 
Moe
Member
Username: Moe
Post Number: 1
Registered: 09-2008
| | Posted on Thursday, September 18, 2008 - 1:41 pm: |    |
Hey guys,
I'm working on a project for a class I'm taking. I'm supposed to choose a neighborhood in Detroit to study. I have to learn its history, take pictures and video, and also interview the residents. I cant decide where to go. If anyone has any suggestions I would appreciate it
thanks |
Homer
Member
Username: Homer
Post Number: 328
Registered: 08-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, September 18, 2008 - 1:45 pm: | |
Corktown,
small compact area, plenty of history, active residents, etc..... |
Retroit
Member
Username: Retroit
Post Number: 391
Registered: 04-2008
| | Posted on Thursday, September 18, 2008 - 1:47 pm: | |
Why not drive around the city and pick a neighborhood that interests YOU? |
Bearinabox
Member
Username: Bearinabox
Post Number: 857
Registered: 04-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, September 18, 2008 - 2:13 pm: | |
Is your family from here? If you have family history in a specific area, that might be interesting to look at.
If you don't have any family connections to the city, and have an interest in race relations and the FHA and such, the 8/Wyoming area might be a good one.
Or you could look at the history of the lower east side urban renewal area (between Gratiot, Vernor, Jefferson, 375 and Elmwood Cemetery). Dig up old maps and pictures and figure out what it used to look like, and then look at Lafayette Park and why it's been so successful.
I could type suggestions all night. The problem is, though, I'm giving you what I'm interested in. I have no idea where your interest lies. You asked a rather vague question. If you had a better idea of where you were going with this prior to asking for suggestions, it would help the process immensely. |
Jcole
Member
Username: Jcole
Post Number: 3815
Registered: 04-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, September 18, 2008 - 2:43 pm: | |
The Southwest side of Detroit is interesting. It was a largely Polish enclave back in the mid century, and still has some hold overs from then, but now there are a lot of Latinos. You can find a mix of Polish and Latino churches and restaurants along Livernois, Michigan, and of course the Latino area on Bagley and Vernor. |
Cman710
Member
Username: Cman710
Post Number: 484
Registered: 07-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, September 18, 2008 - 2:50 pm: | |
I agree that you should pick a neighborhood that interests you. If you are interested in an area with a lot of large homes and a proud neighborhood association, consider the Boston-Edison area.
Here is a link: http://www.historicbostonedison.org/
(Message edited by cman710 on September 18, 2008) |
Detroitrise
Member
Username: Detroitrise
Post Number: 3593
Registered: 09-2007
| | Posted on Thursday, September 18, 2008 - 2:52 pm: | |
I think you should try Indian Village.
Tons of history & there's even a documentary strictly for it. |
Jackpot
Member
Username: Jackpot
Post Number: 26
Registered: 02-2008
| | Posted on Thursday, September 18, 2008 - 3:07 pm: | |
harpers and chalmers-ish!•• |
Craigu
Member
Username: Craigu
Post Number: 29
Registered: 04-2008
| | Posted on Thursday, September 18, 2008 - 3:14 pm: | |
East English Village.
This area has been able to maintain a sense of community through it's very strong homeowners association. This has made the neighborhood, which is full of English tudor style homes, into a bastion of hope for the City of Detroit. I believe it represents the ability to prevent an area from falling into a state of urban decay through the collective efforts of concerned citizens. They have addressed everything including community crime patrols, neighborhood watches, cleaning up the business district through volunteer efforts, lobbying city hall to plant trees, increase police foot patrols, private snow plowing of the streets (which may be extended to the sidewalks soon) and a variety of other volunteer efforts.
The history of the neighborhood is interesting in that you can see the size of the homes & lots grow smaller from where the community began in the 1920's through the years leading up to World War 2. The "melting pot" of people who reside there are a reflection of how working class people can come together for their collective good.
I urge everyone who isn't familiar with the area to visit. I'm confident you'll be impressed. |
Daddeeo
Member
Username: Daddeeo
Post Number: 111
Registered: 09-2008
| | Posted on Thursday, September 18, 2008 - 3:21 pm: | |
I've got a few old photos of Grand River & Greenfield. That area was like a city unto itself. It had everything but city hall. |
Gnome
Member
Username: Gnome
Post Number: 1880
Registered: 08-2007
| | Posted on Thursday, September 18, 2008 - 3:40 pm: | |
Sounds like a fun project Moe. But this could be a pretty big under taking and I was wondering what is the Class? Intro to City Planning, Art in Urban America or City Policing and Community Relations?
What is your Age? College, high-school, Grad school? What school?
Are you experienced in video editing?
A film, a photo-study, a historical research paper, ... each one could lead to months of work before starting the final project. What is you time-frame?
