 
Irvine_laird
Member
Username: Irvine_laird
Post Number: 71
Registered: 02-2007
| | Posted on Monday, July 09, 2007 - 8:37 am: |    |
We now have a new "Seven (Man-Made) Wonders of the World" thanks to 90 millions people who voted on-line.
What are the "Seven Wonders of Detroit"?
Here's an alphabetized list to get you started:
Ambassador Bridge
Belle Isle
Detroit Institute of Arts
Fisher Building
Ford's Rouge Complex
Fort Wayne
Fox Theatre
Guardian Building
The Henry Ford
Michigan Central Station
Packard Plant
Ruins of Detroit
Salt Mines
Woodward Avenue
Common Council |
Lowell
Board Administrator
Username: Lowell
Post Number: 3962
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Monday, July 09, 2007 - 9:29 am: | |
You got most of them Irv...
Model T Plant
Renaissance Center
[just because it is so big]
New Hockey Arena
[as in I wonder where it is going to be] |
Yvette248
Member
Username: Yvette248
Post Number: 716
Registered: 10-2006
| | Posted on Monday, July 09, 2007 - 9:52 am: | |
I don't think Belle Isle is "man made" is it? Anywhoo, my vote is for the Amb Bridge. |
Johnlodge
Member
Username: Johnlodge
Post Number: 976
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Monday, July 09, 2007 - 10:21 am: | |
How about the Detroit Water System. |
Waz
Member
Username: Waz
Post Number: 103
Registered: 11-2006
| | Posted on Monday, July 09, 2007 - 10:25 am: | |
Common Council, har har!!
How about Tiger Stadium? |
Upinottawa
Member
Username: Upinottawa
Post Number: 883
Registered: 09-2005
| | Posted on Monday, July 09, 2007 - 10:50 am: | |
Downtown Freeways (to borrow from Lowell, I wonder what were they thinking?) |
Scottr
Member
Username: Scottr
Post Number: 572
Registered: 07-2006
| | Posted on Monday, July 09, 2007 - 10:58 am: | |
quote:I don't think Belle Isle is "man made" is it?
yes, most of it is man-made, just like Central Park. You may want to look at http://www.ci.detroit.mi.us/re creation/centers/M/belle_isle/ history2.htm , you'll notice a lot of things like 'Lake Okonoko is formed.' and 'Nashua Creek is completed.'
As for the seven wonders of Detroit, one that I would add to the 'possible' list is the Michigan Theatre. Where else would you find a half-demolished theatre used as a parking garage? It reminds me in a way of the Acropolis, if only the Greeks had converted it to a public restroom. |
Fury13
Member
Username: Fury13
Post Number: 1862
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Monday, July 09, 2007 - 11:08 am: | |
The City Council hasn't been called the Common Council since the early '70s. |
Urbanize
Member
Username: Urbanize
Post Number: 1615
Registered: 02-2007
| | Posted on Monday, July 09, 2007 - 11:10 am: | |
How about "The Masonic Temple"? |
Redvetred
Member
Username: Redvetred
Post Number: 35
Registered: 04-2007
| | Posted on Monday, July 09, 2007 - 11:13 am: | |
How about the Big Tire? |
Slider
Member
Username: Slider
Post Number: 9
Registered: 06-2007
| | Posted on Monday, July 09, 2007 - 11:20 am: | |
The highly efficient mass transit system. Err, nevermind |
Kenp
Member
Username: Kenp
Post Number: 600
Registered: 03-2006
| | Posted on Monday, July 09, 2007 - 11:21 am: | |
Agree that the Masonic Temple belongs.
