 
Lowell
Board Administrator
Username: Lowell
Post Number: 3229
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, November 05, 2006 - 3:01 pm: |    |
Tell us about these sites.
1-High Point of Pontiac?
2-Ye Olde Where?
3-Visited here? Comments?
4-An off-on-its-own loft in Rivertown?
5-Has anyone stayed that this hotel?
6-Did you go to this school?
 |
Detroit_stylin
Member
Username: Detroit_stylin
Post Number: 3162
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, November 05, 2006 - 3:29 pm: | |
Looks familiar... |
The_rock
Member
Username: The_rock
Post Number: 1415
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, November 05, 2006 - 4:57 pm: | |
Hooray for Lowell---He has been to Pontiac, and I believe the High Point of Pontiac is the old People's State Bank Building on the SE corner of Saginaw and Lawrence. My uncle's law firm had its offices there for over 50 years. I am no authority on the subject but I believe that it later became the Pontiac State Bank Building and then National Bank of Detroit took it over and maybe its now a Chase Bank office.
The top of the building is finished in some really neat art deco works featuring Indian Heads from the Ottawa tribe as I understood it. Very ornate. |
Scottr
Member
Username: Scottr
Post Number: 80
Registered: 07-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, November 05, 2006 - 5:34 pm: | |
Detroitfunk has your indian heads, Rock. Very impressive. They sure don't put stuff like that on buildings anymore.
http://www.detroitfunk.com/200 6/06/06/pontiac.htm
According to the first comment on that page (and later added to the post), it was indeed the People's State Bank, later Pontiac State bank and then National Bank of Detroit. Bank One supposedly closed the branch in that building when they bought NBD. I'm not sure that's accurate though - notice the Chase sign on the building now, and they are the company that bought out Bank One. Also, skyscraperpage.com calls it the Bank One Building - obviously a newer name, but one unlikely to adorn a building that reportedly did not even contain a branch. It also says it was built in 1929. |
Beadgrl
Member
Username: Beadgrl
Post Number: 15
Registered: 07-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 07, 2006 - 9:52 am: | |
#2 is the new Village area of Wixom. That is the north side of Pontiac Trail east of Wixom Road. Glad to see my old hometown trying to (finally!) have some shopping. Hear to tell the Village area is now Wi-Fi. |
1953
Member
Username: 1953
Post Number: 1092
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 07, 2006 - 10:01 am: | |
#3 - There doesn't seem to be much happening at the Ukranian museum. I live nearby and its generally not open. However, its a block or two down from the Ukranian Church, which is always a happening place to be on a Sunday morning. I assume the museum is someone's part time hobby. My employer hosted some Ukranian visitors earlier in the year, but was unable to get them in to see the museum. They had to go to Warren instead. WARREN! |
Dtown1
Member
Username: Dtown1
Post Number: 450
Registered: 08-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 07, 2006 - 10:02 am: | |
Was that third one a pub or bar, appears to be in Hamtramack? |
Dtown1
Member
Username: Dtown1
Post Number: 451
Registered: 08-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 07, 2006 - 10:04 am: | |
oh, no its not, its a
Ukrainian church in "Hamtramack?" |
Lowell
Board Administrator
Username: Lowell
Post Number: 3246
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 07, 2006 - 10:20 am: | |
Beadgrl is a winner. Wixom is attempting a "Ye olde" town center ala Novi. This view shows the block which appears to be about 40% occupied, but was dead quiet on a Sunday afternoon. It is located across from a new City office building and Library.
Behind the commercial block townhouse style residential properties are being built.
If they build it, will they come? The results for Novi have been very mixed so far.
I wonder how much hangs in the balance with the questionable fate of the nearby massive Ford Wixom Assembly plant or if its sprawl edge momentum will make that not matter.
 |
Beadgrl
Member
Username: Beadgrl
Post Number: 17
Registered: 07-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 07, 2006 - 10:26 am: | |
*me takes a bow*
I worked at the Wixom Public Library (late 90's)
across the street from the new Village site.
If you're in the area, stop by the Buttercream Bake Shop in the Village. Delish! |
Lowell
Board Administrator
Username: Lowell
Post Number: 3247
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 07, 2006 - 10:31 am: | |
1953 is a winner too. No. 3 is the Ukranian American Museum Library in Hamtramck and as noted across the street from the lovely Immaculate Conception cathedral.
 |
Mauser765
Member
Username: Mauser765
Post Number: 1192
Registered: 01-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 07, 2006 - 10:32 am: | |
http://www.detroitfunk.com/200 6/06/06/pontiac.htm
According to the Pontiac Historical Society:
"It was called the People's State Bank. It was erected in the late 1920s. It eventually became the Pontiac State Bank which became part of the National Bank of Detroit in 1980's. When BankOne bought the National Bank of Detroit, they decided to close the branch in downtown Pontiac. The building was sold to a developer in the late 1990's and is currently used mostly for professional services companies."
