Deegee Member Username: Deegee
Post Number: 30 Registered: 11-2004
| Posted on Monday, November 20, 2006 - 11:39 pm: | |
I recently came across some pictures on the internet that showed the front of a church being moved when Woodward was widened. It looked like a complicated process. Does anyone know how it was done, how long the move would take and how many churches were affected? |
Kathleen Member Username: Kathleen
Post Number: 1702 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Tuesday, November 21, 2006 - 6:50 am: | |
Not sure that all those details can be found without some serious research at the Burton Historical Collection. This piece from the Detroit News Archives provides a starting point(http://info.detnews.com/histor y/story/index.cfm?id=205&categ ory=locations): "Legal disputes over the widening of Woodward, including an 1874 condemnation proceeding in which the Detroit News offered a certificate of publication (of the original condemnation proceedings) as evidence, were finally resolved in 1932 and all that remained was securing agreement a majority of property owners along the way. John W. Chandler took it upon himself to get the signatures and refused to shave until he achieved success. Historian George W. Stark writes that a friend told Chandler, "You're just like one of those old-fashioned Democrats from Alabama who decides he'll never shave again until a Democrat is elected president. I suppose you're not going to shave until you get Woodward widened." A good idea, Chandler agreed. He went around with his growing whiskers getting signatures of Woodward Avenue property owners to a document agreeing to the widenings. When that was done and the widening of Woodward from 66 to 120 feet was assured, Chandler had his by now luxuriant whiskers removed. The plans required the razing of St. John's Episcopal Church. However, parishioners resisted and instead had the church moved back 60 feet. Later, parades and celebrations marked the widening." |
Chow Member Username: Chow
Post Number: 323 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Tuesday, November 21, 2006 - 9:27 am: | |
from faded detroit:
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Izzadore Member Username: Izzadore
Post Number: 8 Registered: 11-2006
| Posted on Tuesday, November 21, 2006 - 9:57 am: | |
The last picture on the link Kathleen posted is great. It would be nice to see an electric train running through Woodward again. |
Pam Member Username: Pam
Post Number: 679 Registered: 11-2005
| Posted on Tuesday, November 21, 2006 - 11:12 am: | |
This church was also moved: http://detroit1701.org/Central Methodist.htm |
Detroitnerd Member Username: Detroitnerd
Post Number: 750 Registered: 07-2004
| Posted on Tuesday, November 21, 2006 - 12:11 pm: | |
There is a bend in Woodward south of Warren where you can see that they added lanes on alternate sides to preserve some buildings and demolish others. Detroit paid a heavy architectural price for that widening, and I believe many of the demolished buildings were carted to Belle Isle to serve as the foundation for the Detroit Yacht Club. |
Fury13
Member Username: Fury13
Post Number: 1227 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Tuesday, November 21, 2006 - 12:51 pm: | |
"...many of the demolished buildings were carted to Belle Isle to serve as the foundation for the Detroit Yacht Club." Don't think that's right... the DYC must predate 1935-36, which is when Woodward was widened. |
Detroitnerd Member Username: Detroitnerd
Post Number: 752 Registered: 07-2004
| Posted on Tuesday, November 21, 2006 - 1:06 pm: | |
Thanks, Fury. Must have been the widening of other thoroughfares, then. I'll bet Gar Wood had something to do with it, being a DYC founder and inventor of the dump truck. |
Toolbox
Member Username: Toolbox
Post Number: 1012 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Tuesday, November 21, 2006 - 1:15 pm: | |
When the Boat Club was first built it was on pielings in the river. It is now surrounded by land created from fill. |
Detroitnerd Member Username: Detroitnerd
Post Number: 753 Registered: 07-2004
| Posted on Tuesday, November 21, 2006 - 1:58 pm: | |
Was that the Boat Club or the Yacht Club? Not to get too far off the point, but the story stays with me because it's so intriguing an image. Detroit's history reduced to rubble and used as foundation material for a pleasure palace. |
Jjaba Member Username: Jjaba
Post Number: 4491 Registered: 11-2003
| Posted on Tuesday, November 21, 2006 - 2:04 pm: | |
Time for some serious Detroit Archeology. Get out your shovels boys, a dig in. jjaba, looking for arrow heads. |
Deegee Member Username: Deegee
Post Number: 31 Registered: 11-2004
| Posted on Thursday, November 23, 2006 - 12:30 am: | |
Thanks guys. One day I'll have to take some time to check out the Burton Historical Collection. |
Hornwrecker Member Username: Hornwrecker
Post Number: 1702 Registered: 04-2005
| Posted on Thursday, November 23, 2006 - 10:52 am: | |
Go to the Virtual Motor City at WSU, and do a search for "widening". There are 59 photos of various streets, mostly of Woodward. |