Michigan theater was nicer then the Fox in my opinion. |
Urbanize
Member
Username: Urbanize
Post Number: 1618
Registered: 02-2007
| | Posted on Monday, July 09, 2007 - 11:24 am: | |
Oh yeah, you mean old Mono
|
Ramcharger
Member
Username: Ramcharger
Post Number: 354
Registered: 05-2006
| | Posted on Monday, July 09, 2007 - 12:12 pm: | |
The Detroit/Windsor tunnel is wondrous. |
Winstin_o_boogie_iii
Member
Username: Winstin_o_boogie_iii
Post Number: 65
Registered: 02-2007
| | Posted on Monday, July 09, 2007 - 12:14 pm: | |
Detroit Public Library |
Mauser765
Member
Username: Mauser765
Post Number: 1610
Registered: 01-2004
| | Posted on Monday, July 09, 2007 - 12:14 pm: | |
I like the corner of Fenkell and Grand River, myself. |
Jjw
Member
Username: Jjw
Post Number: 383
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Monday, July 09, 2007 - 12:20 pm: | |
well--: the best would perhaps be the original assembly line with Ford and the Ford plant itself. Other than that, I really can't think of anything that would qualify as a "Wonder"
Oh--Just thought: How about Stevie? |
Sturge
Member
Username: Sturge
Post Number: 39
Registered: 05-2007
| | Posted on Monday, July 09, 2007 - 1:13 pm: | |
Leaving off structures in ruin. I also stuck to single structures instead of whole complexes or parks. Of course dealing with such a small area, I'm using the term "wonder" very loosely.
Ambassador Bridge
Ren Cen
Scott Fountain
Ford Field
DIA
Spirit of Detroit statue
The Joe Louis fist
(Message edited by sturge on July 09, 2007) |
Irish_mafia
Member
Username: Irish_mafia
Post Number: 939
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Monday, July 09, 2007 - 1:13 pm: | |
The Heidelberg Project |
Islandman
Member
Username: Islandman
Post Number: 639
Registered: 08-2004
| | Posted on Monday, July 09, 2007 - 1:34 pm: | |
I concur, Irish. It is definitely a place many people from out of town always want to see. At least the kind of people I know.  |
Burnsie
Member
Username: Burnsie
Post Number: 1066
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Monday, July 09, 2007 - 2:10 pm: | |
To split hairs, the Model T plant is in Highland Park (unless one is talking about the Piquette Ave. plant). It depends whether you want a Detroit-only list or a Detroit and vicinity list. |
Gsgeorge
Member
Username: Gsgeorge
Post Number: 173
Registered: 08-2006
| | Posted on Monday, July 09, 2007 - 2:15 pm: | |
The tire's also outside of the city limits.
C'mon guys, how about the Riverwalk? |
Gistok
Member
Username: Gistok
Post Number: 4774
Registered: 08-2004
| | Posted on Monday, July 09, 2007 - 2:22 pm: | |
My vote would be (in no particular order):
OLD WONDERS
1) Guardian Building
2) Fox Theatre
3) Fisher Building
4) Cultural Center (DIA/Main Library)
5) Ambassador Bridge
6) MCS
7) Masonic Temple
MODERN WONDERS:
1) Renaissance Center
2) McGregor Conference Center (WSU)
3) Lafayette Park
4) Comerica Tower
5) Charles Wright Museum
6) People Mover
7) Stadia (CoPa/Ford Field) |
Fury13
Member
Username: Fury13
Post Number: 1871
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Monday, July 09, 2007 - 2:52 pm: | |
Hecker Mansion
Whitney Mansion
1880 Wellesley (former Bishop Gallagher residence)
Sweetest Heart of Mary Church
Fisher Building
Guardian Building
Masonic Temple
Fox Theatre
Detroit-Windsor Tunnel
Belle Isle |
Mackinaw
Member
Username: Mackinaw
Post Number: 3207
Registered: 02-2005
| | Posted on Monday, July 09, 2007 - 3:00 pm: | |
Great question...it's hard to limit yourself to seven. If Belle Isle can be counted as a collectivity of buildings and landscapes, that would be easier that listing Scott Fountain or the Conservatory seperately. Plus, as has been mentioned, the landscape was really built up/shifted around by man, with the Olmstead design in mind, much like Central Park.
The list:
-Belle Isle
-Guardian Building
-Detroit Institute of Arts
-Masonic Temple
-Bishop Gallagher House (1800 Wellesley-- Largest home in Detroit)
-Fox Theatre
-Fisher Building
To make a list of only seven in a city as large and historic as ours means that you need to relegate yourself to places that are completely over-the-top and/or unique/original/not duplicated anywhere else. These are the places that wow people from other great cities, places where visitors to the city can hardly compare to anything they've ever seen anywhere else.
