tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4266662000065235602024-02-19T07:27:44.546-08:00East Detroit Historical SocietyTake a journey through the past of this typical hometown of America and visit what once wasHistorical Kenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04979801752112100293noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-426666200006523560.post-91385892292021517452013-01-16T07:37:00.002-08:002014-06-05T15:44:13.802-07:00Eastpointe: Then & NowWhen you walk around the town that you live in, do you ever think
about what originally stood where that modern gas station now stands?<br />
Have you thought about how the busy concrete intersection may have once been a dirt road?<br />
How about that building over there? What was there before? <br />
I think these thoughts all the time.<br />
Even while waiting at a red light in my car I look around and wonder what this exact spot looked like 100 or more years ago.<br />
You
see, most of the buildings from a century (and before) in my city of
Eastpointe have been long torn down; I'm an old soul living in a very
modern suburban city.<br />
So I decided to do some super-sleuthing and find out about the ghosts of buildings past. <br />
As
a board member of my local historical society, I have access to the
hundreds of original photographs in the archives. As I made the attempt
to piece the 100+ year old puzzle together and align the photos in some
sort of order, an idea popped into my head:<br />
why not try to locate
the original location of the buildings pictured in the old photographs?
In that way I can actually *see* what was originally in that spot, thus
allowing me to live out (to an extent) my fantasy of traveling back in
time while in my own hometown.<br />
To take it a bit further, I took photographs as close as possible to where the photographers once stood way back when.<br />
The following photographs are my results:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="hasCaption">NW corner of Gratiot Blvd & 9 Mile Rd <b><u>THEN</u></b></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVYOyPH0niRPH17gKF036Fw7cib1TTRPkgOKxHKhlkvJXfonl95y8GW2T6PMaFODeKhZ_p7giqq2MViREJXFs2MXd91Q6wtVSZasxd3VIJ2bAzaKBMSPS-xmOS39VIkGYYgFUiHfNo1NOL/s1600/Then+&+Now+9+&+Gratiot+then.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVYOyPH0niRPH17gKF036Fw7cib1TTRPkgOKxHKhlkvJXfonl95y8GW2T6PMaFODeKhZ_p7giqq2MViREJXFs2MXd91Q6wtVSZasxd3VIJ2bAzaKBMSPS-xmOS39VIkGYYgFUiHfNo1NOL/s640/Then+&+Now+9+&+Gratiot+then.jpg" height="640" width="464" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="hasCaption">St. Peter's Lutheran Church<br />
This church was razed and the cemetery was relocated to the new St.
Peters located almost directly across Gratiot Ave. Halfway was the
original name of my hometown of Eastpointe. It was changed to East
Detroit in 1929 and then to Eastpointe in 1991.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="hasCaption"> </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="hasCaption">NW corner of Gratiot & 9 Mile <u><b>NOW</b></u> - A BP gas station</span></span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqS413LKS0bR_lrJPF3qzf7ZF7UfUiR2WNzdfSsGkJSzWjWldSvt6lCuKWgzynXLD9yemGswtqSyQuR-8Me4-uPCZLYpYP_3POGXfONy00JuGmHoY4BX2cDGpJyoipMWofkl1zHMmjp-om/s1600/Then+&+Now+9+&+Gratiot+now.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqS413LKS0bR_lrJPF3qzf7ZF7UfUiR2WNzdfSsGkJSzWjWldSvt6lCuKWgzynXLD9yemGswtqSyQuR-8Me4-uPCZLYpYP_3POGXfONy00JuGmHoY4BX2cDGpJyoipMWofkl1zHMmjp-om/s640/Then+&+Now+9+&+Gratiot+now.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="hasCaption"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="hasCaption"><u><b><br />
</b></u></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="hasCaption"><b><span style="font-size: small;">~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~</span></b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="hasCaption"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="hasCaption">9 Mile Rd looking west from Gratiot Blvd <b><u>THEN</u></b></span></span> </span></b></span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2CAyhg8s0EvcTXciz9JNaVVHeIA0AHCZ8ywNgF0tMH6xpveeoKe6MptALKbmPN2pccikNFVlItVaIQToF8yGjvaqcT9EqUwUq0l9mxzzMRBWEmYjAFDHN0e-kHypAKa3vDli-UZslHzwQ/s1600/Then+&+Now+9+Mile+then.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2CAyhg8s0EvcTXciz9JNaVVHeIA0AHCZ8ywNgF0tMH6xpveeoKe6MptALKbmPN2pccikNFVlItVaIQToF8yGjvaqcT9EqUwUq0l9mxzzMRBWEmYjAFDHN0e-kHypAKa3vDli-UZslHzwQ/s640/Then+&+Now+9+Mile+then.jpg" height="442" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="hasCaption"><b><u></u></b>
It was just a country lane known as School Road because there were
multiple schools along this road within a relatively short distance from
each other. Note the wood-plank sidewalk. This photo was taken around
