Discuss Detroit » Archives - Beginning July 2006 » "old" Detroit City Hall... « Previous Next »
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Livedog2
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Username: Livedog2

Post Number: 607
Registered: 03-2006
Posted From: 24.223.133.177
Posted on Thursday, July 06, 2006 - 2:57 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

When the “sneak thieves”, also known as the “city fathers”, tore down the beautiful “old” Detroit City Hall in 1961 the statues on the building were dismantled and removed. Does anyone know if those statues still exist and if so where are they?

Demolition of City Hall
city hall

Livedog2
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Royce
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Username: Royce

Post Number: 1683
Registered: 07-2004
Posted From: 69.209.151.93
Posted on Thursday, July 06, 2006 - 3:02 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I heard that they were moved to Wayne State's campus.
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Psip
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Username: Psip

Post Number: 1104
Registered: 04-2005
Posted From: 68.60.45.70
Posted on Thursday, July 06, 2006 - 3:03 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Fort Wayne
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Detroitnerd
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Username: Detroitnerd

Post Number: 627
Registered: 07-2004
Posted From: 209.69.221.253
Posted on Thursday, July 06, 2006 - 3:05 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

They have been exposed to the elements for more than 40 years, so they're pretty rough-looking. All that was left when I saw them was sections of the statues, a head, a torso, etc. Thanks, Detroit Historrible Society.
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Livedog2
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Username: Livedog2

Post Number: 609
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Posted From: 24.223.133.177
Posted on Thursday, July 06, 2006 - 3:30 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

So Detroitnerd and/or Psip are they still available at, is it Fort Wayne, for viewing? Does anyone have any current photos of these statues?

Livedog2
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Designut
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Username: Designut

Post Number: 34
Registered: 05-2006
Posted From: 65.123.68.93
Posted on Thursday, July 06, 2006 - 3:39 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

As a side note, the old city hall would have celebrated its 135(th) birthday two days ago - on the fourth of july.
Too bad it only lived to be 90...
:-(
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Goat
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Username: Goat

Post Number: 8602
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 70.54.70.136
Posted on Thursday, July 06, 2006 - 3:48 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Fort Wayne and in deplorable shape.

Livedog2, check the archives as there was a column in the MetroTimes that shed some light (with photos of the statues). DetroitYes has had a few threads about it.
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Detroitnerd
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Username: Detroitnerd

Post Number: 628
Registered: 07-2004
Posted From: 209.69.221.253
Posted on Thursday, July 06, 2006 - 5:04 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

http://www.metrotimes.com/edit orial/story.asp?id=6495
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Kathleen
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Username: Kathleen

Post Number: 1404
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 69.14.122.57
Posted on Thursday, July 06, 2006 - 5:19 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

From a Detroit News Rearview Mirror story (http://info.detnews.com/histor y/story/index.cfm?id=67&catego ry=government):

"Niches provided for statues on the east and west sides of the City Hall were left unoccupied until 1884. In that year sculptures of Antoine Cadillac, Fr. Gabriel Richard, Fr. Jacques Marquette and Sieur de LaSalle were added.

Commissioned by a leading citizen, Bela Hubbard, they were carved by the foremost Detroit sculptor of the period, Julius Theodore Melchers. A native of Prussia, Melchers came to Detroit in 1885 after working on the Crystal Palace in London."

Since at least 2000, these 4 statues were installed on the Wayne State University campus just outside St. Andrew's Hall facing Third Street.

Check out some of these earlier Forum threads covering this same topic:

https://www.atdetroit.net/forum/mes sages/62684/62344.html

https://www.atdetroit.net/forum/mes sages/36206/40269.html
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Detroitnerd
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Username: Detroitnerd

Post Number: 629
Registered: 07-2004
Posted From: 209.69.221.253
Posted on Thursday, July 06, 2006 - 5:20 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Kathleen,

The statues on Wayne State are of people. The statues at Fort Wayne are of civic virtues like Industry and Commerce.
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Kathleen
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Username: Kathleen

Post Number: 1405
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 69.14.122.57
Posted on Thursday, July 06, 2006 - 5:23 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Yes...and the question was asked by Livedog2 in his initial post on this thread...."Does anyone know if those statues still exist and if so where are they?" So some of the statues do exist, and they are on the WSU campus. Yes, there were lots of other ornamental statuary on the building and those are at Fort Wayne, according to the articles.
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Danny
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Username: Danny

Post Number: 4502
Registered: 02-2004
Posted From: 198.111.165.50
Posted on Thursday, July 06, 2006 - 5:50 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Old Detroit city Hall, Being transformed into to Kenndy SQ. Park and Underground Parking Garage and later to Underground Parkign Garage with a New Ernst and Young building.
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The_rock
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Username: The_rock

Post Number: 1325
Registered: 11-2003
Posted From: 68.42.251.225
Posted on Friday, July 07, 2006 - 8:32 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

The two canons that used to "protect" old City Hall are now on the front lawn of the Dossin Museum.
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Billybbrew
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Username: Billybbrew

Post Number: 189
Registered: 07-2005
Posted From: 205.188.116.137
Posted on Friday, July 07, 2006 - 9:54 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Painted by William Moss

Old City Hall painted by Detroit Artist William Moss.
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Danny
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Username: Danny

Post Number: 4507
Registered: 02-2004
Posted From: 141.217.174.229
Posted on Friday, July 07, 2006 - 9:59 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Now its this:
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Bussey
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Username: Bussey

Post Number: 186
Registered: 12-2003
Posted From: 206.208.94.60
Posted on Friday, July 07, 2006 - 10:04 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

danny , you rule.
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Leob
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Username: Leob

Post Number: 54
Registered: 10-2005
Posted From: 69.14.9.224
Posted on Friday, July 07, 2006 - 7:37 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

The building to the right of City Hall in the Moss painting is still there on Griswold/Lafayette. The bank name escapes me ..


