Unbelievable that this is lost. [Old Campus Martius]

**Whitehouse** · December-24-09, 06:43 PM

Take a moment to look at this.

Here's a more detailed view.

Take a look at the present day location.

This could have been Detroit's Picadilly Circus.....

Press picture for a detailed view...

Easy for us to say "shame..."

But the decay still goes on.

**EastsideQT** · December-24-09, 09:34 PM

I looked at that picture from 1917 and I didn't see anyone that looked liked me or anyone else in my family or for that matter most of my friends...could it be that the people making comments wish Detroit still looked like that picture....I wonder.

**Fury13** · December-24-09, 09:51 PM

What does ethnicity of the residents -- past or present -- have to do with lamenting the loss of that streetscape?

We could have had diversity of population AND architecture. But no...

smudge pot · December-24-09, 10:20 PM

The people are pretty tiny, but that cow has my bedroom eyes.

**eno** · December-24-09, 10:30 PM

Originally Posted by smudge pot

The people are pretty tiny, but that cow has my bedroom eyes.

Go for it smudge, you been good all year......until now.

**bailey** · December-25-09, 08:13 AM

Originally Posted by EastsideQT

I looked at that picture from 1917 and I didn't see anyone that looked liked me or anyone else in my family or for that matter most of my friends...could it be that the people making comments wish Detroit still looked like that picture....I wonder.

Thanks Monica.

**rajdet** · December-25-09, 08:41 AM

Originally Posted by EastsideQT

I looked at that picture from 1917 and I didn't see anyone that looked liked me or anyone else in my family or for that matter most of my friends...

I saw the photo and thought the same thing.

**Danny** · December-25-09, 10:17 AM

Campus Martius doesn't have to look like Picardilly Circus. We Detroiters and American design our cities to be free from European culture.

**StudendaMira** · January-03-10, 04:25 PM

Originally Posted by Danny

Campus Martius doesn't have to look like Picardilly Circus. We Detroiters and American design our cities to be free from European culture.

Even if one agreed that was a good thing, it's impossible. You're in the soup, and so is "European culture," however you want to define that. It's like declaring that your next child is going to be free of human DNA.

**tahleel** · December-25-09, 08:10 PM

Most ignorant comment of the year goes to...

Originally Posted by EastsideQT

I looked at that picture from 1917 and I didn't see anyone that looked liked me or anyone else in my family or for that matter most of my friends...could it be that the people making comments wish Detroit still looked like that picture....I wonder.

I don't know how you can recognize any features besides they're upright walking, and have characteristics that appears to be in the primate order. Are you saying you, your family and any of your friends are not?

-Tahleel

**DetroitPlanner** · December-25-09, 08:13 PM

Originally Posted by tahleel

Most ignorant comment of the year goes to...

I don't know how you can recognize any features besides they're upright walking, and have characteristics that appears to be in the primate order. Are you saying you, your family and any of your friends are not?

-Tahleel

Any you're calling her ingorant?? That is easily one of the most offensive things I have ever read here.

DC48080 · December-26-09, 12:05 PM

Originally Posted by EastsideQT

I looked at that picture from 1917 and I didn't see anyone that looked liked me or anyone else in my family or for that matter most of my friends...could it be that the people making comments wish Detroit still looked like that picture....I wonder.

I suppose if one wants to see racism in everything [[whether it is actually there or not) one will see racism. How sad that some folks devote so much time to such a thing. Why not look at what is good about that picture?

I, for one, was unable to discern the race of most of the folks in the picture. Their faces were not clearly visible.

Buy American · December-26-09, 01:23 PM

Originally Posted by EastsideQT

I looked at that picture from 1917 and I didn't see anyone that looked liked me or anyone else in my family or for that matter most of my friends...could it be that the people making comments wish Detroit still looked like that picture....I wonder.

I certainly wish it still looked like it did in 1917...a thriving population with thriving businesses. Instead, the landscape looks bare and desolate today. Unfortunately, history is not important to some Detroiters.

