  Fareastsider Member Username: Fareastsider Post Number: 634 Registered: 08-2006 |
Despite the bad news today from Melvindale I have always been interested by the little city. It always seemed like its own little city surrounded by the larger cities of Detroit, Dearborn, Allen Park etc. Any stories interesting facts anyone know about the little city. I know it used to be called Oakwood Heights. | ||
Livernoisyard Member Username: Livernoisyard Post Number: 4362 Registered: 10-2004 |
Oakwood Heights Subdivision is still called that. It's located right next to the Detroit Salt Mine in Detroit. (Message edited by LivernoisYard on October 17, 2007) | ||
Plymouthres Member Username: Plymouthres Post Number: 207 Registered: 02-2007 |
LY- The link that you provided of the Oakwood Heights sub is not in Melvindale at all:it is in SW detroit. Melvindale is a city of 2.2 square miles, and has almost always been known as the "Little city with a big heart" (at least the welcome signs said that when I was growing up). The city has, as it's boundries, Outer Drive, Schafer/Fort St., Greenfield/Allen Rd. and Enterprise Drive. There are a couple of small pockets, too. Melvindale has a particularly blue collar feel to its make-up. It is occupied by many hard working individuals who are tethered to the surrounding automobile plants and manufacturing facilities that produce parts. One particular fact that I remember while growing up there was that there are, or were, three times more bars than churches in the town! Riley Plating is and has been a problem for the city for a number of years. Yesterday is just another example. FES- What else would you like to know? | ||
Gannon Member Username: Gannon Post Number: 10756 Registered: 12-2003 |
Who was Melvin?! | ||
Fredgarvin Member Username: Fredgarvin Post Number: 66 Registered: 02-2007 |
I gotta say as someone who grew up in the area and attended Melvindale schools, the smallness of the community fosters a lot of sentementality. Because of the very fact that you are surrounded by larger cities, that happens. I can tell you as a former athlete in the MHS system, you always had that inferiority complex with any other surrounding community or opponent, and that brought everyone closer together. There's a certain feeling of commraderie between MHS grads. I'm living in Indianapolis currently, and I can tell you that if I were to meet another MHS grad, from any graduate class, there would be a sense of bonding happening. BTW Plymouth, I'm coming up this weekend, and expect to make an appearance at Boomers on Saturday night. How will I know you? | ||
Livernoisyard Member Username: Livernoisyard Post Number: 4364 Registered: 10-2004 |
Oakwood Heights might have been in unincorporated Melvindale before being in Detroit if Detroit annexed it afterwards. Detroit last annexed territory in 1927 or 1928. Many city boundaries were altered during the 1920s when most of the inner-ring burbs became cities--LP, Dearborn, Hamtramck, etc. For example, Delray, once an independent locality, was earlier absorbed into Detroit via annexation. And the last vestiges of Springwells were annexed by Dearborn and Detroit. | ||
Plymouthres Member Username: Plymouthres Post Number: 211 Registered: 02-2007 |
Fred- Nice to hear from you! I went to the pre-party there for the class of '77's 30th a couple of months back! I'll have to get creative on the recoginition. I'll post later with a clue as to what to look for..... | ||
Waz Member Username: Waz Post Number: 221 Registered: 11-2006 |
"Who was Melvin?" From the Detroit Almanac, the community is named "after an early resident, Melvin Wilkinson; formerly known as Oakwood Heights. Mevindale become a village in 1924 and a city in 1933." | ||
Gannon Member Username: Gannon Post Number: 10781 Registered: 12-2003 |
Waz rulez. | ||
Bobj Member Username: Bobj Post Number: 2559 Registered: 11-2003 |
Any place around called Bobdale?? | ||
Msuscorpio Member Username: Msuscorpio Post Number: 36 Registered: 04-2007 |
I work near Melvindale, and I hate that town...Seems to me that all it is, is a series of speed traps. The cops are d!cks there. | ||
Fury13 Member Username: Fury13 Post Number: 2723 Registered: 10-2003 |
I guess Melvindale was easier to pronounce than Wilkinsonton. | ||
Fredgarvin Member Username: Fredgarvin Post Number: 68 Registered: 02-2007 |
I was there Saturday Plymouth. Where were you? | ||
Tayshaun22 Member Username: Tayshaun22 Post Number: 376 Registered: 02-2005 |
Allen Park/Melvindale The rivalry has been restored! 7 pm Friday Marc Egland Field | ||
Jerrytimes Member Username: Jerrytimes Post Number: 58 Registered: 04-2007 |
Looks like Msuscorpio doesn't know how to drive a car and blames the cops! | ||
Livernoisyard Member Username: Livernoisyard Post Number: 4440 Registered: 10-2004 |
Didn't realize that Melvindale had cops. I never noticed any. | ||
Island Member Username: Island Post Number: 36 Registered: 01-2005 |
How about Fordson Island? Part of Dearborn, only accessible on land from Melvindale. | ||
Deals21 Member Username: Deals21 Post Number: 8 Registered: 03-2007 |
Fordson Island, only accessible from Oakwood hts. Small bridge off Height st.(Oakwood,Colonial,Luther than Height) | ||
Softailrider Member Username: Softailrider Post Number: 79 Registered: 02-2007 |
Wait a minute ............small bridge off Height ( I've never noticed it ) would be in Detroit not Melvindale . That's no where near Melvindale ..............right ? | ||
Deals21 Member Username: Deals21 Post Number: 9 Registered: 03-2007 |
That is right. NOT in Melvindale. It is in Detroit.(Oakwood) Taking Powell st. towards Height, the bridge would be off to the left across Height st. |
