Discuss Detroit » Archives - Beginning January 2006 » Springwells « Previous Next »
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30th_street
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Username: 30th_street

Post Number: 1
Registered: 04-2006
Posted From: 152.163.100.8
Posted on Sunday, April 30, 2006 - 11:40 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Hello,

Looking for help finding information about Springwells. Especially a street map.

Any ideas,
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Hornwrecker
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Username: Hornwrecker

Post Number: 1100
Registered: 04-2005
Posted From: 63.41.40.250
Posted on Sunday, April 30, 2006 - 11:55 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

What year?
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Rocket_city
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Username: Rocket_city

Post Number: 15
Registered: 04-2006
Posted From: 141.217.173.124
Posted on Sunday, April 30, 2006 - 11:57 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Wasn't Springwells originally a township annexed by the city?
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Hornwrecker
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Username: Hornwrecker

Post Number: 1101
Registered: 04-2005
Posted From: 63.41.40.250
Posted on Monday, May 01, 2006 - 12:12 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

1905 low resolution map of the area.

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Livernoisyard
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Username: Livernoisyard

Post Number: 574
Registered: 10-2004
Posted From: 69.242.223.42
Posted on Monday, May 01, 2006 - 12:14 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

There was a time during the early 1800s where Springwells was virtually all of SW Detroit and Dearborn with no distinct western boundary, which was later (1824?) confined to about the equivalent of four townships starting around Tiger Stadium as its eastern boundary. Eventually, it was reduced in size so that it ended somewhere near or at Town Line (Greenfield) Road.
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30th_street
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Username: 30th_street

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Posted From: 152.163.100.8
Posted on Monday, May 01, 2006 - 12:16 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Yes Springwells was one of the towns annexed around 1900. I am looking to learn more about the township when it was it's own township before it became a part of Detroit.
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Mikem
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Username: Mikem

Post Number: 2450
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 68.43.15.105
Posted on Monday, May 01, 2006 - 12:18 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)


quote:

"Springwells is one of the nine townships established by the act of April 12, 1827. As then erected it was bounded on the north by Oakland County; on the east by the City of Detroit, the Detroit River, and Hamtramck Township; on the south by the River Rouge, which separates it from Ecorse Township; and on the west by Bucklin (now Dearborn and Redford) Township. Greenfield Township was cut off in 1833 and now bounds it on the north. Part of Springwells has since been annexed to the City of Detroit. The name was adopted on account of the large springs in the vicinity of Fort Wayne. Before the name was officially given to it, this district was called Spring Hill.

The first settlers were French, who located claims here soon after Detroit was founded, but the early records are so meager that little can be learned as to who they were, except in rare instances. Several of the French farms, or Private Claims, were located in this township, notably the Livernois, Alexis Campau, and Knaggs (or Hubbard) farms. John Askin, James McGill (founder of McGill university in Montreal), and Isaac Todd claimed large tracts of land under the Indian grants.

On the morning of August 16, 1812, the British Army under General Brock crossed over from Sandwich to Springwells and marched up the river to the fort, which was surrounded at noon by General Hull. Fort Wayne is near the place where the British landed.

The Lake Shore and Michigan Southern, the Michigan Central, the Pere Marquette and the Wabash railroads all pass through Springwells Township, and it is traversed by several lines of the Detroit United Railways. Many manufacturing plants are located in that part now within the city limits."



Clarence Burton, "The City of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922"
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Mikem
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Username: Mikem

Post Number: 2452
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 68.43.15.105
Posted on Monday, May 01, 2006 - 12:28 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Springwells '05
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Lilpup
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Username: Lilpup

Post Number: 982
Registered: 06-2004
Posted From: 64.12.116.204
Posted on Monday, May 01, 2006 - 12:45 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

from Detroit Beginnings: Early Villages and Old Neighborhoods
by Gene Scott
Detroit Retired City Employees Association (DRCEA)
(uncopyrighted, produced as a Detroit 300 Partners Program of the DRCEA)


Springwells...well, there were springs.

Like neighboring Delray, Springwells was the industrial anchor of early Detroit with many factories, and factory workers who were the city's mini-melting pot of foreign-born Americans. Springwells and Delray seemed the logical choices for 19th century Detroit industries for making ships, railroad cars, and stoves. It already was a small settlement when Springwells Township was formed in 1818, so it and Connor's Creek on the eastside are perhaps the oldest of all the known early Detroit villages. Its history goes back even further. Pioneer Pierre Drouillard settled near there in 1783. The famed Jesuit priest, Gabriel Richard, established the Springwells school in 1820. In 1837, Springwells became the first station after Detroit on the Michigan Central Railroad which was building a line to Ypsilanti and beyond. The village was laid out in 1847 by Ambrose Riopelle whose family owned several of Detroit's ribbon farms. Village development was spurred by the building and later (1851) opening of Fort Wayne. By 1870, Springwells had a population of 3,000. The Springwells post office operated from 1855 to 1878 and then was combined with one in the neighboring village of West End, north of the Michigan Central Railroad. Springwells was a popular DUR streetcar line at the turn of the century.

