  Urbanoutdoors Member Username: Urbanoutdoors Post Number: 12 Registered: 11-2005 Posted From: 64.12.116.204 |
When I was at John King a while ago I came across many glorius picture of a park in detroit called waterworks park. I have done a little research and Ihave driven by the site a few times, and even read an article from the detrout news a while ago. I am just wondering if anyone else has any good sites on it and why it officially was closed off to the public. | ||||
Urbanoutdoors Member Username: Urbanoutdoors Post Number: 13 Registered: 11-2005 Posted From: 64.12.116.204 |
| ||||
Michigansheik Member Username: Michigansheik Post Number: 65 Registered: 09-2005 Posted From: 69.242.214.54 |
They closed it to keep our water safe. Although they added new lighting last year, they could do a little more because most of the buildings there are amazing, especially the building right on Jefferson that sits in the dark! | ||||
Urbanoutdoors Member Username: Urbanoutdoors Post Number: 14 Registered: 11-2005 Posted From: 64.12.116.204 |
Looking back this article gives apretty detailed explanation but I still think it is amazing to look back at it here is the link. I can't believe this had to disapear. http://info.detnews.com/histor y/story/index.cfm?id=207&categ ory=locations | ||||
Mikem Member Username: Mikem Post Number: 2324 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 198.144.5.245 |
http://www.dwsd.org/history/co mplete_history.pdf | ||||
Psip Member Username: Psip Post Number: 922 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 69.246.13.131 |
Nice! thanks Mike | ||||
Psip Member Username: Psip Post Number: 923 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 69.246.13.131 |
I had a chance to go into the Springwell waterplant about 20 years ago, wow was that place cool.(and cold) All the controls for the pumps were original. big knife swiches, huge slate desks with valves and big meters. It looked like time stood still. If I find the video of it, I will post some pix. | ||||
Mikem Member Username: Mikem Post Number: 2326 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 198.144.5.244 |
The park was closed at the outbreak of WWII for fear of Axis agents poisoning the water supply. | ||||
Broken_main Member Username: Broken_main Post Number: 759 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 69.222.11.226 |
Seeing how I spend most of my time assisting with the operations of the water system. I had all my my training at 4 of 5 of the water plants and booster stations. The Springwells plant is very beautiful and large. Psip..those "slate desks" that you speak of have since been changed (just within the last 10 years) and they upgrades the equipment while trying to keep the historic value of the tables. | ||||
Jasoncw Member Username: Jasoncw Post Number: 96 Registered: 07-2005 Posted From: 148.61.248.29 |
It amazes me how public utility places where open to the public as parks, with the buildings designed so beautifully. Nowadays these kinds of places are big cement or metal boxes surrounded by barbed wire fences. and yay Detroit water! | ||||
Broken_main Member Username: Broken_main Post Number: 762 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 69.222.11.226 |
Ah yes... the Waterworks Park site was supposed to be restored to family park..that was until 9-11 happened. now we will have to wait and see if they will ever go ahead and do what was planned. | ||||
Jasoncw Member Username: Jasoncw Post Number: 97 Registered: 07-2005 Posted From: 148.61.248.29 |
Is the security that intense on the place? If terrorists were going to do something like that, they're not going to mind sneaking through some fences first. But considering the population of that area, the money spent to maintain that park might be better used somewhere else. And it's not like there isn't alot of open space in the area, if you know what I mean. It would be really cool to have the waterworks park open, but it'll have to wait for now. I don't think it's going anywhere though. | ||||
Broken_main Member Username: Broken_main Post Number: 769 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 69.222.11.226 |
From my understanding, the population is "supposed" to increase in the area, especially with all of the housing going on in the area. Though it may take up to 10 years to really see a change in numbers. | ||||
Miss_flow Member Username: Miss_flow Post Number: 33 Registered: 07-2005 Posted From: 4.229.150.225 |
