A new name, a new building, and an outdated idea: Which did not end up belonging?
As the 1960s began, an important name change would take place at Taylor Township's original (and largest) shopping mall. With the change from the non-discrepant "Green Center" moniker it had since opening in 1957, the new name, Taylortown, would show township pride more effectively. The mall itself was a financial boom, and would hold onto its title as the township's largest for several more years.
Having long outgrown their original location at Biddle & Chestnut streets in Wyandotte, a much larger, sleeker facility for the YMCA / YWCA opened to the public on September 28, 1960. It was located on Fort Street just north of Eureka Road. The original Wyandotte site would later be replaced by one of the first riverfront high-rises: the Wyandotte River Tower.
Back in the news - one more time - was the belabored Michigan Turnpike Authority, whose plans for toll expressways were on hold (and seemingly defeated) since 1955. Giving their viewpoint one more attempt, they attempted to undermine any progress on the Seaway Freeway project by putting forth one more proposal in 1961: to pay for expressway construction through the sale of bonds. This idea would fade quickly, as any potential financiers of construction projects would only build on the assumption there would be no competition from any other entity, be it business or government-based.
As the Seaway Freeway route was being finalized south of Downriver, it was suggested that the portion of proposed freeway from Detroit to Toledo be electrified, courtesy of General Motors. Initial electric testing had been conducted at Ohio State University, but the results were apparently never made public, and the entire route of proposed freeway would be built out of traditional means.
The State Supreme Court decided they had waited on a final death blow to the MTA long enough: in 1962, the MTA was officially repealed by law, leaving the U.S. Interstate system and the state's plans for freeways such as the Seaway project intact. No appeal action was taken on this decision.
As the Seaway Freeway route was being finalized south of Downriver, it was suggested that the portion of proposed freeway from Detroit to Toledo be electrified, courtesy of General Motors. Initial electric testing had been conducted at Ohio State University, but the results were apparently never made public, and the entire route of proposed freeway would be built out of traditional means.
The State Supreme Court decided they had waited on a final death blow to the MTA long enough: in 1962, the MTA was officially repealed by law, leaving the U.S. Interstate system and the state's plans for freeways such as the Seaway project intact. No appeal action was taken on this decision.
Up to 1964, the Downriver area hosted three oil refineries within its boundaries (as opposed to one refinery in the state of Michigan today). The smallest of these closed in 1964, a little-known facility named Petroleum Specialties Incorporated (PSI). Located on Peters Road near the southern border of Brownstown, PSI may have felt the competition for resources being waged with Socony-Vacumn's refinery in Brownstown. Rather than close all operations down, they would settle in as an oil storage and distribution facility rather than a refiner. It would only be a matter of time, however, before serious, potentially fatal flaws, would make themselves known to an unsuspecting public.
Ground is broken on Trombley farm for Ford Woodhaven Stamping Plant
Ford Motor Company ended up choosing the village of Woodhaven as the site for its fourth stamping plant construction project since World War II. Within a month, groundbreaking took place and the 400-plus acre plot, the former Trombley soybean farm, began to take shape. The Trombley family (Alice, and brothers William & Lawrence) had sold their land to Ford a couple years prior.
"Operating our plant in a community of about one thousand people is bound to cause some dislocations in its way of life. We recognize that. But Woodhaven has already anticipated change by moving from the village to the Mayor/Council form of government." |
In an astonishingly short amount of time for a 400-acre project, the new Woodhaven Stamping Plant started partial activation in January of 1965. The first press, weighing 272 tons, was unveiled and activated on April 7. The first approved stamp for shipment, a 1965 Mustang quarterpanel, was produced on June 17, 1965.
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Fully staffed with an initial workforce of 1,880 under plant manager Willis G. Hummel, Ford Chairman Henry Ford II would address a crowd at the plant's dedication April 15, 1966. But not before issues & votes threatened to a geographer's dream upside down - again.
Wyandotte's Bacon Library says "Shhh!" ... and means it
The up-and-coming generation of teenagers in the 1960s were more rebellious in nature, owing much to the strife occurring in the country as well as the increasing situation in Vietnam. Combined with funding problems, it would put Bacon Memorial Public Library in the national crosshairs early in 1965.