The area of the original smaller village, east of Livernois and south of Vernor, was annexed in 1885. The rest of Springwells, which extended southwest from Livernois to Delray and Woodmere, was annexed in 1906. A section of this area once was referred to as Ferndale. After annexation, a new Springwells post office was opened as a Detroit postal substation and has been on Springwells Avenue ever since. The rest of Springwells Township became the second Springwells village in 1921. This was in the area beyond West End, generally west of Wyoming and south of Tireman. It became a part of the city of Fordson (1925), which a few years later was absorbed by Dearborn. The Indians named Springwells after its abundance of flowing springs and wells. The town's namesake continues in Springwells Avenue, still a thriving part of the southwest Detroit neighborhood that today is called Vernor-Springwells. The eastern part of the origianl village is today the historic Hubbard Farms neighborhood. Annexed to Detroit 1885, 1906.
------

unfortunately of the maps listed as references there's no indication of which apply to Springwells:

Atlas and Plat Book of Wayne County, 1927
Belden & Co., Illustrated Historical Atlas of Wayne County, 1876
R. Burger Co., Subdivision of S. Conant, 1850
Calvert Litho Co., City of Detroit, 1889
Detroit, City of, Street Map of the City of Detroit, 1980
Detroit City Engineering Division, Annexation Map
Detroit City Planning Comm., Land Use Generalized Plan, 1950
Detroit City Planning Comm., Community Based Organizations, 1993
Detroit Planning Department, Annexation Map, 1940
Detroit Recreation Department, Property Map, 1997
Ellis, Charles, Detroit and Environs, 1877
Farmer, John, Map of Wayne County, 1855
S. Farmer & Co., Detroit 1890 Compared with 1870, 1890
S. Farmer & Co., Detroit and Its Environs, 1890
S. Farmer & Co., Map and Guide of City and Environs of Detroit, 1895
Geil, Harley & Silverd, Wayne County, 1860
Matthews-Northrup Co., Map of Detroit, 1891
Robinson, E., Atlas of City of Detroit and Suburbs, 1885
Sanborn Co., Detroit Subdivision Maps, 1996
Sauer Bros., Detailed Official Atlas of Wayne County, 1915
W.C. Sauer, Wayne County, 1891
W.C. Sauer, Atlas of Wayne County, 1904
Veech, Wayne County Surface Features, 1903
Walling, Henry, 1873 Atlas of State of Michigan, 1977
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Mikem
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Username: Mikem

Post Number: 2455
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 68.43.15.105
Posted on Monday, May 01, 2006 - 2:02 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

From the Wayne County Manual, 1930:


quote:

"Springwells was established in 1827 among the original townships. The name has reference to the numerous springs which abound in its vicinity. Its area was first diminished in 1833 when the Township of Greenfield was established. It was again reduced by an addition to the same township in 1850, and enlarged in 1873, when a part of Greenfield was added to it. Successive annexations to the City of Detroit occurred in the years 1849, 1857, 1875, 1885, 1906, and 1916. Since the incorporation of the City of Springwells (which by a change of name became the City of Fordson and now is a part of the City of Dearborn) in 1924, the Township of Springwells has ceased to exist."


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Leob
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Username: Leob

Post Number: 42
Registered: 10-2005
Posted From: 69.14.9.224
Posted on Monday, May 01, 2006 - 2:45 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

MikeM,

Awesome map of Springwells!
What year was that?
I would love to see if you have the section including Fort Wayne and Livernois. I am specifically looking for Crawford Street
c. 1911-1926

Thanks,

Leo B
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1953
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Username: 1953

Post Number: 786
Registered: 12-2004
Posted From: 209.104.146.146
Posted on Monday, May 01, 2006 - 12:47 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Mike M...

My under grad degree is in history and I was always cautioned against about citing the writings of Clarence Burton. He was an antiquairun more than an historian.

(On a happy note, he was my grandfather's boss at Burton Title Company for some years)
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Ray1936
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Username: Ray1936

Post Number: 525
Registered: 01-2005
Posted From: 207.200.116.139
Posted on Monday, May 01, 2006 - 1:47 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

You guys/gals are positively amazing! Great reads.

>applause<
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30th_street
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Username: 30th_street

Post Number: 3
Registered: 04-2006
Posted From: 64.12.116.204
Posted on Monday, May 01, 2006 - 5:02 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Thanks All for the info. Finding historical information on Springwells and a street map is hard I see in the Census that a lot of folks lived in Springwells over time. It is a shame that more history is not available. I know that there was many brick yards located there, but what about their township government and did they embrace being annexed? Guess no one that lived in Springwells left any paper trails :-)
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Hornwrecker
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Username: Hornwrecker

Post Number: 1103
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Posted From: 63.41.8.70
Posted on Monday, May 01, 2006 - 10:46 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

This is an 1891 map of the Ft. Wayne area. Sorry for the lack of detail, don't have the original to scan, but it does show how developed the area was at that time.

