No monopoly recognized Downriver as the drive-in continues to attract attention
Any potential monopoly that could come with the 1948 opening of the Michigan Drive-In would not last for long. The vocal (and obviously, visual) word spread quickly about this goldmine in the future Southgate territory. A true pioneer in the theater field, Nicholas George, would open his own Drive-In theater at the foot of Fort & Leroy Streets, also in Southgate.
Originally named the Fort, it opened on May 4, 1950. This would be followed - a scant 11 months later - by the original Ecorse Drive-In (Ecorse and Monroe Street) on April 22, 1951.
Originally named the Fort, it opened on May 4, 1950. This would be followed - a scant 11 months later - by the original Ecorse Drive-In (Ecorse and Monroe Street) on April 22, 1951.
Chrysler corporation plans to make its mark in Trenton
In December 1950, Chrysler Corporation announced plans for an engine plant to locate on Van Horn Road east of Fort Street. The future Trenton Engine Plant was to be a $15 million construction project built on a 140-acre site, and estimated to be able to generate 3,000 new factory jobs. Initial construction of the building footings would begin just after the New Years holiday of 1951.
Wyandotte's Affholter Creamery goes all-out in Korean War effort
Wartime hit the United States all too soon after the conclusion of World War II, with the Korean conflict lasting between 1950 and 1953. Affholter Creamery, a local landmark business, became the first business in Wayne County which had all their employees sign up for their city's Civil Defense program by January, 1951.
In addition to all fifty employees signing on (and all did so willingly, men as well as women), Affholter was proud of the fact that 27 of their delivery trucks could easily be converted to ambulances to aid in the civil defense effort. This effort was cited by the News-Herald as being an example that
"Detroit and (other) Michigan companies may follow."
In addition to all fifty employees signing on (and all did so willingly, men as well as women), Affholter was proud of the fact that 27 of their delivery trucks could easily be converted to ambulances to aid in the civil defense effort. This effort was cited by the News-Herald as being an example that
"Detroit and (other) Michigan companies may follow."
Wyandotte takes the lead Downriver for voting automation
Just one month later, Wyandotte would enter the automation age. The News-Herald of February 15, 1951 would declare "Push buttons beat out pencils," as a total of 58 Shoup automated voting machines had been purchased by the city at a cost of $90,004. The initial vote deadlocked the council, 3-3, and it took an "aye" vote from the mayor to win the issue.
"Inasmuch as I'm being tried by this honorable body, I'd better get a lawyer."
- IRE KREGER, Wyandotte City Treasurer
Several weeks of debate had occurred prior to the vote. There had been only one other vendor researched: the Automatic Voting Machine Company, which claimed they were the low bidder. Also claimed was the rumor that a Shoup employee had been arrested in California attempting to bribe a County Supervisor. Councilman Clifford Burke did not read these facts into his statement; he was more convinced the money spent on these machines would be better served fixing the roads. Fellow councilman George McEachran would then accuse Burke of being prejudiced against voting machines, and not reading the official report on them.
The City Treasurer, Ire Kreger, was one of the city officials who did not sign that report. Councilman Richard Kelly claimed Kreger favored the report itself, but not the purchase at that time. Kreger responded by denying the statement. This would bring about the first heated verbal exchange in a discussion which lasted the better part of an hour. Rapid-fire questioning by Kelly would draw him a censure order from Councilman Louis Brohl, to which Kelly responded, "My integrity is at stake here."
The City Treasurer, Ire Kreger, was one of the city officials who did not sign that report. Councilman Richard Kelly claimed Kreger favored the report itself, but not the purchase at that time. Kreger responded by denying the statement. This would bring about the first heated verbal exchange in a discussion which lasted the better part of an hour. Rapid-fire questioning by Kelly would draw him a censure order from Councilman Louis Brohl, to which Kelly responded, "My integrity is at stake here."
One year passes since the disappearance of Gary Moxley, with few leads
On March 4, 1950, Wyandotte resident Constance Moxley was a central figure in the disappearance (and apparent murder) of her husband, Gary. She would vehemently deny any wrongdoing, while laughing at the workers who were excavating sections of her Riverbank Street backyard in hopes of finding the body of her third husband. The police had initially targeted her basement as a possible prime site.