1900.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="hasCaption"> </span></span><span class="hasCaption"><span style="font-size: small;">9 Mile Rd looking west from Gratiot <u><b>NOW</b></u>.</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXyXg8RIix7PFerwPplcG-Yw87jL-jlI5XFMA4rZ62688dwlvL4MDv4W3_mX6eozX-Lcq0RTEJymT1oZqn5-izgclPxN5QqQADSmwwmSD8olWPC8ybLt_KCph2QlEiGgtse2kGi7RL0Xx3/s1600/Then+&+Now+9+Mile+now.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXyXg8RIix7PFerwPplcG-Yw87jL-jlI5XFMA4rZ62688dwlvL4MDv4W3_mX6eozX-Lcq0RTEJymT1oZqn5-izgclPxN5QqQADSmwwmSD8olWPC8ybLt_KCph2QlEiGgtse2kGi7RL0Xx3/s640/Then+&+Now+9+Mile+now.jpg" height="318" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="hasCaption"><span style="font-size: small;"> No longer a country lane, 9 Mile and Gratiot is a very busy intersection. And schools are still located along this strip.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="hasCaption"><span style="font-size: small;">~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ </span></span></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="hasCaption">This was the west side of Southbound Gratiot <u><b>THEN</b></u>.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiniNhzyhqjp0S__ZR36K3U7l4LM11dAJu5mYgizWAv7eD-yNKzrukNYGW2MMdMShawuwjS3-TEkzPf3L4NILeff_kQ5tfYbbYaTtNaKSdQIjBZbuSWTSmGu-BWdSg-0C7Nhiy1yWyvQtEf/s1600/Then+%2526+Now+Gratiot+s+of+9+Mile+then.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiniNhzyhqjp0S__ZR36K3U7l4LM11dAJu5mYgizWAv7eD-yNKzrukNYGW2MMdMShawuwjS3-TEkzPf3L4NILeff_kQ5tfYbbYaTtNaKSdQIjBZbuSWTSmGu-BWdSg-0C7Nhiy1yWyvQtEf/s640/Then+%2526+Now+Gratiot+s+of+9+Mile+then.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="hasCaption"> Eastpointe was a rural country town where one could buy, sell, or
trade horses here. The inter-urban tracks were laid in the early 20th
century photo.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="hasCaption"><span style="font-size: small;">T</span>he west side of Southbound Gratiot <u><b>NOW</b></u>.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj357KKqo0eDXP0DoTXE8NydjTyfANPvBPSbPthu-V0B9cw9WJLPECmXNxGFgd_V22EJ5qfF8PEBjK2o-56aG6hvoeaNKYfrdeIXplImAdMoOnENDUWeCg6ZU_j-K8PlGtHAZ-4TryLCjLD/s1600/Then+&+Now+Gratiot+s+of+9+Mile+now.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj357KKqo0eDXP0DoTXE8NydjTyfANPvBPSbPthu-V0B9cw9WJLPECmXNxGFgd_V22EJ5qfF8PEBjK2o-56aG6hvoeaNKYfrdeIXplImAdMoOnENDUWeCg6ZU_j-K8PlGtHAZ-4TryLCjLD/s640/Then+&+Now+Gratiot+s+of+9+Mile+now.jpg" height="478" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="hasCaption">Here is the exact same location of the previous picture - <br />
The horse market is long gone...<br />
That spot is now part of the parking lot of a shopping plaza</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="hasCaption">~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="hasCaption"> </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="hasCaption">SE corner of Gratiot Blvd. and 9 Mile <u><b>THEN</b></u>.</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix6d-M-WYNxdFRvr4rUY_bObsLHYPWzWT-M07SQiCZKyAIO95eQ06HRtg_5hS2Cz7idVQ9910hhku-UEH3PLS1uzmrFF8fO2i9pooCUrZn-x9wJ0O7PYt7XG1ML-vYOsGj2CDJKPmndNjf/s1600/Then+&+Now+Kaiser+Bldg+then.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix6d-M-WYNxdFRvr4rUY_bObsLHYPWzWT-M07SQiCZKyAIO95eQ06HRtg_5hS2Cz7idVQ9910hhku-UEH3PLS1uzmrFF8fO2i9pooCUrZn-x9wJ0O7PYt7XG1ML-vYOsGj2CDJKPmndNjf/s640/Then+&+Now+Kaiser+Bldg+then.jpg" height="398" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="hasCaption"> "Then" being in the 1930's. If you look to the left of the brick Kaiser
building you will see a framed structure. That was the original school
house that was moved from its location along 9 Mile to here in the
1920's. It has since been moved back to within 100 feet of where it was
originally stood and beautifully restored (see link at bottom of post)</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="hasCaption">SE corner of Gratiot Blvd and 9 Mile <u><b>NOW</b></u></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhuln9NSQsg_mfw92r5HYH3Cdbj2uaF4_43okrhmbqQm2QuxMzG70nd8RXyahdzml9TfnjFrXpAVOJlHD6A86fe-JP5Fjtg8gIh2m3XbS0mVpwFv_GiwgkPbjXcWSzV9O5LxaoyReUDDH3/s1600/Then+&+Now+Kaiser+Bldg+now.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhuln9NSQsg_mfw92r5HYH3Cdbj2uaF4_43okrhmbqQm2QuxMzG70nd8RXyahdzml9TfnjFrXpAVOJlHD6A86fe-JP5Fjtg8gIh2m3XbS0mVpwFv_GiwgkPbjXcWSzV9O5LxaoyReUDDH3/s640/Then+&+Now+Kaiser+Bldg+now.jpg" height="342" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="hasCaption"><u><b></b></u>
The original Kaiser building was razed a few years ago and an ugly Rite Aid was built in its place<br />
ugghhh!!!</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="hasCaption">~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="hasCaption"> </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="hasCaption">Gratiot Blvd. just south of 9 mile <u><b>THEN</b></u>. </span></span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0EQCv-exrKwBBpLadKtOx3PTn9YCC8hr9fdgkQP41dNqXk3ZBFz7d9hGR7BfVTTVfBEuPH-_lUzpj7u6I1Ujd30QE-oXKb_C4x9G9o8Gaxq2BAYhlDsLJMITZtqM4ILtPLuSUHN2dwdMY/s1600/Then+&+Now+NB+Gratiot+toward+9+Mile+then.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0EQCv-exrKwBBpLadKtOx3PTn9YCC8hr9fdgkQP41dNqXk3ZBFz7d9hGR7BfVTTVfBEuPH-_lUzpj7u6I1Ujd30QE-oXKb_C4x9G9o8Gaxq2BAYhlDsLJMITZtqM4ILtPLuSUHN2dwdMY/s640/Then+&+Now+NB+Gratiot+toward+9+Mile+then.jpg" height="342" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="hasCaption">This is even before the brick Kaiser building from the above "THEN" photo!<br />
How cool it would be to see my hometown during the late 19th or early 20th century! Notice the portion of the Ameis Hardware store on the extreme right</span></span></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="hasCaption">Gratiot just south of 9 mile <b><u>NOW</u></b>.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUw7rhXMZihabxWP6rcv0M2hbcaWGMxzsgETrnU2atsq2XbmkHyisul0I4pq5AnfR2A5Lv9Fl1UAEXygFhMfFRkUIWXVfev8eZ26uaYrPoUFLNrESX3Io3ATV1pRUVrMnAnqXtWEynDnx7/s1600/Then+&+Now+NB+Gratiot+toward+9+Mile+now.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUw7rhXMZihabxWP6rcv0M2hbcaWGMxzsgETrnU2atsq2XbmkHyisul0I4pq5AnfR2A5Lv9Fl1UAEXygFhMfFRkUIWXVfev8eZ26uaYrPoUFLNrESX3Io3ATV1pRUVrMnAnqXtWEynDnx7/s640/Then+&+Now+NB+Gratiot+toward+9+Mile+now.jpg" height="478" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="hasCaption"> Bland and boring...</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="hasCaption"><span style="font-size: small;">~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~</span> </span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Is it just me or are modern cities sterile looking?
