  Bc_n_dtown Member Username: Bc_n_dtown Post Number: 86 Registered: 09-2006 |
I was browsing through a number of photos from the DPL's "Early Detroit Images from the Burton Historical Collection" web-site and ran across what I first thought was a rather unusual sight in Detroit. But after viewing a number of photos of these structures they appear to have been more common here during the late-1800s—early-1900s than I initially thought. I'm referring to what were called "arches" that were erected across such major streets as Woodward, Jefferson and Fort Street. What were these humongous structures? They appear to have some military significance of some sort because some had names like "Arch of War" "Triumphal Arch" and "Arch of Peace." Does anyone know if these were permanent structures or just temporary, and if temporary, how long and for what occasion? I'm assuming here that they WERE temporary, but these multi-story high structures appear to have been constructed with too much detail for just a short period of time. One photo even shows the streetcar overhead wiring running underneath the archway. A search on their web-site reveals a number of these huge structures across the city. Can anyone provide any information on these archways? Here are a few examples of what I'm referring to...... WOODWARD near GD CIRCUS PARK (c. 1891) JEFFERSON AVENUE (1891) WOODWARD AVENUE The arch in this photo even made provisions to accommodate the overhead wiring for the electric streetcars that ran along that three-track rail layout along Woodward Ave., just south of Jefferson. see WOODWARD near RIVER | ||
Gtat44 Member Username: Gtat44 Post Number: 184 Registered: 02-2007 |
Forumers (if that's a word) correct me if I'm wrong but I think those are temporary structures for the G.A.R. when they came to Detroit. G.A.R. Grand Army of the Republic | ||
Mauser765 Member Username: Mauser765 Post Number: 3359 Registered: 01-2004 |
The GAR regularly met in various cities for parades etc. 1891 they came to Detroit - and the "triumphal arches" were erected for the event. It would appear that they existed for several years afterward. (This is DETROIT - Quaife / White 1951 Wayne University Press) This book (awesome if you can lay your hands on one btw) also shows exactly the same type of arch was erected in Del Ray for entryway to The Detroit International Fair, 1889 - 1892. This arch also is higher than surrounding (telephone? electrical ?) poles - probably close to two stories tall. Small trees planted on top (precursor to Detroits "roof trees" ? lol) These things seem all the rage back then. Not very elegant. | ||
Mauser765 Member Username: Mauser765 Post Number: 3360 Registered: 01-2004 |
and if I am not mistaken, these arches are Roman in origin, but the most famous one in modern history was commissioned by Napoleon. (Arc de Triomphe, 1806) | ||
Mortalman Member Username: Mortalman Post Number: 445 Registered: 03-2007 |
If anyone has pictures of those "arches",Bc_n_dtown, I'm sure it would be Mauser765 and they'll be great pictures, too!  | ||
Mackinaw Member Username: Mackinaw Post Number: 5450 Registered: 02-2005 |
Very cool, I had never seen photos of this. That one arch is sitting there saying "WELCOME!" right where Joe Louis' fist now rests (a cool but not so welcoming monument.) | ||
Lilpup Member Username: Lilpup Post Number: 5482 Registered: 06-2004 |
interesting - it's an image from the Burton Collection on a UMich website - is this a new collaboration? | ||
Ray1936 Member Username: Ray1936 Post Number: 3803 Registered: 01-2005 |
Gee, did anyone else notice Mikeg and his camera getting ready to document old Detroit?   | ||
Frankg Member Username: Frankg Post Number: 677 Registered: 08-2007 |
I am curious about this GAR event in 1891. My great-great grandfather (Frank Bieke) served in the First Michigan Light Artillery, Battery A. He lived in Detroit and died in 1892. Nobody in the family can find any photos of him anymore. I am thinking there must be some photos of him somewhere from the 1891 GAR reunion. It seems like an event this big would have a lot of photos, brochures, programs, etc., that survive. Does anyone know where to find out more about this event? | ||
Mikeg Member Username: Mikeg Post Number: 2039 Registered: 12-2005 |
Ray1936, Here I am in action - setting up a shot!  | ||
Detourdetroit Member Username: Detourdetroit Post Number: 415 Registered: 10-2003 |
nice irony mauser...good point. apologies ^^^^^^ MACKINAW was ironic in grand settings, i think they're pretty cool...yes, maybe clumsy...but very civic...and of course TRIUMPHAL!!! I used to live a few blocks from the pretty amazing Grand Army Plaza in dear old Brooklyn, NYC http://www.bridgeandtunnelclub .com/bigmap/brooklyn/prospectp ark/grandarmyplaza/index.htm (Message edited by detourdetroit on October 25, 2008) | ||
Royce Member Username: Royce Post Number: 2830 Registered: 07-2004 |
Great shots of the park, Detourdetroit. | ||
Old_guy Member Username: Old_guy Post Number: 93 Registered: 04-2008 |
Arches like these were pretty standard throughout the country for parades and yes, especially the G.A.R. from the late 1800's and into the mid 1900's. These are some of the largest and most elaborate ones I've seen though. | ||