Springwells 1891
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Mikem
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Username: Mikem

Post Number: 2456
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 68.43.15.105
Posted on Monday, May 01, 2006 - 11:17 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Leob, here's the Ft Wayne and Crawford Street area from a 1918 map:

n
s

Hard to read, but a few businesses listed to the west of the fort: Detroit Edison Co (Delray Generating Station), Detroit City Gas Co, Franklin Salt Co, Solvay Process Works, Chicago Railway Equipment Co, Michigan Malleable Iron Works. Crawford appears to end to the north at Regular Street.
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Hornwrecker
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Username: Hornwrecker

Post Number: 1105
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Posted From: 63.41.8.70
Posted on Monday, May 01, 2006 - 11:23 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Interesting to see that there wasn't much change, aside from heavy industry, excepting that bit north of the main RR tracks south of Dix, and River Rd being renamed to Jefferson.
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Mikem
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Username: Mikem

Post Number: 2458
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Posted From: 68.43.15.105
Posted on Monday, May 01, 2006 - 11:44 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Farther west & north:




Baby Creek is now in a cement tube.
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Mikem
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Username: Mikem

Post Number: 2459
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Posted From: 68.43.15.105
Posted on Monday, May 01, 2006 - 11:52 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

A 1926 map showing the area as Fordson:

Fordson

The Rouge had grown considerably:

Rouge
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Billybbrew
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Username: Billybbrew

Post Number: 160
Registered: 07-2005
Posted From: 205.188.116.137
Posted on Tuesday, May 02, 2006 - 12:38 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Hornwrecker,

Could you send me a higher resolution scan of the "Fort Wayne" area map you posted above. It just shows the area of Detroit that I live in by Livernois and Otis. On my abstract everything goes back to the indians, neat reading...
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Danny
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Username: Danny

Post Number: 4071
Registered: 02-2004
Posted From: 141.217.173.149
Posted on Tuesday, May 02, 2006 - 9:28 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I'm Glad that Dearborn annex Fordson before Detroit does.
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Southwestmap
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Username: Southwestmap

Post Number: 461
Registered: 01-2005
Posted From: 64.79.90.206
Posted on Tuesday, May 02, 2006 - 11:09 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I've always liked the military street names in the area. Should the neighborhood ever get gentrified it can surely be called "Old Military Town."

I am pretty tired of having to correct people about Cavalry. Its not the hill that Christ died on - Calvery. Its horse troops! I think I'm just going to let it pass, but every time I end up mentioning the correction. I just can't stand it that people don't get the connection: Army St.; Navy; Military; Musket, etc.
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Livernoisyard
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Username: Livernoisyard

Post Number: 581
Registered: 10-2004
Posted From: 69.242.223.42
Posted on Tuesday, May 02, 2006 - 1:54 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

"I am pretty tired of having to correct people about Cavalry. Its not the hill that Christ died on - Calvery. Its horse troops! I think I'm just going to let it pass, but every time I end up mentioning the correction."


When that BB player got himself run down on "Calvary" [two a's, BTW] by the bar, Fox 2 kept saying "Calvary" for three straight days and on its web site. Even when the Cavalry street sign was included in the video's actuality.

I called and emailed the "news" department there [an oxymoron, I know], but for the entire three days it was always Calvary on the air and contined that way on fox2detroit.com. What dummies...
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Livernoisyard
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Username: Livernoisyard

Post Number: 582
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Posted From: 69.242.223.42
Posted on Tuesday, May 02, 2006 - 2:03 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Danny uttered: "I'm Glad that Dearborn annex Fordson before Detroit does."


Fordson was actually an interim name for Dearborn for a year. Henry Ford threatened to have his Rouge plant annexed to Detroit if the elders there refused to name the new city after him and his son Edsel. They refused for a year or two, afterwards changed it to Fordson for a year, and then finally changed it for good to Dearborn.

During a timespan of a decade, Dearborn went by several names: Greenfield, Springwells, Fordson, and Dearborn.

(Message edited by LivernoisYard on May 02, 2006)
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30th_street
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Username: 30th_street

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Posted From: 152.163.100.8
Posted on Wednesday, May 03, 2006 - 12:55 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

The maps are cool. Thanks. Wish I could see one up close. In 1890 would the area considered Springwells have extended to Michigan and Livernois (where the brick yards were) and maybe even to Michigan and West Grand Blvd. I am looking to see if it would have included 30th street.
The area around the Fort looks so developed in the 1891 map. Again I wonder why, if the area was so devolped why is there not that must historical info out there to find. I came acros this website about Southwest Detroit. Maybe you all have seen it. http://www.insidesouthwest.com /
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Livernoisyard
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Post Number: 595
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Posted From: 69.242.223.42
Posted on Wednesday, May 03, 2006 - 1:09 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Some Springwells brickyards were owned by the Burns family, one of whom was the sheriff at age 30 and the second owner of the Tigers at 35 in 1901. West End Park near Livernois and Dix was the Sunday ballpark for the Tigers during the "Blue Laws" years because it was just outside the city limits.
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Billybbrew
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Username: Billybbrew