The funding issues resulted in the library being open just three days a week and, when the facility was open, up to 120 teenagers were known to congregate outside and inside at one time, since there was little of recreational value for them, and they had no other place to visit. They would crowd the entrance, according to Library director Louise Naughton, to the point patrons could not get into the front door.
Up until this point, the Wyandotte Police had been called to quell any unrest or suspicious activity. But by January 1965, a private officer from a Detroit Police agency ended up taking over during the evening. Mrs. Naughton believed it was for the best, even though the initial thought of an arrangement was a little disheartening. It may have simply ended there if the Detroit Free Press had not seized on the story and headlined it with the wording shown above.
In the article, which was likely overkill on the situation, a photo of the evening shift officer was shown, as well as an editorial cartoon showing a caricature of authority springing from a library shelving unit, shoving the teenagers aside as the library director looked on, horrified. Their coverage would end up being picked up by the Associated Press, making headlines in newspapers from Kalamazoo to McKeesport, Pennsylvania ("Teenage Romance Ends At Library," "Private Police Hired To Stop Necking"), and even earning "Page 2" space on Paul Harvey's nationally syndicated radio show.
Fortunately, Downriver, Detroit and Michigan were spared the country's worst electrical disaster in history. On November 9, 1965, the Great Northeastern Blackout would affect most people living in the New England states, with the problem traced to a safety device at one of the hydro-electric stations on the Niagara River in Ontario. Despite the outage affecting much of southern Ontario, Michigan was not affected as they did not tie directly into the Niagara power grid at the time.
The funding issues resulted in the library being open just three days a week and, when the facility was open, up to 120 teenagers were known to congregate outside and inside at one time, since there was little of recreational value for them, and they had no other place to visit. They would crowd the entrance, according to Library director Louise Naughton, to the point patrons could not get into the front door.
Up until this point, the Wyandotte Police had been called to quell any unrest or suspicious activity. But by January 1965, a private officer from a Detroit Police agency ended up taking over during the evening. Mrs. Naughton believed it was for the best, even though the initial thought of an arrangement was a little disheartening. It may have simply ended there if the Detroit Free Press had not seized on the story and headlined it with the wording shown above.
In the article, which was likely overkill on the situation, a photo of the evening shift officer was shown, as well as an editorial cartoon showing a caricature of authority springing from a library shelving unit, shoving the teenagers aside as the library director looked on, horrified. Their coverage would end up being picked up by the Associated Press, making headlines in newspapers from Kalamazoo to McKeesport, Pennsylvania ("Teenage Romance Ends At Library," "Private Police Hired To Stop Necking"), and even earning "Page 2" space on Paul Harvey's nationally syndicated radio show.
Fortunately, Downriver, Detroit and Michigan were spared the country's worst electrical disaster in history. On November 9, 1965, the Great Northeastern Blackout would affect most people living in the New England states, with the problem traced to a safety device at one of the hydro-electric stations on the Niagara River in Ontario. Despite the outage affecting much of southern Ontario, Michigan was not affected as they did not tie directly into the Niagara power grid at the time.
The mid-1960s: A time of attempted territorial annexations
As Ford Motor Company gained the site for its West Road Stamping Plant and began clearing the former Trombley farm, Woodhaven would become a city in 1965. This meant that Brownstown Township lost two major tax providers: Socony-Mobil's oil refinery, as well as tax potential from the new Woodhaven Stamping Plant. Brownstown government would seek a four-mill addition to their tax rolls, but would have to fight off annexation again.
Successful annexation of land had not occurred since August of 1955, when a 30-foot section of Fort Street land was taken by Wyandotte in a largely procedural move with logical reasoning. Yet, a vote was set on January 8, 1966, in the cities of Rockwood and Southgate, plus Brownstown. Rockwood, which only became a city the prior year, was looking to annex a portion of the village of East Rockwood. Southgate was looking to make its first expansion since it incorporated seven years prior; the new city boundaries would have gone as far south as King Road, and as far west as Telegraph... more than doubling its size. Southgate mayor Robert C. Reaume spent much time talking to citizens living in the affected areas, promoting Southgate's full-time Fire and Police Departments as advantages, in addition to a fully-functional Public Works Department.
