Oldest Verifiable Manhole Cover in the City

**MichiganMan** · September-03-15, 08:39 AM

While walking into work this morning I came across a manhole cover dated 1925. This is located on E. bound Michigan between 3rd and Cass. If only this cover could talk. Just think of all the history this went through and it survived. No road crews or scrappers took it for their own collection. Are they any older covers still being used?

**Gpwrangler** · September-03-15, 08:49 AM

Well that one will be gone soon lol

**EastsideAl** · September-03-15, 09:25 AM

Damn. now THAT would make a great gift for Dad. Born in 1925. He turns 90 in two weeks!

Born, raised, and lived his whole life in the City of Detroit.

**tompage** · September-03-15, 10:34 AM

Not even close to being the oldest. There are 1909s out there! And pretty much every year in between.

**cla1945** · October-19-15, 04:31 PM

[ATTACH]28427[/ATTACH)

Picture taken on Belle Isle, Oct., 2011

**Ray1936** · October-19-15, 05:24 PM

Both are Public Lighting Commission covers for utility tunnels for the city-owned lighting department. They also ran a telephone system for the city completely separate from the Bell lines. Police call boxes and Fire Alarm Pull Stations were all part of the system.

My box, before and after restoration.

**Detroitnerd** · October-19-15, 05:49 PM

The oldest one I've seen is in Hamtramck, in the alley behind the A&C on Joseph Campau. It's actually more behind the empty lot next to it. It's 1916.

The oldest fire hydrant I've seen is on Vernor Highway in front of Most Holy Redeemer Church. It was from 1914, IIRC.

**Jimaz** · October-19-15, 06:37 PM

I found no dated Detroit manhole covers at Drainspotting.com but found it amusing that such a site even exists.

**Jimaz** · October-19-15, 07:00 PM

Watch behind his left shoulder: Manhole Cover Goes Flying [in Buffalo, NY].

**Coplin** · October-19-15, 07:20 PM

..............................

**kathy2trips** · October-19-15, 09:29 PM

Originally Posted by Ray1936

Both are Public Lighting Commission covers for utility tunnels for the city-owned lighting department. They also ran a telephone system for the city completely separate from the Bell lines. Police call boxes and Fire Alarm Pull Stations were all part of the system.

My box, before and after restoration.

A beauty, Ray. Much admiration and respect from me.

**Cincinnati_Kid** · October-20-15, 08:41 AM

Yeah Ray, that looks great. You are our official historian on how things use to be around here.

**Hastings** · October-22-15, 10:14 PM

I know where a 1912 is at.

**Honky Tonk** · October-23-15, 12:56 AM

Originally Posted by Hastings

I know where a 1912 is at.

Don't ask don't tell but a photo would be nice.

**SDCC** · October-23-15, 05:21 AM

I swear there is a manhole - over by the transit center - that spells Detroit "DEE ROIT"

**Hastings** · October-30-15, 09:36 AM

verified the message you have entered..

**Honky Tonk** · October-30-15, 09:40 AM

Originally Posted by Hastings

verified the message you have entered..

Very cool, so far you're the winner.

**Hastings** · October-31-15, 02:56 AM

What's the winner get?

**RaumVogel** · October-31-15, 05:30 AM

Originally Posted by Hastings

What's the winner get?

The Internet always rewards with a "cookie" You never get the cookie,though.

**Honky Tonk** · October-31-15, 06:19 AM

Originally Posted by Hastings

What's the winner get?

A chance to date beautiful Russian women. I hear Ana wants to talk with you.....

**Ray1936** · October-31-15, 06:53 PM

Originally Posted by Hastings

What's the winner get?

A truck tour of Russian Highways on YouTube. [[You ever watch those things? Them Russians are totally wacko as drivers!)

**Brock7** · October-31-15, 08:05 PM

Edison Illuminating Co.? What's the safety pin for? - that thing needs to be bolted down.

**Jimaz** · October-31-15, 08:27 PM

Originally Posted by Brock7

Edison Illuminating Co.? What's the safety pin for? - that thing needs to be bolted down.

Good job. Considering the wear it's amazing anyone could read that. I couldn't.

From DTE Energy, The Early Years:

In 1886, the Edison Illuminating Co. of Detroit was organized and began serving its first customers. By 1892, the company's customer base had grown to 550, with many of its customers involved in the production of railroad cars, ship engines and cast-iron stoves. In that pre-automobile industry era, Henry Ford worked for Edison Illuminating, first as a night fireman and engineer at $40 a month and later as chief engineer at $100 a month.

By the turn of the century, the Edison Illuminating Co. and the Peninsular Electric Light Co. [[which owned the electric distribution franchise in the area) provided all commercial electric lighting and power in the city of Detroit. In January 1903, Detroit Edison purchased securities of the two companies and incorporated on Jan. 17, 1903. That same year, construction began on the Delray 1 power plant, and Henry Ford, who had left Edison Illuminating four years earlier, founded Ford Motor Co.