  Livedog2 Member Username: Livedog2 Post Number: 1075 Registered: 03-2006 Posted From: 66.227.204.151 |
Livedog2 proudly had his picture taken in front of the Dabrowski Playground plaque on the flagpole recently as the "ghosts" of his ancestors were bumping into him! Livedog2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Detroitej72 Member Username: Detroitej72 Post Number: 197 Registered: 05-2006 Posted From: 66.184.3.44 |
Here are some Pictures I took this weekend from old Poletown. (Message edited by detroitej72 on September 04, 2006) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Detroitej72 Member Username: Detroitej72 Post Number: 198 Registered: 05-2006 Posted From: 66.184.3.44 |
Well. I seem to be having technical difficulties uploading my pics at this time. Stay tuned for further updates... | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Livedog2 Member Username: Livedog2 Post Number: 1076 Registered: 03-2006 Posted From: 66.227.204.151 |
I am anxiously awaiting your fine pictures, Detroitej72! No pressure here!! :-) Livedog2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Jjaba Member Username: Jjaba Post Number: 4307 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 71.236.229.212 |
Detroitej72, we hate it when you start with the Polish jokes. jjaba, LOL. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Hornwrecker Member Username: Hornwrecker Post Number: 1555 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 216.203.223.115 |
The Zynda Beverage Co (1890-1948),4232 Riopelle & Canfield, maker of White Eagle Beer, from the 1921 Sanborn map. Next to the brewery are the offices of the Dziennek Polski (Polish Daily News) 1550 Canfield, established 1904. I also found a John Zynda being on the City of Detroit's Board of Water Commissioners from 1901-07.  This is an ad from 1906 from a Michigan State Fair program from the website Michigan Breweriana-Zynda  A 1930s beer label from same website:  Here's a list of Polish newspapers in Detroit that I found at this site http://www.polishroots.org/newspapers/newspapers.htm
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Livedog2 Member Username: Livedog2 Post Number: 1078 Registered: 03-2006 Posted From: 66.227.204.151 |
Hornwrecker, this stuff you are posting is solid gold. I've got some photos I need to download in the next day or two that will plug the holes in some of the Polnia sites on the East and West Sides that have been a mystery for awhile, now. This thread is developing very nicely and is very informative to those of us that have interest in this part of the Detroit Polish History that makes up the mosaic of the City of Detroit.  Livedog2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Hornwrecker Member Username: Hornwrecker Post Number: 1556 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 216.203.223.115 |
Here are a few new things to add to the list that I haven't had time to track down some more. These are from the indexes in the Sanborn maps.
Most of those churchs are on 1940s maps. The Lukomski Bros were mfgs of plumbing supplies. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ordinary Member Username: Ordinary Post Number: 19 Registered: 06-2006 Posted From: 69.212.27.136 |
Livedog2, Thanks for the definitions. Jjaba, you're right that a lot of people think that Poletown was only where the GM Poletown plan is. I've mentioned on another thread about how enamored I am with St. Francis of Assisi at Buchanan and Wesson on the west side. That must have been a huge Polish community at one time. I think St. Hedwig was a Polish saint also. Some general questions. I read the posts about St. Casimir at M.L.K. Blvd. and 23rd and I drove by there what seems like not too long ago and I saw a building with the word St. Casimir on it. Is that still there? What was the church on McClellan just off of Gratiot by Shoemaker? I could have sworn it was St. Casimir also. Is that still there? | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Livernoisyard Member Username: Livernoisyard Post Number: 1341 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 69.242.223.42 |
It's Ste. Hedwig... | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Hamtramck_steve Member Username: Hamtramck_steve Post Number: 3233 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 69.220.69.129 |
St. Casimir's buildings are still there. The parish closed in 1989. The school is still open, but it's not an archdiocesan school. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Kathleen Member Username: Kathleen Post Number: 1557 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 140.244.107.151 |
For Ordinary.... The church on McClellan just off of Gratiot by Shoemaker is Nativity of Our Lord. The parish was established in 1911. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ordinary Member Username: Ordinary Post Number: 23 Registered: 06-2006 Posted From: 63.77.247.130 |
