Obscure neighorboods of the City

[econ expat]

I lived in the area of Detroit that is listed as The Eye from '83-'06. Physically, the area is bound by Telegraph-Five Points-Grand River-McNichols. The name The Eye was given to the community organized watch group that formed in the 1980s to patrol the area day and night to deter home break-ins. Signs were put up in this area at points of entry to let would-be thieves know that the community was looking out for itself. The campaign was successful for a few years. I don't know how active the watch group is anymore. The signs for The Eye still exist and I believe that is why the area is still referred to as The Eye. Historically, it should have a reference and a name related to Redford Township.

I grew up in that neighborhood 60's-70's, still have family there.
There was no official name for the area, but our neighborhood baseball league was called the 'Redford Park Athletic Association', we always presumed the neighborhood name was Redford Park.

The Eye is a silly name for the neighborhood, but as you said, the neighborhood watch association is called 'The Eye' . That name referred to 'watching', nothing to do with the neighborhood name [[My Dad was one of the 'charter' members and remembers the naming choice at the 1st meeting.

Maybe some genius saw 'The Eye' signs and thought that was the neighborhood name, it has 'stuck' since.

[econ expat]

That is the area North of 7 Mile and West of Telegraph.
The name for that neighborhood does make sense, historically.
Downtown 5 Points was the corner of 7 Mile and Grand River.
Most of 'downtown' was demolished when Stark Hickey Ford was built.
5 Points was a stop on the D.U.R. line.
There was also a big former 'casino' building on the Southwest corner of Grand River and 5 Points.It was a furniture store when I was a kid, but a fascinating old building. There was a 'balcony' all the way aruond above the main floor. Little 'storage rooms' upstairs all around. Looked like an old western movie casino/ cathouse layout.
And it was torn down in recent years for another strip mall.

[GMan]

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.

That is the area North of 7 Mile and West of Telegraph.
The name for that neighborhood does make sense, historically.
Downtown 5 Points was the corner of 7 Mile and Grand River.
Most of 'downtown' was demolished when Stark Hickey Ford was built.
5 Points was a stop on the D.U.R. line.
There was also a big former 'casino' building on the Southwest corner of Grand River and 5 Points.It was a furniture store when I was a kid, but a fascinating old building. There was a 'balcony' all the way aruond above the main floor. Little 'storage rooms' upstairs all around. Looked like an old western movie casino/ cathouse layout.
And it was torn down in recent years for another strip mall.

[econ expat]

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!

[eno]

I grew up in that neighborhood 60's-70's, still have family there.
There was no official name for the area, but our neighborhood baseball league was called the 'Redford Park Athletic Association', we always presumed the neighborhood name was Redford Park.

The Eye is a silly name for the neighborhood, but as you said, the neighborhood watch association is called 'The Eye' . That name referred to 'watching', nothing to do with the neighborhood name [[My Dad was one of the 'charter' members and remembers the naming choice at the 1st meeting.

Maybe some genius saw 'The Eye' signs and thought that was the neighborhood name, it has 'stuck' since.

Like you surmise, that's how The Eye neighborhood got it's name. That's why I suggest a name that is more suited to the area's history. You mention Redford Park being used as a community-based athletic association. Considering you have "Olde Redford" east of Telegraph along Grand River, it's only fitting that a name with Redford in it should be used to describe the area accidentally named The Eye.