Successful annexation of land had not occurred since August of 1955, when a 30-foot section of Fort Street land was taken by Wyandotte in a largely procedural move with logical reasoning. Yet, a vote was set on January 8, 1966, in the cities of Rockwood and Southgate, plus Brownstown. Rockwood, which only became a city the prior year, was looking to annex a portion of the village of East Rockwood. Southgate was looking to make its first expansion since it incorporated seven years prior; the new city boundaries would have gone as far south as King Road, and as far west as Telegraph... more than doubling its size. Southgate mayor Robert C. Reaume spent much time talking to citizens living in the affected areas, promoting Southgate's full-time Fire and Police Departments as advantages, in addition to a fully-functional Public Works Department.
Naturally, Southgate mayor Reaume and Rockwood mayor Irving Brewer were for the project, Brownstown Supervisor Donald Mahoney was hearing none of it. Brownstown ended up with its own plans, applying to become two cities of its own. Seeking to grab the East Rockwood village as its own, that portion would become the city of Brownstown East. A northeast section of the township would then be incorporated as the city of Brownstown.
The radical realignment of lands would only take place if Rockwood & Southgate approved their referendums, and if the separate issue Brownstown had on their ballot (to simply maintain its current township borders) failed.
Needless to say, the borders would stay where they were. Potential Southgate residents defeated the deal 210-45; actual city vote was 2071-166 in favor. Brownstown turned down the moves by Southgate, 705-84. In Rockwood, city voters approved annexation of East Rockwood, 303-35, but the small village held on and put the referendum to rest, 254-104. Combined voter turnout was almost 45%. Southgate mayor Reaume expressed his disappointment at the annexation loss, but commended the residents of Brownstown for their voter participation, even if not the desired result.
The radical realignment of lands would only take place if Rockwood & Southgate approved their referendums, and if the separate issue Brownstown had on their ballot (to simply maintain its current township borders) failed.
Needless to say, the borders would stay where they were. Potential Southgate residents defeated the deal 210-45; actual city vote was 2071-166 in favor. Brownstown turned down the moves by Southgate, 705-84. In Rockwood, city voters approved annexation of East Rockwood, 303-35, but the small village held on and put the referendum to rest, 254-104. Combined voter turnout was almost 45%. Southgate mayor Reaume expressed his disappointment at the annexation loss, but commended the residents of Brownstown for their voter participation, even if not the desired result.
Accident at original Fermi plant puts entire area - eventually - on notice
A near-meltdown of the original Enrico Fermi Nuclear Power Plant near Monroe (known today as the former Fermi I) occurred on October 5, 1966. Melted fuel in the reaction chamber was the cause, although it had not leaked out for there to be an actual disaster declared. But with nuclear power still relatively in the learning stages, workers at Fermi did not know exactly how to treat the condition, and no prior experiences were on record to tell how dangerous the situation could become.
To the credit of the workers at Fermi, they managed to quickly think of a containment plan, but executed it very carefully, checking and double-checking at every step of the matter. Experts from England, France, Scotland and the United States met to discuss a solution, which was to extract the melted fuel from the reactor. The process was likened to taking a person's appendix out through their nose nostrils, but it was eventually done successfully.
It was decided that an overall plan had to be implemented to warn residents of impending disaster, and necessary evacuation procedures. A book released eight years later would find that a similar accident of full-force could kill 3,400 people within a 15-mile radius, with 43,000 being fatally affected in the second ring (up to 44 miles away), with an estimated property damage amount of seven billion dollars. Fermi I was retired from service not long after an additional leak was detected at the facility in May, 1970.
To the credit of the workers at Fermi, they managed to quickly think of a containment plan, but executed it very carefully, checking and double-checking at every step of the matter. Experts from England, France, Scotland and the United States met to discuss a solution, which was to extract the melted fuel from the reactor. The process was likened to taking a person's appendix out through their nose nostrils, but it was eventually done successfully.