Hamtramck_steve, Kathleen, Thanks. I wonder why in the world I thought that church on McClellan was St. Casimir. Livernoisyard, you are correct sir! | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Livedog2 Member Username: Livedog2 Post Number: 1079 Registered: 03-2006 Posted From: 66.227.204.151 |
I'm heading out there now... Livedog2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Margarite Member Username: Margarite Post Number: 48 Registered: 12-2003 Posted From: 63.81.122.66 |
To the holders of the old maps: I can remember on my walk home on St. Aubin from St. Albertus school passing a candy factory where you could look through the open doors and see them making candy canes. I can't find anyone else who remembers this. Most of the other students walked home the other way down St. Aubin. I don't know anymore if this candy factory existed in real life or just in my muddled memory. It would have been on St. Aubin between the St. Albertus grounds and St. Joseph street. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Livedog2 Member Username: Livedog2 Post Number: 1081 Registered: 03-2006 Posted From: 66.227.204.151 |
Margarite, I looked on the current maps to see if I could find St. Joseph St. but no dice. What years would that have been that you walked home from "St. Albertus grounds and St. Joseph St?" I've known that neighborhood a long time but I don't remember St. Joseph St. so it must be before my time. The candy factory is not a figament of your imagination because I have some photos of some old buildings from St. Aubin St. just South and North of Willis St. on the West side of the street that I think one of them was the candy factory. But, I can't figure out which one it is because I don't know the name of the candy factory or what address it was located at. But, keep adding your memories and remembrances Margarite and someone on here will help to figure it all out. Livedog2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bearinabox Member Username: Bearinabox Post Number: 39 Registered: 04-2006 Posted From: 69.209.167.239 |
I had to be the one to ask: Why is that whole area mentioned in the last few posts (south of I-94 between St. Aubin and Mt. Elliott) in such rough shape? What exactly made the difference between this area and Hamtramck, which still has a thriving commercial strip and mostly intact housing? Just from looking at both areas, they seem to have a lot in common, except that one declined much, much more than the other. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Livedog2 Member Username: Livedog2 Post Number: 1082 Registered: 03-2006 Posted From: 66.227.204.151 |
That's an excellent question! I'll be anxious to hear the different answers it might elicit. Livedog2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Margarite Member Username: Margarite Post Number: 49 Registered: 12-2003 Posted From: 4.229.102.137 |
Thanks, Livedog2. I'm glad you found at least some evidence that there was a candy factory on St. Aubin. I feel a little better now. St. Joseph street is one block North of Mack Avenue. I lived between St. Aubin and the RR track but St. Joseph street ran to Orleans. Today there is only one house standing on the block I lived on and the street is walled off at the RR track. I always get a kick out of you guys talking about walking the Dequindre cut of the tracks. When I was a kid, my buddy and I would ride our bikes along those tracks and on to the Eastern Market. This would be after school and in the early evening when the market was already closed and we had all that empty space to ride our bikes. What a blast we'd have. I was born at home on St. Joseph street in 1945 and lived there until around 1969. So this candy factory I'm obsessing on would have existed sometime in the 50's. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Hornwrecker Member Username: Hornwrecker Post Number: 1557 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 66.2.149.81 |
I've searched the St Aubin area on the 1921 Sanborn map, all I have for that area, and can't find any notation of a candy maker there. That's not to say it wasn't at that time, just that it wasn't marked down. Here's the map for St. Albertus from 1921. That business on St. Aubine and Willis was probably a car seat maker.  I don't know if that area suffered much riot damage in 1967, if any, but it was surrounded by it on two sides. That may have a lot to do with its decline. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Livedog2 Member Username: Livedog2 Post Number: 1083 Registered: 03-2006 Posted From: 66.227.204.151 |
