Where were you during the 1967 Detroit Riot?

[birwood]

Growing up in the Wyoming/Schoolcraft/Davison neighborhood all we could see was smoke in the sky. A close friend that I attended Mackenzie HS with lived in the Joy Rd /Grand River area called me and simply said "We Got a Riot". He happened to have a radio that could monitor Fire and Police calls and he adjusted his phone so we could both listen in on the DFD Radio traffic and reports from the fire companies that were being shot at or bricked as they tried to extinguish the fires It wasn't until nightfall that we could hear the constant stream of sirens from the fire rigs and gunshots. My father worked for the DSR and happened to be the Station Master at the Coolidge Terminal, when he got home he told my brothers and me to stay put and told us that they had soldiers guarding all city buildings and that the big Mich Con Gas Tank at Lyndon & Schaefer had an Army Tank protecting it. We did see a couple of small convoys of troops going up and down Schoolcraft and venturing up to Grand River at one point we did see numerous military convoys, fire apparatus and polce vehicles moving about.
After we got back into the schoolyear, my Senoir Year at MHS, one of our teachers produced a few Black & White photos he had taken while flying over the city during the riots. Mr Cheronzy was a Major in the Mich Air Nat'l Guard and flew RF-84F's on photo recons during the riots. That year at Mackenzie and even back where we lived, I never witnessed or heard of and racial problems, nor did I ever felt threatened. I did have numerous African-American friends at that time period, in fact several helped my family throw a surprise going away party for me the following July when I left for the USAF .

[Stosh]

I have been looking through some photos on E-bay. What was the riot in Patton Park about in 1959? Here is a link:

http://cgi.ebay.com/1959-Police-Arre...-/290458208871

Or this one from 1951?

http://cgi.ebay.com/1951-Riot-Detroi...item415181c3bb

[reddog289]

never heard of either.

[Jman]

The second photo is a lot older than 1951. All of the cars in the photo are from the thirties.

[jcole]

Scroll down and look at the back of the second one. It says 'Labor Riot June 10, 19[[2)7
Could be [[3)

[Stosh]

Scroll down and look at the back of the second one. It says 'Labor Riot June 10, 19[[2)7
Could be [[3)

I'd say 37' since those cars weren't made in 1927. Good call.

That makes sense since the 37' time period was known for the labor strikes in the area, and riots, I suppose.

The other one, could be a protest for the preservation of Bebe creek, which flowed through the park. It was buried underground at some point, perhaps then?

[Stosh]

Here's an interesting article that says that there were white rioters, and that it really wasn't a race riot at all.
From Google Books:
http://books.google.com/books?id=oLo...20riot&f=false

[Stosh]

Another instance from another book. This one the Historical dictionary of the 60's.

[SaintMe]

Another instance from another book. This one the Historical dictionary of the 60's.

What suburbs were part of the looting and firebombing?

[EastsideAl]

I'd say 37' since those cars weren't made in 1927. Good call.

That makes sense since the 37' time period was known for the labor strikes in the area, and riots, I suppose.

The other one, could be a protest for the preservation of Bebe creek, which flowed through the park. It was buried underground at some point, perhaps then?

1937 was the year of the strike in Michigan. The Flint GM sit-down strike ended in February of that year with recognition of the UAW by GM. That began a wave of similar labor organizing efforts and strikes across the area in the auto industry and other local industries and businesses. The famous "Battle of the Overpass" occurred in May as UAW began to try to organize Ford, and there was similar labor unrest and organizing going on throughout the state. So it wouldn't surprise me at all if that picture was from 1937. It was really the year that began the modern labor movement and the consequent growth of the industrial middle class in this area as we knew it in the 1940s, 50s, 60s, and into the 70s.

[EastsideAl]

I'd say 37' since those cars weren't made in 1927. Good call.

That makes sense since the 37' time period was known for the labor strikes in the area, and riots, I suppose.

The 1937 photo is, I believe, of the Republic/Newton Steel strike in Monroe in June of that year. Here is a link to a video. In a very brief scene right at the 1:00 mark I think you see the moment depicted in that photo.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...7690324026006#

[Stosh]

The 1937 photo is, I believe, of the Republic/Newton Steel strike in Monroe in June of that year. Here is a link to a video. In a very brief scene right at the 1:00 mark I think you see the moment depicted in that photo.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...7690324026006#

Yes, that looks to be the one. Bravo!

[Jman]

I know of at least one small building in Hamtramck that was set on fire during the riots.