It was decided that an overall plan had to be implemented to warn residents of impending disaster, and necessary evacuation procedures. A book released eight years later would find that a similar accident of full-force could kill 3,400 people within a 15-mile radius, with 43,000 being fatally affected in the second ring (up to 44 miles away), with an estimated property damage amount of seven billion dollars. Fermi I was retired from service not long after an additional leak was detected at the facility in May, 1970.
Detroit Riots of 1967 take a toll on people's travel and safety concerns
For the first time since he assumed ownership of Bob-Lo's amusement park in 1949, Todd H. Browning was forced to shut down the attraction in peak season following the 12th Street Riots of July, 1967.
Fearing looting and other damage to the iconic Bob-Lo boats, the Columbia and Ste. Claire were driven from the Detroit dock to Bob-Lo, where they would remain tied up for eight days until the ordeal in Detroit passed.
More concerns about general safety began to be brought up by potential visitors, who began avoiding downtown Detroit in greater numbers and, hence, the Detroit Bob-Lo dock. The other docks in Amherstburg, Gibraltar and Wyandotte continued to do well, but attendance still suffered as a result.
Fearing looting and other damage to the iconic Bob-Lo boats, the Columbia and Ste. Claire were driven from the Detroit dock to Bob-Lo, where they would remain tied up for eight days until the ordeal in Detroit passed.
More concerns about general safety began to be brought up by potential visitors, who began avoiding downtown Detroit in greater numbers and, hence, the Detroit Bob-Lo dock. The other docks in Amherstburg, Gibraltar and Wyandotte continued to do well, but attendance still suffered as a result.
Downriver communities unite to assist Detroit in its darkest hour
Meanwhile, the riot itself would grab headlines around the nation and world. Its root cause - the raiding of a Blind Pig on 12th & Clairmount - hearkened back to Downriver's darker chapter of the 1920s, although the vandalism, looting and overall crime rate in 1967 was much higher.
On Monday of that week, Downriver mayors, police and fire chiefs met with Wayne County Sheriff Peter Buback; from which each mayor put forth his "State of Public Crisis Emergency" message. An overall curfew would be imposed at 9:00 PM daily until further notice, and it fell under the strictest enforcement in local history. Fines for infractions were expensive for the time; a typical curfew violation could cost up to $110. Liquor of all types was banned from sale for the duration of the proceedings, as were gasoline containers. Guns and ammunition were also barred from sales and holdings, except to police and other licensed law enforcement.
All police personnel were called in to work, some for up to 24 hours straight on the first day. Each department's force had the ability to become a tactical unit in case violence spread south of Detroit. Fire Department equipment from Gibraltar and Wyandotte were shuttled to Detroit to help battle the increasing arsons at 12:00 noon on Sunday. Trenton's forces were on standby alert to tend to any incidents happening Downriver.
Most importantly, a blockade was put into place by the Gibraltar, Trenton and Woodhaven Police Departments, protecting the southernmost cities and townships in Wayne County. This proved to be a wise call, as word had come in that additional youths from the Toledo area were planning to transport north to Detroit to aid in the increased crime. It was feared that such groups might utilize Elizabeth Park as a marshalling point. Such groups did not make their presence known.
It may be noted here that Gibraltar and Grosse Ile possess the ability to shield themselves completely from the mainland. By simply turning the Free Bridge and Toll Bridge halfway around, and by setting up a blockade to prevent access to North, Middle and South Gibraltar Roads, those municipalities were more or less guaranteed maximum protection.
Overall, incidents Downriver were few and far between. A heavier police presence was required at Korvette's in Southgate after a threat was phoned in to the department store on Monday. That night would bring a mild spate of looting and rock-throwing in River Rouge, but that would be quelled by the following morning.
Many witnesses - and local politicians - would say they were impressed by the can-do spirit, as well as the amount and quality of help provided by emergency personnel and everyday citizens during this time. Groups got together to donate necessary food, clothing and other supplies for Detroiters displaced by the arsons and crime. Wyandotte would be the first Downriver community to lift its curfew on Thursday, as they were the only city to have the power to decide that on its own. By the following week, routines Downriver would return to normal.
