User:Motown31
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Historic Detroit West Vernor-Springwells Shopping District
INTRODUCTION: The boundaries of what was considered to be that Vernor – Springwells Shopping district and neighborhood have historically been defined as running from (East to West) the intersection of Waterman and Dix Avenues to the boundary of Patton Park and Woodmere Cemetery. Beyond the intersection of Waterman and Dix Avenue’s (Going East) are several blocks of industrial use, railroad viaducts, etc. Woodmere forms the other natural boundary on the West end as Vernor continues past Patton Park and Woodmere Cemetery into the City of Dearborn.
This Vernor – Springwells area of shopping district pre-1980 represented the type of shopping and family activities that were customarily found throughout the City of Detroit and numerous other cities throughout the Midwest. Principally, family owned businesses and grocery stores and smaller regional and national chain stores that provided a complete shopping experience for the working class families living in this community. The advent of the Fairlane Shopping mall which was built in 1977 significantly altered the landscape of the business community of Southwest Detroit. Other events also contributed to the changing face of retail on West Vernor such as a continuing population decline in the City of Detroit overall and the loss of significant manufacturing jobs within the neighborhood. Specifically GM closed the Fisher Guide, Fleetwood Assembly and Clark Avenue production facilities all in the mid-80’s. All of these changes have resulted in a shopping district that has moved from providing a shopping experience similar to one would find at a mall (multiple clothes stores, durable hard goods. Movie theaters, electronic stores, etc.) to that of specialized goods, ethnic goods, local restaurants, and a more limited selection of locally owned stores (as opposed to chains) offering durable goods and clothing.
HISTORICAL OVERVIEW: The Vernor Springwells corridor was at one time served by City of Detroit trolley street-cars which ran the length of both East and West Vernor – thus crossing the entire city from the border of East Dearborn to the border of West Grosse Pointe. The length of West and East Vernor contained multiple and unique shopping districts which also reflected the many different neighborhoods that West and East Vernor ran through. Among these districts included the Vernor-Junction shopping district and the Western Market/Farm market shopping district (pre I-75 freeway construction.) The trolley cars would end at the massive Ford Rouge manufacturing complex. The City of Detroit eliminated street car service throughout the City in the 1950’s.
Among national as well as local chain stores that populated the Vernor-Springwells shopping district at one-time included Neisner’s Five and Dime (complete with soda fountain), Jupiter’s (twin of Kresgee’s – both founding businesses of the K-mart corporation), Federals Department Store, Cunningham’s Drug Store (also complete with soda fountain) and the Chime’s restaurant (a once large chain of restaurants predominately found on the East Coast.). Today the Vernor – Springwells shopping district remains a destination of shopping and eating - although all of the family owned business and chain stores that populated the Springwells-Vernor corridor during the early 1900’s through the early 1980’s are now closed. In their place are a new generation of family businesses (little to no local or regional chain stores) focusing on servicing the needs of the now largely Latino population of the community.
As follows is a historical outline of several of the founding businesses as well as former long-time businesses that once populated the Vernor-Springwells shopping district:
Stock yards and carnival (address) Located at the intersection of Waterman, Dix and Vernor Avenues this is the beginning of one of the natural boundary to the Vernor-Springwells shopping districts. At one time this location was a thriving animal stockyard and grain storage/transportation hub. The stockyard (located significantly off the Vernor side of the property) continued to function until the early 1970’s and passerby’s could both smell and hear the livestock within the area. A grain elevator (also significantly of the Vernor side of the property) still exists – but is no longer in use. Adjacent to the stockyards was a staging and holding area for shipping via rail the Cadillac’s made at the nearby GM plants which are now all closed. Abandoned property next to the Cadillac shipping area was used by youths for dirt bike racing and hill jumping – hence the local name for the area as “Cadillac Hills.: The outer boundary of the stockyard property was also the site of an annual Southwest Detroit spring carnival complete with rides (Ferris wheel, mini-roller coasters, etc.). This annual family type carnival ended in the early 1980’s when increasing violence led to the demise of this Southwest tradition. Currently the facility is used as a cargo storage area for intermodal freight distribution via railroad and trucks.
Fruit stand – gas station: Also located at the intersection of Vernor, Dix and Waterman Avenues at 6677 W. Vernor. This building was originally constructed as a 1 room gas station with 1 gas pump at the turn of the century. In the late 1960’s/early 1970’s this building later became a fruit market. In the mid-1990’s the building was turned into a tire repair business. The 1 room building has since been torn down and rebuilt.