The building prominently features Chief Pontiac over its main entry. |
Lowell
Board Administrator
Username: Lowell
Post Number: 3248
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 07, 2006 - 10:35 am: | |
Looks like y'all need a hint about the 'hotel' in No. 5. 
 |
Lowell
Board Administrator
Username: Lowell
Post Number: 3249
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 07, 2006 - 10:40 am: | |
Nice details Mauser. It always amazes me the 'glorification' of native Americans that occurred in that early 20th century period - after the holocaust the wiped out large numbers of them and confined the rest to reservations. Behold Pontiac the enemy who besieged Fort Detroit for 14 days. |
Quinn
Member
Username: Quinn
Post Number: 1027
Registered: 01-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 07, 2006 - 10:44 am: | |
Are you sure it's not a closed-down insane asylum? Geesh...the question should be, "has anyone made it out of this place alive?" |
Stephenvb
Member
Username: Stephenvb
Post Number: 1
Registered: 02-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 07, 2006 - 10:56 am: | |
Isn't No. 5 the back of the Northville Psychiatric Hospital? |
Lowell
Board Administrator
Username: Lowell
Post Number: 3251
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 07, 2006 - 1:58 pm: | |
Stephenvb is a winner on his first post. Welcome to the forum.
http://atlas.freshlogicstudios .com/?cp=42.42169079893236~-83 .44945715150817&style=o&scene= 42.42169079893236 |
Dtown1
Member
Username: Dtown1
Post Number: 458
Registered: 08-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 07, 2006 - 2:09 pm: | |
Darn, I thought about that, thats the one on the far west end of Seven Mile, west of I-275, I've seen it before. |
Dtown1
Member
Username: Dtown1
Post Number: 459
Registered: 08-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 07, 2006 - 2:12 pm: | |
Oh yes, is that school St. David Catholic on E. Outer Drive around the Gratiot bend by City Airport?
for #6 |
Mccarch
Member
Username: Mccarch
Post Number: 91
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 07, 2006 - 3:44 pm: | |
Shouldn't jabba be the one to identify No. 6?
(if it's what I think it is) |
Lowell
Board Administrator
Username: Lowell
Post Number: 3255
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 07, 2006 - 6:11 pm: | |
Yes, #6 is on jjaba's side of town. |
Dtown1
Member
Username: Dtown1
Post Number: 460
Registered: 08-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 07, 2006 - 6:24 pm: | |
Actually, I'm not too far from there either, except I live closer to SEVEN and Gratiot. |
Lowell
Board Administrator
Username: Lowell
Post Number: 3257
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 07, 2006 - 6:28 pm: | |
You're not even warm until you cross Woodward. |
Dtown1
Member
Username: Dtown1
Post Number: 463
Registered: 08-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 07, 2006 - 6:30 pm: | |
oh well, could of swore it was St. David's |
Hybridy
Member
Username: Hybridy
Post Number: 32
Registered: 08-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 08, 2006 - 12:47 am: | |
i am clueless about northville
what is the difference between northville downs
and the northville psychatric hospital???
i know downs had all the tunnels. it was a school for 'special kids' in the early 20th century and most of is now torn down to make way for surburbia hell
is anything left?
and what are they doing with the closed psych hospital |
Focusonthed
Member
Username: Focusonthed
Post Number: 621
Registered: 02-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 08, 2006 - 1:01 am: | |
LOL, not so much. |
Pamequus
Member
Username: Pamequus
Post Number: 87
Registered: 07-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 08, 2006 - 11:02 am: | |
Northville Downs is a harness racing track. |
Focusonthed
Member
Username: Focusonthed
Post Number: 623
Registered: 02-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 08, 2006 - 3:51 pm: | |
I think he confused "Northville Downs" with "Downs' sydrome," or so it would appear.
Not a very PC faux pas, LOL. |
Lowell
Board Administrator
Username: Lowell
Post Number: 3265
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 08, 2006 - 8:43 pm: | |
I passed through Northville Downs on the same tour where I shot the Northville Psychiatric Hospital.
I found out there was racing there on about five week nights, something I would like to see sometime.
It operates as a de facto casino during the days with video racing booths on the west side of the facility, to the right to the picture above. Some unused monitors can be seen by the windows but these had names on them as if exclusively reserved for some big betters.
I would say the average age of the betters was 60, so it is easy to see why they were agitating for race-sino status to allow other types of betting. Added to that the complexity of betting on horse does not make it something you would just step up to and plop down your change to make a simply bet like, say, a slot machine. |
Detroitguy
Member
Username: Detroitguy
Post Number: 1
Registered: 11-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 08, 2006 - 11:44 pm: | |
#6 is actually St.Brigid Elementary School, a catholic school which was turned into a charter school some years ago,and the finally closed for good. i know this because i went there many years ago, i wont say how many...lol, but in the 80's it was a thriving school for middle class black families who wanted something good for there children's education. i hated to see it close. |
Lowell
Board Administrator
Username: Lowell
Post Number: 3267
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, November 09, 2006 - 1:06 am: | |
Kudos to Detroitguy for nailing down St. Brigid's Elementary School on first post.
