  Livedog2 Member Username: Livedog2 Post Number: 598 Registered: 03-2006 Posted From: 24.223.133.177 |
For any of you out there that pass by 5456 Chene St. between E. Ferry and E. Kirby Sts. on a regular basis I have a question. Is there still a structure at that location? If so is there still an ongoing business at that location? Further, can anyone out there tell me what the name of the business that was located there in 1927? Sandborn map, too? Livedog2 | ||
Hornwrecker Member Username: Hornwrecker Post Number: 1287 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 12.64.30.248 |
I just happened to have the maps open to a nearby area, so you lucked out. From the 1921 Sanborn, 2 story storefront with garage on the alley:  Now, why that address? | ||
Livedog2 Member Username: Livedog2 Post Number: 601 Registered: 03-2006 Posted From: 24.223.133.177 |
I'm looking for the original location of the Hoffman Studios and I had a lead that it might have been located at 5456 Chene St. in 1927. I'm trying to verify that fact. Livedog2 | ||
220hendrie1910 Member Username: 220hendrie1910 Post Number: 31 Registered: 02-2006 Posted From: 209.217.119.200 |
Google Maps' image (courtesy Sanborn, 2006) shows a vacant lot at that location. The corner structure (#5470) and #5438 are the nearest remaining buildings. maps.a9.com has BlockView strips of the other (west) side of Chene St. taken from a vehicle, and like most of Chene it's not pretty. Surveying in Ottawa. | ||
Mikem Member Username: Mikem Post Number: 2622 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.43.15.105 |
The 1935 Polk's Directory has a Thomas Hoffman, photographer, at 5456 Chene. | ||
Hornwrecker Member Username: Hornwrecker Post Number: 1290 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 12.64.30.248 |
Since we're around Chene, why not stop off at the Chene-Trombley Market for a lotto ticket and an ice cold 40.  (Message edited by Hornwrecker on July 05, 2006) | ||
Livedog2 Member Username: Livedog2 Post Number: 602 Registered: 03-2006 Posted From: 24.223.133.177 |
I'll buy! Livedog2 | ||
623kraw Member Username: 623kraw Post Number: 921 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.61.65.233 |
As Ernie Harwell said, "LONG GONE". | ||
Livedog2 Member Username: Livedog2 Post Number: 605 Registered: 03-2006 Posted From: 24.223.133.177 |
Hey, Mikem does that 1935 Polk's Directory have any more information about Thomas Hoffman? Do these directories give the business owners home address, phone #, wife and chidren's names, etc.? What I am trying to find out is what Hoffman did with his photographic files if anything and if they still exist somewhere. Livedog2 | ||
Jams Member Username: Jams Post Number: 3483 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.248.82.6 |
Livedog2 Check this website: http://mipolonia.net/photo_fin ding_aid/ | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 2395 Registered: 08-2004 Posted From: 4.229.90.176 |
Actually the Chene-Trombley Market still exists, but at a new location at the I-94 Service Drive near Mt. Elliott. IIRC, you can see it from eastbound I-94. | ||
Mikem Member Username: Mikem Post Number: 2625 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.43.15.105 |
Livedog, sometimes they do. They will list the officers of corporations, and sometimes the home address and spouse's name of small business proprietors. It might depend on whether or not the information was given voluntarily. Polk's sent postcards to every address to solicit information and if they weren't returned, then they used other sources to identify the owner. In this case he is listed as a householder, meaning he lived at the same address. The 1935 Polk's did not list a wife, but the 1940 edition shows his wife as Sophia. | ||
Livedog2 Member Username: Livedog2 Post Number: 606 Registered: 03-2006 Posted From: 24.223.133.177 |
Thanks for the info, Mikem. It's invaluable. Also, thanks for the background on how Polk got their information. Do you have any idea if these kinds of directories exist(ed) in other parts of the country? I have been trying to get similar info about people in Passaic, NJ but without any luck. As an aside, I was at the U of M in Ann Arbor recently when I caught someone tearing pages out of a Polk Directory from the 1920’s which pissed me off to no ends. I raised so much hell and created such a scene that the campus police came and took the person in custody. They asked me to make a statement which I did but I haven’t heard anything about it since then. Livedog2 | ||
Mikem Member Username: Mikem Post Number: 2629 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.43.15.105 |
When I have more time I'll post what Polk's describes as their infromation gathering process. They made directories for several other cities, but Passaic? Well, you never know. Do take care of those Polk's as they are rare. Someone told me that the directories were leased to businesses, and had to be returned to Polk's to get the following year's edition. At least that's one explanation I received for their rarity. | ||
Livedog2 Member Username: Livedog2 Post Number: 608 Registered: 03-2006 Posted From: 24.223.133.177 |
Mikem, even the University of Michigan is missing whole blocks of years of the Polk Directories for Detroit. I think these books are some of the most important repositories and depositories of our Detroit history and heritage. The Polk people were way ahead of their time in terms of knowledge being power because they have been very successful over the years. They use to be privately owned but I don’t know if they still are? Back in the '60's I use to do N&A label work for them at a Computer Service Bureau I worked for. They had extensive and detailed information that no one else had at that time. Things like, N&A, complete company directories, salary info from top to bottom of all kinds of companies and much more. There was no company better than them when it came to company and/or market intelligence. Livedog2 | ||
Mccarch Member Username: Mccarch Post Number: 78 Registered: 12-2003 Posted From: 70.236.180.46 |
I checked a photo of a Polish dance troup that I have; and it isn't by Hoffman, but by: Central Art Studio 4743 Chene (between Hancock & Forest) so there was competition in the neighborhood! |
