  Ookpik Member Username: Ookpik Post Number: 327 Registered: 01-2007 |
 Middlewest Radios on the left. Not quite legible street signs on the right. Dodge pickup at the curb. For a larger version of the photo, please click here Ookpik | ||
56packman Member Username: 56packman Post Number: 1685 Registered: 12-2005 |
There is a street sign (which anyone with eyes can see!) can't really make out the streets (ergo its presence here). The fancy brick and stone gates across the street are reminiscent of Boston-Edison, or Rosedale, although the street is too narrow to be either Woodward or Grand River. The young lady is lovely, though. | ||
J_to_the_jeremy Member Username: J_to_the_jeremy Post Number: 31 Registered: 03-2007 |
It looks like the street sign has arrows pointing left and right, and two street names. That could narrow it down. | ||
Fury13 Member Username: Fury13 Post Number: 2064 Registered: 10-2003 |
How about a link to a larger photo (that works)? | ||
Gazhekwe Member Username: Gazhekwe Post Number: 172 Registered: 08-2007 |
Somewhere in the Woodrow Wilson-Boston-Edison area? My grandparents lived in that area and there are pix of it looking like that in the 40s. | ||
Missnmich Member Username: Missnmich Post Number: 609 Registered: 11-2004 |
The trees lining the background street are elms, for younger forumers who missed pre-Dutch Elm Disease Detroit. American elms are even distinctive in the winter time because of their vase shape. The arched branching pattern and the practise of one species planting gave the streets of Detroit and other cities their cathedral appearance. | ||
Ray1936 Member Username: Ray1936 Post Number: 1849 Registered: 01-2005 |
I'd say Boston Edison somewhere, but that's as far as I get. Not Rosedale, definitely. | ||
Jjaba Member Username: Jjaba Post Number: 5532 Registered: 11-2003 |
This looks like Boston Blvd., or Chicago Blvd. at the end of the fantzy houses at Woodrow Wilson or 12th St. The photo is facing East for sure. This is a shot in the 1940s when this was some of the richest valued real estate in the USA. The apartments were rented by families, single, or retired couples and had nice retail below. The women photographed are nice looking and well placed. jjaba, Westsider. | ||
Livernoisyard Member Username: Livernoisyard Post Number: 3811 Registered: 10-2004 |
The street in the rear might resemble Linwood--maybe, just south a bit of Boston-Edison. Otherwise, perhaps, 12th--the two principal N/S business arterials there. I believe that 15th also had businesses. (Message edited by Livernoisyard on August 27, 2007) | ||
56packman Member Username: 56packman Post Number: 1689 Registered: 12-2005 |
The Dodge truck in the photo is labeled with advertising for Harry Shorter, who was a dodge dealer located at 8300 Woodward, just north of the boulevard. Looks like that was their parts chasing truck. I think the B-E area is becoming more likely!  | ||
Patrick Member Username: Patrick Post Number: 4847 Registered: 10-2003 |
Look at the walls outside the "subdivision" across the street. Looks similar to BE and I know I have seen them before but cannot put my finger on it. | ||
Crystal Member Username: Crystal Post Number: 27 Registered: 05-2007 |
The beautiful elms were the first things I noticed! For many years Detroit was nationally well known for its magnificent trees. | ||
Mikeg Member Username: Mikeg Post Number: 1101 Registered: 12-2005 |
Can't be facing east, the shadows indicate it was taken facing westerly or possibly southerly. It is a springtime photo and it appears from the sun angle that it is near noon time. Here is an enlargement of the street sign and the bottom name sure looks like "Virginia Park" to my eyes.  From the slogan on the truck's liftgate, it appears that the full name of its business owner is "Harry Shorter". | ||
Gazhekwe Member Username: Gazhekwe Post Number: 175 Registered: 08-2007 |
The women's dresses are shorter, so I think 1942-1946, in accordance with wartime fabric rationing. Is that car a 1941 or so, ummmm, Chrysler? | ||
56packman Member Username: 56packman Post Number: 1690 Registered: 12-2005 |
The car is a 1941 Plymouth | ||
Livernoisyard Member Username: Livernoisyard Post Number: 3812 Registered: 10-2004 |
There's a jog on Virginia Park, maybe crossing 15th Street? | ||
Mikeg Member Username: Mikeg Post Number: 1102 Registered: 12-2005 |
The photo is taken looking west on Melbourne St., with Woodward at the corner. The Shorter dealership is the building on the right. Virginia Park is across Woodward and to the left.  | ||
Mikem Member Username: Mikem Post Number: 3457 Registered: 10-2003 |
Middlewest Radio & Appliances 8298 Woodward | ||
Karl_jr Member Username: Karl_jr Post Number: 71 Registered: 06-2007 |
mikeg is right on the money. look at the south view of the same location and the radio store building is a match. | ||
Mikeg Member Username: Mikeg Post Number: 1103 Registered: 12-2005 |
I didn't think to check the south view, but you're right, that building's upper bay window overlooking Melbourne St. is still there. Notice also that the brick "fence" on the west side of Woodward is still there.  | ||
Cman710 Member Username: Cman710 Post Number: 360 Registered: 07-2006 |
You guys never cease to amaze. I love these threads. | ||
Crystal Member Username: Crystal Post Number: 28 Registered: 05-2007 |
I love this forum. | ||
Quinn Member Username: Quinn Post Number: 1453 Registered: 01-2005 |
This is awesome. Mike G you're amazing. | ||
Xd_brklyn Member Username: Xd_brklyn Post Number: 291 Registered: 10-2003 |
 To add to the already excellent work done here, a 1949 aerial photo of this neighborhood along Woodward. | ||
Brewcitypunk Member Username: Brewcitypunk Post Number: 12 Registered: 12-2004 |
Keep posting photos Ookpik, the follow up information is always amazing. Brew | ||
Ookpik Member Username: Ookpik Post Number: 328 Registered: 01-2007 |
Thanks everyone!  One thing I have found with these "Old Photo" threads is the identification of one photo aids in the identification of other photos. The identification of the above photo was no exception.  A gentleman, who may be our intrepid photographer, stands by the "brick fence" on Woodward.  Looking down Melbourne. Harry Shorter's Dodge/Plymouth dealership is on the left. I may have posted this photo before - I don't remember.  A modern view of the area. Ookpik | ||
Ray1936 Member Username: Ray1936 Post Number: 1851 Registered: 01-2005 |
The license plate on the pickup is either a '42 or '43 (which was a '42 with a tab in the upper right corner, but that part of the plate is blocked. It also could be a '46, which had the white letters on black background, but a gut hunch has it in the earlier forties. | ||
Jjaba Member Username: Jjaba Post Number: 5535 Registered: 11-2003 |
That sure does look like a big Dodge auto agency in the current photo. Notice how devoid of people, buildings, and greenery today. That center-bay skylight is pure Detroit, pure Albert Kahn, eh. Woodward Ave. sure looks different with the old Elms. Please forgive jjaba for the misdirection and he was off by a street or two from Va. Park, an obvious choice. As for Melbourne St., jjaba don't know the Eastside. Props to some excellent scholarship here. jjaba, low tech. Westsider on the Dexter bus. |