Post Number: 161
Registered: 07-2005
Posted From: 64.12.116.204
Posted on Wednesday, May 03, 2006 - 1:14 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Drop me an email 30th_street. I'm in the Michigan-Livernois area and have had a passing interest in the brick making industry in the area.

you can click on my user name to access my e-mail address (since you're new here)

bbb
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Mikem
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Username: Mikem

Post Number: 2465
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 68.43.15.105
Posted on Wednesday, May 03, 2006 - 1:20 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

In 1890, it looks as if Detroit had annexed as far west as Artillery/Hammond:

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Livernoisyard
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Username: Livernoisyard

Post Number: 596
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Posted From: 69.242.223.42
Posted on Wednesday, May 03, 2006 - 1:43 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Artillery is essentially present-day Livernois.
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Hornwrecker
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Username: Hornwrecker

Post Number: 1110
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Posted From: 63.41.8.70
Posted on Wednesday, May 03, 2006 - 1:52 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Here is a link to how early brickmaking was done in Michigan.

Brickmaking

I'll take a look at some old maps to find any info about the brickyards.
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Danny
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Username: Danny

Post Number: 4077
Registered: 02-2004
Posted From: 141.217.174.229
Posted on Wednesday, May 03, 2006 - 6:26 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I know that Detroit used to own parts of River Rouge connecting to Hines Park Dr. over a 100 years ago before giving back to Dearborn TWP. now Dearborn Heights.
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Danny
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Username: Danny

Post Number: 4078
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Posted From: 141.217.174.229
Posted on Wednesday, May 03, 2006 - 6:29 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

If Henry Ford did annex all of Dearborn and Dearborn TWP. to Detroit The city would be 3 times the size as it were today. And to have a good pretty ethnic Arab, white community as a back up to Detroit's black problems.
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Danny
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Username: Danny

Post Number: 4079
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Posted From: 141.217.174.229
Posted on Wednesday, May 03, 2006 - 6:30 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

But I do want al of Gratiot TWP. Lochmoor, and all the Grosse Pointes to be annexed to Detroit.
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Chitaku
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Username: Chitaku

Post Number: 257
Registered: 03-2006
Posted From: 68.43.107.72
Posted on Wednesday, May 03, 2006 - 6:41 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Me too Danny!!!
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Hornwrecker
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Username: Hornwrecker

Post Number: 1111
Registered: 04-2005
Posted From: 63.41.8.166
Posted on Wednesday, May 03, 2006 - 10:05 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Here are a couple of brickyards on Chicago/Michigan Rd. and Martin St.(?) from the 1884 Sanborn map.

1884 Springwells brickyards

If anyone has any names or locations of these brickmakers, it might make searching for them easier.

Have at it Billybrew.
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Hornwrecker
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Username: Hornwrecker

Post Number: 1112
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Posted From: 63.41.8.166
Posted on Wednesday, May 03, 2006 - 10:35 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I forgot to include the general map of that area showing Ponchartrain as what I think is Livernois. Just count over from Lovers' Lane (Junction) to figure out what the current street names might be.

The names on the south side of Michigan, from right to left are:

Martin St
(No Name)
Secot
Gilbert
Ponchartrain
Welsh Ave (?)
(Detroit, Lansing & Northern RR)
Weston Ave
Pushee
Lovers Lane (Junction)



Near Pushee St, on the north side of Chicago was the A. R. Sink's Three Mile House with bowling alley!

(Message edited by Hornwrecker on May 03, 2006)
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Mikem
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Username: Mikem

Post Number: 2469
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Posted From: 68.43.15.105
Posted on Wednesday, May 03, 2006 - 10:39 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Detroit Brick & Tile Manufacturers, 1925:

Alliance Brick Co, 3049 Gratiot
American Mosaic & Tile Co, 2152 Scott
Wm Clippert, Western & Southern Aves
Daniel Jacob Brick Co, 2213 Atkinson Ave
Delta Brick & Tile, foot of Anspach
Detroit Tile & Fireplace Co, 5401 Wabash Ave
Arthur G Egle Mfg Co, 6543 Sylvester
General Mosaic Co, 1945 Rivard
Grand River Mantel & Tile Co, 9214 Otsego
Interior Tile Co, 4911 Joy AVe
Interstate Clay Products, 2631 Woodward
McDonald Coal & Brick Co, 6431 Hamilton Ave
Michigan Pressed Brick Co, 4500 Lawton
National Terrazzo & Tile Co, 4691 Bewick Ave
Northwestern Mantel & Tile Co, 1657 Ferry Park Ave
Pennsylvania Mosaic & Tile Co, 11204 Charlevoix
Angelo Repetto Co, 15853 12th
Trombley Brick Co, 10546 Gratiot
Walker & Frank Brick Co, 8810 Dix AVe
Detroit-Wayne Mosaic & Tile Co, 2292 Erskine