One year later, Mrs. Moxley claimed her husband wrote her, wishing to "come and visit his former lonely sweetie." The April 2, 1951 News-Herald article also describes her as saying neighbors could attest to seeing Gary Moxley walking by the house, peering through windows. This would bring law enforcement back to vigilant patrols. She would later theorize that she had met her husband at a "Lonely Hearts Club," that he had simply "taken off," and would "return eventually."
One year later, Mrs. Moxley claimed her husband wrote her, wishing to "come and visit his former lonely sweetie." The April 2, 1951 News-Herald article also describes her as saying neighbors could attest to seeing Gary Moxley walking by the house, peering through windows. This would bring law enforcement back to vigilant patrols. She would later theorize that she had met her husband at a "Lonely Hearts Club," that he had simply "taken off," and would "return eventually."
The Dawn of the modern-day freeway enters the Downriver planning realm
Prior to 1953, the only expressway servicing the area was M-112, which had opened as the Crosstown Expressway before changing names to the now-familiar Edsel Ford Freeway in April 1946 (it would obtain I-94 status ten years later, in 1956). The News-Herald Newspapers announced in their May 7, 1953 edition the plans for the Seaway Freeway, which was still determining its route, but it was a route set to bisect various Downriver communities. Part of its original routing included a section closer to present-day Electric Street in Lincoln Park. This did not meet with approval for residents, who attended a July 1953 meeting on the subject.
Alternatives to such meetings were becoming more readily available. The third drive-in theater would make its mark, and would be the first outside of Southgate: the Jolly Roger, known throughout its history for its famed pirate ship motif on the screen.
Its first screening took place September 15, 1954.
Jolly Roger was located on Van Born just west of Telegraph Road and could easily be seen from I-94 to the south, which made it the most successful of the three drive-ins that were currently in service.
Its first screening took place September 15, 1954.
Jolly Roger was located on Van Born just west of Telegraph Road and could easily be seen from I-94 to the south, which made it the most successful of the three drive-ins that were currently in service.
Last territorial changes involving Downriver cities occurred in 1955
The last recorded annexation by an existing Downriver city occurred on August 31, 1955, and it was also the oddest from a square-footage standpoint.
When Fort Street was widened in the 1930s to its present divided-highway arrangement, Wyandotte's western boundary line of 1924 bisected the northbound lanes, placing one of them in Ecorse Township's jurisdiction. This annexation was merely procedural in order to place the boundary within the grassy median. In the process of the boundary move, it was then discovered a one-mile strip of land along Pennsylvania Road, 30 feet in width, had been excluded from previous annexation transactions and was technically in "limbo." This was also cleared up in a procedural move to account for every square inch of land in the area.
When Fort Street was widened in the 1930s to its present divided-highway arrangement, Wyandotte's western boundary line of 1924 bisected the northbound lanes, placing one of them in Ecorse Township's jurisdiction. This annexation was merely procedural in order to place the boundary within the grassy median. In the process of the boundary move, it was then discovered a one-mile strip of land along Pennsylvania Road, 30 feet in width, had been excluded from previous annexation transactions and was technically in "limbo." This was also cleared up in a procedural move to account for every square inch of land in the area.
The shopping craze hits Downriver for the first time
For the first time, the downtown Detroit shopping experience could be enjoyed by the masses without the necessary ten miles and half-hour drives deemed necessary up to that point. Lincoln Park Plaza would become a happening of its own, as most anyone's needs could be met with just one stop.
The last footprint of an era ends... with ironic admiration for quality
The long-awaited end of a troubling era in Wyandotte history came to a close 24 years after the end of Prohibition nationwide. In February 1957, the newspaper reported that the last function liquor still in the city (1214 10th St.) was demolished by federal agents and local police officials. The site had been watched for some time; word had gotten out about the location only because Archie Budah's customers would take his drinks to work with them, and therefore became aware by the companies' managements.