Margarite, when I get back home or at least to my current, temporary, home I'll have a lot I can post on this thread about the Detroit Eastside Polonia but I've got a lot of Westside Polonia to share, too. Just for your information, Margarite you and I were born in the same year but unlike you being born at home I was born a few doors down from where Harry Houdini, a man with many Detroit connections, died in the "old" Grace Hospital. Great Sanborn map, Hornwrecker, of the St. Albertus complex in the Southwest quadrant of St. Aubin and Canfield. Now, the Felician Motherhouse was right across the street from the church on the Southeast quadrant of that same intersection. Anything on the Sanborn maps about the St. Albertus Felician Motherhouse? It has since moved to Livonia. Now, I'm 61 years old and saw my "old" Religion Teacher, Sister Fabian, a couple of months ago. She's 96 years old and running a Day Care Center in the Convent at Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Church. She was one of the sweet ones and I attribute that to the fact that she has lived so long! Some of you woman out there might know about this or even you guys. Wasn't there a school called Felician Academy? And, was it housed in the Felician Motherhouse across from St. Albertus? My memory is failing me on that point. Wasn't there also a place called Silesian Academy, too? Somewhere! Livedog2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Livernoisyard Member Username: Livernoisyard Post Number: 1350 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 69.242.223.42 |
I saw a post card of the Felician Motherhouse once. It resembled a prison from the street view. The two nuns at St. Stephen's on Central were Felicians, along with those few at the other two nearby parish schools in the SW Detroit Vicariate, when I taught the fifth grade there. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mauser765 Member Username: Mauser765 Post Number: 945 Registered: 01-2004 Posted From: 4.229.69.59 |
Livedog2 - may I ? Ld2 and I took a little tour of the region being discussed last Sunday, and we bopped into a couple of these cornerstone churches.. Heres some pics of the interior of St Josaphat   And also Sweetest Heart    | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mauser765 Member Username: Mauser765 Post Number: 946 Registered: 01-2004 Posted From: 4.229.69.59 |
Just a couple good old Polish boys walking in the footsteps of our ancestors -we "accidentally" crashed a wedding at SH of Mary. lol In the photo of the ceiling vaults at SH of Mary, if you look in the corners there are angels in every one. The detail in these places is just overwhelming. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Livedog2 Member Username: Livedog2 Post Number: 1084 Registered: 03-2006 Posted From: 24.223.133.177 |
Great shots, Mauser765! You have a great eye and a perfect shutter finger!! It was a pleasure to see an artist and a pro at work!!! Livedog2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Kathleen Member Username: Kathleen Post Number: 1561 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 69.14.122.57 |
Below are a few shots that I took back in 1985 along St. Aubin at Forest and at Warren. My husband's maternal grandparents were born in Poland. Grandpa emigrated in the late teens to the U.S. and spent some time out West (mostly Arizona) before settling in Detroit since he had family here. He went back to Poland in the late 20s to pick himself a young bride. My mother-in-law (nee Dudzinski) was born not long after in a doctor's offic on Forest just east of Warren. This is what the block looked like in 1985:  Grandpa opened a market located on the northwest corner of St. Aubin and Warren. The family which eventually grew to four children lived upstairs. The children attended St. Albertus Grade School. Here are several shots of what was left of the market/house as of 1985 (unoccupied at this time):    Across the street on the southwest corner at one time was the H. Jacobson Coal Company. Here's what the building looked like in 1985:  Today both corners are empty. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Hornwrecker Member Username: Hornwrecker Post Number: 1558 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 216.203.223.80 |
I found this aerial photo of the area from who knows when. In the lower right corner is St Albertus. Looking north  WSU/VMC A closup of of St. Albertus  | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Livedog2 Member Username: Livedog2 Post Number: 1085 Registered: 03-2006 Posted From: 24.223.133.177 |
Great historical shots, Kathleen! Who'd of ever thought back in 1985 we'd be talking about them in historical terms. Priceless aerial photo, Hornwrecker with a fine close up of St. Albertus! Livedog2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Danny Member Username: Danny Post Number: 4960 Registered: 02-2004 Posted From: 141.217.174.229 |