El Torino bar Previously located at 6751 West Vernor. Although the origins of the building are unknown, for several years this location was used as the El Tornio bar. The El Tornio had a reputation for inexpensive drinks, legendary fights and a frequent destination for those seeking late night romance. The El Tornio building was torn down in the late 1990’2 and its place was built a Citgo gas station.
Beacon Bowling Alley Previously located at 6753 West Vernor, the “Beacon” as it was affectionately known to many in the community was bowling alley with 14 lanes and leagues for all ages and an adjoining bar for those who wanted to drink while they bowled. The Beacon closed on/about 1986 when the prior owners of the alley divorced and split up the proceeds of the business. The Beacon, after having served as a car repair garage for the past 20 years is now up for sale. At one time Southwest Detroit had 5 bowling alleys: The Beacon, Clark Park Bowl (near Clark Park), Springwells Bowl near Cahalan and Springwells and a bowling alley near Lawndale and Vernor (name unknown).
A&W This A&W featured full drive-up/car window service and at one time also featured waitresses in roller skates serving customers at car side. The A&W location closed on/about 1979 and after a brief stint as a Mexican drive-up restaurant closed and sat vacant for several years until purchased by the DC Cab taxi dispatch company. The address is 6757 West Vernor.
Shipper’s Dispatch This location – a block off from Vernor Highway at the corner of Stratton and Beard streets was originally set to become a park and was land owned by the City of Detroit. Based upon financial decision by the City of Detroit the land was sold in the 1950’s to the trucking company “Shipper’s Dispatch” and turned into a trucking sipping/dispatch company. Shippers Dispatch – known for it’s fleet of green trucks was purchased by the “Preston Trucking Company” in the late 1970’s and were known for their fleet of orange trucks. Preston moved their operations to Troy, MI in the late 1980’s and the move ended up costing the company considerable dollars and loss of effiency. As Preston endured significant financial hardship the company moved back to it’s Detroit offices for a brief period before going bankrupt and out of business in the late 1990’s.. The property is currently used as a waster container storage facility.
Wayne Soap Company Previously located Behind the Beacon Bowling Alley at 6753 West Vernor – this facilities address was actually on Stratton. The Wayne Soap Company was responsible for the churning and processing of animal remains into by-products used for the manufacturing of soap and other lubricants. This company was long known for an offensive smell to area residents as well as open vats of renderings frequently within sight of passer bys. The company closed in the mid-1990’s and the plant was demolished. Currently the land is vacant.
Buc’s Restaurant Buc’s restaurant located at 7056 West Vernor existed in Southwest Detroit for approximately 60 years until closing in the mid 1990’s. Known for breakfast servings and general family meals, Buc’s featured table top juke boxes from the early 1950’s and was a comfortable and convenient neighborhood meeting place. Buc’s is now the ________________________
Hartman Appliance Hartman’s Appliance located at 7150 West Vernor was established long before the chain stores such as Best Buy and Circuit City. Hartman’s focus was on major household appliance items such as refrigerators, dryers and washers. Hartman’s was in existence for some 50 years until closing in the mid 1980’s. Harman’s is now the location of the LaSed senior and youth activities center. LaSed has also added to the building over time by building a gymnasium of the premises.
Texaco Gas Station This location at 7151 West Vernor originally was the site of an art deco gas station for Texaco. Holding 2 bays for car work, the building featured an outside white porcelain finish and the many features found on art-deco buildings such as extensive tile work and rounded corners, big windows, etc. The Texaco corporation began pulling out of the Michigan business in the 1970’s and this building was both closed and demolished in the late 1970’s. The site is currently occupied by a gas station/convenience store called _________ built in the early 1980’s
Vernor – Green Bar. This location at 7153 West Vernor was originally located at the corner of Green and Vernor and was torn down in 2007 to make way for a parking lot of the La Fiesta Mexican Supermarket next door. The architecture of the building was similar to that of a small castle and was in operation for some 70 years prior to closing. Often on hot summer afternoons you could see bar patrons drinking beer and playing horseshoes in the back yard of the bar.
Firestone Located at 7212 West Vernor (corner of Green and Vernor) The building was a one-pump gas station and repair facility with 2 auto bays. In the 1950’s it became a Firestone repair and sales store. Over time it has housed a number of different auto mechanic businesses and currently houses a neighborhood auto repair shop.
