  Lmichigan Member Username: Lmichigan Post Number: 4989 Registered: 10-2003 |
Does anyone know the architectural history of the George W. Young/Central Post Office at 1401 West Fort Street? For instance, when was it completed? Is the shorter section a modern recladding? Who was the architect...? I know nothing about it despite it being very prominent at the edge of the western skyline, if even in the worst way. | ||
Ed_golick Member Username: Ed_golick Post Number: 514 Registered: 10-2003 |
 George Young??? | ||
Ray1936 Member Username: Ray1936 Post Number: 1024 Registered: 01-2005 |
Was built in 1959 under the Eisenhower administration. | ||
Lmichigan Member Username: Lmichigan Post Number: 4999 Registered: 10-2003 |
Thanks for the year, Ray. Does it include both sections of the building? I ask because it looks as if these two parts were built during different times. Anyone else have anything additional info on this one? | ||
Ray1936 Member Username: Ray1936 Post Number: 1027 Registered: 01-2005 |
That I couldn't say, Lmich.....I started work at the Vernor precinct in 1959 and it was under construction then...I'm quite sure it opened before the end of that year, or, perhaps, early 1960. Memory recalls it as looking as one structure, so if part of it looks different, I suspect it is. | ||
Aschar76 Member Username: Aschar76 Post Number: 57 Registered: 11-2006 |
Hey Ed George Young his band and two fine youngettes worked the nightclub Jester's Court on W.Warren. Where Aschar76 worked his first job as busboy/dishwasher. I even got to work the spot light during the show. Thanks for the memory jog | ||
Ed_golick Member Username: Ed_golick Post Number: 515 Registered: 10-2003 |
Aschar76, Thanks for remembering! | ||
Ravine Member Username: Ravine Post Number: 474 Registered: 01-2006 |
Yep, 1959 is correct; the plaque from Eisenhower's dedication of the building is still there, right at the customer entrance. Way back when, the mail train would pull right through the building to make its drop-offs. If you circle 'round the joint, you can still see the tracks, over on the west side of the building (next to the banana place.) A new facility is being built in Pontiac, so the GWY's days as a Large Mail Processing Plant may-- or may not-- be numbered. | ||
Aiw Member Username: Aiw Post Number: 6118 Registered: 10-2003 |
As far as architects go, I would start with Harley, Ellington & Day. They snagged many large and important commissions around that time frame. |