In 1978 my Aunt and my uncle opened a corner bar at a 2 story brick building on Medbury bewteen E. Grand Blvd/McDougall connector and Mt. Elliot St. Every year my uncle hosts a dance contest. Of you win, you would get free beer for a month for Adults and canday other sweet treats for kids. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Livedog2 Member Username: Livedog2 Post Number: 1086 Registered: 03-2006 Posted From: 24.223.133.177 |
Kathleen you said, I can't quite follow that since Forest and Warren run the same way. Can you clarify? Livedog2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Kathleen Member Username: Kathleen Post Number: 1564 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 140.244.107.151 |
Sorry that should be "just east of St. Aubin." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Livedog2 Member Username: Livedog2 Post Number: 1087 Registered: 03-2006 Posted From: 24.223.133.177 |
Thanks, Kathleen! Livedog2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Livedog2 Member Username: Livedog2 Post Number: 1088 Registered: 03-2006 Posted From: 24.223.133.177 |
Here’s a copy of an “old” dance card from St. Albertus for Sunday, Jan. 29th 1933. This was back in the day when “the church” was a magnet for the community.   Livedog2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stephanie Member Username: Stephanie Post Number: 7 Registered: 06-2006 Posted From: 68.43.106.62 |
God, what a great thread. I've learned a great deal about my heritage from reading this. I can honestly say I had no idea that the Polish-American section of the city was as large as it was. My understanding until now was the Northeast area surrounding Hamtramck and parts of southwest Detroit were their neighborhoods. Thanks all for showing me otherwise. If anyone were to host a tour or something along those lines, I'd definitely love to tag along. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Livedog2 Member Username: Livedog2 Post Number: 1092 Registered: 03-2006 Posted From: 24.223.133.177 |
Stunningly beautiful, St. Josaphat Roman Catholic Church.  Mauser765 and I basked in the glory of being surrounded by so much beauty in such a small space at a moment in time of our fleeting lives. It is incredible that such poor Polish immigrants had the willingness, resources and fortitude to raise up to heaven the glory of God in their prayers in the form of this edifice. This, along with their faith in His love for them and theirs for Him on earth as it is in heaven. Amen! Livedog2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Horn_wrecker Moderator Username: Horn_wrecker Post Number: 7 Registered: 08-2006 Posted From: 66.19.23.87 |
1949 aerial of Canfield, east at the top F = Felician Sisters A = St Albertus Z = Zynda Brewery M = Sweetest Heart of Mary J = St Josephat  | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Livedog2 Member Username: Livedog2 Post Number: 1094 Registered: 03-2006 Posted From: 24.223.133.177 |
Ah huh, that's where Zynda's Brewery was located. I think that it was sitting where Forest Park sits, now. As a matter of fact here is a photo I took of that exact area the other day. This was taken from Dequindre and Canfield looking West with Forest Park in the left, foreground, Sweetest Heart of Mary in mid-picture and St. Josaphat in the mid-background. As a matter of fact this whole stetch of Canfield on the South side of the street was full of all kinds of important landmarks from the historical Polonia of Detroit. Thanks for the great map of the area, Hornwrecker!  Livedog2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Livedog2 Member Username: Livedog2 Post Number: 1095 Registered: 03-2006 Posted From: 24.223.133.177 |
A beautiful up close view of Sweetest Heart of Mary!  Livedog2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Hornwrecker Member Username: Hornwrecker Post Number: 1563 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 66.19.23.87 |
Thank Horn_wrecker, he did all the work and counting streets. (Pain in the ass to locate the right streets with no freeways.) He forgot to add that the Dugli House is located immediately under the first L of the Riopelle label. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Livedog2 Member Username: Livedog2 Post Number: 1096 Registered: 03-2006 Posted From: 24.223.133.177 |
Thanks, Horn_wrecker for "all the work and counting streets. (Pain in the ass to locate the right streets with no freeways.)" I appreciate your effort and work! Livedog2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Livedog2 Member Username: Livedog2 Post Number: 1097 Registered: 03-2006 Posted From: 24.223.133.177 |
