 
Terryh
Member
Username: Terryh
Post Number: 54
Registered: 11-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, January 07, 2007 - 4:34 pm: |    |
The Detroit Public Library main branch downtown has a massive collection of Detroit newspapers on microfilm. Included are back issues of Detroit Free Press; Detroit News and the out of print Detroit Times. A researcher can view newspapers from 1830's to present in their entirety.
Readers can't help but notice the abundance of, much as today, the sensationalism and emphasis on crime. Also, besides blatant racism and sexism in ads and cartoons, home addresses of residents were included in articles pertaining to them. Writers write about "negro hoodlums", "hold up" gangs "disorderly houses" and "hoodlum" types. Help wanted and rental ads specified and suggested "cleaning positions ideal for single lady" and "colored" rooms for rent on Hastings. In the 1930 issues of Detroit Times there were myriad articles relating to raids of illegal stills which produced alcohol during prohibition. One article and picture that jumped out at me was about a performer who died after a protracted show at the Fisher theatre. There was a picture of his lifelong 'writing partner' with his hand on his 'partners' shoulder. Probably a gay couple in a time when it was extremely down low. There were several articles about gangster gun battles and executions. The slaying of prominent Detroit radio host William F. Buckley at the Lasalle Hotel which was located at Woodward and Adelaide. An ad for the Adams theatre featured Vaudeville performers.
Lots of interesting stuff. |