Plus several others with addresses in downtown office buildings.
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Mikem
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Username: Mikem

Post Number: 2470
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Posted From: 68.43.15.105
Posted on Wednesday, May 03, 2006 - 11:42 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

From the USGS Geological Atlas of the U.S., Detroit Folio of 1917, in the section on Economic Geology:

quote:

"The clay industry in the vicinity of Detroit has for many years been centered around Leesville and Springwells and has shifted largely from the former to the latter district, where the deposits of clay are thicker. The clay has been utilized in the manufacture of common red brick by about 25 establishments, a few of which are in operation the entire year. The manufacture of pressed brick was attempted but was given up when it was found that the clay is not well adapted to that purpose. Draintile is made only at one plant in the district, that of J. C. McDonald & Son, on Warren Avenue. Many kinds of artistic interlocking roofing tile are manufactured by the Detroit Roofing Tile Co., and a small flowerpot factory is in operation. Common brick and draintile have also been made for years at South Rockwood and Dearborn and at several other places in the district, where small deposits of lacustrine or alluvial clay have been available. Owing to the presence in the till of pebbles, particularly of limestone, no attempt has been made thus far to utilize this extensive deposit."




In the section on the deposits of glacial Lake Lundy:

quote:

"Local deposits of lacustrine clay occur in the vicinity of upper Detroit River, the largest lying just west of the Detroit moraine in Springwells Township, where the maximum thickness reported is 40 feet. The workable deposit covers nearly 5 square miles and has a surface altitude of 585 to 590 feet above sea level, the deposit thinning in all directions and merging into the glacial clay from which it was derived. In the deeper pits near the Pere Marquette Railroad three beds, quite distinct in color, texture, and composition, may be recognized. Beneath 6 to 12 inches of surface soil is a yellowish-brown layer of sandy clay, 2 to 4½ feet thick, under which is a 3-foot to 5-foot stratum stained red by the oxidation of the iron ingredients, and this in turn rests on a bluish bed, apparently the bottom of the deposit. The clay is finely laminated, some of the laminae being only 0.5 millimeter thick. It is practically free from bowlders and pebbles but contains small irregular concretions, known locally as "clay dogs".

Samples of the clay from the three beds have been analyzed by Elmer E. Ware, and the average of 15 analyses gives 62.01 per cent of silica, 12.6 per cent of alumina, and 4.35 per cent of ferric oxide. There is no marked difference between the three beds in the amount of iron oxide, but there is evidence of some leaching of calcium and magnesium compounds from the uppermost bed.

Other smaller deposits of similar lake clay lying east of the Detroit moraine are encountered in Grosse Pointe Township and in Detroit. In a tunnel beneath the river from the waterworks toward the head of Belle Isle a cat-tail bog, evidently of rather recent origin, was penetrated to a depth of 15 feet. Beneath it is a bed of brownish lake clay, containing shells and bowlders of crystalline rocks, some of which are glaciated. When visited by the author in March, 1902, this bed had been penetrated to a depth of 25 feet below the river level. Excavations in areas on the north show that the deposit is of small extent...

A shallow deposit of lake clay near Leesville, on Gratiot Avenue, was at one time extensively used in the manufacture of brick. The deposit averages only 3 to 4 feet in thickness, consists of blue and yellow clay free from stones, and extends for 2 miles along the avenue. The outline of the area is difficult to trace from its surface exposure, but it appears to be rather narrow and much smaller than the deposit in Springwells Township."


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Hornwrecker
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Username: Hornwrecker

Post Number: 1114
Registered: 04-2005
Posted From: 63.41.8.166
Posted on Wednesday, May 03, 2006 - 11:54 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I just looked through an index for the maps, and found about 15 brickyards in the Springwells area, around 1910. One name that stands out, initially, is A. Lonyo, and a Lonyo Brothers, brickyards. I'm sure a few other names might have some significance.

Looks like this might be a bigger task than I first thought, but it also looks interesting.
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30th_street
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Username: 30th_street

Post Number: 5
Registered: 04-2006
Posted From: 152.163.100.8
Posted on Thursday, May 04, 2006 - 1:41 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Wow Cool all the maps and info. How does one get access to all this cool stuff. I am new to this site and am really enjoying it. I appreciate everyone sharing. I am a brick collector and have always been interested in the Springwells area. I think a book needs to be written on the history of Springwells. (unless it has and one of you enormously knowledgeable folks knows about it and can share :-))
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Rust
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Username: Rust

Post Number: 133
Registered: 08-2004
Posted From: 64.118.136.130
Posted on Thursday, May 04, 2006 - 7:52 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I have long been curious about the regional variations in brick colors. The local bricks in Detroit with the redish tones and bricks from Chicago have a more peachy beige color. As you drive west across michigan pay attention to the older buildings and you can see the variation in brick color go from the Detroit Red Brick to the Chicago Common beige brick as you get closer to Chicago.