They all just seem to run along the lines of never-ending conformity
from one to another, sameness abounding, never knowing where one city
ends and the next one begins, whereas in the old days each town or
village had a unique style and character of its own, separated by miles
of farm land or untouched forests...a beginning and an end.<br />
I guess I have an old soul indeed.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
. Historical Kenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04979801752112100293noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-426666200006523560.post-4105531590114652102011-10-05T07:24:00.009-07:002011-10-17T20:59:07.230-07:00My Modern Suburban City Was Once a Village of the 19th CenturyI'd like to give you a little history of my hometown of East Detroit/Eastpointe, a city where I have lived since I moved here with my family back in 1968 when I was seven. It is a suburb of Detroit and has quite a history.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoP6ZsIBlSxoSj2L01uEsxM_68w3Enrn7QaL8U0VSSj2Ez-4AbqJKJJweoK6XsVdLEhfqPujNuyegkTBzgZbsajxYM0qBeqSf84RGUw3Ub6APauy6F-FRqhFNobyVhaj9Dqej9WWOccCTk/s1600/St.+Peter%2527s+Luth.+Ch.+9mi+%2526+Gratiot+n.w.+corner+1929.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560668006260517698" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoP6ZsIBlSxoSj2L01uEsxM_68w3Enrn7QaL8U0VSSj2Ez-4AbqJKJJweoK6XsVdLEhfqPujNuyegkTBzgZbsajxYM0qBeqSf84RGUw3Ub6APauy6F-FRqhFNobyVhaj9Dqej9WWOccCTk/s400/St.+Peter%2527s+Luth.+Ch.+9mi+%2526+Gratiot+n.w.+corner+1929.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 291px;" /></a><br />
<div style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 85%;">A little country church - St. Peter's Lutheran Church built in 1859 and located at 9 Mile and Gratiot<br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><big><span style="font-size: 85%; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">~note the graveyard on the side~</span><br />
</big></div><big>The area now known as Eastpointe was founded in the early part of the 19<sup>th</sup> century by the European immigrants who came to establish homes in the New World. </big><big>Originally known, in 1837, as Orange Township, by 1843 the area was renamed Erin Township, both names indicating that the earliest settlers were Irish. The Irish were followed by pioneers from Bavaria, Macklenburg, Saxony and other provinces of Germany. </big><big>The German</big><big> migration began in the early 1830's and soon became the majority of the settlement.</big><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOrorJ5OTf618kUxfQbNl9RlFcOLfW-vSVMV8pemcz0OeVtoa_WCsnrVxPncME8srvR-BQC4rcBVW7lWrQfsj8Cn-NoBFADws_IXsxc9mqCPAMZCwtlyel-a4ZhbinosgkgOewE5SNcqQ/s1600/Historic+Home+-+Eastpointe+-+Kern+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOrorJ5OTf618kUxfQbNl9RlFcOLfW-vSVMV8pemcz0OeVtoa_WCsnrVxPncME8srvR-BQC4rcBVW7lWrQfsj8Cn-NoBFADws_IXsxc9mqCPAMZCwtlyel-a4ZhbinosgkgOewE5SNcqQ/s320/Historic+Home+-+Eastpointe+-+Kern+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><big>The 1872 Kern Home still stands in its original location<br />
</big></b></i></div><big><br />
</big><br />
<big><span style="font-style: italic;">The school, church, and tavern were the centers of the social life in this community of the 19th century. Quilting bees, box socials, and spelling matches were the main events for entertainment. Corn husking bees, sleigh rides, and square dancing added variety to the rural life in the fall and winter. On the 4th of July a picnic was held on the grounds at 9 Mile and Gratiot, and a Dutch band from Detroit provided the music. This band also made a practice of going house to house and serenading the occupants, receiving coins in return.</span> (<span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">taken from the Halfway / East Detroit Story by Robert Christenson</span>)<br />
</big><br />
<big>What is now Gratiot Avenue (the main thoroughfare that runs through Eastpointe) was once an Indian trail cut through the wilderness. In the early 1800’s, the army surveyed the roadway and shortly after built a plank road. Logs were cut horizontally and laid across to elevate the road above water. This military road led from Fort Wayne in Detroit to Fort Gratiot (now Port Huron). In 1850, a plank toll road replaced the original road. </big><big>The toll was one cent for each horse.</big><big> As the community grew, so did Gratiot's importance, and businesses and homes</big><big> typical of the times</big><big> were built along the ever-popular road, including a horse seller and trader, a general store, a church with a cemetery, homes...</big><br />
