Poor Detroit

[Pele'sDaughter]

Cute, and it looks like it's a corner lot, too.

[chiggerbit]

True, and it's a fair-sized lot compared to most I've seen. I'm always a bit distrustful when pics are not properly focused, or if it looks like filters are used.

Another one, $13,500

[chiggerbit]

$9,900, 4 bedroom, 1.5 total bath, 1860 sq. ft., and it sure looks like it has a fireplace chimney:

[Project Willow]

They look like my grandmother's house. When I was born, my family lived in a 50's ranch style tiny house near 8 mile and Mack. My grandmother lived off of Mack near Cadiuex. I can't remember where Grandfather lived, but it wasn't far away.

I've had dreams over the past 10 years of living in my grandmother's house because I inherited it, which is impossible as it was sold many years ago. Sometimes in the dreams I dig behind the walls and find evidence. Looks like I could afford to buy it outright now.

I had planned to go back to Detroit to identify and photograph buildings and sites where I was taken for prostitution, ra and mc. There were a number of them in the city. What if they're all gone now?

I have memories of going to Hudson's downtown and having lunch there. I remember the revolving doors. (Some revolving doors were used in my programming.) I remember the taste of Sander's ice cream.

With everything that went on in Detroit, on the other hand, imo it kind of deserves what it's getting.

Edited to correct geographical references.

[OP ED]

i may disagree wrt detroit getting what it deserves, in most respects at least.

most of the assholes who contributed to the deterioration never lived in the city to begin with.

what you're describing sounds vaguely like collective punishment.

[chiggerbit]

Sorry, Project Willow. Hope the photos weren't triggering anything.

[Project Willow]

I suppose it does Op Ed, and I really don't mean that. It's just, in my experience such a high proportion of ra/mc folks came from or had a connection to the city or area. I have a hard time believing that the one kind of destruction is not related to the other.

[Project Willow]

Oh no Chiggerbit. They aren't bad looking houses are they? When I saw the prices I thought for a moment those old dreams might have been premonitions, but no, I could not stand the cold winters.

[OP ED]

I suppose it does Op Ed, and I really don't mean that. It's just, in my experience such a high proportion of ra/mc folks came from or had a connection to the city or area. I have a hard time believing that the one kind of destruction is not related to the other.

not a big fan of hurricane theology myself.

"related" is something i could agree with, probably not in a causal sense though. detroit is certainly a better than average place to get away with criminal conduct. it would be unsuprising to find higher than average instances of less-common/more exotic sorts of crime as well. urban decay also seems to contribute to a proliferation of cults and whatnots, many of which are harmless, but the huge numbers of such groups would provide more than ample cover and/or plausible deniability for more excessive perps to thrive in an semi-open air environment.


edit: more elaboration later. i have to go collect some money i am about to win from a basketball game.

[chiggerbit]

PW said:

They aren't bad looking houses are they?

Yes, that's what has attracted me in the first place. They seem to be very plumb and straight for their ages, even if there is evidence of neglect in more recent times in a few of them. Someone cared for them and maintained them, until more recent times, it looks like.

I had no clue--or I had totally forgotten--that you had roots in Detroit, PW, or in Michigan. Now I'm even more curious about Detroit.

[chiggerbit]

And in Michigan in general.

[Project Willow]

Masonic Temple Detroit

[chiggerbit]

Do you mean that's the place......?

Editorial Reviews
Product Description
The largest Masonic temple in the world, Detroit’s Masonic temple is a monumental structure with a rich and colorful history, befitting one of the most historic organizations in the world. Encompassing more than 1,000 rooms and more than a million square feet, the temple has served Masons since 1926 and provides a venue for many leading entertainers and theater productions. Its lodges, chapels, and ballrooms are masterpieces of architecture rich with the symbolism of Freemasonry, evident even in the smallest details. The temple stands as an artistic work of architecture and as the physical embodiment of the history, traditions, and symbolism of Freemasonry. What are the secrets of the craft? Just look; they are carved into the walls, inlaid in the marble floors, and depicted in woodcuts on every floor.

About the Author
Alex Lundberg is an award-winning journalist who has worked in the metro Detroit area since 1992. The great-grandson and grandson of Freemasons, he was entered, passed, and raised as a member of Detroit Lodge No. 2, Free and Accepted Masons, in 2002. He lives in Detroit. Greg Kowalski is a journalist and local historian. He is the author of two books on the city of Hamtramck and coauthor of one on art deco in Detroit. He lives in Hamtramck.

[chiggerbit]

OMG, the size and extravagance of this building is outrageous. How could they have afforded something like that, even in Detroit's heyday?

http://www.freewebs.com/antster25/thevenue.htm

[Project Willow]

You said the houses looked plumb.

It may be that there was more, shall we say, dualistic activity going on there than in other communities.