I have heard the Chicago Brick referred to as "Chicago Common" what is the proper term in refering to red bricks made in the Detroit Region?
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Livernoisyard
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Username: Livernoisyard

Post Number: 600
Registered: 10-2004
Posted From: 69.242.223.42
Posted on Thursday, May 04, 2006 - 11:48 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

There is some information about the different clay available in M'waukee (and Chicago) on the thread about locating a house address in the Dexter neighborhood.
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Hornwrecker
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Username: Hornwrecker

Post Number: 1116
Registered: 04-2005
Posted From: 63.41.40.234
Posted on Thursday, May 04, 2006 - 9:49 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I put together this map of all the brickyards that I could find for the Springwells area in 1910, source Sanborn fire insurance maps.

1910 Springwells brickyards

1910 brickyard = red dot
1884 brickyard = gold dot
City limits = green line
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Livernoisyard
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Username: Livernoisyard

Post Number: 609
Registered: 10-2004
Posted From: 69.242.223.42
Posted on Thursday, May 04, 2006 - 10:07 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Baby Creek was the boundary between Springwells (now Detroit) and Greenfield (now Dearborn). Baby was an early French settler whose family bought much of nearby Springwells from some Indian eons ago.
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30th_street
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Username: 30th_street

Post Number: 6
Registered: 04-2006
Posted From: 152.163.100.8
Posted on Friday, May 05, 2006 - 12:55 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Hornwreker thanks for the map any chance the dots have names?
Does anyone have any idea / info on who and how Springwells was governed?
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Hornwrecker
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Username: Hornwrecker

Post Number: 1120
Registered: 04-2005
Posted From: 63.41.40.234
Posted on Friday, May 05, 2006 - 1:03 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Yeah, the dots all have names, but I got lazy and didn't want to correlate them with a table of names.

I'll come up with the names and redo the map, but you'll have to come up with photos of the bricks that they made.

/collecting on my pound of clay
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30th_street
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Username: 30th_street

Post Number: 7
Registered: 04-2006
Posted From: 152.163.100.8
Posted on Friday, May 05, 2006 - 1:22 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Finially I can make a legitimate contribution. I can provide pics (once I figure out how to do it) and heck I can even send you some bricks I have doubles of :-)
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Hornwrecker
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Username: Hornwrecker

Post Number: 1123
Registered: 04-2005
Posted From: 63.41.8.104
Posted on Friday, May 05, 2006 - 11:26 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

It turns out that there were three different Lonyos, in multiple locations: Andrew Lonyo Brick Yard, Lonyo Brick Co., and Lonyo Brothers Brick Yard.

Looking at the maps, there were lots of clay pits, and numerous ponds all over that area, and all were gone by the 1923 map. Already made many changes to the map, but need another monitor and an few gig of RAM for all of the files I have open.


Billybrew might have a use for those extra bricks for an exhibit in Claytown.
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Hornwrecker
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Username: Hornwrecker

Post Number: 1130
Registered: 04-2005
Posted From: 63.41.8.172
Posted on Saturday, May 06, 2006 - 1:26 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I was looking around at this web site for brick makers, The Detroiters, and found the following entries:

WOLF, Fred C., brick manufacturer; born, Helena, Minn., July 3, 1870; son of Fred H. and Mary (Cocash) Wolf; educated in Detroit public schools and Detroit Business University; married at Detroit, 1894 Miss Emma Zimmerman. Has resided in Detroit since 1873; learned brick making trade in his father's yard and continued with him, 1885-99 began business 1899, as senior member of Wolf & Dei; also director H. Wolf Brick Co. Member Builders' and Traders' Exchange. Republican. Presbyterian. Member Masonic order. Office: 40 29th St. Residence: 1449 Central Av.

McDONALD, John C., brick and drain tile manufacturing; born, Springwells, Mich., Nov. 29, 1834; educated in district schools; married at Greenfield, Mich., 1861, Margaret A. McFarlane. Began active career as a farmer, later engaging in agricultural implement business in Wayne Co., Mich.; entered manufacture of brick and drain tile at Springwells, Mich., 1882, in which continues as J.C. McDonald & Son, operating two plants of forty-five acres. Also conducts 100-acre farm in Wayne Co., and is developing Cherry Beach near Marine City, Mich., comprising tract of nine acres, subdivided and and improved for summer resort cottages, for Detroit people. Formerly treasurer of Springwells, member board of public works and poor commissioner of Wayne Co. member Detroit Builders and Traders Exchange. Republican. Methodist. Associate member Detroit post, G.A.R. Office: 211 Hammond Bldg. Residence: Warren Av., W.

CLIPPERT, George H., brick manufacturer; born, Springwells, Mich., Mar. 24, 1860; son of Conrad and Christine F. (Pfeifle) Clippert; educated in public schools and at Goldsmith & Bryant's Business College; married at Detroit, Sept. 28, 1886, Flora A. Lyon. Began in brick business at Springwells, Mich., 1880; was member of firm of Conrad Clippert & Sons, 1884-94, George H. Clippert & Bro., 1894-99, and has been president of the George H. Clippert & Bro. Brick Co. since 1899. Also director Home Savings Bank. Member Board of Commerce. Chairman Board of Control of State Industrial Home for Girls. Recreation: Automobiling. Office and residence: 1920 Michigan Av.

