The Michigan Theater

[Ryan]

In 1926, one of Henry Ford's original workshops was knocked down in order to build the Michigan Theater. It was designed to be the pride of Detroit and to capture the metro's ... To read the rest of this blog entry from The Ford Barn, click here.

[Vanspeed]

Great pics Ryan, I have been there many times. Too bad alot of Detroit's historic buildings and turning out this way. I am taking my coupe on a small tour of downtown Detroit this spring. It is about a half hour drive.

[[email protected]]

Wow, that's from right out of the heydays of the roaring 20's. I'm so impressed with what happened in this country between the turn of the century and the start of the 2nd world war. The highs and lows were so over the top it's unbelievable and Ford, Edison, Firestone were just part of the people responsible for these changes.

[james hitchcock]

Wow. Such a shame. About that same time my hometown Tulare Fox theatre Closed. It was a magnificent place. It soon faced the wrecking ball. Now there sets a Wells Fargo Bank with a huge parking lot.

[LOWRIDER]

I've been there a few times myself. Used to be able to take the Warren crosstown bus to Woodward & take that downtown. Saw alot of movies there. Downtown had a few buildings like that. Didnt appreicate them back then. They seem to be just tearing them all down anymore. Glad Mr. Illitch (Tigers/Red Wings/Little Ceasars) saved the old Fox Theater.

[jjsound]

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Everything's disposable in America! I got on a local guys case about restoring the downtown theater here. He gave me some line about money/cost. He owns every block of Main St.!

[Bugsy]

I've never seen pictures of that before. That place is unreal!! I can't imagine what it must have been like to walk through there in the 20's. I hate to see this happening to our history....

[raceron1120]

I've been by it but never inside. Sad to see what's happened to Detroit over the last 40 or so years especially. I work north of town (Troy) and we go downtown for lunch sometimes. Such a contrast from when I was a kid. There's still some very nice places down there but also some scary neighborhoods to steer clear of.

Thanks to Mike Illitch for investing in downtown. And I think I heard that Roger Penske is bringing a race back to BelleIsle this year? Not sure which series though.

[Brendan]

i bet it was a Kool place to go, i bet lots of good looking women went there!

[dlshady]

If you guys are interested in seeing more photos of the old Detroit Theatre, there are many of them on the www.DetroitYES.com website. It might take a minute to find them, but they're there. Part of the movie "8Mile" was also filmed inside a few years back. It's an absolutely AMAZING piece of architecture, and a real shame that it has been reduced to what it is today.

Deron

[gz]

Actually Penske bailed on the Detroit Gran Prix. GM is the one responsible for bringing it back this year after a two year break. Should be a great event.

[criswellnk]

When they had started the demolition on the Michigan (decades ago) the company that owned the building was going to rennovate and use the office space of the old theatre and create a parking lot on the spot where the picture that you see is. During the demolition was when they had found that the construction of the theatre was intergral and structural to the rest of the building, that is where the demolition stopped. That is why you see the half demolished sections of the old theatre with the "parking structure" inside it.

[dlshady]

Here's a link to a couple of the photos I mentioned earlier. If you click on the picture it will take you to the next one, and there are four or five total. Actually, the whole "tour" is worth taking the time to view if you have any interest in America's automotive history. Some of the photos are really heartbreaking....



Deron

[raceron1120]

Originally Posted by gz

Actually Penske bailed on the Detroit Gran Prix. GM is the one responsible for bringing it back this year after a two year break. Should be a great event.

I hadn't heard that about him pulling out. Thanks for the update.

[LukeDahlinger]

Some parts of the Michigan Theater remain intact, but these are mostly offices and other rooms along that line.

You can't really get to them however.

Here's a little piece I wrote on 58 Bagley Ave & The Michigan Theater.
http://vintagefordfacts.blogspot.com...ey-avenue.html

[ldj1002]

Originally Posted by jjsound

Everything's disposable in America! I got on a local guys case about restoring the downtown theater here. He gave me some line about money/cost. He owns every block of Main St.!

He owns every block of Main St because of wise business decisions. If he thought there was money to be made restoring the theater, he would. If he restored money losers he would own nothing. I hate to see them go also.

I won't and I don't think you would save a Model T from scrap if it would end up costing a lot more than is worth when done. If you would, I know where one is you can buy and lose money on it.

