I remember the Christmas Fantasy well. I was a little girl then too. My mom was an LPN at the Rouge plant medical dept. for 19 years, before I was born even. I'm glad my parents took pictures of the beautiful displays, and of me with Santa. So many wonderful memories. My dad and I saw the Rotunda on fire---we were stopped on Michigan Avenue because of the fire trucks. We had gone to pick my mom up from work. I wasn't quite yet 6 years old, and in second grade (I was a rather intelligent kid, skipped first grade). It was so sad to lose the Rotunda. I thought it was a cool building when I was a kid. (Jan Griffiths).
I still remember going there as a little girl! It was the most magical time; the displays, mechanical dolls everywhere, and of course, Santa Claus. Those were some of my best memories; I wish we had it back again. I'd love to take my little grandkids to something that grand!
How sad it is when the Ford Rotunda was totally burnt and can't save the building on Schaefer Road in Dearborn Michigan on November 9, 1962. It makes me very 😭 when I was 6 years old of that time, and I still remembered it. The Christmas Program at the Rotunda Building for 9 years, from 1953-1961. I visited Rotunda in Dearborn Michigan at least twice, including the field trip of summer school back in 1962 when I used to live in Redford Township.
I did get a comic/activity book when I saw Santa. My mom kept it for me until she passed away in 2013. I found it in an acid-free comic book sleeve that she got for it, and it's in really good condition. She told me it was something special when I got it, and to keep it nice. Now it's at my home, and I keep it in my gun safe with all my other important papers. It's something that can't be replaced. It's the same as the one you have. (Jan Griffiths).
As we looked at that amazing doll display I told my Grandmother I wanted one of the dolls. She told me they were for poor children. I so wanted to be poor that day.
I was born there, and, of course, visited the Rotunda many times until its untimely death by fire. We still have one or two of those "Christmas at the Rotunda" comics that you talked about, though, I don't think any of us kids ever actually went up to Santa. One thing very much worth mentioning is the wonderful "city of the future" display that resided atop the big sweeping "slope-way" that, at Christmastime would be covered up and replaced by Santa. I have to wonder if any photographs or film exists of that "day in the life of the city of the future" exhibit still exist? We have 2 photos----one of the display, and one clipped out of an old encyclopedia-type book that showed one of the artisans constructing it in the first place. To me, that animated miniature city with its flying helicopter, moving people and cars was the very first thing I wanted to see when visiting the Rotunda...now forever gone. Thanks for the video! Fun to see this all again.
Might be a good idea to look into whatever historical service exists there that might have retained photographs of the city of the future exhibit. I think a lot of people would love to see that again.
As kids we got to go to the Xmas Fantasy as it was opened every year by and for the Press Corps (Our Aunt was assistant Fshions Editor at the Times)...later, when playing hooky from Lowrey HS, I found that Santa resided at the 'City of the Future' display! My Dad.knew that the Ford Pumpers could not hit the top of the building with water as he watched the Rotunda gutted by the fire. Detroit offered to bring in their more powerful Engines... but was rebuffed. BTW: There is a smaller replica still residing in San Diego!
I lived in Westland (Nankin Township at the time) when I was only 1 1/2 years old when this burned down. It sounds like it was an almost magical place for kids and adults alike!
I remembered Westland was incorporated as a city in December of 1966, then it was Nankin Township. I also remembered Southgate was incorporated as a city in December of 1968. Before that, it was Ecorse Township, when I was a kid. It was almost 54 years ago when Westland was a city, and almost 52 years ago for Southgate was a city.
YUP! After the War, The Ford Foundation brought in hundreds of Middle-Eastern refugee's into Fordson ostensibly to keep the Blacks out of the city...which backfired and is Now the Muslim capital of the US.