Tom’s Barber Shop Located at 7224 West Vernor this business was owned and operated in the community for some 30 years until the Tom’s (last name unknown) passing in the early 1990’s. The building is now vacant.
Kowalski’s Sausage and convenience store Located at 7400 West Vernor this store specialized in the selling of freshly delivered and cut luncheon meets as well as home made pastries and other foods. Considered at the time as a “specialty store” – Kowalski’s was a terrific place for the many working factory people in the community to stock up on the foods they would need throughout the week for work as well as for special family get togethers. Kowalski’s closed in the early 1980’s and was used thereafter for a number of different businesses. Today the building houses El Nacimiento - a successful local Mexican restaurant.
Kroger Grocery Store/J&A Grocery Store. Originally built as a Kroger grocery store and located at 7398 West Vernor, the store became a local store known as J & A in the late 1960’s. J&A was known for convenience but also for high prices. J&A was sold in the mid 1990’s and became the La Fiesta Supermarket.
Angelo’s Restaurant/Muffler Shop Although the building is now torn down – this corner Coney Island restaurant was located at 7434 West Vernor. Next door was a muffler repair shop that had also been in business for a number of years. Angelo’s been in business for some 30 years and was a traditional city Coney Island type restaurant. The building was sold and torn down in the late 1990’s. Currently the location has been rebuilt and is used as _________________.
Ralph’s Picture Bar Ralph’s was the quintessential neighborhood watering hole and was located at 7601 West Vernor. Ralph’s was torn down on about 2000 and is now the site of____________.
Dr. Hauffman Office building. Located at 7611 West Vernor Highway, The Hauffmann medical office had been present in the community for over 40 years as a family practice business. The Clinic closed in the mid-1980’s and is currently occupied by a company called “Mexico Xpress” which specializes in check cashing services.
Taft Cleaners Taft Cleaners is a 60+ year dry cleaner known for servicing the many needs of are residents as well as local police and fire professionals. Taft’s closed in the late 1990’s and has reopened recently with new owners.
Office building located at 7608 West Vernor This office building holds 4 – 5 different store front locations and has held a number of different businesses over the years. The most intriguing of those was not a business at all but was a Nazi hate group which rented the premises in 1976. At that time the City of Detroit was undergoing significant demographic changes and white middle class flight from the Southwest Detroit community. A Nazi group believed they would have support among Southwest Detroit residents in the middle of much of this turmoil. This group received significant media attention, an attempt to firebomb the store was made and the site was marked by daily protestors and police clashes. The sign on top of the store read: “Nazi – White Power”. The residents of Southwest Detroit overwhelmingly picketed the store and the Nazi group moved on after approximately 3 months.
Paul’s Pizza Located at 7963, Paul’s has changed ownership hands several times – but continues the making and delivery of pizzas for over 50 years.
In and out lounge: Originally called the In and Out Lounge this lounge was located at 7631 West Vernor, and is now called “Sherry’s” bar.
White Castle’s Once located at next to the gas station at the corner of Central and Vernor, the White Castles was a small building with only stool seating holding 10 stools. The site was torn down in 1970 to enlarge the gas station (Standard oil) next door.
Dry Cleaners: Located at 7645 – this site once housed an industrial dry cleaner business. The site burned down in 1972 and remains a vacant lot to this day.
Levitts’ Hardware Located at 7649 West Vernor this business was owned by the infamous “Mr. Levitt” – a man whose flare for anger and temper was renowned in the community. The store featured general hardware items as well as a smattering of hobby items such as model kits, limited sporting odds and matchbox collectible cars. Mr. Levitt passed away in the early 1980s and the business was turned into a general grocery and convenience store called the Mardini Party Store. “Freddie” was the name of Mr. Levitt’s long time salesperson in the store and “Freddie” lived alone in a house near Bear and Gartner by himself. Freddie died in the late 1990’s.
Joe’s Grocery Store. Joe – who was the owner of “Joes” was a much beloved store owner whose simple store consisted of squeaking wooden floors and vintage old wooden display cases for his food products. Joe specialized in selling penny candy such as “fishes” and atomic fireballs. This was a popular spot for students coming home from nearby Harms elementary and St. Gabriel’s elementary. Joe passed away in 1981 and the store is now a hair styling salon.
Chimes Restaurant The once “premier” restaurant of Vernor Highway – Chimes occupied a significant piece of real estate – at the corner of Central and Vernor. Chimes featured a grilling/food preparation system that allowed passerby’s on Vernor to watch the food being prepared as they walked by outside. Chimes closed in the early 1980’s – the last remaining remnant of a chain of restaurants that once stretched from the East Coast all the way to Detroit. The building has gone through several uses since that time and is now an insurance agency.