[32coupe]

Stuff like this pains me to see......Those buildings were built by americans who took pride in their work, Craftsman, In todays fast pace, get it done today world there just isn't room for them anymore. It is sad what this country has come too IMO. I am not a rich man, but I do believe that there are more imporant things than money, Surely somewhere there is someone who is very rich, who would want to lose money So that these buildings could be saved for everyone to enjoy. I mean if you have 100 million dollars, what's wrong with losing a couple of million??.....It is not like you would have to cut back on your lifestyle or anything....LOL just saying!

[[email protected]]

Originally Posted by ldj1002

He owns every block of Main St because of wise business decisions. If he thought there was money to be made restoring the theater, he would. If he restored money losers he would own nothing. I hate to see them go also.

I won't and I don't think you would save a Model T from scrap if it would end up costing a lot more than is worth when done. If you would, I know where one is you can buy and lose money on it.

I gotta call BS on this. With a true hobby it's not what it costs. It's how much you enjoy it. If you're in business to sell and the hobby is nothing more than making money that's alright. But You probably won't be selling me one of your inflated vehicles. A lot of us are preserving history and an enjoyable hobby. If I wanted to be in business I'd start a convenience store. I own a '21 touring and a '26 sedan and I'll bet you a full years worth of your profits you can't buy or ever will be able to buy one of my Model T's.

[ldj1002]

I'm not trying to sell anyone one of my cars. I bought them at the right price and have invested in them about what they are worth. I do know where some are that when finished would be worth way less than invested when finished. That is the reason they haven't sold. One of the owners I know for sure would sell for scrap before he would come off his price. That is a car that will likely never be saved. Plenty of true collectors have passed over it because of price.

[dlshady]

Originally Posted by ldj1002

I won't and I don't think you would save a Model T from scrap if it would end up costing a lot more than is worth when done.

Ummm, I hate to stir the pot but this statement describes most people in this hobby. I'd be willing to bet that 75% of the Model A and Model T owners on this site have more invested in their cars than they're worth, but what you seem to be missing is that none of us (at least the sane ones) set out to restore our cars in order to make a profit. If you're into your car for less than it's worth than kudos to you, because you're one of the few.

Mike Illich on the other hand is in business to make a profit and you're correct, there's no profit in restoring an old theatre like the Michigan. The costs would be astronomical and the potential returns very small. It was at one time an amazing piece of architecture, but it sat unoccupied for so long that it fell into such disrepair that it's just not feasible to try and restore. What I find especially sad about the whole situation is the fact that the Michigan is only one of many similar buildings in Metro Detroit suffering the same neglect. The Grande Ballroom, the Vanity Ballroom, the National Theater, the Eastown Theater and the Highland Theater are just a few other examples.


Deron

[barnfind]

I think I went to the Michigan in the mid 50s to see "The Seven Wonders of the World" and have been in a few of the other magnificent theaters of the era around the country.
They are really mind boggling to study the architecture and finish details back then.

In the early 70's the Fox Theater in Atlanta was facing a similar fate but it was rescued by a combination of individuals, the city, and corporations. It took many years, well into to 80s, but it was saved and stays booked with concerts, broadway plays, corporate events, films, etc so it can be done if there are a few folks that care. The surrounding area back was mostly rundown and a redlight disctrict but is now very "trendy" with the
folks who want to live in the UnBurbs.

The story:
http://www.foxtheatre.org/savethefox.aspx

It's probably best know as where Gone With The Wind premiered in 1939 but
music concerts kept it alive for many years after the restoration started.

[oliverguy]

My city is Reading PA. The intercities started to die 50 years ago when all the JI's came back from the war & wanted something better than their parents had. By the late 1970's Two car families, chain grocery stores with parking and Levittown developments sealed the deal. We are now two almost three generations past that point.

Sure some neatest areas are filled with trendy shops and eateries, but full scale resergence is unfortunatley not going to happen. It's time to come to grips with that throughout america. Only then can this space be re-used for something in the future.

[[email protected]]

Oliverguy, what your saying is sadly true. The more globalized this world gets the more important it is for us to adapt. However I see nothing wrong with people sitting back and remembering what was and wishing for what they'd like to see. I think anyone who jumps into the middle of a bunch of history collectors and tells them to accept what the world is turning into is stirring the pot. I love Victorian architecture and theaters and banks from the 1920's. I love to read about the times my parents lived through. It gives me a chance to stay grounded and not worry about money. Or the fact this world is going to hell. When we blindly tear down these old buildings and think everything has to be replaced with the future we're doing ourselves a real disservice. It's not going to be too long and we'll lose our history all together. It's already a sad fact that we've got a certain percentage of our college students who can't even tell you who our last vice president was or worse yet why Plymouth Rock is an important part of our past. And as our history disappears our hobby will too.