Leo B
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The_rock
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Username: The_rock

Post Number: 1327
Registered: 11-2003
Posted From: 68.42.251.225
Posted on Friday, July 07, 2006 - 7:45 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

C"mon Mr. Moss. Produce a print of that old City Hall picture. That painting typlifies Detroit as most people will remember it. To me, it says it all.
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Douglasm
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Username: Douglasm

Post Number: 595
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 66.189.188.28
Posted on Friday, July 07, 2006 - 8:19 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

If what's left of my memory is correct, the original deed that gave the Old City Hall property to the city required that the land be used for a City Hall or it would be returned to the grantors. Any one know how the city got around that one?
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Livedog2
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Username: Livedog2

Post Number: 619
Registered: 03-2006
Posted From: 24.223.133.177
Posted on Friday, July 07, 2006 - 8:46 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Good point, Douglasm! I hope someone has an answer to that legal question. But, then it occurred to me that that is the definition of a politician -- someone that can figure out how to circumvent anything.

Livedog2
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Rrl
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Username: Rrl

Post Number: 565
Registered: 12-2003
Posted From: 71.213.228.30
Posted on Friday, July 07, 2006 - 8:48 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Ask the Rackham family about their golf-course...
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Livedog2
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Username: Livedog2

Post Number: 620
Registered: 03-2006
Posted From: 24.223.133.177
Posted on Friday, July 07, 2006 - 8:50 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Another good point, Rrl.

Livedog2
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Billybbrew
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Username: Billybbrew

Post Number: 190
Registered: 07-2005
Posted From: 64.12.116.204
Posted on Saturday, July 08, 2006 - 12:07 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

The_Rock,

That is a photo of a print, not the original, Bill has the original in Tennessee. It's very big, like 3x4 out of the frame. He said he spent more time on that painting than any other, painting in each individual block that was on the building where it belonged as well as the cars. The prints can still be purchased as it is not a sold out edition.

(Message edited by billybbrew on July 08, 2006)
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Burnsie
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Username: Burnsie

Post Number: 507
Registered: 11-2003
Posted From: 35.12.23.71
Posted on Saturday, July 08, 2006 - 12:56 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Detroitnerd wrote, "All that was left when I saw them was sections of the statues, a head, a torso, etc. Thanks, Detroit Historrible Society."

Uh, I think virtually all the damage happened before the Detroit Historical Society had any legal control of Historical Museum stuff-- when the city was managing everything.
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The_rock
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Username: The_rock

Post Number: 1331
Registered: 11-2003
Posted From: 68.42.251.225
Posted on Sunday, July 09, 2006 - 9:14 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

3 x 4 print!! Awesome. But where can I find room for it?
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Billybbrew
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Username: Billybbrew

Post Number: 191
Registered: 07-2005
Posted From: 205.188.116.137
Posted on Sunday, July 09, 2006 - 11:49 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Lol@Rock. The original painting is 3' x 4'...the print is 24" x 30" so slightly smaller......and you'll just have to move that original painting of the Greater Buffalo, that you know you want, to make room for it :-)
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The_rock
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Username: The_rock

Post Number: 1333
Registered: 11-2003
Posted From: 68.42.251.225
Posted on Monday, July 10, 2006 - 8:29 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

See you Wednesday and we will discuss it!!
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Mikem
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Username: Mikem

Post Number: 2669
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 68.43.15.105
Posted on Wednesday, July 12, 2006 - 11:26 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)



From:

https://www.atdetroit.net/forum/messages/62684/62344.html
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Billybbrew
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Username: Billybbrew

Post Number: 192
Registered: 07-2005
Posted From: 152.163.100.8
Posted on Thursday, July 13, 2006 - 12:04 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

nice pic MikeM. did you see that the Ryerson is due to sail Saturday or Sunday. Drop me an email if you get a chance.
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Mikem
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Username: Mikem

Post Number: 2673
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 68.43.15.105
Posted on Thursday, July 13, 2006 - 12:13 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Good news! Too bad I have to work this weekend. I'll keep an eye out for it here:

http://coastwatch.glerl.noaa.gov/cwdata/lmd/web/sta3.html



email on the way...
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Harsensis
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Username: Harsensis

Post Number: 65
Registered: 07-2005
Posted From: 71.227.102.82
Posted on Thursday, July 13, 2006 - 12:37 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

The rest of the building was dumped in Lake St Clair off of 12 mile according to a newspaper article my grandmother cut out and saved. I thought about that when divers said they found a sunken church out there.
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Livedog2
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Username: Livedog2

Post Number: 673
Registered: 03-2006
Posted From: 24.223.133.177
Posted on Thursday, July 13, 2006 - 2:13 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Mikem, your posts are the best!

cheers
And, the gang is always scanning the horizon for your next post!!

gang

Thanks.

Livedog2
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Wkl
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Username: Wkl

Post Number: 77
Registered: 11-2003
Posted From: 204.212.159.1
Posted on Thursday, July 13, 2006 - 9:16 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

The church that was found out in the lake was the original St Gertrude's Church. The current church is on Jeffeson between 11 and 12 mile roads. They found the old parish cemetary out there too.
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Gistok
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Username: Gistok

Post Number: 2438
Registered: 08-2004
Posted From: 4.229.90.184
Posted on Thursday, July 13, 2006 - 5:02 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Well when you consider that Lake St. Clair is no deeper than about 20 feet deep (except for the dredged shipping lanes), that didn't seem like a very smart thing to do. Sure sounds like a navigational hazzard. Of course if it was just loose rubble, then it wouldn't be quite that bad.

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