Dobrowski Playground is an important stop along the Polonia Historical Trail located on the Eastside. It is situated on the Southwest corner of St. Aubin and Forest Streets.  This is the entrance to Dabrowski Playground with the flagpole, base and Memorial Plaque standing just inside the fenced entrance with the playground in the background.  Here's the flagpole that the proud Polish immagrants raised the American flag on daily in their new home.  And, the base that the flagpole sat upon and the Memorial Plaque was attached to.  Finally, the Memorial Plaque with the words that says it all, "This Recreational Facility Dedicated To The Memory Of Rev. Joseph Dabrowski Who In 1885, On This Site, The Polish Seminay Now Located At Orchard Lake, Michigan Grateful Alumni August 21, 1951 City Of Detroit Parks And Recreation"  Livedog2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Margarite Member Username: Margarite Post Number: 50 Registered: 12-2003 Posted From: 63.81.122.66 |
Hornwrecker, are the maps that you've been sharing with us on line somewhere? They are absolutely fascinating. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Hornwrecker Member Username: Hornwrecker Post Number: 1565 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 66.19.17.132 |
Margarite, it is online, but not open to the general public. You'd have to gain access through your local library or historical organization if they subscribe to it, at U of M. The aerial photos are available at WSU: http://www.culma.wayne.edu/aer ial_photos/index.htm | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Livedog2 Member Username: Livedog2 Post Number: 1099 Registered: 03-2006 Posted From: 24.223.133.177 |
Here is the current Google Sanborn map of Dabrowski Playground at the Southwest corner of St. Aubin and Forest.  Livedog2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Hornwrecker Member Username: Hornwrecker Post Number: 1571 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 66.19.24.42 |
On the southeast corner of Canfield and Russell, was the Detroit Bank & Trust (on the Polonia link identified as Detroit Savings Bank, Branch 12) built in 1913.  wsu The 1921 Sanborn map showing the DB&T (in black) on the corner, and the Wujek Funeral Home at 1414 Canfield (in yellow) est 1917. This was formerly the Joseph Sowinksi Photo Studio in 1915. There was also a ice cream cone bakery on Russell (in red) on the map.  The Wujek FH moved to Van Dyke, north of 7 Mile in 1953, and is still in business as the Wujek-Calcaterra FH today. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Livedog2 Member Username: Livedog2 Post Number: 1100 Registered: 03-2006 Posted From: 24.223.133.177 |
Here are a couple of additional views of the Southeast corner of Russell and Canfield where the Detroit Bank & Trust or as identified on the Polonia link as Detroit Savings Bank, Branch 12 with an address of 1400 Canfield. The first one being an aerial view of a current Google Sanborn map with a red X marking the spot where the bank was located which was the Southeast corner of Russell and Canfield. Sweetest Heart of Mary is directly north across Canfield.  The other view is a recent photo from my own personal collection of the spot where the bank was located. To orient it for you I shot it from Russell right across the street west from Sweetest Heart of Mary looking south towards Canfield. And again, the red X marks the spot where the bank was located.  Livedog2 (Message edited by livedog2 on September 09, 2006) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Livedog2 Member Username: Livedog2 Post Number: 1101 Registered: 03-2006 Posted From: 24.223.133.177 |
There are more people with Polish heritage out there that are reading this thread than have been contributing to this thread. You don't have to contribute startling photographs or fancy maps nor any of the high-tech tools that exist for presentations. Your stories are more valuable than any other contribution that you can make. So, if you're Polish or even a little Polish or if you knew someone Polish or even if you just wanted to be Polish you have some stories that would enrich this thread. And, I for one would like to read what you write about any or all things Polish. Even Danny made a contribution to this thread, can you do less? Check out the stories that Kathleen, Mauser765 and Margarite told and you’ll get the idea. Come on Stephanie, I know you must have at least one story to tell us and it would be a great way to become engaged on this Forum. Consider allowing your Polish Pride to shine through and tell us a story! Livedog2  | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Raggedclaws Member Username: Raggedclaws Post Number: 9 Registered: 08-2006 Posted From: 68.40.245.180 |