<big>...but changes were on the way...</big><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPc9gn7Uic8Ec7-E0VqRFzC-JBFTxR42XzCig95IG3ImB_6uXmgjeqcsgRRVnkEJTWWWw1XvIKOQRAaJ6ZauHhJf7jw2MYCIzeMQ2g9r8o_-z81jvrDOg7YjdNCgfObxWFY7iZNvROHJ-9/s1600/Eastpointe+-+Ameis+Horse+Market-Gratiot+west+side.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560664522679724882" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPc9gn7Uic8Ec7-E0VqRFzC-JBFTxR42XzCig95IG3ImB_6uXmgjeqcsgRRVnkEJTWWWw1XvIKOQRAaJ6ZauHhJf7jw2MYCIzeMQ2g9r8o_-z81jvrDOg7YjdNCgfObxWFY7iZNvROHJ-9/s400/Eastpointe+-+Ameis+Horse+Market-Gratiot+west+side.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 230px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><big><span style="font-size: 85%; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Are you looking to purchase, sell or exchange your horse? Well, you could in Eastpointe...er...the Township of Halfway!</span><br />
</big></div><big>The Township form of government lasted until December 8, 1924, when</big><big> the Village of Halfway was incorporated. The name Halfway was first officially recorded in </big><big>1895, with the opening of the Halfway Post Office. This name was given to the </big><big>community in the early days when the Halfway House, located at what is now the Eastbrooke Commons shopping center at 9 Mile and Gratiot, was a regular stopping place for stagecoaches traveling between Detroit and Mount Clemens. (A personal aside about the Halfway House: when the building was torn down, the bricks were re-used to build a house on a nearby street. It was this house built of 19th century bricks that I grew up in.)</big><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibL1L1V6XwWktIjRxK3XLjof9hAcfaRkkwt4IXepVmB92YRK5eh7r3Dj1_Y_saJYAO03pOTvWquIOl7jtLbavbVuGXMFVEnft_STFdPYh0_ToZspavaqovLB3X4F32-O2Dt5q_OdxxpQuG/s1600/Eastpointe+-+Halfway+House+s.+w.+corner+of+9+mi+and+Gratiot.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560664523877553234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibL1L1V6XwWktIjRxK3XLjof9hAcfaRkkwt4IXepVmB92YRK5eh7r3Dj1_Y_saJYAO03pOTvWquIOl7jtLbavbVuGXMFVEnft_STFdPYh0_ToZspavaqovLB3X4F32-O2Dt5q_OdxxpQuG/s400/Eastpointe+-+Halfway+House+s.+w.+corner+of+9+mi+and+Gratiot.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 266px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><big><span style="font-size: 85%; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">The bricks from this 1890 structure - the Halfway House - were used to build the 1941 house in which I grew up</span></big></div><div style="text-align: center;"><big><span style="font-size: 85%; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> </span><br />
</big></div><big>The phenomenal growth in the village during the next five years </big><big>qualified Halfway for city status. The name was changed to the City of East Detroit on January 7, 1929, by first a vote of the people followed by the approval of the Michigan State Legislature.</big><br />
<big>In 1992 the city of East Detroit was once again renamed by a vote of the people to the City of Eastpointe. The association with Detroit was too much for some folks to bear evidently.</big><br />
Eastpointe today has a few homes from the late 19th century that still stand, but the majority were built from the 1920's through the 1950's. Most of the commercial structures from a hundred or more years ago are no longer around, unfortunately. We have many fine photos, however, that show us what the city looked like in past times.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7hudjRLkitDT6PrAZjHM6qoodadC1jQueJtZDga-8Plq4oIgrURye9URZuT-ZLTOu25xjHttFP6wFlADpUduS02coZJKPJoA71DSOqFCY1aosK-SWxJRk752lHhxTsH0KSXqPIMEJRiNp/s1600/Eastpointe+-+Moss+Family+Thresher+2+%2528Sue+Young%2529.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560664532285183330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7hudjRLkitDT6PrAZjHM6qoodadC1jQueJtZDga-8Plq4oIgrURye9URZuT-ZLTOu25xjHttFP6wFlADpUduS02coZJKPJoA71DSOqFCY1aosK-SWxJRk752lHhxTsH0KSXqPIMEJRiNp/s400/Eastpointe+-+Moss+Family+Thresher+2+%2528Sue+Young%2529.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 263px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">A threshing machine on the Moss farm. This was located on what is now 8 Mile Road - yes, the very same 8 Mile from the movie of the same name featuring rapper Eminem<br />
</span></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">And, oh! I want to go <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">back...back in time...</span> and visit!</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">One of the buildings that we have been fortunate enough to retain is the original 1872 schoolhouse. The following not only gives a fine description of the structure itself, but a little on its history during and after its tenure as a schoolhouse:</div><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRiHowa2u0MxnHf1JsD9XAYLsUWzCpZhH5SbEo3-yE-Kl4tgBwcuBPcfauFVgp8CB8SHJxK8WvhChQZfXodEhGt45Keeigz6b9vhL2wz_QjimzYnCvHcdYfhyqJ8Jzfiik_j-CDGIsTRQm/s1600/Schoolhouse+10.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641946309904201746" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRiHowa2u0MxnHf1JsD9XAYLsUWzCpZhH5SbEo3-yE-Kl4tgBwcuBPcfauFVgp8CB8SHJxK8WvhChQZfXodEhGt45Keeigz6b9vhL2wz_QjimzYnCvHcdYfhyqJ8Jzfiik_j-CDGIsTRQm/s400/Schoolhouse+10.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 377px;" /></a><br />
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<center><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=426666200006523560&postID=410553159011465210" name="HistoryAnchor"></a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times;"><img align="bottom" height="8" src="http://www.macomb.k12.mi.us/EASTDET/GRAPHICS/Rule.jpg" width="580" /></span></center> <br />
