The Booby Trap is one of the many topless bars that litter the Detroit side of Eight Mile road. This road divides one of the poorest large cities in the U.S. with one of the nations wealthiest counties. Eight Mile road is a symbol of the racial divide that began with the "white flight" to the suburbs in the 1950s. The 1967 Detroit riots then accelerated this movement to the suburbs. As recently as the last census, Southeast Michigan maintained its status as the most segregated metropolitan area in the country. I have only seen white males entering the Booby Trap. I guess the desire for pornography has no boundaries.
Sunday, December 16, 2007
It's Like Cheers Only Topless
The Booby Trap is one of the many topless bars that litter the Detroit side of Eight Mile road. This road divides one of the poorest large cities in the U.S. with one of the nations wealthiest counties. Eight Mile road is a symbol of the racial divide that began with the "white flight" to the suburbs in the 1950s. The 1967 Detroit riots then accelerated this movement to the suburbs. As recently as the last census, Southeast Michigan maintained its status as the most segregated metropolitan area in the country. I have only seen white males entering the Booby Trap. I guess the desire for pornography has no boundaries.
It's a Wonderful Life
I went to the movies last night. No, I didn't see the latest blockbuster. Instead I saw It's a Wonderful Life at the Redford theater, complete with an intermission and Christmas music played on a pipe organ.I love the social aspect of going to the movies at the Redford . Things like waiting in line under the marquee to buy tickets, the conversations during the intermission, and the way the theater erupts in laughter at just the right moments.
I think the best part of the night was that the theater handed out bells and told the kids to ring them every time they heard the word "angel".
The Redford theater is very unique. The organ is actually a system of pipes and various other musical instruments. The organ was originally used during the silent movie era.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Lola Good Ears
This is Lola. Before she was adopted, they called her Lolo. She came with one of her sons... Sonny. He was too small and kept slipping through the fence. With 3 dogs and 2 cats the household began to feel more like a zoo. There was an attempt to fostering both of them and when the time came it was decided to only adopt Lola. I recently received an email that indicated Sonny was adopted by a family with a little girl who just loves him to pieces.Lola is our protector. She is primarily responsible for Tinkerbell, but she protects all of us from danger. Danger most often manifests itself in the form of cats and squirrels, and neighbors too.
Tinkerbell
I love this dog. While technically she is not mine, just try telling either of us that we are not part of the same pack. She is getting so old. At 13 years, she can barely hear. This is why Lola joined the pack last year.Lola is Tink's dog. Lola is responsible for making sure that Tink knows when there is a threat and that barking should commence. Lola also protects Tinkerbell from clumsy me. Lola is right there to make sure all of us are not in any danger. I will introduce Lola next...
... And Now Winter is Here!
The weather gurus are calling for 6" to 9" here in southeast Michigan. Only the major streets get plowed in the city. The neighborhood association pays to have our alleys plowed. This means that I can get out of my garage and to the end of the alley before I am likely to get stuck. We are just one block from plowed freedom, known as Woodward Avenue.So close and yet so far.
Where Did Summer Go?
I took this picture on one of the last nice days of summer, just before the leaves turned brown and fell. The neighborhood kids can literally play in the street and not worry about cars (although the police seem to think it is a shortcut to just about anything they need to do in the neighborhood).This is also the center of the neighborhood. At the end of this street is a large park that the dogs think is theirs. In the evening it is one of the most peaceful places in the city.
The Back Porch After...
Th porch is still a work in progress. Once I finished construction I found out that the wood could not be painted for 2 months. With that said, I probably won't finish this project until next May.You can't see it in this picture, but the facia, soffit, and gutters have all been demo'd. I am not sure how I am going to get the new wood 18 feet in the air. Most likely it will be a job for the neighborhood handyman.
The Back Porch Before...
This is me destroying the back porch. If you look at the bottom of the column that holds up the porch room (far left in the photo), you can see that there is a large amount of rot. This is the reason the porch needed to be rebuilt.Once I demo'd the porch I found that the columns holding the porch were constructed no better than if they had used matchsticks and bubble gum. Eventually everything you see was demo'd and filled an entire dumpster.
Uniroyal Tire - Detroit, MI
It is the Uniroyal tire that can be seen from eastbound I-94. This tire was originally a ferris wheel for the 1964/1965 World's Fair in New York city. I pass it every day on my way home from work. In the evening it is lit up like a Christmas tree.Wednesday, January 03, 2007
The Kneeshaw House (Back Yard)
The Patios
There are two red slate patios. Patio space is preferred over grass, since there is less to mow. I am sure the dogs would "beg-to-differ" with me.
One of the patios is full shade...
and the other is full-sun...
...something for everyone.