-Belle Isle...it's like Central Park but on an Island. It's pretty damn original, huge, and containing many buildings that could be wonders in themselves.
-Guardian Building...where else is there an office building that large employing such lavish materials in such quantity? The design itself is hard to match, let alone the materials and construction quality.
-DIA...it's just massive, and the notable collection itself counts for something. The size of the collection ranks the DIA very highly in terms of worldwide art museums (there's only a handful of places that Detroiters could go to and be convinced that they saw something better than the DIA, such as NY, Chicago, Philadelphia, Paris, Rome, and St. Petersburg). It is also a titanic work in terms of architecture, especially considering all the eclectic interior rooms.
-Masonic Temple...huge and over the top, with, again, amazing materials and displays of architectural fortitude that make it hardly duplicated anywhere.
-Gallagher House...one of the most audacious displays of roaring 20s opulence outside of Newport, RI and Long Island, outdoing most of the GP waterfront. At 40,000 sf, it is one of largest urban mansions anywhere. All cities have mansions, Detroit has plenty, but a certain handful stand above the rest. This is one.
-The Fox Theatre...all of the above. Huge, lavish, otherworldly amounts of expensive materials. The largest theatre also happens to be the most architecturally incredible. This has to be on the list.
-The Fisher Building...I was reluctant at first, but the building is huge, quite original in its design and ornamentation, and employees over-the-top materials. It is hardly duplicated in any other city, when you consider the context. It is is outside of downtown, beyond midtown, built as part of an indepedant, new business district. It is still alive and successful, true to its original purpose, today. It is a tribute to the genius of the region's most prolific architect.
------
Honorable Mention:
Michigan Central Depot
Hudson's (R.I.P)
Ren Cen
Penobscot Building
Buhl Building
Ford Field
Book-Cadillac Hotel (the only other place I really debated putting on the top 7, due to its extreme size and unique interior design.)
-----
A note on churches. Detroit is a city of churches. It has dozens of churches that are over the top, utilizing amazing materials, and are titanic architectural accomplishments. I would add one church to the top 7 list if we could decide which, of all our churches, is the most worthy. Deciding this is the problem. The thing about churches is that every city of our vintage and older has dozens of amazing ones just like us. It would be hard to make the case that ours took any more effort to create than some of the best in other cities, especially as so many other cities in America had a similar pattern of poor immigrants pouring out money and time to build amazing churches. Plus, churches normally have a handful of tried and true designs that serve as their starting point, with only minor adjustments and choices regarding materials and size making each one unique. If anyone thinks there is a church in Detroit, the likes of which cannot be found in any other place, with a particularly rare design or some other feature, let it be heard here. I would say St. Joseph (Catholic) or Sweetest Heart of Mary Church, but I just can't say that they are top 7 material. |
Mackinaw
Member
Username: Mackinaw
Post Number: 3208
Registered: 02-2005
| | Posted on Monday, July 09, 2007 - 3:01 pm: | |
Damn Fury, we have similar taste. |
Fury13
Member
Username: Fury13
Post Number: 1874
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Monday, July 09, 2007 - 3:17 pm: | |
Guess so! I couldn't limit my list to seven, though. |
Zulu_warrior
Member
Username: Zulu_warrior
Post Number: 3200
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Monday, July 09, 2007 - 3:21 pm: | |
Detroit Natural Wonders
Belle Isle
The Detroit River
Salt Mines
The Rouge River Basin
The Huron River
The Hills of Farmington
The Lakes of Oakland County
Bois Blanc Island |
Gistok
Member
Username: Gistok
Post Number: 4778
Registered: 08-2004
| | Posted on Monday, July 09, 2007 - 3:30 pm: | |
Zulu_warrior, there's one I would have added to your list... the St. Clair Flats (from the St. Clair River to Lake St. Clair). It is the world's largest fresh water delta. |
Zulu_warrior
Member
Username: Zulu_warrior
Post Number: 3202
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Monday, July 09, 2007 - 3:44 pm: | |
yes, gistok. Maybe we should remove Bois Blanc...? |
Fareastsider
Member
Username: Fareastsider
Post Number: 485
Registered: 08-2006
| | Posted on Monday, July 09, 2007 - 4:03 pm: | |
In no particular order
Guardian Building
Ford Rouge PLant
Outer Dr.