Livedog2: I'm a native Detroiter whose family immigrated from the Krakow area to Chicago in the 1880s, then on to Detroit around 1909. Great-grandfather died at age 44 with 9 children and one on the way. They lived at 24th & Selden. Great-uncle owned a saloon at Ash & Tillman in the 1920s, during Prohibition the city directory lists address as a "softdrink saloon". Unfortunatley, I never knew any of these people or their offspring - highly dysfunctional family. In doing an intensive family history I get the impression they downplayed their Polish heritage. Sad, really - I've been to Poland several times, it is a beautiful country whose people have a wonderful spirit. Detroit is fortunate for the proud to have brought that with them. The name of the saloon (from census report) was something like 'Jiggermans'. Building is gone now. Would love to find out more. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Livedog2 Member Username: Livedog2 Post Number: 1103 Registered: 03-2006 Posted From: 24.223.133.177 |
Raggedclaws, what a great story! There are people on this site that can probably help you learn things about your Polish Heritage and I for one would be happy to help you. This is the spirit of story telling about our Polish Heritage. Raggedclaws you said well all I have to say about that is this -- when you say family the word dysfunctional is always lurking near by. We just think we're the only ones that feel that way but John Bradshaw says that So, celebrate what you think is your family dysfunctionality because it's the thing that makes you unique in a totally dusfuntional society. It's called the "human condition!" Livedog2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Jjaba Member Username: Jjaba Post Number: 4311 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 71.236.229.212 |
Hornwrecker, et. al. "DZIEKUJE." (Thanks) Mauser, always beautiful photos. There is a province in Poland called Salesia, thus the name of the school, Salesian. jjaba's father ran the Smith Envelope Factory at 2460 E. Grand Blvd., corner Dubois, (Detroit 11, Michigan) where he employed about 60 Polish workers. They worked hard and manufactured and printed billions of envelopes. jjaba learned to set type and run a printing press there in the late 1940s. Does this plant show up on any of your maps? Today, the site is part of the curve of the Blvd. at the corner of the GM Hamtramck Assembly Plant. The land is now street. After they moved out, the bldg. was a Post Office for a number of years. It would be delightful to see the factory where dad worked on a map. He was at that location 1928-1950. There was a Mobil Station on the NE corner. Dad parked in a reserved spot there. He moved to the Ford Garage at Michigan Ave. and Roosevelt in the 1950s, and then again moved into the Murray Body Works bldg. at the corner of Russell and Clay in the 1960s. Dad worked for the same company from 1928 to 1968, making envelopes with almost exclusively Polish workers. The front office was staffed by others. jjaba, fond memories of Hamtramck and Polish Detroit. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Livedog2 Member Username: Livedog2 Post Number: 1105 Registered: 03-2006 Posted From: 24.223.133.177 |
That's the spirit, Jjaba! And, oh what good stories and memories to add to this thread you just contributed. I hope Hornwrecker can come up with something on the locations you mentioned. Maybe even Mikem can pitch in with his great research skills and add some wonderful tidbits of knowledge or things that only he could glean about Polish Detroit. I'll bet there are ads in those old phone books or directories that can make this thread come to life! Margarite, I'll bet you have a lifetime of stories about that Canfield and St. Aubin Area where you grew up. Let's hear some more of those great stories. If you can't tell us then who can you tell? Livedog2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ordinary Member Username: Ordinary Post Number: 29 Registered: 06-2006 Posted From: 70.236.166.160 |
Livedog2, I liked your last post. I am constantly amazed at the things people can come up with on these threads, like the maps and photos. I can remember as a kid when we'd have family get togethers on my mom's side. When the adults got started on some subject that they didn't want the kids to know about, they would launch into Polish. It was like a secret language. It wasn't fair! I think my dad used to get jealous. He was of German descent and only spoke English. My mother's older sister was a catholic nun. We went to the nun's old folks home in Pittsburgh this summer to celebrate her diamond jubilee; seventy five years in the convent. She turned ninety in April. Sister was pretty much out of it mentally but when she saw my mom, her eyes lit up and she cried out, "My baby sister!" She remembered people's names and all the old time stuff but couldn't remember what was going on at the moment. Sadly enough, we made the same trip three weeks later for her funeral. These are some amazing women. Many of them speak several languages (many spoke Polish) and had been in many different countries. They reminded me of old soldiers as they walked up the aisle with their canes and walkers or rolled in their wheelchairs to pay their last respects to sister. Some of them even seemed a bit wistful that it was not their turn to go "home". When we visited their graveyard it also reminded me of a soldiers' graveyard the way the crosses were all the same and neatly lined up. Tough people, tougher than I'll ever be. