A sampling of tall tales and other stories which dot Downriver's History
Ghost-hunting has become an increasingly popular past-time among certain Downriver residents for over a generation.
Although Downriver's "haunts" may not be as spectacular as those found in area buildings of the past (Eloise Hospital in Westland or the Northville Psychiatric Facility for instance), certain stories do intertwine in Downriver lore. Here are some examples: |
Riverside Hospital's original house opened in the late 1940s and was recently demolished. It had the distinction of being perhaps the location best known for ghost hauntings.
Specifically, it is said that the ghost of a young girl who died at the facility early in its existence haunted various areas of the hospital adjacent to the old building, and still exists today, though recent reports have not indicated such. |
West Mound Cemetery is located across from Southland Mall in Taylor. It is in that burial ground that the ghost of a lady dressed in white is said to appear above the gravesites at the stroke of midnight - apparently on any given day. Another cemetery on Telegraph Road just south of the I-75 connector ramps is also said to be haunted by various spirits, as is Oak Ridge Cemetery in Brownstown and Oakwood Cemetery in Wyandotte (see feature story two pages ahead).
The Wildlife Sanctuary on Grosse Ile reportedly harbors the ghost of a man who had hung himself on a tree at the fork in the road, the incident of which has an unknown date to our best knowledge.
The Wildlife Sanctuary on Grosse Ile reportedly harbors the ghost of a man who had hung himself on a tree at the fork in the road, the incident of which has an unknown date to our best knowledge.
The eeriest discovery occurred sometime in the 1970s and, although witnessed by many at the time, may have lost credibility or accuracy in its recounting. A Ford Model T car was found somewhere in the Rouge River with the skeletons of its occupants still seen in a sitting position inside. In later years, an AMC Gremlin was also reportedly found in a nearby stretch of the river, which had tracings of belonging to the notorious Oakland County child killer of the 1970s.
Perhaps the saddest store is of the various "doll houses" in Wyandotte, led by one reportedly located on 15th Street north of Ford Avenue. It is said a young girl was playing in her driveway and was accidentally ran over - fatally - by her father. In tribute (or to aid in erasing the memory of the incident, it is difficult to decipher which is more correct), the father painted the entire driveway red to match the color of blood droplets left at the scene. A doll would then be placed at the second story window of the house and have its attire changed regularly. A similiar dollhouse was said to have been located on 22nd Street, with a third dollhouse located on Outer Drive near Ecorse. - Tiffany Campbell
The fourth dollhouse was witnessed by the webmaster himself in the early 2000s during his travels to his job at Metro Airport. This house was located on Merriman Road near Henry Ruff (the northeastern corner) in the northwest area of Romulus. This house was still said to be occupied in the 2000s, although this doll in the window did not appear to have its attire changed regularly. A pumpkin patch adjoined the land the house sat on, and the pumpkins were sold to the public for many years. By 2005, a fire had gutted the home sometime during the winter. The base on which the doll stood remained visible from the road, although it was heavily damaged. The doll was nowhere to be found, and the pumpkin patch ceased planting that following year.
The fourth dollhouse was witnessed by the webmaster himself in the early 2000s during his travels to his job at Metro Airport. This house was located on Merriman Road near Henry Ruff (the northeastern corner) in the northwest area of Romulus. This house was still said to be occupied in the 2000s, although this doll in the window did not appear to have its attire changed regularly. A pumpkin patch adjoined the land the house sat on, and the pumpkins were sold to the public for many years. By 2005, a fire had gutted the home sometime during the winter. The base on which the doll stood remained visible from the road, although it was heavily damaged. The doll was nowhere to be found, and the pumpkin patch ceased planting that following year.
No less than a literal miracle may have occurred in Riverview in the mid-1980s, although again the recounting of this tale may be slightly farfetched, pending additional research into news articles of the time. A fire occurred at a house near the West Jefferson curve (within a block of the Grosse Ile Toll Bridge) around 1984 or 1985, and was reportedly witnessed by upwards of thirty people. These witnesses, as well as attending police and fire department units, would see a man rescue a trapped person from the burning home and, while bringing that person to safety, vanished into thin air without a trace, never to be seen or heard from again.
Many stories continue to center around Grosse Ile. In addition to locations such as Looney Rooney and the Pagoda House, the Bird House (presumably a residence) was said in its day to be a place of torture for people who were housed in cages on the roof. There were also various mentions through the years of a mysterious blue mist that would shroud parts of Grosse Ile at times, though this was later discounted as a possible scare tactic.
Zug Island, north of River Rouge, has been claimed as haunted for many years since the industrialization in this area began, due to the presence of an old Indian burial ground, the location of which has not been accurately determined.
- Mark Antio
Many stories continue to center around Grosse Ile. In addition to locations such as Looney Rooney and the Pagoda House, the Bird House (presumably a residence) was said in its day to be a place of torture for people who were housed in cages on the roof. There were also various mentions through the years of a mysterious blue mist that would shroud parts of Grosse Ile at times, though this was later discounted as a possible scare tactic.
Zug Island, north of River Rouge, has been claimed as haunted for many years since the industrialization in this area began, due to the presence of an old Indian burial ground, the location of which has not been accurately determined.
- Mark Antio