[oliverguy]

certainly didn't mean to stir the pot! I guess my point was for people to be realistic. I love seeing these places too and I'm a history buff. The history and lessons we take old buildings and cars are invaluable for future generations including my own kids. It shows them how people lived.

I guess my only point is that we can't save everything, and we should be choosy about what gets saved. The worst are probably best left to live in pictures of the way it was. If they stay around, they negatively impact peoples lives as a fire trap or maybe just an eysore. Manytimes the materials can be used on some other building restoration.
Just like car restorations, some must perish so the rest can live.

[[email protected]]

Originally Posted by oliverguy

Manytimes the materials can be used on some other building restoration.
Just like car restorations, some must perish so the rest can live.

Yeah, I agree. Your last statement is a point I was going to make earlier and didn't. Actually I was ready to post it and decided not to. But I will now.

There are people who are involved in this hobby for no other reason than to profit. Although they walk among our ranks and claim to be devoted to the hobby they're only involvement is designed to make money off the true enthusiasts. Now please understand, not all who sell products, and are members of our group fit this description. I know of several people who's desire is to provide parts and services to keep our cars on the road. God bless them. The people that get on my nerves are the ones who buy perfectly running, driving and restored cars. Then dismantle them and sell the parts. Their only purpose is to make money. They constantly hang like vultures on the internet watching all sights and when an opportunity comes up that would provide a car for someone who's actually interested in the hobby, they drop in and offer just enough money to buy the cars and then chop them up and sell the parts for an inflated profit. And they will tell everyone they're providing parts to keep model t's on the road. My opinion is to not take one off the road to put 5 back on the road using salvaged parts if in fact the parts that are purchased are available through other channels. Macs, Langs, Snyders, Bobs, Bergs et al are legitimate parts suppliers. I have a friend that restores model t's and sells parts, many times at discounted prices because he can purchase enough from the other suppliers to save a few bucks on shipping and he's also an enthusiast for the hobby. The only time he'll scavenge parts is when they are on a vehicle that will never be on the road or if he goes to a swap meet or auction. And these used parts are provided at very fair prices. To the best of my knowledge he's never parted out a perfectly good vehicle. But others make a living parting out good vehicles.

[David Conwill]

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Detroit posts always create such controversy. Let me just say I'm happy to see old buildings preserved in any condition, and if we need to sacrifice unwanted theatres for parking, I'd prefer it be done this way than with a naked lot or a brutalist structure with nothing to contribute to the cityscape.

[yachtsmanbill]

I hafta rant too... as a kid, my mom and I travelled quite a bit; always went to places youd remember. The top of the washington monument, the Statue of Liberty, the St Louis Arch, the sears tower and even the Eiffel Tower... As a traveller by train or air in those days, it was something special, and most people wore better than casual clothes, like a sport coat and a tie, mom always wore a dress with gloves, then today you squish into a plane full of slobs that havent bathed for two days. RANT OFF.
Back on topic, its a rotten shame to go to a movie-plex mall with 28 different theaters, gangsters kick boxing each other outside from having just seen some digitized violent film, with 5000 people squished into nothing more than a morton building. Even back in the early sixties, we went to movie PREMIERS like How the West Was Won, Flight of the Phoenix, Mutiny on the Bounty, The Great Race, (got to see Tony Curtis and NATALIE!) etc with searchlights and lotsa dressed people out for the extravaganza.
Some time as an adolescent, I struck out on my own, and the world changed before I could notice. Now, all I wish for is closure on some of this stuff, but the bulldozers beat me to it. Plug Pulled! ws

[[email protected]]

Originally Posted by yachtsmanbill

I hafta rant too... as a kid, my mom and I travelled quite a bit; always went to places youd remember. The top of the washington monument, the Statue of Liberty, the St Louis Arch, the sears tower and even the Eiffel Tower...

I'm calling BS you old fart. I'll bet you were in your 30's when the St Louis Arch was built. Wait a minute, you were traveling around with your Mom in your 30's? Were you still living in her basement? LOL.