Water System
DPL
Fox Theater
Ambassador Bridge |
Citylover
Member
Username: Citylover
Post Number: 2473
Registered: 07-2004
| | Posted on Monday, July 09, 2007 - 4:16 pm: | |
For years it was the tallest bldg between ny and chicago_ it is detroit 1st true new york style skyscraper with setbacks and it only gets honorabl;e mention from some of you?..........of course I speak of the penobscot; surely it has to be on any list that is essentially an architectural list. |
Burnsie
Member
Username: Burnsie
Post Number: 1067
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Monday, July 09, 2007 - 4:28 pm: | |
The Penobscot was the tallest outside of NY and Chicago when it was built, but was surpassed no later than 1930 when Cleveland's Terminal Tower was built. |
Jjaba
Member
Username: Jjaba
Post Number: 5443
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Monday, July 09, 2007 - 4:40 pm: | |
Anybody who has taken jjaba's Detroit tour, immediately votes the Michigan Central Station as the Wonder of Detroit. Tell jjaba who can compete with that one.
jjaba, Westsider. |
Mackinaw
Member
Username: Mackinaw
Post Number: 3211
Registered: 02-2005
| | Posted on Monday, July 09, 2007 - 4:43 pm: | |
It was a near miss for me, Citylover. It's big and distinctive and really awesome, but it's "New York style" as you point out, meaning similar structures can be found elsewhere. The exterior isn't as innovative and distinctive as the Guardian, and inside it doesn't go as far as the Guardian in terms of lavishness. It's still a feat, and would probably have been one of 7 wonders in 1930, just not today's context to me. I don't know, maybe I'm too harsh, but we have to limit it to seven. |
Dabirch
Member
Username: Dabirch
Post Number: 2336
Registered: 06-2004
| | Posted on Monday, July 09, 2007 - 4:46 pm: | |
quote:Detroit Natural Wonders
Belle Isle
The Detroit River
Salt Mines
The Rouge River Basin
The Huron River
The Hills of Farmington
The Lakes of Oakland County
Bois Blanc Island
What about Mount Clemens? |
Billk
Member
Username: Billk
Post Number: 31
Registered: 09-2005
| | Posted on Monday, July 09, 2007 - 5:25 pm: | |
The Bois Blanc Boat ... |
Larry
Member
Username: Larry
Post Number: 201
Registered: 08-2004
| | Posted on Monday, July 09, 2007 - 6:39 pm: | |
1.Sweetest Heart Of Mary
2.St Albertus
3.St Hedwig
4.St Josaphat
5.St Joseph
6.St Francis D'Assisi
7.Ste Anne De Detroit |
Mackinaw
Member
Username: Mackinaw
Post Number: 3214
Registered: 02-2005
| | Posted on Monday, July 09, 2007 - 6:49 pm: | |
If we're listing churches now, we need to include Old St. Mary's, Fort Street Presbyterian, Christ Church Detroit, Blessed Sacrament Cathedral, St. Charles Borromeo, and maybe even St. Peter/Paul, in addition to what you listed. |
Urbanize
Member
Username: Urbanize
Post Number: 1625
Registered: 02-2007
| | Posted on Monday, July 09, 2007 - 7:07 pm: | |
All Cathedrals in Detroit should be apart of the list. All Cathedrals and Churches everywhere for that fact.
(Message edited by Urbanize on July 09, 2007) |
Bulletmagnet
Member
Username: Bulletmagnet
Post Number: 808
Registered: 01-2007
| | Posted on Monday, July 09, 2007 - 9:44 pm: | |
Our history, it's all man made... |
Bvos
Member
Username: Bvos
Post Number: 2211
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Monday, July 09, 2007 - 10:10 pm: | |
Anyone have a Survey Monkey account (one that lasts longer than 2 weeks) and want to set this up?