If there was a silver lining to this story to be realized at all, the quality of Budah's moonshine so closely resembled the professional breweries, that a chemist almost could not decipher a difference between them. Cited in an editorial from the February 25, 1957 edition of the News-Herald:
If there was a silver lining to this story to be realized at all, the quality of Budah's moonshine so closely resembled the professional breweries, that a chemist almost could not decipher a difference between them. Cited in an editorial from the February 25, 1957 edition of the News-Herald:
"We have often said that Wyandotte is known nationwide for many wonderful local achievements, but we never dreamed we would one day write a story about moonshine made right here on Tenth street that is darn near perfect. Right about now those experts across the river at Seagram's must be quaking in their boots!"
Third time proves the charm for Village of Allen Park
On the third attempt for city ratification, the voters in the village of Allen Park finally pushed a "yea" vote through in March 1957, leaving only one portion of Ecorse Township intact. Judging by the jump in population (from 10,382 in 1950 to 26,269 in 1957), it was readily apparent that the last township territory wouldn't have to wait too long to turn into a city.
Lincoln Park strikes gold a second time with Sears, Roebuck & Co.
Perhaps not content to rest on its laurels for bringing the first modern-day shopping center to Downriver, Lincoln Park would be the recipient of one better with the 1957 opening of Sears Lincoln Park shopping center at Dix-Toledo and Southfield Roads. With this, the intersection had its first major development that would bring the traffic jams that location is still known for, even today.
This would mark the Sears, Roebuck & Co's initial entry into the southern metropolitan area. Sears had a store at the recently-opened Northland Center in Southfield, but did not have a presence in downtown Detroit at the time.
Attached to the stately two-story department store was room for 36 individual shops at the mall, giving it the ability to more than double the capacity and potential of the Lincoln Park Plaza opened two years before. (And a parade of elephants didn't hurt the cause, either!)
Whether it was the new shopping opportunities and merchandise a Sears store provided, or the vast variety of specialty stores attached, within a few short years the Lincoln Park Sears would become the highest-grossing Sears store in the world for a time.
This would mark the Sears, Roebuck & Co's initial entry into the southern metropolitan area. Sears had a store at the recently-opened Northland Center in Southfield, but did not have a presence in downtown Detroit at the time.
Attached to the stately two-story department store was room for 36 individual shops at the mall, giving it the ability to more than double the capacity and potential of the Lincoln Park Plaza opened two years before. (And a parade of elephants didn't hurt the cause, either!)
Whether it was the new shopping opportunities and merchandise a Sears store provided, or the vast variety of specialty stores attached, within a few short years the Lincoln Park Sears would become the highest-grossing Sears store in the world for a time.
Southgate Shopping Center opens
Downriver's third, and perhaps most enduring, shopping center opened in October, 1957 in the city of Southgate. The center, which was officially named for the city (as detailed in our FAQs), opened up its time with a Wrigley grocery store nearest to Eureka Road, and a Federal department store alongside Trenton Road, with room for another additional three dozen stores.
As was the case with Sears Plaza in Lincoln Park, opening festivities were grander than in the present day. Among the entertainment at the October 16th ribbon cutting ceremony was a German Polka Band, and famed radio disc jockey Robin Seymour.
Keep in mind that at the start, Federal was the main anchor tenant. Montgomery Ward would not anchor the center of the Southgate location until the fall of 1958. The Montgomery Ward Distribution Center in Allen Park had opened in 1957.
As was the case with Sears Plaza in Lincoln Park, opening festivities were grander than in the present day. Among the entertainment at the October 16th ribbon cutting ceremony was a German Polka Band, and famed radio disc jockey Robin Seymour.
Keep in mind that at the start, Federal was the main anchor tenant. Montgomery Ward would not anchor the center of the Southgate location until the fall of 1958. The Montgomery Ward Distribution Center in Allen Park had opened in 1957.
Wayne-Major Airport receives huge capacity upgrade
A long-awaited expansion of Detroit-Wayne Major Airport was completed in 1958 with the opening of the Leroy C. Smith Terminal, replacing the Executive Terminal (at Middlebelt and present-day Lucas Drive) as the main terminal for flights. Its opening would begin the process of attracting aircraft & passenger traffic from both Detroit City Airport and Willow Run Airport.
