  Itsjeff Member Username: Itsjeff Post Number: 4244 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 69.242.214.52 |
I've come across photos following the progress of the construction of the old Federal Building (now the Theodore Levin U.S. Courthouse) downtown. Construction started in early 1932 and concluded in early 1934. Here's the first picture showing preparation of the site, bounded by Lafayette, Fort Street, Washington Blvd. and Shelby. That's the old Free Press Building at 11:00. Notice the building being constructed directly behind it. That would be the nothwest corner of Fort and Washington Boulevard.  Okay, it's a few months later. Same site. Notice that there's been no progress on the Fort/Washington building.  Nine months later, still nothing.  And nine months after that...  Wait. There is a change. There's a sign on the site. Here's a blowup:  Does anyone know the story about that building? Did it ever get completed? | ||
Supersport Member Username: Supersport Post Number: 6980 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 69.246.37.236 |
I believe that is the Post on Broadway.....coming soon! | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 467 Registered: 08-2004 Posted From: 4.229.81.228 |
While I cannot answer that question, I do know that since it was during the depression, lots of people went bankrupt. I bet that building wasn't just something that was going up in the early 30's, but something that was unfinished from the late 20's. It is sad to see the Federal Building going up. The old 1895 Courthouse was such a beautiful building with a tower and Romanesque Revival architecture, all destroyed for a rather bland Streamlined Moderne building. I understand that the Courtroom of the Chief Justice from the 1895 Courthouse was dismantled and reinserted into the 1932 structure. | ||
Itsjeff Member Username: Itsjeff Post Number: 4247 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 69.242.214.52 |
For Gistok:    | ||
The_aram Member Username: The_aram Post Number: 3356 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.43.31.87 |
I like that last picture in the top post. Nothing's changed. Nothing going on on a site? Instant premium CBD parking! | ||
Mikem Member Username: Mikem Post Number: 1497 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.43.12.165 |
Nothing there in '49:  | ||
Mikem Member Username: Mikem Post Number: 1498 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.43.12.165 |
A map from '33, maybe too early:  | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 470 Registered: 08-2004 Posted From: 4.229.81.228 |
Thanks Itsjeff! I love the details on the old Courthouse! | ||
Royce Member Username: Royce Post Number: 818 Registered: 07-2004 Posted From: 69.212.32.201 |
Although not as elaborate, the University of Detroit Mercy's downtown campus on Jefferson reminds me of the old couthouse. | ||
Itsjeff Member Username: Itsjeff Post Number: 4248 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 69.242.214.52 |
MikeM's map shows the "Recreation Building," across the street from the Federal Building. Since the 1930s Federal Building was built on the same site as the 1890's Federal Building, the government needed temporary quarters during the demolition/construction. They put the court in the Recreation Building. Interesting article and pictures here: http://www.mied.uscourts.gov/_ historical/newspdf/feb03.pdf | ||
Mccarch Member Username: Mccarch Post Number: 33 Registered: 12-2003 Posted From: 67.37.84.156 |
I think that the unfinished structure at the NW corner of Fort and Washington is the Union League Club, designed by Robert O. Derrick, who also designed the then new Federal Courthouse. A result of the 1920s mania for private clubs, it was recognized in the Depression as the whitest of elephants and eventually torn down. | ||
Jimg Member Username: Jimg Post Number: 335 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.20.140.7 |
MikeM, do you by chance have maps of the Paradise Valley area, or the near east side, showing the same level of detail as the map you posted above? | ||
The_rock Member Username: The_rock Post Number: 593 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 68.42.250.243 |
Interesting picture of the "last jurors" in the old Federal Court Building----all white, all well groomed and dressed to the nines. Look like a rather conservative bunch. Plaintiffs' personal injury lawyers would struggle with that bunch. Defense attorneys could not get enough of them. Not too many big verdicts back then. My, how things have changed..... | ||
Aiw Member Username: Aiw Post Number: 3785 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 209.216.150.127 |
Parking has always been the best use of land  Notice this quip from the link itsJeff posted:
| ||
Carptrash Member Username: Carptrash Post Number: 1196 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 216.31.41.207 |