On Monday of that week, Downriver mayors, police and fire chiefs met with Wayne County Sheriff Peter Buback; from which each mayor put forth his "State of Public Crisis Emergency" message. An overall curfew would be imposed at 9:00 PM daily until further notice, and it fell under the strictest enforcement in local history. Fines for infractions were expensive for the time; a typical curfew violation could cost up to $110. Liquor of all types was banned from sale for the duration of the proceedings, as were gasoline containers. Guns and ammunition were also barred from sales and holdings, except to police and other licensed law enforcement.
All police personnel were called in to work, some for up to 24 hours straight on the first day. Each department's force had the ability to become a tactical unit in case violence spread south of Detroit. Fire Department equipment from Gibraltar and Wyandotte were shuttled to Detroit to help battle the increasing arsons at 12:00 noon on Sunday. Trenton's forces were on standby alert to tend to any incidents happening Downriver.
Most importantly, a blockade was put into place by the Gibraltar, Trenton and Woodhaven Police Departments, protecting the southernmost cities and townships in Wayne County. This proved to be a wise call, as word had come in that additional youths from the Toledo area were planning to transport north to Detroit to aid in the increased crime. It was feared that such groups might utilize Elizabeth Park as a marshalling point. Such groups did not make their presence known.
It may be noted here that Gibraltar and Grosse Ile possess the ability to shield themselves completely from the mainland. By simply turning the Free Bridge and Toll Bridge halfway around, and by setting up a blockade to prevent access to North, Middle and South Gibraltar Roads, those municipalities were more or less guaranteed maximum protection.
Overall, incidents Downriver were few and far between. A heavier police presence was required at Korvette's in Southgate after a threat was phoned in to the department store on Monday. That night would bring a mild spate of looting and rock-throwing in River Rouge, but that would be quelled by the following morning.
Many witnesses - and local politicians - would say they were impressed by the can-do spirit, as well as the amount and quality of help provided by emergency personnel and everyday citizens during this time. Groups got together to donate necessary food, clothing and other supplies for Detroiters displaced by the arsons and crime. Wyandotte would be the first Downriver community to lift its curfew on Thursday, as they were the only city to have the power to decide that on its own. By the following week, routines Downriver would return to normal.
Perhaps owing to the great response among Downriver communities during the Detroit Riots of the prior year, fifteen mayors would meet in Trenton as part of a Mutual Aid Committee to develop an overall area disaster plan in March, 1968. The bonding of so many local politicans was unprecedented to the public at that time, as the city heads were part of the new Southern Wayne County Mayor's Committee, formed in 1967.
At the same time, while personal bonds were growing, building was taking an unexpected halt in Southgate. Mayor Robert Reaume halted all housing construction in the area called Drain District #5, bordered by Northline, Mulberry, Superior and Allen Roads. The poor overall condition of the Woodruff Drain (which ran along Northline) led to the possibility of poor foundations in newly-constructed homes; of which previous efforts to relief the difficulty had gone unheeded, necessitating this temporary construction ban.
At the same time, while personal bonds were growing, building was taking an unexpected halt in Southgate. Mayor Robert Reaume halted all housing construction in the area called Drain District #5, bordered by Northline, Mulberry, Superior and Allen Roads. The poor overall condition of the Woodruff Drain (which ran along Northline) led to the possibility of poor foundations in newly-constructed homes; of which previous efforts to relief the difficulty had gone unheeded, necessitating this temporary construction ban.
Taylor's city formation in 1968 gains two sweet deals
Following the 3/4ths majority vote from a couple years earlier, the final new city Downriver would make its mark by the debut of Taylor, under the leadership of Mayor Richard Trolley. One of his first major ceremonies as Mayor would be the July opening of Southland Mall.