Landscaping
The landscaping is wicked gorgeous and a pain in the a** to take care of. My favorite is the Japanese maple. Karin (my sister) told me it is probably worth quite a bit. It has since been renamed "the retirement tree".
The Garage
This is the back of the detatched two car garage. You can't tell but there is also a carport that allows two cars. The garage and carport face an extra-spacious and clean alley. We neighbors know each other from our backyards and alley.
There are two red slate patios. Patio space is preferred over grass, since there is less to mow. I am sure the dogs would "beg-to-differ" with me.
One of the patios is full shade...
and the other is full-sun...
...something for everyone.
Landscaping
The landscaping is wicked gorgeous and a pain in the a** to take care of. My favorite is the Japanese maple. Karin (my sister) told me it is probably worth quite a bit. It has since been renamed "the retirement tree".
The Garage
This is the back of the detatched two car garage. You can't tell but there is also a carport that allows two cars. The garage and carport face an extra-spacious and clean alley. We neighbors know each other from our backyards and alley.
The Kneeshaw House (Second Floor)
Master Bedroom
The master bedroom has a set of bay windows that contain leaded glass with geometric patterns. This room is connected to a dressing area, walk-in closet and full bath.
Here is the dressing area along with the full bathroom and walk-in closet. The dressing area window seat is a favorite of all the dogs and cats.
Second Bedroom
This room is used as an office and as a guest room. The cats use the futon for napping. The closet was added during the GM rehab and is odd shaped.
Bathroom
This full bathroom is decorated with Pewabic Pottery. The mirror is trimmed with an egg and dart pattern, which can be found on most of the doors in the house.
Third Bedroom
The previous owners used this for their office. It works better for sleeping. This was one of the first rooms that got painted and decorated. The closet was added during the GM rehab in 1980 and is quite small. It is always quite warm because the chimney passes through this room.
The master bedroom has a set of bay windows that contain leaded glass with geometric patterns. This room is connected to a dressing area, walk-in closet and full bath.
Here is the dressing area along with the full bathroom and walk-in closet. The dressing area window seat is a favorite of all the dogs and cats.
Second Bedroom
This room is used as an office and as a guest room. The cats use the futon for napping. The closet was added during the GM rehab and is odd shaped.
Bathroom
This full bathroom is decorated with Pewabic Pottery. The mirror is trimmed with an egg and dart pattern, which can be found on most of the doors in the house.
Third Bedroom
The previous owners used this for their office. It works better for sleeping. This was one of the first rooms that got painted and decorated. The closet was added during the GM rehab in 1980 and is quite small. It is always quite warm because the chimney passes through this room.
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
The Kneeshaw House (First Floor)
Living Room
When moving in, it became apparent the orignal living room (now the library) could not hold the living room furniture. I am an out-of-the-box thinker (sometimes too out-of-the-box) and so the dining room became the living room. You can't see it in this picture, but there is ornamental wet plaster on the ceiling, including four faces (one in each corner).
Dining Room
This room was originally called the parlor. It is directly across from the current living room, separated by the hallway. The chandelier is from the period the house was built, including the globes.
Library
Separated by pocket doors from the dining room is the Library. It is a great room for reading and napping. The light fixture is not original, but fits in with the other lighting on the first floor.
Kitchen
The kitchen, pantry and 1/2 bath are the most updated rooms in the house. The bathroom is the best kept secret in the house with it's two story high ceiling (converted from a servant staircase).
When moving in, it became apparent the orignal living room (now the library) could not hold the living room furniture. I am an out-of-the-box thinker (sometimes too out-of-the-box) and so the dining room became the living room. You can't see it in this picture, but there is ornamental wet plaster on the ceiling, including four faces (one in each corner).
Dining Room
This room was originally called the parlor. It is directly across from the current living room, separated by the hallway. The chandelier is from the period the house was built, including the globes.
Library
Separated by pocket doors from the dining room is the Library. It is a great room for reading and napping. The light fixture is not original, but fits in with the other lighting on the first floor.
Kitchen
The kitchen, pantry and 1/2 bath are the most updated rooms in the house. The bathroom is the best kept secret in the house with it's two story high ceiling (converted from a servant staircase).
The Kneeshaw House
The Kneeshaw House is located in the New Center area of Detroit, Michigan. Building of the home began in 1905 and was completed in 1907. For 75 years the home was owned by the Kneeshaw family. Kneeshaw likely moved to the area to be closer to his job at the Grand Trunk Railway.
The Kneeshaw House is celebrating it's centennial this year (2007).
Style Notes - The American Foursquare
This is a high style example of an American Foursquare built during an eclectic period (1900 - 1920) of American arcitecture. Albeit short-lived, the Foursquare is one of the few indigenous American styles.There are many high styled Queen Anne influences to this home including bay windows, wrap-around porch, front facing gables, and geometric patterned windows with leaded casements.