Rio Theater and Drug Store. Located at the corner of Central and Vernor (7702 West Vernor) This building previously held the Rio Theatre and drug store which were built in 1935. The Rio was fashioned with an unusual mix of Art Deco and Spanish Colonial architectural styles. The theater itself sat 1400 patrons and was designed by Cyril Edward Schley, a protégé of C. Howard Carne, whose best known Detroit work is the former Telenews theater. The Rio Theater went out of business in the 1960’s and a furniture store called “Target” moved in until it went out of business in the early 2000’s. The Rio drug store was in business until approximately 1977. Currently both of the buildings are empty.
Central Outfitting Located at 7701 West Vernor, Central outfitting began business in the early 1920 selling all types and manner of household furnishings such as sofas, chairs, living room sets, etc. In the late 90’s a competitor across the street – “Dantos” suffered a complete loss by fire. Dantos later bought out Central outfitting and now occupies this 2-story sales location.
American Federal Savings Bank. This location was once at 7703 West Vernor and closed in 1980. The building later became the credit union for St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church and was eventually purchased by Danto’s furniture for use as part of an expanded furniture store room.
Rebert’s Bakery Located at 7725 West Vernor Rebert’s bakery was one of the initial founding businesses when Vernor Highway first opened. Known for its freshly baked donuts – especially chocolate donuts, Reberts closed in the early 1990’s. Reberts is currently occupied by a Christian Latino outreach group. The long-time owner of Rebert’s was Norm Rebert who dedicated his life to the Southwest business district and the lives of the residents in the community.
Beauty Place. Located at 7723 West Vernor this location (next to Rebert’s) has long-been occupied by a women’s styling salon until it closed in the late 1980’s. The building continues to be unoccupied.
Federal Department Store: Federals was a 3 level department store – with 1 story below grade (basement) and 2 stories going upwards. Federals sold general department store merchandise such as clothing and some limited appliances. Federals’ was the only store on Vernor Highway with a working elevator for customers and 3 stories of merchandise. Federals as a chain went bankrupt in the early 1980’s and the store later burned down in 1985. Currently the site is a parking lot.
Beringer’s Music and Record Shop Located at 7739 West Vernor this store specialized in providing music lessons, the selling of musical instruments and also records. Beringer’s closed in the early 1980’s and the space was later occupied by Sheridan Sports Shop. In the early 1990’s the adjoining fruit market took over the space to expand operations and the site is now home to the Super Mercado fruit market.
Bea May’s Gift Shop building. Located at 7740 West Vernor Bea May’s was a specialty store selling general household merchandise such as china, gift cards and silverware. Bea Maes had opened in the mid1950’s and closed in the late 1970’s. This inter-connected office building also once held a Coney Island restaurant known as “Trigs” a shoe store (name unknown) a Detroit Police mini-station and an H&R Block tax office. The building was completely renovated in the early 2000’s and now holds a Secretary of Stat eoffice as well as the offices of the Southwest Detroit Business Association (SDBA)
Laredo imports. Located at 7751West Vernor this business was a harbinger of the Mexican and Latino population shift that would later occur in the community beginning with the late 1990’2. Laredo’s specialized in imported Mexican clothes and merchandise at time when the community was predominately European. Laredo was in business for approximately 30 years (early 1970’s to the early 2000’s). The building now houses a mecian general clothing store.
Neisner's Department Store. The grand-daddy of all the stores on Vernor Highway – Neisner's and its twins: Jupiter’s and Kresgee’s once dominated the retail landscape of Detroit and many other cities across the Midwest. The Neisner’s on Vernor was an expansive store with 3 separate entrances/exists and was easily identified with it’s creaking wooden floors throughout the store and a penny horse ride for children at the very front of the store. The other charming fixture of Neisner’s was a soda fountain that ran the length of the side way. At this soda fountain one could order lunch or any concoction of ice cream treats. At Halloween time all of the children in the neighborhood would buy their annual holiday costumes at Neisner’s and it was also the place where many a southwest Detroit family purchased their Christmas decorations. Neisner’s as a chain went out of business in 1977 and the building sat vacant for a period, later held a used clothing/merchandise business and then in a spectacular fire – burned to the ground around 1979. The site currently holds an auto repair facility and is located at ____________.