Retroit · December-26-09, 01:31 PM

I actually think the disassociation from the past that was displayed in EastsideQT's post provides a very clear demonstration of why Detroit is the way it is.

Thank you, EastsideQT, for your unintentionally profound insight.

**DetroitZack** · December-26-09, 02:29 PM

Originally Posted by Buy American

I certainly wish it still looked like it did in 1917...a thriving population with thriving businesses. Instead, the landscape looks bare and desolate today. Unfortunately, history is not important to some Detroiters.

Don't we all wish it looked like that! I wonder who we can blame hmmmmm

**SaintMe** · December-27-09, 01:33 AM

Originally Posted by EastsideQT

I looked at that picture from 1917 and I didn't see anyone that looked liked me or anyone else in my family or for that matter most of my friends...

Well yeah me either since that picture was taken almost 100 damn years ago . . .

DetroitDad · December-27-09, 03:25 PM

Originally Posted by EastsideQT

I looked at that picture from 1917 and I didn't see anyone that looked liked me or anyone else in my family or for that matter most of my friends...could it be that the people making comments wish Detroit still looked like that picture....I wonder.

My thoughts exactly, you just don't see the masses wearing hats like in the 1917 photo. I guess when you are walking outside a lot, a hat really protects you from the elements.

But then, what is this? Everywhere I go, I cannot find an umbrella stand to place my wet umbrella, or a coat tree for my hat and coat.

Most of my friends or family will just leave their stuff in their car. All while I walk, take a cab, or bus; while I have to carry these things around with me

Buy American · December-27-09, 03:56 PM

Every one of the men [[except the doughboys) have a suit, tie and hat on.

**downtown_racine** · December-25-09, 10:27 AM

This thread of full of win, Picadilly looks amazing and surely worth visiting.
Amazing how long some folks use and make things last in other parts of the world, nothing more rewarding than taking good care of something and making it last damn near forever. Like an old Ford or an Arts and Crafts Bungalow.

**Supersport** · December-25-09, 12:33 PM

Wow, look at the ignorance. I wonder, does the same ignorance believe that people that look like them are the reason the city has half the population, vacant houses/lots, and high crime? Using your line of thought, the two would go hand in hand.

They're just buildings, no different than the new buildings which replaced them. Remember, Michigan was part of the Union, not the Confederacy.

**DetroitZack** · December-25-09, 12:35 PM

I always stare at old views of what use to be where the Compuware Building is in amazement. I have an old postcard that I will have to scan and post here.

But I'm not sure what people "looking like you or your family or friends" has to do with this thread or anything for that matter.

**jtf1972** · December-25-09, 01:11 PM

I find it amazing that anyone can see the details of facial characteristics to determine that nobody in the photo looks like anybody they know.

It sucks that people give a damn about any of that. Ignorance is perpetual and knows no boundaries.

**iheartthed** · December-25-09, 03:11 PM

Picadilly Circus is able to be Picadilly Circus because of that subway that runs underneath it... Just sayin.

Bearinabox · December-25-09, 05:24 PM

Originally Posted by iheartthed

Picadilly Circus is able to be Picadilly Circus because of that subway that runs underneath it... Just sayin.

Well, at least someone gets it.

**DetroitPlanner** · December-25-09, 08:02 PM

Besides, look at whats NOT there in the old pic. Campus Martius as a public space is worlds better than it was at any time in previous memory. The only reason why there is no retail there now is the same reason why retail is hurting all over Michigan, we are broke! Stores are dying.

You just can't compare then to now without looking at all of the socio-economic factors. This pic was taken early in the auto industry when Detroit was jumping. Now with all the competition we only make a small fraction of the cars.

We are living in different times. Those vaudville theatres turned to nudie shows in that pic in the 1950's yet no one is lamating that they want those back downtown!

I do like the snazzy hats. I wish people still wore those, and those streetcars would be fun too.