It's funny how much more tech knowledgeable we are today but things seemed more magical then. I would gladly give up the internet and I phones to go back in time
I remember the Christmas Fantasy well. I was a little girl then too. My mom was an LPN at the Rouge plant medical dept. for 19 years, before I was born even. I'm glad my parents took pictures of the beautiful displays, and of me with Santa. So many wonderful memories. My dad and I saw the Rotunda on fire---we were stopped on Michigan Avenue because of the fire trucks. We had gone to pick my mom up from work. I wasn't quite yet 6 years old, and in second grade (I was a rather intelligent kid, skipped first grade). It was so sad to lose the Rotunda. I thought it was a cool building when I was a kid. (Jan Griffiths).
I still remember going there as a little girl! It was the most magical time; the displays, mechanical dolls everywhere, and of course, Santa Claus. Those were some of my best memories; I wish we had it back again. I'd love to take my little grandkids to something that grand!
How sad it is when the Ford Rotunda was totally burnt and can't save the building on Schaefer Road in Dearborn Michigan on November 9, 1962. It makes me very 😭 when I was 6 years old of that time, and I still remembered it. The Christmas Program at the Rotunda Building for 9 years, from 1953-1961. I visited Rotunda in Dearborn Michigan at least twice, including the field trip of summer school back in 1962 when I used to live in Redford Township.
I did get a comic/activity book when I saw Santa. My mom kept it for me until she passed away in 2013. I found it in an acid-free comic book sleeve that she got for it, and it's in really good condition. She told me it was something special when I got it, and to keep it nice. Now it's at my home, and I keep it in my gun safe with all my other important papers. It's something that can't be replaced. It's the same as the one you have. (Jan Griffiths).
Wonderful video! Thank you!
Interesting video. Many thanks.
As we looked at that amazing doll display I told my Grandmother I wanted one of the dolls. She told me they were for poor children. I so wanted to be poor that day.
Great video-brought back lots of memories- it was a magical place
I was born there, and, of course, visited the Rotunda many times until its untimely death by fire. We still have one or two of those "Christmas at the Rotunda" comics that you talked about, though, I don't think any of us kids ever actually went up to Santa.
One thing very much worth mentioning is the wonderful "city of the future" display that resided atop the big sweeping "slope-way" that, at Christmastime would be covered up and replaced by Santa. I have to wonder if any photographs or film exists of that "day in the life of the city of the future" exhibit still exist? We have 2 photos----one of the display, and one clipped out of an old encyclopedia-type book that showed one of the artisans constructing it in the first place. To me, that animated miniature city with its flying helicopter, moving people and cars was the very first thing I wanted to see when visiting the Rotunda...now forever gone.
Thanks for the video! Fun to see this all again.
Dearborn was a wonderful place to live before the invasion.
I remember going there as a kid, and I remember when it burned.
I also going to Muirheads to see Santa. It's all gone now.
Might be a good idea to look into whatever historical service exists there that might have retained photographs of the city of the future exhibit. I think a lot of people would love to see that again.
As kids we got to go to the Xmas Fantasy as it was opened every year by and for the Press Corps (Our Aunt was assistant Fshions Editor at the Times)...later, when playing hooky from Lowrey HS, I found that Santa resided at the 'City of the Future' display!
My Dad.knew that the Ford Pumpers could not hit the top of the building with water as he watched the Rotunda gutted by the fire. Detroit offered to bring in their more powerful Engines... but was rebuffed.
BTW: There is a smaller replica still residing in San Diego!
I lived in Westland (Nankin Township at the time) when I was only 1 1/2 years old when this burned down. It sounds like it was an almost magical place for kids and adults alike!
I remembered Westland was incorporated as a city in December of 1966, then it was Nankin Township. I also remembered Southgate was incorporated as a city in December of 1968. Before that, it was Ecorse Township, when I was a kid. It was almost 54 years ago when Westland was a city, and almost 52 years ago for Southgate was a city.
I'm up for parole the 22nd. When I get out I really want to see this.
Very sad what Dearborn has become
YUP! After the War, The Ford Foundation brought in hundreds of Middle-Eastern refugee's into Fordson ostensibly to keep the Blacks out of the city...which backfired and is Now the Muslim capital of the US.
It's funny how much more tech knowledgeable we are today but things seemed more magical then. I would gladly give up the internet and I phones to go back in time
when daddy left the army he worked for ford in the uk,