Back in the day, as recently as 1996, before the construction of the new water plant on that site, there was a gazebo on the grounds that contractors removed. We were told that the gazebo would be returned because the gazebo had steps that led down to a huge room that was used for retirement parties. It also had a fully equipped kitchen. When I went down there in 1996, it was in desperate need of repair, but it would have been worth it. Also down there, was a beautiful wood table that could easily seat 20 people. That disappeared, but after much bitching by us, it turned back up fully restored and now it is in the new water plant on the site. | ||||
Broken_main Member Username: Broken_main Post Number: 789 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 69.136.139.223 |
Thanks Miss_flow, now I don't have to call you and ask you to respond. | ||||
Psip Member Username: Psip Post Number: 936 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 69.246.13.131 |
B_m please send me an email, I have something you might want to see.  | ||||
Miss_flow Member Username: Miss_flow Post Number: 34 Registered: 07-2005 Posted From: 4.229.147.92 |
No problem Broken Main. I just hate that the old water works park plant was torn down for that new crap. All the marble tables and brass fixtures that were just allowed to go to scrap was really sad. They will never be able to design a plant like the old one. if I can manage it, I'll take a picture of the high lift inside for you to post. | ||||
Hornwrecker Member Username: Hornwrecker Post Number: 753 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 66.2.148.53 |
A photograph of a pump, taken inside the Temple of Technology, in Waterworks Park.  (A lot more old photos coming soon, after some PSing) | ||||
Hornwrecker Member Username: Hornwrecker Post Number: 755 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 66.2.148.126 |
An aerial view from the 60s.  A close-up from the above photo. (Is that a theatre in the lower right corner?)  An early photo from around 1880.  WSU | ||||
Jenay Member Username: Jenay Post Number: 124 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 68.41.224.19 |
Cool thread! | ||||
Hornwrecker Member Username: Hornwrecker Post Number: 756 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 63.41.8.146 |
This is part of an aerial photo taken in the 20s, some of the distortion is from the wires between the wings of the flying boat that these were taken from.   The Standpipe Tower:    WSU more later... | ||||
Alexei289 Member Username: Alexei289 Post Number: 1019 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 68.61.183.223 |
wow... isnt is disgusting how much artistic value has diminished in every aspect of our lives and construction today? Something so crude and raw as a standpipe tower, decorated beautifully with awsome architecture... and built like a brick shithouse... 80 years is a pretty good run for an oversized chimney if you ask me... | ||||
Hornwrecker Member Username: Hornwrecker Post Number: 759 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 66.2.148.215 |
Here are a few views from around the park.   I think that the roundish building, next to the greenhouses, in the middle of this photo is/was the Hurlbut Library that was on the grounds of the park.   WSU to be continued... | ||||
Steelworker Member Username: Steelworker Post Number: 547 Registered: 02-2004 Posted From: 68.79.88.111 |
My grandparents grew up right by water works park and they always told stories of going there and swiming in the water(how they didnt think of pollution) | ||||
Hornwrecker Member Username: Hornwrecker Post Number: 768 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 63.41.8.29 |
You mentioned swimming, you got it. Here's the wading pool    The floral clock.  tbc... | ||||
Hornwrecker Member Username: Hornwrecker Post Number: 771 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 66.2.148.40 |
A few old photos from around the turn of the last century from the LOC/Detroit Publishing Co, makers of postcards. Hurbut Memorial Gate        As Detroit's population tripled and its area increased, from 17 to 28 square mile, the need for a system of branch libraries became evident. In 1897, the Detroit Water Commission established the Hurlbut Library in Water Works Park to house the collection of former Water Commissioner Chauncy Hurlbut, and the Library Commission agreed to supply it with books for public circulation. This in effect was Detroit's first branch library. The operation and staffing of the Hurlbut Library was turned over to the Library Commission in 1905. (done) (Message edited by Hornwrecker on January 30, 2006) | ||||
Rust Member Username: Rust Post Number: 86 Registered: 08-2004 Posted From: 64.118.136.130 |
Hornwrecker, Thanks as always for the wonderful images you post! I hope it inspires people to think about what Detroit can be as much it shows them what Detroit once was. | ||||
Lmichigan Member Username: Lmichigan Post Number: 3120 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 67.172.95.197 |