Here is a shot of CP's panels being carved on the "New" PO. Say, IJ: do you have access to better versions of this shot? [more on the Old PO coming soon]  eeeeeeeeeeeeeek | ||
Carptrash Member Username: Carptrash Post Number: 1197 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 216.31.41.164 |
According to: "An Annoted Inventory of Outdor Sculpture in Washtenaw County" by one Einar Einarsson Kvaran, 1989, the following claim is made regarding the Old Detroit PO building. In 1932, Emil Lorch then Dean of the U of M School of Architecture purchased, for $200, some remnants from the Detroit PO building to be placed around the architecture building [where they still are, I think] This fragmant used as a base for Carlton Angell's bas-relief as part of a WWI Veteran's Memorial located in Washtenong Memorial Park was likely aquired at the same time. I parrticularly like the use of the word "rebuilt."     eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek | ||
Sknutson Member Username: Sknutson Post Number: 140 Registered: 03-2004 Posted From: 67.114.23.202 |
Re: the grand 1895 structure: I suppose few people were against the "progess" of "tearing that schitt down", to use a well know quote. What a waste though, and it wasn't even old! | ||
The_rock Member Username: The_rock Post Number: 594 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 68.42.250.243 |
Any one out there( other than I) who remembers when the Federal Court House was actually a Post Office? I know when I was a rookie lawyer in the mid-60's and had a case in the Federal Court House, there were manned postal windows in the main lobby to mail letters, packages, and buy stamps etc. The Army and Navy had recruiting offices on the main floor and the bailiff's office was housed there too. I really can't recall when they closed the postal service down and remodeled the lobby. | ||
The_aram Member Username: The_aram Post Number: 3360 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.43.31.87 |
My grandfather was the chief electrician at the Federal Building during the years in which there was a post office in the lobby. It was that post office and the friends he had behind the counter that helped him get into stamp collecting. | ||
The_sauce Member Username: The_sauce Post Number: 45 Registered: 02-2005 Posted From: 66.147.136.117 |
The_rock: The post office and recruiting centers were still open in the Federal Courthouse around 1986. Never cut through there much after that so I don't know when they moved. Now you can't skirt through government buildings as a shortcut during rainstorms. Everyobody is just a little tense. | ||
Hamtramck_steve Member Username: Hamtramck_steve Post Number: 2058 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.41.218.4 |
Can you skirt through government buildings as a shortcut when it's not raining? | ||
Itsjeff Member Username: Itsjeff Post Number: 4250 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 69.242.214.52 |
For Therock: Construction photos showing the placement of the service windows you mentioned. (They're still there, mostly. Now just bulletin boards.)   For Carpy: I don't have any good closeups of the Parduccis, but here's an interesting shot of the building before his work was installed.  For Kbkav: An early blow for feminism. BTW, very few women jurors show up wearing fur.  | ||
Mikem Member Username: Mikem Post Number: 1500 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.43.12.165 |
JimG, sorry, my map is a map of streetcar lines, and the downtown section only goes as far northeast as St Antoine & Adams. There's little detail over there; nothing more than government offices and the Detroit Edison plant. | ||
Fho Member Username: Fho Post Number: 29 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 68.84.186.249 |
I had jury duty in this building and it is actually a local treasure in itself. Ideal streamlined Art Deco. The finishes are of the best materials. Carvings and reliefs on its exterior and throughout its long, impressive main lobby. It has a power and permanence all its own, which is appropriate in representing the US symbolically. Also, the main courtroom from the 19th century courthouse with its elaborate decor and craftsmanship was dismantled and faithfully re-installed in this new building. It is the chief judge's court now. | ||
The_rock Member Username: The_rock Post Number: 598 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 68.42.250.243 |