Lowell, any interest in setting up a voting/surveying thing on your site or going through another site to do so? I think DetroitYES! would make a great site to do something like Detroit's 7 Wonders.
In my opinion, keep it to the City of Detroit since the city can use this sort of boosterism. However this would leave out the Rouge Plant, Cranbrook, GM Tech Center, HP Model T Factory, etc. Some tough choices but I think Detroit would take the cake either way.
I think Mackinaw has set out some good ground rules as well as some good descriptions of what a Wonder should be and shouldn't be. I also like the idea of creating an Old Wonders and New Wonders (although the new wonders seems like it will pale in comparison) since things have changed quite radically pre and post WW II.
I think a section could also be created about 7 Wonder Ideas from Detroit. There's a lot there.
Let's see where this goes...
My Vote
Old Wonders (in no particular order):
-Guardian Bldg
-Belle Isle
-Fox Theater
-Piquette Model-T Plant
-Detroit Institute of Arts
-Main Branch Library
-Masonic Temple
(all but Belle Isle were all built within a relatively short time frame, amazing!)
New Wonders:
-Lafayette Park
-Campus Martius
-Heidelberg Project
-MacGregor Conference Center
-Detroit Water System
This is where you'd have to cross into the 'burbs to do a list justice IMO.
(LOL Mauser, Grand River/Fenkell/Sfld Fwy - Malfunction Junction as I call it)
7 Wonder Ideas (hard to keep it to just 7):
-Modern Assembly Line
-Mass Produced Automobile
-Modern Union Movement (-40 hr. work week, Safe working conditions, Fair pay for fair day's work)
-Black Power/Pan African Movement
-Modern Corporate Structure (GM)
-3 Color Traffic Light
-Concrete Roadway
-Motown Sound
-Detroit Rock and Roll
-Techno |
Patrick
Member
Username: Patrick
Post Number: 4667
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Monday, July 09, 2007 - 10:23 pm: | |
They have to exist eh?
-Ford Rouge
-Michigan Central
-Meadowbrook Hall
-Ren Cen
-I-94 Tire
-Highland Park Library (McGregor)
-Shrine of Little Flower |
1701
Member
Username: 1701
Post Number: 4
Registered: 05-2007
| | Posted on Monday, July 09, 2007 - 10:51 pm: | |
Here's my (7) "Ancient" wonders of Detroit
1. The Boblo Boats
2. Vernor's on Woodward
3. The Checker Bar
4. Marcus Burgers
5. The BIG STOVE
6. Speed Boat rides on Belle Isle
7. Downtown Hudson's |
Jjaba
Member
Username: Jjaba
Post Number: 5444
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Monday, July 09, 2007 - 11:12 pm: | |
St. Cecilias, St. Thereras, St. Brigit. All Westside, all beautiful. St. Brigit has a Parducci facade.
jjaba, Westside Torah Bukkor. |
Karl
Member
Username: Karl
Post Number: 8542
Registered: 09-2005
| | Posted on Monday, July 09, 2007 - 11:47 pm: | |
Bvos mentioned it:
In terms of # of folks affected who may never visit Detroit, as well as the way it reflects on the talent in/from Detroit -
Motown Records |
Why
Member
Username: Why
Post Number: 55
Registered: 04-2007
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 10, 2007 - 1:31 am: | |
I vote for Stevie as a Wonder of Detroit but he left years ago. Would he still count? |
Jjaba
Member
Username: Jjaba
Post Number: 5447
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 10, 2007 - 5:09 pm: | |
Little Stevie Wonder, Malcolm X, Gilda Radner, Ed Mc Mahon, Chas. Lindberg, Hank Greenberg, Sparky Anderson, Diana Ross, Barry Gordy, Karl Haas, all count. (Sorry, went over-limit.)
jjaba. |
Yelloweyes
Member
Username: Yelloweyes
Post Number: 151
Registered: 02-2007
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 10, 2007 - 7:24 pm: | |
Tigers of 2005-2006
Kwame
DPS
Million Dollar Condos Downtown
BC Renovation
Illitch
Casinos |
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