I would love to see the greenspace utilized once again, if not even as something as nice before, at least as a decent public park. I was always under the impression that the actual waterworks portion of the park went under in terms as an attraction simply due to lack of interest. And, I'm really getting tired of this 9/11 hysteria. There are some very real concerns about security (and there ALWAYS has been), but it's been taken beyond legitimate concerns to pure hysteria. This park isn't opened because the city can't currently take care of the parks it already has. | ||||
Soulhawk Member Username: Soulhawk Post Number: 259 Registered: 04-2004 Posted From: 68.85.153.94 |
What a fantastic thread. Thanks to the newbie Urbanoutdoors for starting it and thanks to all who have posted info and pics. | ||||
My2cents Member Username: My2cents Post Number: 124 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 24.253.67.62 |
Thank you for the STELLAR photos and links. THUNDEROUS APPLAUSE! (Dreaming nightly from this arid place of fresh, clean, cold from the tap, Detroit water) | ||||
Psip Member Username: Psip Post Number: 982 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 69.246.13.131 |
Hurlbut Memorial Gate was built to honor the memory of Chauncy Hurlbut, who served many years as the president of the Board of Water Commissioners From in side the park  From East Jefferson Ave.  LOC | ||||
Urbanoutdoors Member Username: Urbanoutdoors Post Number: 17 Registered: 11-2005 Posted From: 205.188.116.137 |
I just wish it was still around in its entirety. does anyone know if you can still tour the remaining grounds? ANd just wondering if anyone has any Idea what the oldest tree in detroit is now that the 12 apostles are gone. Just curious. | ||||
Royce Member Username: Royce Post Number: 1429 Registered: 07-2004 Posted From: 69.212.39.25 |
I would love to see them pull back the fence along Jefferson and allow the public to use the front part of the park. How much damage can anyone do to the water system if they move the fence back one to two hundred yards? Then fence will still keep the bad folks out. | ||||
Hornwrecker Member Username: Hornwrecker Post Number: 778 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 66.2.149.65 |
Urbanoutdoors, somewhere out there, there is a list of the oldest and largest trees of each type, in each state. I know it exists, and that people actually keep track of things like this, since I read it a few years ago; however, the google escapes me now, and I can't locate it. Try searching for "oldest tree list" and forestry or forest service, that might work. I'm too burned out on searches from OCF stuff. Oh, and... you're welcome to those who thanked me. Sometimes I just like to show how things could be, or were. Plant more trees! | ||||
Hornwrecker Member Username: Hornwrecker Post Number: 781 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 66.2.148.20 |
One last photo, not of the park, but I thought it was interesting enough to post. Not sure of the age of this or the location, but I do like the hitching posts in front. I wish that the orginal photo showed more of the signs on the building behind it.  | ||||
Urbanoutdoors Member Username: Urbanoutdoors Post Number: 18 Registered: 11-2005 Posted From: 207.74.192.1 |
In the upcoming weeks I am going to the Burton collection to research more about the park I will try to post my findings periodically. | ||||
Royce Member Username: Royce Post Number: 1435 Registered: 07-2004 Posted From: 69.212.224.185 |
It's seems a waste to not have some of the land in front of the Waterworks Park main buiding open for the public's use. If you moved the fence on Jefferson back 100 yards, there would still be plenty of space between the fence and the main building to protect whatever the city feels needs to be protected. Seriously, if the grounds were opened the 100 yards back from Jefferson that I mentioned above, would the fear be that terrorists would dig a hole in the ground to plant a bomb or plant some biological agent in the ground that would somehow get into the water supply? Could they do something like that in public an not be spotted? Any thoughts? | ||||
Leoqueen Member Username: Leoqueen Post Number: 1030 Registered: 07-2004 Posted From: 205.188.116.137 |
I had NO IDEA that the Waterworks area was so vital and alive in the past! I drive by it and just see a big area with some functional-looking buildings and an imposing fence. Thanks for the great thread and pics...again, the Forum teaches! | ||||
Hardhat Member Username: Hardhat Post Number: 95 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 69.209.133.64 |
Here's an article about upgrades to the plant, from 2001. http://www.detroitbuildingtrad es.org/newspapr/nov92001.html# early | ||||
Miss_flow Member Username: Miss_flow Post Number: 35 Registered: 07-2005 Posted From: 69.222.11.226 |
