Ah, yes. From Shorpy Cadillac Square, 1918

[Ray1936]

I don't see how 100 years have improved this photo very much. What say you?

[Jimaz]

It's stinky with no linky.

Fill the Flag: 1918

Folks like to zoom in on those babies.

[Ray1936]

It's stinky with no linky.

Fill the Flag: 1918

Folks like to zoom in on those babies.

You're right. Had a first-class brain fart on that one.

[gnome]

That's ok, Ray.

So... tell us, what was it like back then. Did you really walk uphill both ways on your way to the schoolhouse?

Is that Jjaba on the Dexter Tram heading West?

[ASilvaman]

When is this site ever gonna allow attachments to be viewed via mobile? 2018 and I still gotta switch to Desktop View to see things. It's not 2001 anymore. geez

[Ray1936]

That's ok, Ray.

So... tell us, what was it like back then. Did you really walk uphill both ways on your way to the schoolhouse?

Is that Jjaba on the Dexter Tram heading West?

Sure miss Jjaba since he moved to somewhere near the Pacific. And, yes, going to and from Monnier elementary was uphill both ways, and back then [[before global warming) we had blizzards in June. Had a heck of a time pushing my bike through the snowdrifts to deliver the Detroit Times.

[gnome]

I'm sure there is truth in there somewhere.

Speaking of truth, I believe that theater in the shorpy pic would grow up to be a dirty movie house.

It would meet its firey end during a run of Deep Throat. The firemen had trouble getting inside because the patrons were lined up out front asking for ticket refunds.

True.

[p69rrh51]

This is the one website I absolutely despise, Shorpy!! I do not understand the fascination with this site here on Detroityes as every photo posted on the site is just a "touched up" version of the original available for FREE from the Library of Congress website.

An image of the corner from another free source the Burton Historical Collection, date unknown, and a color image from the archives of Charles M. Bayer, circa 1950's

[Zacha341]

^^^ Where is this tall building with top speres? Was it raised?

[archfan]

Zacha: The tall building was originally the Real Estate Exchange, and later was renamed the Cadillac Square Building. It was demolished in 1976 to make space for a mall that never materialized.

[Zacha341]

Sad. Such a beauty. Didn't think I'd missed it looking at recent downtown pics.

[archfan]

This is the one website I absolutely despise, Shorpy!! I do not understand the fascination with this site here on Detroityes as every photo posted on the site is just a "touched up" version of the original available for FREE from the Library of Congress website.
...

The thing that I like about Shorpy is the comments. It's really a curated discussion group. You often get comments from people who remember what was pictured, sometimes from the time the photo was made.

In a way it's like DetroitYes, but without the arguments about transportation or the Queen.

[Jimaz]

...In a way it's like DetroitYes, but without the arguments about transportation or the Queen.

Let's leave Donald's sexuality out of it.

[Lowell]

You're right. Had a first-class brain fart on that one.

But I like that you show a preview so pic + link is preferred. Thanks.

[Zacha341]

Hah! That was naughty!

Let's leave Donald's sexuality out of it.

[Lowell]

When is this site ever gonna allow attachments to be viewed via mobile? 2018 and I still gotta switch to Desktop View to see things. It's not 2001 anymore. geez

Never noticed that before, I'll have my techs check into that. In the meantime here is a work around.

Scroll to the bottom of the mobile view window and tap "Full Site".



This will give you a miniature version of the desktop view. Although I have to pinch in and out some, I prefer it to the mobile. Here is what it looks like after the switch.

[Lowell]

Should I post this detail on the Falling Transit Ridership thread?

[Hermod]

Public transit. Relax, use your laptop, read a book.

[swingline]

This is the one website I absolutely despise, Shorpy!! I do not understand the fascination with this site here on Detroityes as every photo posted on the site is just a "touched up" version of the original available for FREE from the Library of Congress website.

An image of the corner from another free source the Burton Historical Collection, date unknown, and a color image from the archives of Charles M. Bayer, circa 1950's

The color shot gives a rare aerial glimpse of the First National Building's cornice before it was removed and replaced by some gorgeous aluminum siding.

[makischr]

Zacha: The tall building was originally the Real Estate Exchange, and later was renamed the Cadillac Square Building. It was demolished in 1976 to make space for a mall that never materialized.

There is still a building in that area that is called the Cadillac Square Building and has suspiciously similar architectural elements to the historic photos above in this thread. I think maybe only the shorter 5 story building looks to have come down. Look at this modern photo of whatever they are now calling Cadillac Square Building and compare the mechanicals housing box on top of the tower to the original. Also note the shorter spires that look like they were retained in a remuddling. There is a detail about 1/6 down from the top that also looks similar to the original.



https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cadill...erDetroit2.jpg

[makischr]

On closer look at the color photo, I think I see the side of the tower that I just posted. So it looks like that block had a pair of towers with some similar features. The one I've posted looks to be several stories taller.

[Lowell]

I’m confused. Was that building ‘grown’ at some point adding 15 floors and removing the west facing windows. Neither historicdetroit.org nor it’s Wikipedia entry mention how that happened.

[MikeM]

I'm confused at who is responding to whom.

Two buildings. One in foreground demoed 1976. One in background always that size.

[Wheels]

Also from Shorpy. Being demolished one floor at a time!

[Maof]

Also from Shorpy. Being demolished one floor at a time!

Wow! So that's how they did it in 1976? Or they couldn't implode it for some reason or another?