Rare 1980s Photos of 7 Mile and Gratiot

[IrishSpartan]

Did you ever attend the, was it, Ramona Theatre? Was it still open?

[[Note also, that the CoD streetscape improvements are visible in several pictures. The curvy sidewalk lights w/ round globes as well as the little canopy that tries to make it look like a mall in a desperate attempt to fool the public. They also did a great job of hiding the stores own signs -- which no doubt helped the businesses greatly. These also appeared at Grand River Greenfield, and I think Oakman and Grand River.

Remember this when you invest in new streetscape junk. It doesn't age well. It doesn't really do any good either. But it was fun.

The Ramona Theater was open until 1975. In 1961, their was certainly no talk of closing that place. The only issue was the lack of on-site or nearby dedicated parking lot. Definitely one of the landmarks of Gratiot Ave. in those days, especially in the stretch from Conner to 8 Mile Rd.

[Hermod]

The Ramona Theater was open until 1975. In 1961, their was certainly no talk of closing that place. The only issue was the lack of on-site or nearby dedicated parking lot. Definitely one of the landmarks of Gratiot Ave. in those days, especially in the stretch from Conner to 8 Mile Rd.

Fortunately [[for us) Gratiot and 7 Mile was a half mile walk [[and very safe walk) in 1961. We lived in a flat on Reno that had been converted to four apartments and I was making big bucks working for the City of Detroit in the Bureau of Expressway Design. Two very happy young kids as I was 22 and she was 21. Then came the call to active duty as a newly minted 2nd Lt and my pay was cut in half. We went from the half-assed apartment in Detroit to a 47' X 8' house trailer in Aberdeen, MD in late Nov 61. My late and lamented first wife [[and mother of my children), I still have those memories of when we looked at the women's clothes in Monkey Wards and Federal and all of our future was in front of us. Our children and I still remember you though many years you have gone from us. Detroit, like you is still a wonderful memory regardless of the sad reality of today.