[yachtsmanbill]

Au contrare mon cher! I was on my 3rd wife already! ws

[[email protected]]

Originally Posted by yachtsmanbill

Au contrare mon cher! I was on my 3rd wife already! ws

Ok, I'm in a teasing mood today. I didn't mean to cause any bad feelings. I really do get excited when I'm able to see the past surviving the travesties of man. When we destroy the past we're also destroying our future. I went on a tour today with a 1910 Maxwell, 1910 Buick, 1925 Model T and a 1950 Buick with a straight 8 overhead valve engine and a straight stick transmission. And I had my 1926 Model T. When we went into our destination we had several people walking around us and asking us questions. I think i was the youngest person there at 62 years old. I was talking to a couple guys about the fact that you see very few young people interested in our old cars. It's going to be just a few years and there will be a surplus of these vehicles because nobody will be interested. What caused this phenomenom? It was new technology. When we were young we had the opportunity to work on our vehicles. We tore them apart and fixed them ourselves. Our favorite things to play with were wrenches and hammers and screw drivers and a number of different tools. Heck I received tools for birthdays and Christmas. But the vehicles we've had since our children got to the age where we were when we became interested in mechanical stuff have been disposable and they end up going to a shop to be fixed. Our young people have never been exposed to our opportunities and our hobby is disappearing. It's a sad fact that our new high speed society is costing us our past and people are losing their ability to do for themselves. And the skills necessary to take care of yourself in the future will continue to create higher and higher costs to maintain our future. Those of us who chose to forget the trials of the past are destined to repeat them. It's a damn sad shame.

[yachtsmanbill]

Thats oh so true my freind, with one exception: The new 100K beemer threw a code and wont start... it goes on the flatbed to the dealer and the fagtechnician dons the blue rubber gloves before he plugs in the ANAL-izer...then scans the barcode tatooed on his arm. I say this because even as a warranty job itll cost you 3K to get outa the shop. I too remember getting the Craftsman 128 pc tool box for christmas to work on a go cart. Wont start... Ill hafta haul it in to the McCoulagh dealer to have the "cart tech" have a look-see. I need an extra xanax tonight... MRI at 0800 tomorrow! ws

[trulyvintage]

Originally Posted by yachtsmanbill

I hafta rant too... as a kid, my mom and I travelled quite a bit; always went to places youd remember. The top of the washington monument, the Statue of Liberty, the St Louis Arch, the sears tower and even the Eiffel Tower...

Bill,

I used to travel with my folks to visit places far from home too ....

Those were the good old days - me standing at the top of some
big city landmark taking in the view ......

Come to think of it now - seems they were down in the
old ford with the engine running more than once .....

Seems I had to even chase after them a few times .....


Wait a minute .......




Jim

[dumb person]

Originally Posted by [email protected]

... When we were young we had the opportunity to work on our vehicles. We tore them apart and fixed them ourselves ..... It's a sad fact that our new high speed society is costing us our past and people are losing their ability to do for themselves. And the skills necessary to take care of yourself in the future will continue to create higher and higher costs to maintain our future. Those of us who chose to forget the trials of the past are destined to repeat them. It's a damn sad shame.

(quote edited for length)
So there was a time i was locked in a library. i picked up a book called "The time machine". Probably the abridged version. What a tragic future it depicted. The people had no skills (or brain capacity) for pretty much that reason. Come to think of it that future is pretty much here, Everyday i feel a little bit smarter when i see dumb things other people do.

[[email protected]]

Originally Posted by trulyvintage

Bill,

I used to travel with my folks to visit places far from home too ....

Those were the good old days - me standing at the top of some
big city landmark taking in the view ......

Come to think of it now - seems they were down in the
old ford with the engine running more than once .....

Seems I had to even chase after them a few times .....


Wait a minute .......




Jim

Oh Jim, I remember those times too. The Joe Dirt times of our lives. There was a couple times social services found me new parents but then they'd do pretty much the same thing. I mean I got to see a lot of the landfills and other sights in the towns around our area but I got to where I really didn't want to chase that darn car anymore. But I did find a lot of good old bicycle parts in some of those city dumps. I remember one time my brother and I were standing in one of those sights enjoying the view and swatting flys when all of a sudden a bear showed up. Oh yeah, great memories.

[trulyvintage]

Originally Posted by [email protected]

Oh Jim, I remember those times too. The Joe Dirt times of our lives.

Jim

[eldany1929]

This place was used in the movie Street Kings 2. This movie starts with dangerous people meeting there.