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Jjaba Member Username: Jjaba Post Number: 4317 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 71.236.229.212 |
Ordinary is hardly ordinary, eh. jjaba. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Livedog2 Member Username: Livedog2 Post Number: 1106 Registered: 03-2006 Posted From: 24.223.133.177 |
Great story, Ordinary! Those people are the foundation this country was built on -- hard working, solid family attachments and values, God-fearing, other directed and dedicated to making a better life for everyone for the greater good. Thanks again, for the wonderful story! It must make you proud to be connected and related to her!! Many of the Polish nuns that came to Detroit and taught at most of the Polish Parishes were Felician nuns. The original Motherhouse was located on the Southeast corner of St. Aubin and Canfield directly across the street from St. Albertus Polish Roman Catholic Church. The Felician Motherhouse has since moved to Livonia and many of the nuns that taught at the Polish Catholic Parishes are still living there.  Livedog2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Hornwrecker Member Username: Hornwrecker Post Number: 1575 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 66.2.148.18 |
Here are a few links that might be of interest: A 1910 souvenir album of Detroit and Windsor churches. http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~detroitchurches/index.html A scan of the history of St. Casimir parish. http://homepage.mac.com/twozniak/SaintCasimir/PhotoAlbum58.html http://homepage.mac.com/twozniak/SaintCasimir/Menu33.html History of the Felician Sisters order. http://www.feliciansisters.org/English/who%20we%20are.cfm This is a scan of the back cover of a 1925 citizenship study guide (25 cents) printed by the Americanization Committee of Detroit, Frank Cody president.  | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Livedog2 Member Username: Livedog2 Post Number: 1107 Registered: 03-2006 Posted From: 24.223.133.177 |
You know we talked so many times about the Eastside and Westside of Detroit and how Woodward is almost like a raging river that keeps the Eastsiders on the Eastside and the Westsiders on the Westside. The only exceptions are downtown Detroit and Belle Isle which Eastsiders and Westsiders commingle in rather nicely. But, I have a story to tell that drives home just how strong the East is East and the West is West and twain shall never meet. In doing the research for this “The Early Detroit Polish Community...” thread I had to compile a list of significant businesses, locations, institutions and gathering places for the Detroit Polonia. Being an Eastsider I know all the Eastside locations like the lines in the palm of my hand. I’m not as familiar with the Westside Polinia but I can navigate around the Cecil, Central, Lanyo, Junction Area pretty well. But, there was one very important location that embraced the entire Detroit Polonia and that’s the Polish Consul located at 7620 Dexter, site of the Polish Consulate in Detroit from 1943-1947. When I did my map quest and then when I was on my trip there it occurred to me how unfamiliar and foreign that part of Detroit was to me. I did not know my way around very well and had to ask for directions from a guy on the street. Even when I was close to Dexter I felt out of my element because I just wasn’t familiar with the streets or the landmarks. But, I did make it and I did get photos of the “old” Polish Consul located there at 7620 Dexter and what a pleasant surprise it was to see it. With the way Detroit is going in so many areas with the urban blight I half expected it to be gone or if it was still there to be burned out or in high disrepair. But, it was not and in fact it appeared to be well taken care of with some good, might I add, security additions to the property to protect the kids that were playing behind the nice, new, high, wooden fence. Here it is! Note the very good repair that the house is in along with the new wooden fence on the right.  This tile on the right side between the 1st and 2nd floor windows looks like some kind of coat-of-arms. Maybe some of you Polish experts can figure out what those designs stand for. My hunch is they were either there or put there when the Polish Consul was located here.  Here's another view of the house that use to be the Polish Consul with the house next door and what looks like a new driveway to go along with the new fence.  Here's a photo of another tile with some kind of design on it on the 2nd floor between two of the windows on the right.  Here's another view of the former Polish Consul looking at the left side of the house.  This final one is a close up of the front steps, door and windows.  Livedog2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Hornwrecker Member Username: Hornwrecker Post Number: 1577 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 66.2.148.10 |