Ray1936 Member Username: Ray1936 Post Number: 3804 Registered: 01-2005 |
." My great-great grandfather (Frank Bieke) served in the First Michigan Light Artillery, Battery A." Frank, send for the records of Frank at the National Archives. Start the search by going to www.nara.gov and find the (Adobe) forms to fill out to obtain his SERVICE and PENSION records. They are two different animals and you'll want both. The Pension records will be of the greatest genealogical value. It costs a few bucks, but it is well worth both the cost and effort, believe me. | ||
Andylinn Member Username: Andylinn Post Number: 1059 Registered: 04-2006 |
Those arches are pretty amazing. Even if they were supposed to be temporary, I bet they could have lasted many MANY years... Just look at the Eiffel Tower. I think those arches are way cool, they make the streets seem much more elegant. | ||
Detourdetroit Member Username: Detourdetroit Post Number: 416 Registered: 10-2003 |
I agree Andylinn...although I think in the case of a lot of these structures, they were temporary, built out of staff...lathe, straw and plaster... similar to the fantasculous imagineering of the burnhams of the world during the columbian exposition. http://tigger.uic.edu/depts/ah aa/imagebase/pbhales/wcewhj1.g if http://tinyurl.com/6pgf3c This was really fun...check out the fly-throughs of chicago's lake michigan extravaganza of the 1890s http://www.ust.ucla.edu/ustweb /Projects/columbian_expo.htm (Message edited by detourdetroit on October 25, 2008) | ||
Mikeg Member Username: Mikeg Post Number: 2041 Registered: 12-2005 |
Bc_n_dtown, Per the "description" on that web page, the arch in the "Woodward near River" photo you linked to was built in 1910 for the "Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks" convention that was being held in Detroit. While browsing the contents of that Collection, I came across another photo that includes a portion of this same arch, but taken from the opposite direction. | ||
Detourdetroit Member Username: Detourdetroit Post Number: 417 Registered: 10-2003 |
that's a great pic Mikeg...back when global warming probably meant the effects of having just had a big shot of brandy. back when dear old detroit had density!!! huzzah!!! | ||
Frankg Member Username: Frankg Post Number: 679 Registered: 08-2007 |
Ray thanks for the advice. I already did that some ago. I found out some really interesting things. Like for instance, that he was a blacksmith prior to the war and that was his initial assignment. We also confirmed that he was a bugler, that matched the story of the bugle we used to play with as kids that had been the bugle at Chickamauga (what I wouldn't give for that bugle now!). Also found out he was wounded at Chattanooga and was discharged early because of the wounds. His war records included an interesting letter from the doctor at the hospital in Detroit, recommending his discharge, even though he wanted to get sent back with his unit. Also his widow had pension records that were interesting, too. No photos in his records though! | ||
Ray1936 Member Username: Ray1936 Post Number: 3806 Registered: 01-2005 |
Ah, okay, Frank, great! Yeah, no photos ever. Well, keep your fingers crossed and you never know what may turn up on the internet. I posted my story of finding gt gramps CW photo on Ebay two years back, I'll not repeat it here. | ||
Old_guy Member Username: Old_guy Post Number: 96 Registered: 04-2008 |
To give you an idea of how elaborate those arches in Detroit are, this is a photo of the kind you saw in most smaller towns. Pretty cheesy in comparison, but these were the norm. This one was made of lumber and cloth.  This was for soldiers returning from WWI | ||
Dtctygrl Member Username: Dtctygrl Post Number: 57 Registered: 03-2007 |
Publication Number: T289 Publication Title: Organization Index to Pension Files of Veterans Who Served Between 1861 and 1900. Publisher: NARA State: Michigan Arm Of Service: Light Artillery Regiment: 1 Company: A Name: Bieke, Frank Date: 18 Jun 1864 State/arm Of Service: Mich. L. A. Company/regiment: A,1 Collection Title: Civil War Pensions  | ||
Frankg Member Username: Frankg Post Number: 680 Registered: 08-2007 |
Thank you so much ctygrl! | ||
Mikeg Member Username: Mikeg Post Number: 2043 Registered: 12-2005 |
Frank, I just found this Burton 1896 photo montage containing all the members of the Detroit GAR Post #384. It's four years too late for your gg grandfather, but don't give up hope - maybe we can find one from an earlier year that included him.  | ||
Mackinaw Member Username: Mackinaw Post Number: 5454 Registered: 02-2005 |
Great photo of Jefferson @ Woodward, Mikeg, like Mauser said. Has any city's physical makeup changed to the extent of Detroit's? Just talking about downtown and central neighborhoods alone...it's amazing how many times they've been rebuilt since they point at which they were first filled-in around the 1880s. There was the 20s boom where stuff was replaced en masse with skyscrapers. The hacking of the 50s with the civic center/freeway/new modernist buildings, and then piecemiel additions and deletions since. Detroit's aesthetic history has got to be one of the most turbulent and fast-changing-- and these changes were the products of both rapid booms and rapid busts. | ||