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>History and Exterior Features:</b></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The Halfway Schoolhouse was built in 1872, where it sat facing Grove Street on Nine</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><center style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></center><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> Mile Road (known as 'School Road' during that time due to the numerous schoolhouses that stood along the road's edges) until 1921, the year it closed.</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0TpNwjwAINi4-4N34HJKcwjSphL8c0x3XYb5INfRNJCBcXeQ1pzOsoK3wFNfyUgoXK0ytCEa5nQXMa7ukrj8IQHOAK7-F5bQu8hRtKy-uxsCG8OlDbkOegs3ENKq9gciF8qrJ3yNS4beF/s1600/W.+9+mi.+%2528School+rd.%2529+from+Gratiot+-+early+1900%2527s+%2528south+side%2529+sepia.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560668002142271890" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0TpNwjwAINi4-4N34HJKcwjSphL8c0x3XYb5INfRNJCBcXeQ1pzOsoK3wFNfyUgoXK0ytCEa5nQXMa7ukrj8IQHOAK7-F5bQu8hRtKy-uxsCG8OlDbkOegs3ENKq9gciF8qrJ3yNS4beF/s400/W.+9+mi.+%2528School+rd.%2529+from+Gratiot+-+early+1900%2527s+%2528south+side%2529+sepia.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 276px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 85%; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">School Road - now 9 Mile Rd. - Notice the schoolhouse on the left. I can tell you 9 Mile certainly doesn't look like </span>this<span style="font-style: italic;"> anymore! But, the schoolhouse has been restored and now sits within 100 feet of its original location</span></span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It was that same year that Mr. Kaiser, who had recently started his own fuel and supply business with his sons, bought the building and moved it, by way of horses and skids, to the southeast corner on Nine Mile Road and Gratiot; the structure was now used mainly as a warehouse for coal supplies and storage, which lasted from 1921 to 1984. To turn the old schoolhouse into a warehouse he covered the windows, walls, and flooring, thereby preserving local history. It's been said he did this purposely. We are in his debt for having the historical preservation foresite that he did.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
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</div><center style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></center> <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">In 1984 the East Detroit Historical Society - and more specifically John Gardiner, its then current president and superintendent of the school district - enabled the school system to purchase the building back from the Kaisers and move it back to within 20 yards of the original site on September 4th, 1984. This was when restoration began on the old building.</span> </span><br />
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<center><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNUkBDv8YVnlROcVIGBq-iBDb7xBBjvcnYPhoTj1JdXV-i6LqP8WwOvYVM-Z3edBS6JW3LT4UBwWXghi2Xbw1W53djLFdUtyvGubCzknLPFASmE1b5pHjIJNFzJNfpIok-JeMecrgpzLt1/s1600/schoolhouse+002.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641939976815105730" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNUkBDv8YVnlROcVIGBq-iBDb7xBBjvcnYPhoTj1JdXV-i6LqP8WwOvYVM-Z3edBS6JW3LT4UBwWXghi2Xbw1W53djLFdUtyvGubCzknLPFASmE1b5pHjIJNFzJNfpIok-JeMecrgpzLt1/s400/schoolhouse+002.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></center> <br />
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Now it stands as it once did in 1872 when it was built to accommodate additional children because the "Red" schoolhouse was too small.<br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The outside of the building has the following features:</div><ul style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><li>Cedar shake shingles on the roof , same as the original shingles. </li>
<li>Green shutters at all of the windows. </li>
<li>Roundel located high above the front door. </li>
<li>Plank walk and porch. </li>
<li>High roof structure (known as cupola) where the bell is located. </li>
</ul><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The bell was rung to begin and end the school day. The original 1872 bell is on display inside the schoolhouse. It was cracked during the unloading from a truck when the school was moved. The green shutters were originally closed to keep out the cold. The round badge in front, dated 1872, with the school district noted on it is called a roundel.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Plank walks lead to a porch also made of planks. The windows are very much shaped like those in churches, so the building has a church-like appearance which was common for schoolhouses in those days.<br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=426666200006523560&postID=410553159011465210" name="InreriorAnchor"></a><img align="bottom" height="8" src="http://www.macomb.k12.mi.us/EASTDET/GRAPHICS/Rule.jpg" width="580" /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>The Interior:</b></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Two doorways lead into the main room of the schoolhouse. The cloakroom, where boys and girls stored their coats and lunches, is to the left of the entrance. Originally, the boys went in on the left of the doorway, and the girls went to the right. The boys sat at desks to the left and the girls to the right. The girls always entered first and stood at their desks and waited for the boys.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwH-fhTlHEgvMeMTILWG-f9iTIj68QXlTLofNbmtS18Gi9duP0rXjC5xE45wDMZHhDWCmq2uEb6YdosuX7lyRCWWMDYA7YB8CCGnY80sS_wfmPM-XJDioyWKSM_kEl7mgnMkHHgujOpRe9/s1600/schoolhouse+004.