The 1889 Sanborn map of the Polish Seminary on St Aubin, between Ferry & Garland. To the west of the seminary on Ferry, along the railroad tracks was a window blind manufacturer.  From the Catholic Encyclopedia online:
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/16032a.htm | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Livedog2 Member Username: Livedog2 Post Number: 1108 Registered: 03-2006 Posted From: 24.223.133.177 |
Thanks for hanging in there Hornwrecker! This is turning into one of the finest resources about Detroit Polonia on the internet. I am cleaning up more photos I have taken of the "old" neighborhood to post on this thread. I did an interview with an interesting "oldtimer" that was an Usher at St. Albertus Parish back in its heyday. The man's name is Mr. Antonio and he jokingly told me he was the only Italian Usher in the Usher's Club at St. Albertus Polish Roman Catholic Church in the 1950's and 60's. He's a very old and frail widower living in one of the Northern Suburbs. But, he had great stories about growing up in the Chene Perrien Park Area and being a member of St. Albertus Polish Roman Catholic Church. There is a book that is very hard to come by called "ST. ALBERTUS 1872 -1973 Centennial: Detroit's Oldest Polish Parish". I have seen it on ebay from time-to-time go for $150 and up. It is one of the best sources of first hand information about Detroit's oldest Polish Roman Catholic church. Mr. Antonio presented me with a free copy of, "ST. ALBERTUS 1872 -1973 Centennial: Detroit's Oldest Polish Parish" from his library which I cherish. Here is a scan I did of this fine refernce book of a slice of Eastside Detroit Polonia.  Livedog2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
D2dyeah Member Username: D2dyeah Post Number: 1 Registered: 09-2005 Posted From: 69.234.64.165 |
I've lived in Los Angeles for the past 30 years, and the last time I was on the westside of Detroit, I was picking up my Grandma and her friends from bingo at Dom Polskis on Junction. My grandparents lived on Military, and belonged to St. Hedwigs parish. My aunts and uncles, including my Mom, were educated, confirmed and married there. We lived in Dearborn, but my whole family celebrated every Easter, and Christmas midnight mass together at st. Hedwigs. They also had the best playground and ice rink in Detroit! It always amazed me how opulent St. Hedwigs and the surrounding parishes were, and how all of the hard working men and women supported and loved their individual parishes. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Chucktown_motown Member Username: Chucktown_motown Post Number: 1 Registered: 09-2006 |
I have spent countless hours in the POletown Neighborhood. I used to take my 79' Jeep CJ-7 there and ride around that neighborhood in the winter-there's alot of open space now with tons of wild pheasants. Had some good friends down there. Kicked it alot. I live in Charleston SC now but I was just home 3 weeks ago. It's can be a bit dangerous, never go down there without my "thumper". I have countless pics. Many of the building still have Polish Names on them from past businesses. Been to the park with the flagpole countless times. Had a pic with my Jeep right next to it. Last place I found in the D to get a Carburator fixed is on Mt Elliott. I really miss that neighborhood. Dispite everything I still feel my Polish roots there. Once vibrant. It's a shame. It really is what has happened to OUR city. Chene Street I got some pics of stuff that will blow your mind and stories too. All those old Polish Churches and businesses. Seen alot happen in that neighborhood over the past 5 yrs, alot. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Chucktown_motown Member Username: Chucktown_motown Post Number: 2 Registered: 09-2006 |
Man I wish I had a scanner to get up some of these pics of Poletown...gotta have the dough to scan pics so you can look at them and scroll... J Loniewski | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Livedog2 Member Username: Livedog2 Post Number: 1263 Registered: 03-2006 |
Oh yah? Livedog2 |