Nice old black and white shots, itsJeff. And I did not realize that the post office was open as late as 1986. I was sworn into Federal practice before Judge Levin well before they named the Courthouse after him. Great jurist. I don't know who occupies his old courtroom now, but it is a beautiful room, marble all over the place. Feikens had it the last time I was there. I remember when security got a little heavy in the Federal Buidling and you really had to go through quite a procedure to get upstairs to the courtrooms. Even after you got off the elevator, you then had to go through another security check-point before going down the hall to a courtroom. Lawyers were allowed to show their Bar cards, and you could then just pass through. One day I showed my Bar card to an "attentive" security guard, he waived me through and when I put my card back in my wallet, I realized I had actually shown him my Grosse Pointe Library Card. So much for security. | ||
Mikem Member Username: Mikem Post Number: 1510 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.43.12.165 |
Is this tablet still on the Fort Street side of the Federal Building?  | ||
Psip Member Username: Psip Post Number: 37 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 69.246.13.131 |
WOW thats amazing, the War of Independence ENDED in Detroit! I am astonished. | ||
The_aram Member Username: The_aram Post Number: 3396 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.43.31.87 |
Fascinating tidbit. Thanks for that, MikeM. | ||
Mikem Member Username: Mikem Post Number: 1512 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.43.12.165 |
Actually, the last territory in this country occupied by British forces (after the War of 1812) was an old fort on Drummond Island. US-Canadian boundary lines took a little while to work out, and it wasn't until 1837(?) that the British left Drummond. | ||
623kraw Member Username: 623kraw Post Number: 635 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.41.224.200 |
Here is an old postcard that calls it a post office... | ||
Burnsie Member Username: Burnsie Post Number: 210 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 35.12.20.187 |
Apparently the 1932 structure was the main Post Office until the new building on west Fort opened in the ('60s?) I would have loved to see the renderings for that mystery building. Wonder if any library or anybody has plans? | ||
Quinn Member Username: Quinn Post Number: 279 Registered: 01-2005 Posted From: 64.139.64.80 |
ANSWER!!! In case nobody has answered yet (I didn't ready every post) the building was the Women's Club (or some sort of derivitive of). It was built by Walbridge Aldinger for sure. I only remember looking at construction photographs in their archives a few years ago, but that is definitely the building. The fact that it is a club, and being built with donated funds no-doubt, explains the slow build. I'll try to get some more info Itsjeff | ||
One_shot Member Username: One_shot Post Number: 218 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 152.163.100.195 |
VERY cool pics! | ||
Itsjeff Member Username: Itsjeff Post Number: 4259 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.42.175.146 |
Quinn, I don't believe that the buiding was ever completed. Mikem's photo above shows an empty lot by 1949. I doubt they built it after 1934 and demoed it for a parking lot by the late 1940s. | ||
Quinn Member Username: Quinn Post Number: 284 Registered: 01-2005 Posted From: 64.139.64.80 |
I know but I've seen the pics...i know it I know it....someobody please beleive me sniff sniff. ;P Seriously, I will try to find them. I think it was the Women's League or something... | ||
Itsjeff Member Username: Itsjeff Post Number: 4266 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.42.175.146 |
Of course I believe you, Quinn. But I'm not clear if you're saying that you've seen pictures of the same construction site that's been posted above, or the completed building. Regardless, please bring what you have to the picnic. | ||
Erikd Member Username: Erikd Post Number: 389 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.73.59.52 |
There is an old underground parking structure on that site. It was most likely built for that building, and wound up being the only part that was completed. Very interesting.... | ||
Mikem Member Username: Mikem Post Number: 1538 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.43.15.105 |
How did this fit into the block we are discussing? I take it from the caption that this was demolished to make way for the previous post office?  | ||
Mikem Member Username: Mikem Post Number: 1539 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.43.15.105 |
The Virtual Motor City collection has some nice photos of the construction and dedication of the Federal Building. Just do a keyword search on "federal". I found this tidbit there too, part of the Fort Shelby stockade found during construction:  | ||
Mikem Member Username: Mikem Post Number: 1555 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.43.15.105 |
I came across this drawing of the Title & Trust Building at the SW corner of Fort and Washington. What's there now? I'm not down there enough to picture it in my mind.  | ||
The_rock Member Username: The_rock Post Number: 638 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 69.241.251.144 |