Sheridan Sporting Goods Sheridan Sports Shop was located in the Neisner’s complex as a separate store and was owned by Frank Sheridan. Sheridan’s supported (over the years) hundreds of little league and other community based sports teams. After the fire destroyed the Sheridan’s business – the business moved – however the business never recovered after the fire and was out of business within 10 years. Frank Sheridan mentored and worked with thousands of youths over time and participated in local benevolent groups such as the “Raccoons” whose purpose was to support mentally challenged (retarded) children.
Dan Wood Plumbing. A fixture in Southwest Detroit for over 80 years (1920’s to 2000’s) Dan Wood moved out of the community and now has business/offices in many of the surrounding suburbs. The building is located at 7830 West Vernor and is currently vacant.
Danto’s Original Furniture Store: Located next to 7816 West Vernor. This former 2-story building held Danto’s furniture for over 50 years until it burned down in the late 1990’s. The location is now a parking lot.
Jupiter’s The founding business of the Kmart store chain. Jupiter’s sold predominately household goods such as soap, clothes, shampoo and general cosmetics. The store also carried an assortment of clothes as well. Jupiter’s closed as a chain in the early 1980’s and currently the building (located at 7815 West Vernor) houses a furniture rental center (“Rent-A-Center”).
Blaze’s shoes Located next to 7837 West Vernor, Blaze’s Shoes carried a full line of women’s and men’s shoes and had an ornate lobby with curved showroom windows and vestibule prior to entering the building. Locally many of the children in the neighborhood shopped there for the “Bata Bullet” gym shoe – a close comparison to the converse All-Start shoes. This business closed in the mid-1980’s and the building was later torn down to make way for a parking lot for the Rite Aide Drug Store located next door.
Vanity Fair: A national women’s clothing, Vanity Fair was located next to Blaze’s shoes (above). The building featured a prominent neon sign on the marquee above the store and the shop specialized in women’s dresses and slacks. Vanity Fair closed in the late 1970’s and the building was also torn down for the next door Rite Aide drug store (next to 7837 W. Vernor)
Bank: Located at 7900 West Vernor. This bank closed sometime in the late 1960’s. later the building held an ice cream store called “The Summer of 32”. The ice cream store was based on a 1932 time period and featured old time ice cream glasses, music, parlor games, etc. The business also owned - once housed summer of 32 – old time ire cream truck, now houses a restaurant called “The Family Restaurant”
Cunningham’s At the corner of Vernor and Springwells –Cunningham’s was once a Detroit based drug store chain that dominated drug store sales in the Southeastern Michigan area. Every neighborhood had a Cunningham’s at one time. A trade mark of the Cunningham’s chain was their soda fountain specializing in sundaes and floats and cherry cokes. The Cunningham’s chain went out of business sin the early 1980’s and a new drug store called “Trios” went into business there for approximately 12 – 13 years. The site was torn down and is now occupied by a Rite Aide drug store and is located at 7843 W. Vernor.
The Dix Theater. Located at 7924 West Vernor, it is now an empty building. The Dix theater opened in 1914 as the Ila Theater. In 1917 it was renamed the D & G Theater until 1925 when it was renamed the Dix Theater. This theater closed in 1956.
National Bank of Detroit. Located at 8025 West Vernor, this is the 2nd bank on this site. The first bank was a 2-story structure that also was next to several other long-time family run businesses (see below) that were torn down for the new bank which was built in the mid-1990’s. The bank is currently a Chase Bank location.
Other businesses torn down for the bank include: Wagner’s Jewelry and Kosseiba Office Supply. Wagner’s Jewelry was known for fine jewelry including watches, rings and necklaces. Wagner’s was a high-end jeweler that prided itself on a “tiffany’s experience for it’s customers with classical background music playing in it’s stores and surroundings of fine art and chine. With the exodus of people from Southwest Detroit in the 70’s and 80’s Wagner’s could not keep a customer base within the community. Wagoner’s went out of business in the early 1980’s and was founded in the early 1920’s. Koseiba Office supply sold a variety of school and office supplies and was also founded in the early 1920’s and went out of business sin the mid 1980’s Koseiba’s was what one could consider a fire marshal’s worst nightmare. Boxes of supplies everywhere, narrow corridors, but always the most inexpensive and easy to find supplies one could ask for. A favorite of schoolchildren in the area, Koseiba’s went out of business in the early 1980’s as a result of changing neighborhood demographics.