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641940394608743634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwH-fhTlHEgvMeMTILWG-f9iTIj68QXlTLofNbmtS18Gi9duP0rXjC5xE45wDMZHhDWCmq2uEb6YdosuX7lyRCWWMDYA7YB8CCGnY80sS_wfmPM-XJDioyWKSM_kEl7mgnMkHHgujOpRe9/s400/schoolhouse+004.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The desks are the old bench-type desks with holes for the ink wells. The smaller desks in the front were for the younger children, while the larger desks in the rear were for the older children. Remember, teachers taught children from first to eighth grade, and sometimes to the twelfth grade in one room.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi80V_cVwkvj0Y70L6mQJpEOEIvAAG0GBM-_vYtZ7P2QmFIvMU26vgBOHbO52EZ-yRvRb596dRsbjHlxa3ucbVQrlp08E0ir4ni5I_rpzMCrFA1p5NABXIIpXz2sUAWpTT1D-38U5RDA-eu/s1600/schoolhouse+006.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641940742794504338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi80V_cVwkvj0Y70L6mQJpEOEIvAAG0GBM-_vYtZ7P2QmFIvMU26vgBOHbO52EZ-yRvRb596dRsbjHlxa3ucbVQrlp08E0ir4ni5I_rpzMCrFA1p5NABXIIpXz2sUAWpTT1D-38U5RDA-eu/s400/schoolhouse+006.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The kerosene reflector lamps along the windows were used for light before electricity was invented in the early 1900s. It wasn't until about 1915 that the upper globe lights were put into the building.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The round oak stove toward the rear of the building was originally located toward the front of the room. In 1872, it had a long stove pipe leading to the chimney.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTziviKsW1n3vYvyQAZLNwmqRfYJIy0RhlATgKhHj-JZzbhJcnU9Utv9dvd9_rnfbEf3MotCe3ECVLfbT5gaxXBDBpa7BYO94SDkGM2Y_yYX_oAhK3wz4-oX5iVHLtoL6vK6F7coUDn2je/s1600/schoolhouse+007.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641941960860999762" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTziviKsW1n3vYvyQAZLNwmqRfYJIy0RhlATgKhHj-JZzbhJcnU9Utv9dvd9_rnfbEf3MotCe3ECVLfbT5gaxXBDBpa7BYO94SDkGM2Y_yYX_oAhK3wz4-oX5iVHLtoL6vK6F7coUDn2je/s400/schoolhouse+007.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 329px;" /></a><br />
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The well worn, original, 1872 floor has been preserved.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Along the sides of the wall are boards known as wainscoting. The platform to the front is where the teacher's desk was positioned. In those days, teacher's desks usually sat on platforms. Behind the platform is a slate board that both teachers and students wrote upon. The black painted board was the forerunner of the "blackboard" of today.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The clock above the board is the same kind of clock that would have ticked off the hours for those students that attended this schoolhouse. The long bench was used by students "eagerly" awaiting the chance to recite what they learned to their teacher.</div><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=426666200006523560&postID=410553159011465210" name="SummaryAnchor"></a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times;"><img align="bottom" height="8" src="http://www.macomb.k12.mi.us/EASTDET/GRAPHICS/Rule.jpg" width="580" /></span><br />
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Schoolhouse Feature Summary:</b></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><center style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><img align="bottom" height="1" src="http://www.macomb.k12.mi.us/EASTDET/FEATURE/IMAGES/Spacer.gif" width="15" /></center> <center><table border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" height="739" style="width: 580px;"><tbody>
<tr height="732"> <td align="center" height="732" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" valign="top" width="33%"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTziviKsW1n3vYvyQAZLNwmqRfYJIy0RhlATgKhHj-JZzbhJcnU9Utv9dvd9_rnfbEf3MotCe3ECVLfbT5gaxXBDBpa7BYO94SDkGM2Y_yYX_oAhK3wz4-oX5iVHLtoL6vK6F7coUDn2je/s1600/schoolhouse+007.jpg"><br />
</a></td> <td height="732" valign="top" width="34%"><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #006600;">*Platform, teacher's desk (1844)<br />
and hand bell of the period.</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #006600;">* Clock above teacher's desk-1844</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #006600;">* Reflector kerosene lamps of the<br />
19th century</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Original hardwood floors</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #006600;">Wainscoting around walls</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #006600;">* Globe lights are original--early<br />
1900s prior to closing of building<br />
in 1921</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Cathedral-like windows typical of the Victorian period</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgorK_9O-eUrP2R7poM_eo3vny7tyi194tOB_058pIPzIxmkQfK0xgB7zNnEHJrqydjUlii05_5FBwtb9eRzHJ27VWQuPTGgVpilUVNdT7NNyz3dW1cBSlXYsqO-kzORAPh_kbKWTa6fHaO/s1600/schoolhouse+008.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641942590378468066" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgorK_9O-eUrP2R7poM_eo3vny7tyi194tOB_058pIPzIxmkQfK0xgB7zNnEHJrqydjUlii05_5FBwtb9eRzHJ27VWQuPTGgVpilUVNdT7NNyz3dW1cBSlXYsqO-kzORAPh_kbKWTa6fHaO/s400/schoolhouse+008.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 309px;" /></a><br />