Completing the "directional-land" malls, it was originally anchored by J.L. Hudson, Kroger and Woolworth & Woolco. It would be state-of-the-art for its time, with modern decor inside featuring four cascading waterfalls, a metal bar sculpture, a towering bird cage and a fish tank, both anchoring the corridor between the (then) east and west courts. The ribbon cutting in July would conclude the four year design and construction project and was very well received. The Hudson's store in Lincoln Park would close and be quickly replaced by a Farmer Jack store, sealing off the basement and second floor areas, which have not been seen by the public since.
Replacing the old Tic-Toc hamburger stand on Telegraph south of Ecorse Road would be a future giant: Hungry Howie's Pizza opened its debut location just south of its current building.
Completing the "directional-land" malls, it was originally anchored by J.L. Hudson, Kroger and Woolworth & Woolco. It would be state-of-the-art for its time, with modern decor inside featuring four cascading waterfalls, a metal bar sculpture, a towering bird cage and a fish tank, both anchoring the corridor between the (then) east and west courts. The ribbon cutting in July would conclude the four year design and construction project and was very well received. The Hudson's store in Lincoln Park would close and be quickly replaced by a Farmer Jack store, sealing off the basement and second floor areas, which have not been seen by the public since.
Replacing the old Tic-Toc hamburger stand on Telegraph south of Ecorse Road would be a future giant: Hungry Howie's Pizza opened its debut location just south of its current building.
Hudson's and Lincoln Park's MC5 get into a record squabble
Southland's initial reputation was solidified mere months after opening, as Downriver shopping habits were forever changed. It would be the actions of Downriver's most famous rock group that would give Southland's new anchor tenant - J.L. Hudson - some unwanted headaches.
The Motor City Five - best known as The MC5 - had formed in Lincoln Park in 1964 and within a few short years, their stature had grown exponentially, headlining concerts at the Grande Ballroom in Detroit. Their initial album release, Kick Out The Jams, was recorded entirely at that venue and would become Billboard Magazine's ninth-best Live Rock album of all time.
As was often the case with the atmosphere in late-1960s music as well as the MC5's raw roots, one song had a vulgar verse written for it. Hudson would take the group to task by refusing to carry the album in their stores. Since Hudson still had huge clout in the industry say-so, this affected sales and potential profit for the MC5.
Reacting passionately, the group took out a full-page ad in the offbeat Fifth Estate magazine, increasing the scope of vulgar scorn to the department store itself. The chain then took the liberal step of pulling the entire stock of its record label (Elektra) off the shelves. Again, owing to its continued industry-wide respect, the move by Hudson now became bad for Elektra's bottom line, to the point the MC5 would eventually be dropped from the label altogether. Hudson would continue to back this ban throughout MC5's later signing with Atlantic Records.
Though two more albums would be released under the MC5 name, the charm appeared over. Within a few years, they would officially disband their original lineup. But time would later show that Downriver's appreciation of their home-grown talent would grow to epic proportions, spanning different generations of listeners.
The Motor City Five - best known as The MC5 - had formed in Lincoln Park in 1964 and within a few short years, their stature had grown exponentially, headlining concerts at the Grande Ballroom in Detroit. Their initial album release, Kick Out The Jams, was recorded entirely at that venue and would become Billboard Magazine's ninth-best Live Rock album of all time.
As was often the case with the atmosphere in late-1960s music as well as the MC5's raw roots, one song had a vulgar verse written for it. Hudson would take the group to task by refusing to carry the album in their stores. Since Hudson still had huge clout in the industry say-so, this affected sales and potential profit for the MC5.
Reacting passionately, the group took out a full-page ad in the offbeat Fifth Estate magazine, increasing the scope of vulgar scorn to the department store itself. The chain then took the liberal step of pulling the entire stock of its record label (Elektra) off the shelves. Again, owing to its continued industry-wide respect, the move by Hudson now became bad for Elektra's bottom line, to the point the MC5 would eventually be dropped from the label altogether. Hudson would continue to back this ban throughout MC5's later signing with Atlantic Records.
Though two more albums would be released under the MC5 name, the charm appeared over. Within a few years, they would officially disband their original lineup. But time would later show that Downriver's appreciation of their home-grown talent would grow to epic proportions, spanning different generations of listeners.