[Bunny]

I was in Lexington with my mother & step dad visiting Aunt Mary when we heard. My parents called the White Owl restaurant that they managed at Michigan & Stecker. We left Lexington & drove to the restaurant. When we got to the restaurant it was filled with police. We lived on Renville & Mcgraw & had no problems there. I worked at Blue Cross downtown in the Cadillac Square building & we were off work for a couple of days. In the days after, I drove around Detroit & could not believe the houses & businesses that were burned down.

[Corn.Bot]

I was in Lexington with my mother & step dad visiting Aunt Mary when we heard.

Coincidentally, I [[and my siblings) were in Lexington, as well. That's where we spent our summers, and that was the July I turned 13. I was supposed to receive a birthstone ring from my parents [[with a real gem and tiny little diamond. I was so excited). Unfortunately, the jeweler was located somewhere near 12th Street, and my parents, who lived on the east side, could not get over there to pick up my ring until late August.

A trivial, meaningless memory, but one of the most clear I have of that summer.

[carlscomputers]

Coincidentally, I [[and my siblings) were in Lexington, as well. That's where we spent our summers, and that was the July I turned 13. I was supposed to receive a birthstone ring from my parents [[with a real gem and tiny little diamond. I was so excited). Unfortunately, the jeweler was located somewhere near 12th Street, and my parents, who lived on the east side, could not get over there to pick up my ring until late August.

A trivial, meaningless memory, but one of the most clear I have of that summer.

No Memory is meaningless!!! Thanks for sharing.

[OnyaCobber]

I was in Lexington with my mother & step dad visiting Aunt Mary when we heard. My parents called the White Owl restaurant that they managed at Michigan & Stecker. We left Lexington & drove to the restaurant. When we got to the restaurant it was filled with police. We lived on Renville & Mcgraw & had no problems there. I worked at Blue Cross downtown in the Cadillac Square building & we were off work for a couple of days. In the days after, I drove around Detroit & could not believe the houses & businesses that were burned down.

Bunny - Do you have or can you post a photo of the White Owl restaurant? My cousin - and I'm sure hundreds of others - spent a lot of his time at that intersection, and a photo might jiggle many memories! Thanks!

[FerndaleDamon]

I know this may be a little "off subject", but I had to respond to some of the earlier threads about the predjudicial thing. Both of my grandparents were transplants here. My father's from europe [[ Ireland) in the 20's and my mother's from Tennessee in the 50's. Both came here for the work, like many others, and both brought with them certian predjudices from that era. People from back then seem to have very little loyalty for the D. Not like us guys on D yes. Many of whom are their descendants. With so many different nationalities/races competing for jobs, and hence survival, feelings were "strong", to say the least. Many of the people who were here for Detroit's "boom town" period have since moved away, or passed away. After the prosperity well ran dry- they left. I believe that's why Detroit had 2 million people at its peak, and only less than half that now. A lot of people were just "transitory". Again- off the specific topic, but I think relevant to what happened then, and the way it is today.

[canuck]

I know this may be a little "off subject", but I had to respond to some of the earlier threads about the predjudicial thing. Both of my grandparents were transplants here. My father's from europe [[ Ireland) in the 20's and my mother's from Tennessee in the 50's. Both came here for the work, like many others, and both brought with them certian predjudices from that era. People from back then seem to have very little loyalty for the D. Not like us guys on D yes. Many of whom are their descendants. With so many different nationalities/races competing for jobs, and hence survival, feelings were "strong", to say the least. Many of the people who were here for Detroit's "boom town" period have since moved away, or passed away. After the prosperity well ran dry- they left. I believe that's why Detroit had 2 million people at its peak, and only less than half that now. A lot of people were just "transitory". Again- off the specific topic, but I think relevant to what happened then, and the way it is today.