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Two doorways--girls sat on right and boys on left</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Bench-type desks with wrought iron decor</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Robert S. Christenson Showcase--Author of the Halfway-East Detroit Story.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Bench for reciting typical of the period</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The Cupola that original held the school bell announcing the start of school (the original 1872 bell is now on display inside the building)</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9phda06IWyT3FzhAuWgit03g-QzYCaAnLq-cS96vMIIhOeSycdlXr7JQg5OlJKRN6I4Mk0X9HOtKXzUE-9lp8MWIXBDGVLhcGRwxvWgRUNfzDsBgIfloRA5-WNRDVvEjivYT08g3mWtIj/s1600/schoolhouse+009.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641943409269595682" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9phda06IWyT3FzhAuWgit03g-QzYCaAnLq-cS96vMIIhOeSycdlXr7JQg5OlJKRN6I4Mk0X9HOtKXzUE-9lp8MWIXBDGVLhcGRwxvWgRUNfzDsBgIfloRA5-WNRDVvEjivYT08g3mWtIj/s400/schoolhouse+009.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 339px;" /></a><br />
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Bookcase with books of the period (between 1872 and 1921)</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #006600;">* Roundel Round badge located high above front doors identifying the school and date established</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Various artifacts of the period</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Decorative wood carving around doors and windows typical of the period</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Siding put on in 1902. Under current siding is board and batten vertical siding of 1872.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb1q9DOCTmow57XzvoLHt8ZYUjbI7h_-L2yuQnLAEdmcRuJ_Jb3bb2lV7UThLA5mEj-XihE3JCozpZRJezA0t_8iThfDf07VC_8eEJTmEuuJB0YA8UxTtG06CvlNIuH5uvWbYBXn2dEM4/s1600/Historic+Bldg+-+Eastpointe%252C+Mi+-+Schoolhouse+000++Hist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb1q9DOCTmow57XzvoLHt8ZYUjbI7h_-L2yuQnLAEdmcRuJ_Jb3bb2lV7UThLA5mEj-XihE3JCozpZRJezA0t_8iThfDf07VC_8eEJTmEuuJB0YA8UxTtG06CvlNIuH5uvWbYBXn2dEM4/s320/Historic+Bldg+-+Eastpointe%252C+Mi+-+Schoolhouse+000++Hist.jpg" width="240" /></a></div></td> <td align="center" height="732" valign="top" width="33%"><br />
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<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">There are other structures in Eastpointe that have been restored, most notably the old Ameis home, built around 1890. To my knowledge, this house and the schoolhouse are the only two buildings from the 19th century that have been preserved authentically.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQWSsXmb_mz-N_heDZ-cVmUbIIdzDX5SnhaurWlr7lEyFxOgZ2L-X9HzCmDFTvqu37QyAuq4oB2_W-CIroAl7nE9DGI2Ws7Yj0p0XVj-N13VicxX-g29Rpcq-he7vT47MADMptoCQIp9fn/s1600/Eastpointe+-+Ameis+1892+House.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560664511894677010" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQWSsXmb_mz-N_heDZ-cVmUbIIdzDX5SnhaurWlr7lEyFxOgZ2L-X9HzCmDFTvqu37QyAuq4oB2_W-CIroAl7nE9DGI2Ws7Yj0p0XVj-N13VicxX-g29Rpcq-he7vT47MADMptoCQIp9fn/s400/Eastpointe+-+Ameis+1892+House.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 296px;" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 85%; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">The Ameis House, built around 1890<br />
</span></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 85%; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">~This house has been beautifully restored~</span></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">In fact, the Ameis home is now owned by a family who is passionate about history and has restored the house to its former glory. And, yes, they live there, raising their children in the wonderful atmosphere of late Victoriana.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">To see Eastpointe here in the 21st, along with too many other towns and villages across the map, most would never know it's rich history. As I said, we are fortunate to have a few old buildings from more than 100 years ago, but that's not enough. In our throw away society, we not only destroy our history, but replace the grand structures of old with cookie-cutter throw away buildings where it's obvious no sense of pride went into the planning or construction.</div><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcCKSRQeWVNfZ7eWfYIViNxFtYoMsqf5BXwIxaILMRqsi_Tz4zU7e6vAsEeIEgY4tjMCtqNlZZVXMWMkiuiHzr6w0zV9U9MCFvmEG7i9NDBt00v2CdNgMUZBqcd815Ud3kyhnlkjzt5EoL/s1600/Eastpointe+-+Hunds+late+19th+Cent+r+ps+info.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560664527719852642" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcCKSRQeWVNfZ7eWfYIViNxFtYoMsqf5BXwIxaILMRqsi_Tz4zU7e6vAsEeIEgY4tjMCtqNlZZVXMWMkiuiHzr6w0zV9U9MCFvmEG7i9NDBt00v2CdNgMUZBqcd815Ud3kyhnlkjzt5EoL/s400/Eastpointe+-+Hunds+late+19th+Cent+r+ps+info.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 237px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">What a shame.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">But, I am proud of what Eastpointe has been able to retain over the years. And, hopefully, we can continue to do so with the many, many homes built in the early 20th century.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Let's hope...</div><big>Read (and see) more about the history of the City of Eastpointe in two wonderful books: <u>The Halfway/East Detroit Story</u> by Robert S. Christenson, and <u>Eastpointe, Michigan (Images of America)</u> by Suzanne DeClaire Pixley.</big><br />
