Quote Originally Posted by GMan View Post
Bummer about the Casino building coming down. Any more info available on it's history?
I had the opurtunity to tour this building once. It was owned by the used car dealer, don't remember the name. He put a lot of money into cleaning up and mechanically stabilizing the building. Used it for storing antique cars and parts. There was a ramp into the basement level you could drive down. Upstairs; well as it was said already "reminded me of an old western cathouse." The rooms upstairs did have little wooden holders on the wall by the door that was rumored to be for condoms. Just about enough room for a bed and a nightstand in each room.
Wish I had taken some pictures.
I don't know if there is any historical info on 5 Points. It WAS/ is part of Redford Township but their historical society seems to focus on the Old Redford [[Grand River/Lahser) 'Sandhill' area. Old red school house Beech Rd in S Redford is historical society HQ.
We moved into the area in '65- the heart of 5 Points 'downtown' had been recently demolished for the Ford dealer, I heard alot of stories about the old town and the casino from the 'old timers' in the neighborhood. If I'd been more than 12-13 years old, maybe I'd have recognized the stories as 'history'. The area around the casino- 5 Points - had an active business district, like Old Redford. 5-6 blocks frontage along Grand River and 7 Mile- and no parking meters.

Car dealer- Mr Miller owned 5 Points [[used)Auto Sales, a former gas station. I worked for him HS years. He did not own the 'casino' next door at the time, it was a furniture store. I doubt he himself spent much $ fixing up the bldg, he was no big spender. The main floor and upstairs was rented out to a car collector for a future museum, never finished. I think Kughn [[sp) owner of Lionel trains, who eventually moved his collection to Rosedale Park area. The main floor of the casino building was not sturdy enough for heavy autos. Basement ramp- added by Miller- the basement and fenced back lot was rented out to Dwyer Imports. Much needed additional storage for parts, extra new car inventory.

Agreed about wish I'd taken photos. Priceless memories. I had 'run of the place' as a kid, salesmen knew kids did not buy furniture, left us alone.

Miller sold his car lot and the casino to Sears. It was slated to be a National Tire Battery store site. They demo'd the casino maybe 15 years ago, site vacant many years until the strip mall was built. The developers wanted brownfield tax breaks from Redford Twp to build a Gas station/McDonalds there!