HOUGHTEN, Henry; born, May 21, 1850; son of John and Margaret (Gothney) Houghten; educated in public school of Roseville, Mich.; married at Detroit, 1876, Amine Hetchler. Began in the building supply business, 1877; operates in his own name as wholesaler, retailer and manufacturer; handles building stone, lime, cement, sand, plaster and hair, sewer pipe, tile, fire brick, and clay, pressed, ornamental, paving and common brick; mantains four yards and two mills. Methodist. Office: 806 Hammond Bldg. Residence: 101 21st St.

BURNS, James Daniel, sheriff of Wayne Co.; born, Detroit (Spring Wells), July 28, 1865; son of Peter and Hanorah (Calaghan) Burns; public school education; married at Lansing, Mich., June 14, 1891, Kathleen Walsh. Began active career in brick yards owned by his father; engaged in manufacture of brick with two brothers, under title of Burns Brothers,1888-1904; has served as sheriff of Wayne Co. since 1895. Democrat. Catholic. Member Knights of Pytias, B.P.O.E., Harmonie Society. Recreation: Baseball (president of the first American League baseball club in Detroit, 1900-01). Office: Wayne County Bldg. Residence: Sheriff's Residence.

PRATT, Stephen A., manufacturer; born, Detroit, May 18, 1865; son of Stephen and Sarah J. (Gregg) Pratt; educated in public schools of Detroit; married at Detroit, 1896, Miss Effie M. Durkee. Began in manufacturing business with his father, 1881, and upon death of his father, March, 1907, became administrator of estate and manager of Stephen Pratt’s Boiler Works, and brick works in West Detroit. Member Detroit Board of Commerce. Baptist. Office: 160-168 Beecher Av. Residence: 472 4th Av.


Also a mention of Springwell Brick Co, and a Warren Brick and Tile Co, no addresses given.
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30th_street
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Username: 30th_street

Post Number: 9
Registered: 04-2006
Posted From: 64.12.116.204
Posted on Saturday, May 06, 2006 - 8:36 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Nice Reference Hornwrecker. Hey I am trying to post some pictures of Bricks from the Springwells area. But I keep getting an error message saying that the demetions are too big. What does and what do I need to do?
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Hornwrecker
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Username: Hornwrecker

Post Number: 1131
Registered: 04-2005
Posted From: 63.41.8.218
Posted on Saturday, May 06, 2006 - 9:37 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

The jpegs must be less than 50k, and no bigger than 550 x 550 pixels.
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Hornwrecker
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Username: Hornwrecker

Post Number: 1137
Registered: 04-2005
Posted From: 63.41.8.203
Posted on Tuesday, May 09, 2006 - 10:01 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

These are the brickmakers listed in the 1910, volume 5 of the Sanborn maps, all gone by the next volume 12, 1924:

  • Burke Bros.
  • Clippert, G.H. & Bros
  • Deniel, Jacob & Bros
  • Downey, M
  • Haggerty, J.S.
  • Larkins
  • Lonyo Birck Co
  • Lonyo Bros
  • Lonyo, Andrew
  • McDonald, J.C.
  • Porath Bros
  • Pratt, B.
  • Sass Bros & Stuve
  • Schneider
  • Walker & Frank
  • Wolf & Die
  • Wolf, F.W.


Are any of the unfamiliar to brick collectors?
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30th_street
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Username: 30th_street

Post Number: 12
Registered: 04-2006
Posted From: 152.163.100.8
Posted on Tuesday, May 09, 2006 - 11:53 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

All ring bells except Downey, M and the Wolfs. So, there are no brickmakers listed after 1924 or just none on this list. Many of the Brick makers in Springwells didn't last much after 1900 but some did. And there were some that would have been gone before 1910.
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Hornwrecker
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Username: Hornwrecker

Post Number: 1139
Registered: 04-2005
Posted From: 63.41.8.203
Posted on Wednesday, May 10, 2006 - 12:09 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Some might have moved to a different map number/index, but there are none that I found so far on later maps of this area. This is one of the difficulties in dealing with this resource, especially on the outskirts of the city, like this was at the time.