You need to pony up some details on what EXACTLY is expected of you and at what level. You've been given a lot of good information so far, but you if you provide more details I bet you'll get some insight that will help you Ace the class. |
Tayshaun22
Member
Username: Tayshaun22
Post Number: 441
Registered: 02-2005
| | Posted on Friday, September 19, 2008 - 12:12 am: | |
Delray. |
Django
Member
Username: Django
Post Number: 1964
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Friday, September 19, 2008 - 1:15 am: | |
Gnome has the most important question followed by Cman' Bearinabox, and Retroit, who suggested he picks a hood hes interested in. What more do you need to make a decent paper or project? If it hits home your gonna do a better job, but thats kind of obvious 101.
Like Gnome asked, what are the specifics? Moe, you have a vast amount of info available to you in this forum of DYESers. If you give us more details Im sure you wont be disappointed. Ill bet you get some great leads. If your really really lucky, Gnome will photoshop an image for you. |
Chitaku
Member
Username: Chitaku
Post Number: 2142
Registered: 03-2006
| | Posted on Friday, September 19, 2008 - 3:24 am: | |
mack and bewick |
Gnome
Member
Username: Gnome
Post Number: 1883
Registered: 08-2007
| | Posted on Friday, September 19, 2008 - 9:50 am: | |
|
Living_in_the_d
Member
Username: Living_in_the_d
Post Number: 305
Registered: 01-2008
| | Posted on Friday, September 19, 2008 - 9:57 am: | |
Yeah, CraigU Speaks the truth, And most eloquently, I might add. |
Moe
Member
Username: Moe
Post Number: 3
Registered: 09-2008
| | Posted on Friday, September 19, 2008 - 1:11 pm: | |
Thanks for all of the suggestions, they were very helpful. The project is going to end up being a knowledge map of the neighborhood that I choose. Nice pic Gnome haha thanks |
Retroit
Member
Username: Retroit
Post Number: 395
Registered: 04-2008
| | Posted on Friday, September 19, 2008 - 2:27 pm: | |
Pardon my ignorance, but what is a "knowledge" map?
Obviously, I won't be on it! |
Sumas
Member
Username: Sumas
Post Number: 284
Registered: 01-2008
| | Posted on Saturday, September 20, 2008 - 5:39 am: | |
There isn't a part of Detroit that isn't steeped in history. If you choose the East area riverfront corridor, we could give you a hand. Our 501c3 organization is called The Village of Fairview Historical Society.
Indian Village would also be a fun neighborhood. Few people recall that it was once part of Hamtramck Twp, later became part of Grosse Pointe Twp and it is now in Wayne County.
What is now Indian Village was originally the Hamtramck Race track. The "Indian" names Iroquis and Seminole were actually the names of winning race horses.
Have fun with your project whichever neighborhood you choose |
Sumas
Member
Username: Sumas
Post Number: 285
Registered: 01-2008
| | Posted on Saturday, September 20, 2008 - 5:42 am: | |
There isn't a part of Detroit that isn't steeped in history. If you choose the East area riverfront corridor, we could give you a hand. Our 501c3 organization is called The Village of Fairview Historical Society.
Indian Village would also be a fun neighborhood. Few people recall that it was once part of Hamtramck Twp, later became part of Grosse Pointe Twp and it is now in Wayne County.
What is now Indian Village was originally the Hamtramck Race track. The "Indian" names Iroquis and Seminole were actually the names of winning race horses.
Have fun with your project whichever neighborhood you choose |
Newport1128
Member
Username: Newport1128
Post Number: 216
Registered: 05-2007
| | Posted on Sunday, September 21, 2008 - 2:09 pm: | |
Sumas,
Can you provide any further information about The Village Fairview Historical Society? I grew up in the Chalmers-Jefferson area, and never knew that this area was once part of the Village of Fairview. Fascinating! Thanks. |
Kensingtony
Member
Username: Kensingtony
Post Number: 13
Registered: 09-2008
| | Posted on Monday, September 22, 2008 - 1:53 pm: | |
Sumas,I never knew that about the origin of the Indian Village street names.Makes sense as I've always wondered why Sioux street ended up off of Cadieux and not in Indian Village. |
Chuckjav
Member
Username: Chuckjav
Post Number: 795
Registered: 09-2007
| | Posted on Monday, September 22, 2008 - 2:14 pm: | |
I have always been fascinated by Detroit's (overzealous?) annexation of the former Greenfield Township.
Would love to know the prevailing attitude(s) in the township, during mid-1920s. |
Denbytar64
Member
Username: Denbytar64
Post Number: 26
Registered: 03-2008
| | Posted on Monday, September 22, 2008 - 2:47 pm: | |
Jackpot: I agree Harper and Chalmers. Grew up on Corbett & Newport...lucky me |
Hpgrmln
Member
Username: Hpgrmln
Post Number: 587
Registered: 06-2007
| | Posted on Monday, September 22, 2008 - 10:03 pm: | |
The one im still fascinated with is klenk island, near the GP border, or nearby Harbor Island, with those big waterfront homes |