The land in front of the highlift building and the old administration building is full of transmission mains and manhole covers that need to be accessible. In front of the new administration building is the reservoir. In back of the highlift building is another reservoir. What appears to be open land cannot have anything built on top of it and requires minimal traffic. Also, security acts like they're doing something by interrogating every city employee that comes through the gate, but they let every truck driver with chemicals drive right on in. Chlorine, Sulfuric Acid, Liquid Oxygen just to name a few. | ||||
Erikd Member Username: Erikd Post Number: 527 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 69.242.214.106 |
This thread has a lot of interesting information. All this time, I thought "Waterworks Park" was just a theme park owned by R. Kelly... *ba-dah-bum* Thank you, I'll be here all week. Try the veal... | ||||
Urbanoutdoors Member Username: Urbanoutdoors Post Number: 20 Registered: 11-2005 Posted From: 205.188.116.137 |
Interesting link of detroit history http://www.marygrove.edu/ids/i ndex.asp | ||||
Hornwrecker Member Username: Hornwrecker Post Number: 855 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 63.41.8.199 |
Waterworks Park, Sanborn map, 1916   The Hurlbut Library is just to the left of the canal on the middle, bottom of map, octagonal shaped building. Just above that canal is a band stand, of which I never knew about before. The building on Jefferson to the left of the gate is a firehouse. | ||||
Fury13 Member Username: Fury13 Post Number: 927 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 69.14.122.204 |
FYI, the original pumping station (Pumping Station No. 1) was built in 1875-77, with a substantial addition in 1900-03. At the top of this thread you can see two pics of the building in its original configuration with the single, mansard-roofed tower. The pics of the building with the twin domed cupolas are post-1903. The building was demo'd in 1962. The old building you see on the grounds today is the High Lift Pumping Station (originally Pumping Station No. 2), built 1910-14. | ||||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 1831 Registered: 08-2004 Posted From: 4.229.81.53 |
Like I've mentioned ad nauseum on this forum... since we can no longer get to enjoy Chauncey Hurlburt's wonderful Beaux Arts confection... the Hurlburt Gate (except whizzing past it along Jefferson), they should move it. Where to? Here's some suggestions: 1) across the Belle Isle bridge onto a pedestal where the floral clock currently is, making for a spectacular view on the bridge as one approaches the island. 2) to Tricentennial Park (along with the Merrill Fountain) for the centerpiece of a "Louis XIV" style French garden (enclosed with a fence like the Belle Isle Conservatory and Gardens). What would be nice is to move it to an ACCESSIBLE park. That way the city could rent it out (hourly) in warm months for photo ops for Brides/Grooms and wedding entourages. That squared off horseshoe style staircase would make for awesome photo ops. But not where it's currently at. | ||||
Metaldoctor Member Username: Metaldoctor Post Number: 69 Registered: 01-2007 |
Metal doctor has a question how important is the restoration of the historical metal work on the memorials. It seems to play a vital role in the appearance.  | ||||
Goat Member Username: Goat Post Number: 9201 Registered: 10-2003 |
...when Detroit WAS a world class city. Too bad and too sad. Royce, you know if the city was to open that up it would be destroyed in less than a year. | ||||
Metaldoctor Member Username: Metaldoctor Post Number: 76 Registered: 01-2007 |
That may be true but the gate could be fabricated to be permanently closed. http://www.ci.detroit.mi.us/hi storic/fence.htm | ||||
Eastsidedame Member Username: Eastsidedame Post Number: 114 Registered: 12-2006 |
Recently, I noticed an unusual large number of headstones at Mt. Elliot Cemetery listing 1873 as the date of death, mostly July, August and September. There were too many to count. Often, several in one family. I was wondering what the hell happened here? After some digging, I found out it was a cholera epidemic. If you've ever read about it, cholera is a particularly horrible and disgusting way to go. It must have been a frightening experience for Detroiters of the time. It was the 1873 epidemic that finally got the Waterworks built and running. It took hundreds of deaths to get something done. | ||||
Flybydon Member Username: Flybydon Post Number: 121 Registered: 01-2005 |
Water Works Park 4/07  | ||||
Bunkster Member Username: Bunkster Post Number: 9 Registered: 02-2006 |
Who owns the fire house near the park and what do they do there? |