Additional Features
The Kneeshaw House is celebrating it's centennial this year (2007).
Style Notes - The American Foursquare
This is a high style example of an American Foursquare built during an eclectic period (1900 - 1920) of American arcitecture. Albeit short-lived, the Foursquare is one of the few indigenous American styles.There are many high styled Queen Anne influences to this home including bay windows, wrap-around porch, front facing gables, and geometric patterned windows with leaded casements.
Additional Features
- Approximately 2,350 square feet of living space
- Master bedroom with dressing area with walk-in closet and private full bath
- Two additional bedrooms
- Full guest bath
- Large 1st and 2nd floor hallway
- Library with gas fireplace
- Dining room
- Living room
- Updated Kitchen with adjacent 1/2 bathroom and pantry
- Hardwood floors throughout
- Antique chandilers
- Original woodwork, ornamental wet plaster, and leaded glass windows
- Full basement with laundry area
- Updated electric and copper plumbing
- New water heater and furnace
- Central air conditioning
- Professionally landscaped yard with sprinkler system, privacy fence and rare red-slate patios
- Two car detatched garage with electronic door opener
- Central security alarm and fire system
- Wrap around porch with swing
The New Center Area
The Location
New Center is located three miles north of downtown Detroit. Nestled between three major expressways (I-94, the Lodge, and Chrysler), the area is a convenient destination for commuters. There are approximately 23,000 people living and working in the New Center.
The majority of homes in the neighborhood were built between 1890 and 1920. Most of these homes represent the eclectic movement in architectural style that occurred at the turn of the century. This movement included Queen Anne Revival, Colonial Revival, Georgian Revival and Composite classifications, as well as the American Foursquare. These homes were built on subdivided farmlands which, at the time, were considered to be the outskirts of the city.
The Streets
The streets of New Center were laid out in a gridiron pattern and originally paved with cedar, except for the brick paved Virginia Park. Many of the streets were named after prominent Detroiters of the time:
Considered to be the original edge-city, New Center deed restrictions required a minimum construction cost of $5,000 and a standard set back from the street giving a uniform look throughout the neighborhood. In addition, the homes located on the first block off Woodward Avenue were generally more expensive making it a much desired and prestigious neighborhood.
New Center Commons
In the 1980s, as urban decay took a toll on the neighborhood , GM invested millions of dollars redeveloping and restoring many of the houses northwest of its headquarters, in an area now called New Center Commons. Some of the more prominent features include a brick walkway, spacious alleys, historic lighting, and numerous green spaces.
Today, New Center is a vibrant community of businesses and residential communities. It is home to the Comerica Cityfest (formally known as Tastefest), a five day food and entertainment festival that is held during the 4th of July weekend. It is also home to the Detroit Childrens Museum, The Fisher Building, Cadalliac Place (formally GM World Headquarters), Henry Ford Hospital, and the Motown Museum.
New Center is located three miles north of downtown Detroit. Nestled between three major expressways (I-94, the Lodge, and Chrysler), the area is a convenient destination for commuters. There are approximately 23,000 people living and working in the New Center.
The majority of homes in the neighborhood were built between 1890 and 1920. Most of these homes represent the eclectic movement in architectural style that occurred at the turn of the century. This movement included Queen Anne Revival, Colonial Revival, Georgian Revival and Composite classifications, as well as the American Foursquare. These homes were built on subdivided farmlands which, at the time, were considered to be the outskirts of the city.
The Streets
The streets of New Center were laid out in a gridiron pattern and originally paved with cedar, except for the brick paved Virginia Park. Many of the streets were named after prominent Detroiters of the time:
- Seward Avenue: William H. Seward - Statesman
- Pallister Road: Thomas Pallister - Landowner
- Lothrop Avenue: George Van Ness Lothrop - City Attorney General
- W Bethune - 1881 - Mrs. Mary Bethune Duffield - Landowner
Considered to be the original edge-city, New Center deed restrictions required a minimum construction cost of $5,000 and a standard set back from the street giving a uniform look throughout the neighborhood. In addition, the homes located on the first block off Woodward Avenue were generally more expensive making it a much desired and prestigious neighborhood.
New Center Commons
In the 1980s, as urban decay took a toll on the neighborhood , GM invested millions of dollars redeveloping and restoring many of the houses northwest of its headquarters, in an area now called New Center Commons. Some of the more prominent features include a brick walkway, spacious alleys, historic lighting, and numerous green spaces.
Today, New Center is a vibrant community of businesses and residential communities. It is home to the Comerica Cityfest (formally known as Tastefest), a five day food and entertainment festival that is held during the 4th of July weekend. It is also home to the Detroit Childrens Museum, The Fisher Building, Cadalliac Place (formally GM World Headquarters), Henry Ford Hospital, and the Motown Museum.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