<h3><span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Both books are available through the East Detroit Historical Society</span></span></h3><span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="font-size: 180%;">PO Box 110, Eastpointe, MI 48021<br />
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And the address of the Schoolhouse is:<br />
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<h3><span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">15500 9 Mile Road </span></span></h3><h3><span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Eastpointe, Michigan 48021</span></span></h3>Or order Suzanne's "Images of America" book from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Eastpointe-Images-America-Suzanne-Declaire/dp/0738531758/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1294696377&sr=1-1">Amazon.com</a><br />
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And visit our <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1153041901&ref=mf#%21/pages/East-Detroit-Historical-Society/230015127149">Facebook</a> page.<br />
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Have you ever checked out<span style="font-style: italic;"> your </span>town's history?<br />
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(All of the color photos in this post were taken by me but the pictures that show Eastpointe as it once was are from the archives of the East Detroit Historical Society. <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><br />
Many thanks to the East Detroit Historical Society for the use of the photos!</span>)<br />
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.Historical Kenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04979801752112100293noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-426666200006523560.post-38258869899115437192009-01-04T10:36:00.000-08:002011-10-21T06:05:11.752-07:00Welcome to the East Detroit Historical Society Information Blog<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" height="100%" hspace="0" vspace="0"><tbody>
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<tr><td height="100%" id="WSCBody" valign="top"><big style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">In this blog we hope to provide up-to-date information of upcoming events as well as news of past events. Photos of recent events, images from the past, and text updates will be included throughout, so please check back often!</big><br />
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<big>The area now known as Eastpointe was founded in the early part of the 19<sup>th</sup> century by the European immigrants who came to establish homes in the New World. Originally known as Orange Township in 1837, by 1843 the area was renamed Erin Township; both names indicating that the earliest settlers were Irish. The Irish were followed by pioneers from Bavaria, Macklenburg, Saxony and other provinces of Germany. The German migration began in the early 1830's and soon became the majority of the settlement. </big><br />
<big>What is now Gratiot Avenue was once an Indian trail cut through the wilderness. In the early 1800’s, the army surveyed the roadway and shortly after built a plank road. Logs were cut horizontally and laid across to elevate the road above water. This military road led from Fort Wayne in Detroit to Fort Gratiot (now Port Huron). In 1850, a plank toll road replaced the original road. The toll was one cent for each horse.</big><br />
<big>The Township form of government lasted until December 8, 1924, when the Village of Halfway was incorporated. The name Halfway was first officially recorded in 1895, with the opening of the Halfway Post Office. This name was given to the community in the early days when the Halfway House, located at what is now the Eastbrooke Commons shopping center at 9 Mile and Gratiot, was a regular stopping place for stagecoaches traveling between Detroit and Mount Clemens. The phenomenal growth in the village during the next five years qualified Halfway for city status. The name was changed to the City of East Detroit on January 7, 1929, by first a vote of the people followed by the approval of the Michigan State Legislature.</big><br />
<big>In 1992 the city of East Detroit was once again renamed by a vote of the people to the City of Eastpointe.</big><br />
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<big>Read (and see) more about the history of the City of Eastpointe in two wonderful books: <u>The Halfway/East Detroit Story</u> by Robert S. Christenson, and <u>Eastpointe, Michigan (Images of America)</u> by Suzanne DeClaire Pixley.</big><br />
<h3><big><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Both books are available through the East Detroit Historical Society</span></big></h3><span style="font-size: 180%;">PO Box 110, Eastpointe, MI 48021<br />
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And the address of the Schoolhouse is:<br />
</span><br />
<h3><big><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">15500 9 Mile Road </span></big></h3><h3><big><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Eastpointe, Michigan 48021<b> </b></span></big></h3><h3><big><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">586-775-1414</span></big></h3></td></tr>
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</tbody></table>Historical Kenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04979801752112100293noreply@blogger.com1