Quarry accident jeopardizes partnership with future Fermi I nuclear power plant
Two years earlier, construction began on the area's first nuclear-powered energy facility near Monroe. In the initial design stages for the Enrico Fermi Nuclear Generating Station ("Fermi I"), permits were let to experiment with sodium chemicals to be used in a fast-breeder reactor system. Experimentation had begun in earnest in 1956 and was occurring at four different locations: two in Detroit, one in Trenton, and one at the Sibley Quarry in Riverview.
On July 11, 1958, an explosion occurred at the quarry site, the first major accident there in 58 years. There were no fatalities, although seven were injured. The explosion resulted in a shower of fall-out residue which included sodium ash being deposited on houses, cars, and shrubbery in the area. |
Despite the accident, sodium testing for Fermi I continued at the quarry, and prompted a hastily-organized citizen's committee to band together for a trip to Lansing on July 26 to protest the continued testing. Petitions were handed to Lieutenant Governor Philip A. Hart demanding the stoppage of testing, this despite the fact that only two tests remained out of the 152 which were to be conducted in the two-year span.
Lieutenant Governor Hart acted quickly; within a week he had assembled three State heads to investigate legal reasoning as to why these tests were continuing. Further updates on the impact of the fall-out residue noted that over forty people had now reported symptoms of skin rashes and eye irritations.
Lieutenant Governor Hart acted quickly; within a week he had assembled three State heads to investigate legal reasoning as to why these tests were continuing. Further updates on the impact of the fall-out residue noted that over forty people had now reported symptoms of skin rashes and eye irritations.
Ecorse Township bids adieu; Melvindale debt is retired
Not long after the opening of Southgate Shopping Center, Ecorse Township vanished as the City of Southgate was incorporated in October, 1958. Thomas Anderson, the final supervisor of Ecorse Township, was named the first mayor of Southgate.
Melvindale taxpayers, meanwhile, were rejoicing as a long-standing city debt was finally retired in 1959. Having anticipated a huge construction and residential boom in the 1920s, the then-village had been bonded to secure abilities to redevelop and improve the land within their boundaries. The work was mostly completed (prior to bond repayment) at the onset of the Great Depression. During the Depression, however, very little work was done and, as a result, the new city of Melvindale ended up with a heavy debt load for its first two decades-plus... perhaps due to too much forthsight and planning.
Melvindale taxpayers, meanwhile, were rejoicing as a long-standing city debt was finally retired in 1959. Having anticipated a huge construction and residential boom in the 1920s, the then-village had been bonded to secure abilities to redevelop and improve the land within their boundaries. The work was mostly completed (prior to bond repayment) at the onset of the Great Depression. During the Depression, however, very little work was done and, as a result, the new city of Melvindale ended up with a heavy debt load for its first two decades-plus... perhaps due to too much forthsight and planning.
SUNDAY! SUNDAY! SUNDAY!
With great fanfare, the opening of the Detroit Dragway on Sibley Road was on June 25, 1959. Racing was promised five evenings per week, with all-day activities on weekends. The 75 acres of land could hold an assembled crowd of 25,000. Two weeks later, The Detroit News made reference to another facility, dubbed the Trenton Speedway, "located 1 1/2 miles west of the new Toledo Expressway," and advertising a Hot-Rod race for September 3rd. No further reference is known of a Trenton Speedway: it is likely the Detroit News was referring to the Detroit Dragway, and may have juxtaposed its directions and location.
Once known as Wyandotte Heights and then later as the Village of Riverview, city status began official in 1959. It would be the first city to spring from Brownstown Township.
At last, three years after three original routes were suggested, residents were told of the official route plans for the Seaway Freeway project in 1959.
Once known as Wyandotte Heights and then later as the Village of Riverview, city status began official in 1959. It would be the first city to spring from Brownstown Township.
At last, three years after three original routes were suggested, residents were told of the official route plans for the Seaway Freeway project in 1959.