Paradise Candy: A one of a kind ice cream and candy shop, the Paradise hand made all of its many chocolate confections. A trip to early 1900’s is what awaited a visitor to the paradise. All of the original interior and showcases and equipment stayed in the shop until the very end of the business which closed in the mid 1980’s. The Paradise store specialized in concoctions such as vanilla and cherry cokes (They would take coke and bend in the syrups by hand), handmade ice cream parfaits and any sort of other old-fashioned high end confectionery experiences. The location is 7936 and now holds a clothing store called Al Wissam.
Shoe repair shop. This shop was located at 7930 W. Vernor and specialized in shoe shines, and shoe repair such as heels, soles, leather repair etc. This store was marked for having several high sitting wood chairs inside whereby it allowed the store owner to kneel over and polish the shores of customers. The shoe repair shop closed in the mid-90’s and is now the site of a Chinese carry out restaurant called the “Panda” restaurant.
Venetian blind shop. Located at 7946 W. Vernor at the corner of W. Vernor and Carson this store for years sold all manner of shade and blinds. The store closed in the early 70’s and sat vacant for multiple years. Currently the space is occupied by “LA Insurance”.
Brothers Department store. Located several store fronts West of the Chase bank at 7900 W. Vernor this was a general merchandise store specializing in general women’s and men’s clothing, general household goods, etc. Brothers closed in the early 70’s and the building was later demolished to make way for the building of the new bank building and parking lot which currently occupy this space now.
Red Robin bar. Located at the corner of Carson and Vernor (8020 W. Vernor) This local watering establishment had been in business for some 50 years before closing in the mid-1990’s. The building has since held a number o different drinking establishments, an Arabic food restaurant and now sits vacant.
St. Gabriel grade and high school. Located at 8118 West Vernor – The school building once held both the church and the grade school. When the new church was built in the mid-1950’s the former church was renovated and turned into a high school. St. Gabriel High School remained open until 1970 when it closed with dozens of other Catholic High Schools in the City of Detroit. Know by their mascot as the “Trumpeteers” the remaining students moved on to Holy Redeemer High School at Junciton and Vernor – which itself closed in 1994. St. Gabriel Grade School closed in the early 1990’s and currently house a charter school the “Cesar Chavez Academy”. St. Gabriel’s church continues to remain open.
Todd’s Pharmacy. Located at 8101 Todd’s was a family owned pharmacy – handed down from father to son for 8 years until closing in the mid-1990’s. Increased competition from the chain drug stores in the neighborhood led to the demise of all the neighborhood-family owned pharmacies in Southwest Detroit. This building now houses a pizza shop.
A&P grocery store: Located at 8117 W. Vernor, the A and P went out of business in the early 1980’s. This building was later down as was a Dairy Queen ice cream store next door as well as cleaners as well to make way for a CVS drug store and parking lot.
Monroe electrical: Located at 8117 West Vernor – this was a family owned electrical supply and repair business for almost 40 years until it closed in the early 1990’s. The property was given to St. Gabriel Parish and is now the site of the Cesar Chavez playground.
Sammy’s Pizza: Located at 8445 W. Vernor – Sammy’s was the meeting place for many years for hosts of Southwest Detroit families until it closed in the late 1980’s. This Italian restaurant was known for it’s warm and welcoming banquet hall, great lasagna and fabulous pizza. The building is now home to the Las Brisas Mexican Restaurant.
Spiderman shop: Located at 8623 W. Vernor this shop in the early 70’s was home to a pinball arcade featuring dozens of pinball machines and also the location where comics books were sold. On/about the year of 1974 a high school student was stabbed to death in the store defending a teenager who was picked on because of his emotion challenges (the student was then what would be called “retarded). After the stabbing the Spiderman shop closed permanently.
Marian Center: Located at 8901 W. Vernor, this building was a Catholic retreat center featuring worship of the Virgin Mary. IN the mid-1970’s the Marian center had a statue of Mary which some claimed had shed tears of blood. The center is now unused and up for sale.
Baby Creek/Patton. Patton Park was originally known as Baby Creek park for the tributary that ran from I to the rouge river. IN the early 1900’s the city rerouted the creek into underground sewers which carry away the creek to this day under the land. The park was named for General George Patton World War 2 hero whom many consider to be the finest military commander in US history. When first opened Patton Park was the world’s first indoor and outdoor pool. At the opening of the recreation center the King and Queen of Sweden actually showed up to the center to dedicate it to General Patton’s honor.