This kind of comment is informative and contributes a whole lot because it is easy to find one or two major reasons for the city's decline and leave it at that. If people dismiss Detroit outside the pale, it
may have to do with quick judgement and so the idea of abandonment seems worthwhile. Many posters here have repeated that Detroit's demise is due to a wide set of variables and they are right. I wondered how it is that the city's decline wasnt curbed by investments in more varied industry etc...
I am more pondered in my opinions on Detroit. Detroit has had a complicated set of issues to deal with as it mushroomed into this massive builder of the vehicular lifestyle.Your comment on the transitory is a common thread in american life, not just from inner-city to suburbs but from state to state in search of...
So I look at Google street view again and again and find visuospatial clues that help me render judgement on a few issues. I find Detroit suburban roads and lots both residential and industrial
too wide and too spread out. I find this use of space tends to flatten everything and doesnt draw people in. It is a lot like sitting in a fast food joint and being coerced into leaving by an ingeniously engineered uncomfortable seat. This is present in a lot of Detroit proper also. The sidewalk is like a moat, oftentimes a vast expanse or grass is set forward on the city line in front of properties. I am amazed that the city has to mow so much prairie in 2010 as a security measure over and above aesthetic considerations and foresake parkland. If Detroit can make better more concentrated use of land, it will be a benefit both in ecological and social terms.

[Ronjm23]

There is much of what you posted that I agree with but a few I'm not in agreement. Both of my parents were 2nd generation of eastern European immigrants. My parents fled Detroit for the suburbs in 1956. They bought one of those cookie cutter homes in the downriver area. They did this after endlessly searching for a home in Detroit but the suburbs offered a better buy. Yes, they had the same fear that you had mentioned but it wasn't limited to blacks. Because they lived in a section of Detroit that was ethnically pure they had little contact with people of other races or nationalities. Hence, I listened to them speak in derogatory tones about nearly all other cultures, even their own who were more recent immigrants. They were the dreaded 'DP's. It was only after I started working full time that I was immersed in other cultures and races. I learned that pretty much we are all the same. Most everyone just wanted to earn a living and provide for their families. Yes, I encountered some individuals with other agendas but they were rare. Many people of all races and cultures were leaving Motown long before the riots. The riot just accelerated the flight.

[margaret]

July 24, 1967 was my 16th birthday, believe it or not! I was hanging out at home, 1342 Lakewood Ave. -- the far east side, between Kercheval and Jefferson. I had to be one of the most clueless teens ever: was pissed off about the riot because it meant that the state offices were closed, so I couldn't get my driver's license on my birthday. adolescent blinders. as far off as the riot was, it was pretty scary: we sat around, my folks didn't allow us to leave the house, one of the neighbors had a police radio we kept listening to, and then he would drink and get all pumped up and clean his guns, act macho and describe what he would do to anyone who came near his property, etc. we could see smoke and some glow from the area on the east side that was burning...I thought it was around Mack. is that right? we would sit on the front porch, it was hot out; one time we were out there and some National Guard guys were marching down the street on the sidewalk, and Dad went to light his cigarette and the soldiers whipped around with their rifles ready because they saw his flame. that was crazy scary! they apologized when they realized it was just my dad lighting his cigarette. one weird thing was that because groups of people were not allowed to assemble, plus the strictest curfews were on, we couldn't have cheerleading practice! there were eight of us high school cheerleaders, St. Ambrose High School...when we finally were allowed to assemble again, I remember how during cheerleading practice we would check out the soldiers cruising around in their open air Jeeps and think they were cute and flirt with them. like I said, sooo clueless! those are some crazy memories. our wonderful big house ended up flattened, destroyed by ????...during the 70s my mom was mugged as she was walking to the store, so that was the final straw and my folks gave up on the old neighborhood. moved to the suburbs. our house occupied one of those empty urban prairie places. Lakewood was a great neighborhood in the 50s and 60s.

[jerrytimes]

I'm really late in this conversation, but I wasn't born. I wish I had been so I could have seen the city at least once before it's destruction. In the following years my entire family moved to the suburbs due to the theft and violence that followed.

[jcole]

I'm really late in this conversation, but I wasn't born. I wish I had been so I could have seen the city at least once before it's destruction. In the following years my entire family moved to the suburbs due to the theft and violence that followed.

Wow, you weren't? How'd you join the rest of us, then?

[grumpyoldlady]

I had just graduated from high school in '67 when the riot took place. We lived on Wayburn between Morang and Moross. My boyfriend lived on Saratoga between Hayes and Chalmers. My mom refused to let me drive over to his house, and drove me herself. It was horrible watching all the looting and shooting on television. My cousin John came home from Vietnam during the riot, and on the way home from picking him up at the airport, they had to drive near the shooting to get to their home. My aunt said that at the sound of gunfire, John was immediately on the floor of the car...a well conditioned response from his time in Vietnam. What a "welcome home" for him!

[George Cassidy]

In the Coast Guard in Cheboygan. Worried about my squeeze in 48226. She was on the town with Jodie, as it turned out. Story of my life. Film at 11.