The SW corner of Fort and Wash Blvd. is now the home of the Fort-Washington Garage, and is part of 333 W Fort Street, one of the more maligned buildings on The Forum and, I am proud to say, my home ( including partial ownership ) for about 22 years. | ||
Jjaba Member Username: Jjaba Post Number: 1810 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 24.21.101.214 |
Now we're talking. The "Rock" in The Rock refers to 333 W. Fort Street, Detroit. He's a bigtime landowner of downtown Detroit. And he does maintenance right. jjaba, how's your vacancy rate! | ||
Aiw Member Username: Aiw Post Number: 3876 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 65.92.103.100 |
Ah good ole 333 W Fort. http://www.internationalmetrop olis.com/pdjpages/2004/11/pdj1 11504.htm | ||
Itsjeff Member Username: Itsjeff Post Number: 4304 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.60.139.41 |
I'll bet the building's occupancy took a dive after the Rock's firm moved to Troy... /just sayin' | ||
Jjaba Member Username: Jjaba Post Number: 1811 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 24.21.101.214 |
And oh, so convenient to public rail transportation. Location, Rock, Location! So Andrew, how about a feature on jjaba's life; 14032 Northlawn, Detroit. jjaba's Wrigleys Store, W. Davison and Greenlawn. Cass Technical High School. 2nd Ave. and Henry. Cohn Bldg., Wayne State University. jjaba's father's shop, in Canvasser Ford Garage, SE corner, Roosevelt and W. Michigan Avenue. (one blk. East of W. Grand Blvd) Noble Elementary School, Fullerton and Ohio. Tappan Intermediate School, Elmhurst and Tuller. Mac Kenzie High School Driver Training Course. Wyoming and W. Chicago Ave. Corner where jjaba played baseball, Intervale and Northlawn, NW corner. (hit the ball on top of Dieter's store, automatic 3 outs, sides change.) And you must climb up there and get ball without getting caught by Old Man Dieter. Thanks, AIW. Go see, you'll learn alot about Detroit. jjaba, Westsider. | ||
Naturalsister Member Username: Naturalsister Post Number: 68 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 69.214.184.62 |
This is a fascinating thread, I just looked at it today. Thanks for all the info and photos. I used to work @ 151 W. Fort (corner of Shelby) so I am very familiar with this area. Cool. | ||
Bob_cosgrove Member Username: Bob_cosgrove Post Number: 84 Registered: 03-2005 Posted From: 207.74.111.115 |
Isn't 333 West Fort owned by Detroit Mortgage & Realty - the Heenan family? Many of Detroit's non-profits are headquartered there. | ||
Aiw Member Username: Aiw Post Number: 3895 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 65.92.103.100 |
Old Post Office:  "New" Post Office  | ||
Mikem Member Username: Mikem Post Number: 1601 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.43.15.105 |
Crazy that the "Old" Post Office only lasted from 1897 to 1932. | ||
Mplsryan Member Username: Mplsryan Post Number: 105 Registered: 11-2003 |
Who was the architect of the old post office? And the "new" one too? The forms seem very similar to other civic bldgs in Pittsburgh and Minneapolis. Coming out of the Romanesque period right into city beautiful and the prosperous twenties, those old piles of stone like the post office came down quickly. | ||
Andylinn Member Username: Andylinn Post Number: 39 Registered: 04-2006 |
bump | ||
Hornwrecker Member Username: Hornwrecker Post Number: 1303 Registered: 04-2005 |
1921 Sanborn map of the NW corner of W Fort and Wayne Sts.  Looks like they demoed a lot of 3 story storefronts, put up a steel frame, demoed, and put up a parking lot. SNAFU | ||
The_rock Member Username: The_rock Post Number: 1330 Registered: 11-2003 |
Actually, I think that Detroit Mortgage divested themselves of 333 a few years back. Earl Heenan passed away but his brother Palmer, remains Mayor of Grosse Pointe Park. The building is still going strong. One of our floors is now the home of the Mediation Tribunal Association. I think the Mott Foundation is still in the building. So is Joe Hudson Jr. and some of his business buddies. We sold our interest in 2000.I miss the place. Why we moved out to Troy and left that wonderful area and building is beyond me. . | ||
Jjaba Member Username: Jjaba Post Number: 4380 Registered: 11-2003 |
The Rock went suburban? This is shocking since we know how much he loves Detroit and downtown. But we do know that with the money from the bldg. The Rock has bought good winter socks for the cold. Rock, we love ya. jjaba, on the Far Westside. (Message approved by lowell) | ||
Keoki96701 Member Username: Keoki96701 Post Number: 2 Registered: 04-2004 |
Hey jjaba!!! Yea I would like to know more about these areas.... being from 1408 Cherrylawn. Noble Elementary School, Fullerton and Ohio. Tappan Junior High School. Mackenzie High School Driver Training Course. OR the other Corner where we played kickball in the feild, Intervale and Cherrylawn, I yes I remember Mr. Dieter's Sweetshop. |