Now you have to find the Wolf's and Downey bricks. Good hunting. (still waiting on the brick photos :-))
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Livernoisyard
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Username: Livernoisyard

Post Number: 641
Registered: 10-2004
Posted From: 69.242.223.42
Posted on Wednesday, May 10, 2006 - 12:19 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

You might get some idea of their locations from their names. It seems conceivable that Porath had its facilities in or near Porath Park south and west of Michigan and Wyoming. Lonyo Street seems a no-brainer for some yards where the metal scrap yards are located today. Some of the brickyards became landfills in Springwells, and homes were built on them afterwards. Notice the locations of the methane traps in SW Detroit and Dearborn.
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30th_street
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Username: 30th_street

Post Number: 13
Registered: 04-2006
Posted From: 152.163.100.8
Posted on Wednesday, May 10, 2006 - 1:11 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Yes the street names do give general locations. It would be fun to pin point. Now my ignorance on the methane traps. Are they those pipes that extend vertical from the ground and have a pointed lid ontop. I have seen those around.
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Hornwrecker
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Username: Hornwrecker

Post Number: 1147
Registered: 04-2005
Posted From: 63.41.8.146
Posted on Thursday, May 11, 2006 - 11:18 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

The list is up to 34 locations now from 1884-1924 without even incorporating the names that Mikem posted. I finally got around to it, and checked the volume for further out on Michigan Ave for 1924. Most of the above listed companies have brickyards in new(er) locations, Clippert with 3, Mercier & Larkins with 2, and Haggerty with 2 yards.

I had to make a spreadsheet to keep track of all of the map and sheet numbers. I'll send it to someone if they want to take over the search, otherwise I'm going to put it on hold for when I need a change of pace from the OCF thread.
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30th_street
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Username: 30th_street

Post Number: 15
Registered: 04-2006
Posted From: 205.188.116.137
Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 2:41 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Ok, since I can not figure out how to load my pics to this site, here is a link to my photobucket if anyone is interested in viewing pics of bricks made in Springwells. I am still interested in Springwells History. Also if anyone would like to talk bricks thats cool too. I would appreciate any extra pairs of eyes to let me know of any buildings coming down so I can go brick hunting.
http://s80.photobucket.com/alb ums/j180/JK__2006/
Thanks Hornwrecker for the map work.
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Karl
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Username: Karl

Post Number: 2358
Registered: 09-2005
Posted From: 68.230.22.99
Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 2:46 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

30th,

Is there somewhere I could pick up a couple of "Daniel" bricks?

Thank you -
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Hornwrecker
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Username: Hornwrecker

Post Number: 1168
Registered: 04-2005
Posted From: 63.41.8.23
Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 1:30 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

30th, if you are using XP, download the image resizer powertoy from this link.

XP Powertoys

Some other brickmakers from 1924 maps:

  • Clippert, W #1-3
  • Daniel, J.
  • Haggerty, J.S. 1 & 2
  • McDonald, J.C.
  • Mercier, J. A.
  • Mecier & Larkins #1 & #2
  • Porath Bros
  • Rochester Sand & Brick
  • Walker & Frank
  • Michigan Pressed Brick
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Mikem
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Username: Mikem

Post Number: 2515
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 208.54.94.97
Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 5:13 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

There's a pile of rubble at the corner of Fort & Vermont. I saw Clippert, W B Co, and J. S. H. bricks among the debris.

The Studebaker factory that burned down was mainly Schneider bricks.

Any rare makes I should keep an eye out for?
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30th_street
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Username: 30th_street

Post Number: 17
Registered: 04-2006
Posted From: 64.12.116.204
Posted on Wednesday, May 17, 2006 - 1:05 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Karl, I can get u some Daniel bricks. But not the ones with the larger letters. They are super rare.
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30th_street
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Username: 30th_street

Post Number: 18
Registered: 04-2006
Posted From: 64.12.116.204
Posted on Wednesday, May 17, 2006 - 1:13 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Been to the Vermont site. Got some good W B Co. there. W.B. Co = Warren Brick company
and the Studebaker factory was a gold - brick mine. I pulled at least 10 varieties from the rubble. Got chased away multiple times.
Thanks for looking out.
I am looking for some
J.A.M. mission bricks = John Mercier
but am open to any and all rubble piles. :-)
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Barnesfoto
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Username: Barnesfoto

Post Number: 1994
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 216.203.223.123
Posted on Wednesday, May 17, 2006 - 1:22 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Mansion of Mr. Clippert, brickmaker, is still standing, barely, on North side of Michigan Ave, just east of Martin. It was in good condition and for sale a couple years back, whoever bought it seems to have no interest in maintaining it.
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Karl
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Username: Karl

Post Number: 2384
Registered: 09-2005
Posted From: 68.230.22.99
Posted on Wednesday, May 17, 2006 - 1:27 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

30th, please email details on Daniel bricks for sale -

bigdogcoke@yahoo.com

Many thanks,

karl
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30th_street
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Username: 30th_street

Post Number: 19
Registered: 04-2006
Posted From: 64.12.116.204
Posted on Wednesday, May 17, 2006 - 1:28 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Yeah I have seen the mansion. It is in shambles. I remeber it beening some kind of ethnic association house at one point?
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Barnesfoto
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Username: Barnesfoto

Post Number: 1995
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 66.2.148.56
Posted on Wednesday, May 17, 2006 - 9:55 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

30th: Ukranian-American Social Club
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Karl
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Username: Karl

Post Number: 2412
Registered: 09-2005
Posted From: 72.25.177.194
Posted on Thursday, May 18, 2006 - 11:23 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Those interested in bricks will not want to miss today's Photo du Jour.

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