Welcome to the forum. |
The_rock
Member
Username: The_rock
Post Number: 1417
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, November 09, 2006 - 8:49 am: | |
Hey, Lowell, don't I at least get an honorable mention for pix #1? I've been in that building numerous times, just not in the last 10 years!
As jjaba says( all the time) what am I, chopped liver? |
Lowell
Board Administrator
Username: Lowell
Post Number: 3268
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, November 09, 2006 - 9:49 am: | |
Congratulations to, ta da, This ain't chopped liver The Rock! for ID-ing #1.
I also don't remember if I ever welcomed you to the forum, so welcome to the forum and thanks for all your great posts portraying ye olde Detroit for the youngsters on the board.
And may I add? ... GO BLUE! |
Pamequus
Member
Username: Pamequus
Post Number: 88
Registered: 07-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, November 09, 2006 - 10:42 am: | |
Lowell, unless I'm mistaken Northville Downs is one of the oldest Harness Racing Tracks in the country. |
Hybridy
Member
Username: Hybridy
Post Number: 35
Registered: 08-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, November 09, 2006 - 10:56 am: | |
down syndrome indeed
when i said northville "downs"
i really meant northville tunnels aka
wayne county training school
damn you
damn you all |
The_rock
Member
Username: The_rock
Post Number: 1418
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Friday, November 10, 2006 - 5:50 am: | |
Thank you, Lowell. I will try to be humble from here on in. |
Lowell
Board Administrator
Username: Lowell
Post Number: 3278
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Friday, November 10, 2006 - 9:49 am: | |
Pamequus, in case you missed it, there is this great thread in the HOF that started out about auto racing and evolved into harness racing which, in turn, inspired my visit.
https://www.atdetroit.net/forum/mes sages/6790/81842.html |
Treelock
Member
Username: Treelock
Post Number: 174
Registered: 03-2005
| | Posted on Friday, November 10, 2006 - 11:26 am: | |
FYI, the BankOne branch remains open in the first floor of the Pontiac State Bank building. The branch makes limited use of what was once a very ornate space designed for a time when it sustained a much higher volume of business.
Whatever the original form of the ceiling (tin?), it's now obscured by a dropped ceiling, and the old teller windows cut into a large, three-sided marble (I believe) counter have long been closed. The branch essentially uses a small office off to the side to conduct business with customers, although I think they may use some second-floor spaces for offices.
It's worth checking out just to see what banks of its era used to look like. I also believe there are some historical photos hanging inside the branch -- or if not, the Coney Island right across the street on the corner has some excellent photos of downtown Pontiac history long since bulldozed. |
Llyn
Member
Username: Llyn
Post Number: 1706
Registered: 06-2004
| | Posted on Friday, November 10, 2006 - 11:44 am: | |
#4 - I was actually inside of that building many years ago... but I can't... can't... (straining) can't remember the name. But it's right near where the big office supply store (Buchwald something? Maybe?) was located - the one they forced to move from downtown for Cobo expansion and there was the big court case about - eventually went bankrupt. |
Detroitplanner
Member
Username: Detroitplanner
Post Number: 344
Registered: 04-2006
| | Posted on Friday, November 10, 2006 - 1:20 pm: | |
Buckland Van Wald! Buckland Van Walds!! |
Sknutson
Member
Username: Sknutson
Post Number: 732
Registered: 03-2004
| | Posted on Friday, November 10, 2006 - 1:27 pm: | |
Egads - I didn't recognize the Northville Physc Hosp.
I worked on the grounds at the "Northville Residential Training Center" in 1979 and 1980 - should have gotten that one. |
Llyn
Member
Username: Llyn
Post Number: 1709
Registered: 06-2004
| | Posted on Friday, November 10, 2006 - 6:26 pm: | |
"Buckland Van Wald!"
That's it! Somewhere near there... |
Broncobillybuttons
Member
Username: Broncobillybuttons
Post Number: 8
Registered: 09-2006
| | Posted on Saturday, November 11, 2006 - 3:21 am: | |
I'd like to know the history of that #3, Ukrainian Museum or whatever--the lines actually suggest certain forms of East Indian architecture; whatever its original function, it would not surprise me to find out that it was designed by a practicing Theosophist (many prominent architects were involved in Theosophy in its heyday, including Lutyens and Wright). It certainly doesn't look Ukrainian (Ukrainian style includes a little bit of everything, just like Ukrainian demographics). |