Mikeg Member Username: Mikeg Post Number: 2044 Registered: 12-2005 |
Here's the 1891 GAR Post 384 group photo, but he is not in it. Perhaps he belonged to a different GAR post? | ||
Frankg Member Username: Frankg Post Number: 681 Registered: 08-2007 |
Thanks Mike. I am not sure if he was in a post or not, but it just seems like there would have been a registry or group photos taken during a huge event like the one in 1891 that still survive. I have been in contact with a guy (Matt Switlik) who did his master's thesis about the 1st MI Lt. Art. Batt. A, and he had some photos from a unit reunion in Coldwater a few years before his death, but my g-g-grandfather didn't attend that reunion. | ||
Wirt Member Username: Wirt Post Number: 86 Registered: 12-2005 |
...Can't forget this one built in honor of the World War 1 veterans  WSU/VMC | ||
Eastsidedame Member Username: Eastsidedame Post Number: 600 Registered: 12-2006 |
There are parts of Detroit that look like Europe. Now that I've actually been to Europe I can see the architectural similarities. I hope we keep that essence and not become just another generic McCity. If we had those arches, they'd be a great tourist attraction. Put them on postcards! BTW: I notice how routinely people moved huge things in days of old. Like these arches, brick buildings and such. And without power tools! | ||
Bc_n_dtown Member Username: Bc_n_dtown Post Number: 87 Registered: 09-2006 |
Thanks to all who've passed along info on this topic. When I came across the first photos of these large arch structures, my first reaction was "WTF are these!?!" (  ,sorry!). But then I knew that if anyone had the answer, the members here at DetroitYes would come thru. But I guess I'm missing something here, and maybe it's because my knowledge of Roman history leaves much to be desired, but what was the significance of or the symbolism displayed behind an arch-like structure, and its relation to the military? No deep answer needed, just wondering! BTW—Mikeg, great link to that photo showing the Woodward—Jefferson arch from another angle. It really puts the size of those things into perspective. | ||
Lowell Moderator Username: Lowell Post Number: 5117 Registered: 07-2008 |
Theses GAR events were huge. Here is a crop and zoom that I dodged and burned of the 1891 parade. The reviewing stand on the right is in front of the Opera House on Campus Martius. The head of the parade can be seen approaching an arch that must have been near Grand Circus Park.  Full Image here: http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/i/image/image-idx?id=S-DPA1IC-X-DPA2218%5DDPA2218.TIF OMG, I love the internet, but it is time trap too. LOL | ||
Townonenorth Member Username: Townonenorth Post Number: 292 Registered: 10-2007 |
In relation to the GAR, the successor organization is the SUVCW, the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War. Perhaps they may have something that relates to the search for Mr. Bielke? Here's another arch, not as imposing. Sponsored by a Mabley Company. I wonder if they all were corporate sponsored? Mabley Arch | ||
Detourdetroit Member Username: Detourdetroit Post Number: 418 Registered: 10-2003 |
wikipedia should answer some of your burning triumphal arch questions bc_n_dtown. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T riumphal_arch | ||
Bc_n_dtown Member Username: Bc_n_dtown Post Number: 88 Registered: 09-2006 |
thanks Detourdetroit for the triumphal arch link, interesting. Hey Lowell, it almost looks like the entire city of Detroit turned out for that GAR parade. LOL | ||
Eastsidedame Member Username: Eastsidedame Post Number: 610 Registered: 12-2006 |
People forget that the Civil War almost ended our country. It was a very frightening time. Every one of these veterans saved America and the people who lived through it never forgot it until they all died off. It was the defining event of their generation. | ||
Jams Member Username: Jams Post Number: 9547 Registered: 10-2003 |
From Mikeg quote:. I was curious about the technique to put that photo together. That was a great "cut and paste", literally. | ||
Faygoredpop Member Username: Faygoredpop Post Number: 28 Registered: 03-2008 |
I purchased this picture from a store in Frankenmuth. This is another pretty arch that was located on Woodward Ave. On the back of the picture it says "Elks Convention, Woodward Ave., Detroit, c. 1910" I wish that they would have been permanent arches instead of temporary. Some of these are gorgeous and it would have been nice to of seen them around today.  | ||
Townonenorth Member Username: Townonenorth Post Number: 295 Registered: 10-2007 |
looks to me that the GAR photo that was shown was remarkably "Anglo-Saxon". I'm sure that Mr. Bielke (German?) wasn't quite in the club. At least not that one, anyway. I'm sure that with the considerable volume of vets of all social strata that there were multiple clubs in Detroit. Noted a lot of the social elite in that photo. | ||
Jgavrile Member Username: Jgavrile Post Number: 213 Registered: 09-2005 |
Why won't any of these links open?? |
