Shorpy - DPO 1902

**DetroitScooter** · January-21-10, 09:47 AM

Incredible! I'm so glad that this structure isn't cluttering up downtown anymore. Yup, they tore that schitt down

Sorry, I scooted downtown and I'm feeling snappy.

http://www.shorpy.com/node/7519?size=_original

**jackie5275** · January-21-10, 09:54 AM

Thanks for this pic. What an awesome building, too bad it's gone.

**Lowell** · January-21-10, 10:03 AM

I love the gargoyles. Does anyone recognize the flag?

**DetroitHabitater** · January-21-10, 10:24 AM

Reminds me a lot of toronto old city hall

**Gsgeorge** · January-21-10, 11:03 AM

Phew! Thank God we don't have that eyesore downtown bringing down property values and driving people away from the city...

**jtf1972** · January-21-10, 11:09 AM

To be perfectly fair, nothing in this photograph exists anymore. Not the post office, beautiful homes in the background, businesses, people, sense of giving a damn...

**Hornwrecker** · January-21-10, 11:41 AM

Originally Posted by Lowell

I love the gargoyles. Does anyone recognize the flag?

That is a US Coast Guard flag, as far as I can tell.

**Ray1936** · January-21-10, 12:41 PM

Originally Posted by Hornwrecker

That is a US Coast Guard flag, as far as I can tell.

Nope. U.S. Customs Service.

**DetroitPlanner** · January-21-10, 01:16 PM

Saginaw has a very similar, but much smaller french inspired structure in thier downtown.

DC's old post office also has a similar look. It is the third tallest tower in the City and you can tour it for free courtesy of the NPS.

**cosine** · January-21-10, 01:20 PM

There is a great story on this building at buildingsofdetroit:

http://www.buildingsofdetroit.com/places/post

**dtowncitylover** · January-21-10, 02:43 PM

What an amazing building. The clock tower reminded me of Big Ben. Then that made me think that it would be really cool to have a clock tower downtown; then we could have 1) a clock tower! and 2) a centralized place to celebrate New Years.

**Hornwrecker** · January-21-10, 08:06 PM

Originally Posted by Ray1936

Nope. U.S. Customs Service.

Right you are, Ray. The USCG wasn't even formed when this pic was taken. The Revenue Cutter Service did take orders from Customs, and later used their flag with a USCG badge on the right hand side for the USCG flag.