Belle Isle Then and Now

**p69rrh51** · May-10-13, 09:48 AM

Lowell suggested this thread and I thought it was an excellent idea! To start the thread I thought anyone who has been to the picnic would enjoy the next 3 images. Also hats off to Kathleen and Dave for going above and beyond for today's terrific picnic!

Shadynook comfort station near the corner of Muse & Loiter Way. Designed by J. Phillip McDonnell built in 1920. Also included is an image from the Thumb Tack Club of Detroit 1921 exhibition catalog.

The Belle Isle Aquarium, a favorite of many on the island. Located and the corner of Inselruhe and Conservatory Drive built in 1904. Designed by Albert Kahn.

Several images of the Aquarium from the Burton Historical Collection.

The Bicycle Pavilion designed by Edward Schilling in 1898

**p69rrh51** · June-16-13, 06:19 PM

Found this image in a 1921 Thumb Tack Club Exhibition catalog.

**Zacha341** · June-16-13, 08:56 PM

What a nice photo! Who remembers when the bridge use to go UNDER Jefferson? I do. It was in the late sixties... maybe up thru '75 or so. Then they closed it off and made everything up top.

**p69rrh51** · June-16-13, 11:37 PM

Originally Posted by Zacha341

What a nice photo! Who remembers when the bridge use to go UNDER Jefferson? I do. It was in the late sixties... maybe up thru '75 or so. Then they closed it off and made everything up top.

Just for you the viaduct under E. Jefferson.

**Honky Tonk** · June-17-13, 06:27 AM

Originally Posted by p69rrh51

Found this image in a 1921 Thumb Tack Club Exhibition catalog.

Was this station on the Southeast corner, and when was it torn down? Thanx.

**p69rrh51** · June-17-13, 10:53 AM

Originally Posted by Honky Tonk

Was this station on the Southeast corner, and when was it torn down? Thanx.

HT traffic was diverted while the viaduct was filled and the entrance to the island rerouted.
Also yes the station was on the southeast corner. I do not remember when the station was torn down, the 1980's come to mind.

**Honky Tonk** · June-17-13, 02:49 PM

Originally Posted by p69rrh51

HT traffic was diverted while the viaduct was filled and the entrance to the island rerouted.
Also yes the station was on the southeast corner. I do not remember when the station was torn down, the 1980's come to mind.

I thought I rememebered it from going to Belle Isle, with my parents, by bus in the 60's. Thanx.

**p69rrh51** · June-17-13, 10:55 AM

The Belle Isle Boathouse circa 1890 from the Burton Historical Collection archives.

**EastsideAl** · June-24-13, 08:44 PM

Originally Posted by Honky Tonk

Was this station on the Southeast corner, and when was it torn down? Thanx.

The bus station was torn down in the summer of 1980, without warning and in the middle of the night. The Friends of Belle Isle had been working with the state to get a historical designation for the building and to refurbish it or perhaps move it. This was opposed by the Young administration, which had the final word with a couple of bulldozers.

Here is a fun picture of it in better times with the Electric Park roller coaster in the background:

**Honky Tonk** · June-24-13, 10:34 PM

Originally Posted by EastsideAl

The bus station was torn down in the summer of 1980, without warning and in the middle of the night. The Friends of Belle Isle had been working with the state to get a historical designation for the building and to refurbish it or perhaps move it. This was opposed by the Young administration, which had the final word with a couple of bulldozers.

In the mid to late 70's, I was involved with Preservation Wayne. That was CAY's standard modus operandi. I remember trying to designate and save some Victorian houses around Wine State. 'Dozers showed up one Sunday, 7 a.m., and leveled the houses, before people could get trousers on and stop them. [[in hindsight, probably should've skipped the trousers). I believe one incarnation of Hiedelberg also met the same fate. GREAT photos everyone! I snatch and store the really old ones.

**marshamusic** · June-25-13, 08:37 AM

Originally Posted by EastsideAl

The bus station was torn down in the summer of 1980, without warning and in the middle of the night. The Friends of Belle Isle had been working with the state to get a historical designation for the building and to refurbish it or perhaps move it. This was opposed by the Young administration, which had the final word with a couple of bulldozers.

Here is a fun picture of it in better times with the Electric Park roller coaster in the background:

So is this building on Jefferson? Is this a view of the way into the Island?

Or is it on the Island, and the view is on the way off?

**Honky Tonk** · June-25-13, 09:48 AM

Originally Posted by marshamusic

So is this building on Jefferson? Is this a view of the way into the Island?

Or is it on the Island, and the view is on the way off?

Belle Isle is in the background. I wonder what schooner that is docked in the background?

**p69rrh51** · June-16-13, 11:41 PM

The viaduct under construction.

**Honky Tonk** · June-17-13, 06:23 AM

Originally Posted by p69rrh51

The viaduct under construction.

That's interesting. What did they do with Jefferson, just defer the traffic until the viaduct was completed?

**Honky Tonk** · June-16-13, 11:51 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fWtVXkZ7gU

**Zacha341** · June-17-13, 05:22 AM

Yep. That's it... for sure a childhood memory - going under Jefferson. Thanks guys!!

**p69rrh51** · June-17-13, 10:57 AM

The Belle Isle Coast Guard Station and Lighthouse circa 1900 from the Burton Historical Collection archives.

**p69rrh51** · June-17-13, 05:50 PM

I wonder what the clueless council member would say about this image. A very elegant Packard on Belle Isle.

**p69rrh51** · June-17-13, 05:54 PM

Best guess is the image is Central At Inselruhe Ave. Both images are from Wayne State Univerisity's online archives.

**p69rrh51** · June-18-13, 08:13 AM

The Bicycle Pavilion designed by Edward Schilling in 1898 located at Loiter Way and Vista Avenue.

**p69rrh51** · June-18-13, 08:17 AM

The Detroit Police Department Belle Isle Station. Designed by George Mason in 1893 and located on Inselruhe Avenue.

**stromberg2** · June-18-13, 12:00 PM

Is the Bicycle pavilion in use today?

**p69rrh51** · June-18-13, 12:28 PM

Originally Posted by stromberg2

Is the Bicycle pavilion in use today?

I have not been by there this year so I do not know if the pavilion has been opened.

**Tetherunit** · July-05-13, 10:42 AM

Originally Posted by p69rrh51

I have not been by there this year so I do not know if the pavilion has been opened.

The Pavilion serves the athletic fields which are adjacent. A few years ago, a convenience store was operating there which was preceded by a branch of the local eatery "Turkey Grill".