just Awesome. I could ride my bicycle from Royal Oak/Huntington Woods. Then into another country called Canada. Though we could never go through the tunnel. We had to take the Ambassador Bridge over into Windsor, Ontario, Canada. And that was so cool to do as a young teenager! I could ride my bicycle into a foreign country. From my home in Huntington Woods/Royal Oak, Michigan. That was pretty awesome for a teenager. Of only 13. And when customers asked us what we were going to do in Canada? Us young teenagers would say… We came here to buy drugs! And they would just mumble and say get the hell out of here. And we would laugh. And go ride our bicycles around downtown, Windsor, Canada. Just to do it. That's all we did. And then circled back out to go home. About 13 miles away. And I was in a foreign country on my bicycle. As a young teenager growing up in the suburbs of Detroit.
What an awesome time I had. And I started my career at Dondero High school. They had an FM Educational Radio Station. WOAK-FM. The Voice of Royal Oak Public Schools.
I went to Longfellow Elementary. And then I went to Clara Barton Junior Hi. And as I was making out my schedule for Dondero High School. My parents were getting divorced. I knew mother was going to move us away. And it was the 1st Year of Computerized Scheduling.
And I told my Counselor. I absolutely, positively, had to have. The Broadcasting Course. My first year. First semester. I absolutely have to have that. They said no problem. The schedules are now Computerized.
And so on the first day of school. I am all excited and fired up! And they hand me my schedule. And there on my schedule. Is that course. That begins with a B. And ends with the letter G. Though it was not Broadcasting. It was Baking. They scheduled me with the girls for the Baking Class. I laughed.
So I went to my Counselor. And told them they got part of my selection right. But the part in the middle was wrong. And you will have to change my schedule to put me into Broadcasting. They told me they could not do that. The course was full for the year. I would have to take it next year.
I said No! We had a Contract! You are to put me in now. They said no. We can give you a study hall instead. I don't want to study hall! I want the course! They said no not this year. I was Outraged!
And so I went to the Radio Station to the Teacher. Mrs. Sheila Bickle. And I asked her. What do I need to get on the Radio Station?
She proceeded to tell me in the course. The entire first half of the year. Is, taken up. Preparing you for your FCC 3rd Class Radiotelephone Broadcasting License. Then once you pass that. You can start producing your own radio shows. Like how to change the oil on your car. How to build a backyard, gymnasium set. How to bake cookies. How to balance a checkbook. And other exciting radio shows like that. You will get to do. Once you pass your FCC License, exam.
She proceeded to tell me. She would put me on the Air. If I get my license. And I asked her how to do that? She said you write to the FCC. Send them 5 dollars. They will send you a study guide. I said thanks.. I'll be back.
So I mail the way my 5 dollars. To the FCC. And I waited. And I waited.. I waited some more. About 2 weeks. It didn't show. So?
I went to my local Electronics Stores. Which was RadioShack, Lafayette Electronics, Allied Electronics. And Olson's Electronics. And one of them had a 3rd Party FCC Study Guide. Which I purchased.
For the next 4 days. I studied this manual. Even while running track. And on the fifth day, Friday. I cut school. I got on a bus heading downtown Detroit. And went to the FCC building.
I walked into the FCC. Paid my fee of, $15 was it? And proceeded to take the test. I aced the test. At 15 years of age. I was incredibly excited!
I asked the nice FCC lady. How long will it take before I received my license at home? She said normally that takes 10 days-2 weeks. I said okey-dokey. I will be looking forward to that.
Well I'm not certain what happened? I don't know if it was the expression on my face? But the following morning at 10 AM. Our mail came. And my mother tells me. There's a manila envelope from the FCC for me. Well?
(More True Dreams in following post)
The Roper City and Country School domes were built with high efficiency construction techniques. The were built with a special machine that, from the center, constructed the dome from foam beams. The machine was removed. The dome was covered with concrete and steel mesh. Doors and windows were cut in the walls. It was said that they could be heated with just one light bulb. With all of those kids jumping around they probably had to be air conditioned year round. I was in engineering school in the 60s at the University of Detroit. I went on a field trip to the school to observe the construction. Very forward looking for its time..