Poletown (Detroit, Mich.)

Nancy vom Steeg Papers

kschmeling — Mon, 09 Jul 2018 12:34:26 -0400

Nancy vom Steeg was a Detroit activist during the 1960s through the 1980s. Though Poletown might have been the more well-known issue of the time, Nancy was a part of several movements, such as food coops, environmentalism, women and religion, and consumer protection.

Guest Post: Ciera Casteel on the Wayne State University Oral History Course Oral Histories

aorchard — Fri, 19 Apr 2019 11:05:31 -0400

Please note: The oral history course collections mentioned in this post have been consolidated into one collection: Wayne State University Oral History Methodology Course Oral Histories. Please refer to the finding aid here: https://archives.wayne.edu/repositories/2/resources/3381.

Over the course of the last few months I had the opportunity to work at the Reuther Library processing oral history collections. This was an incredible experience through which I was able to create tools to increase researchers' access to four relatively new collections: the Wayne State University Oral History Course Oral Histories. These four collections are a treasure for researchers studying a number of topics. read more »

(WSAV002727_001) Poletown, Neighborhood Scenes, 1981

eclemens — Fri, 05 Jul 2019 14:22:20 -0400

A group of African-American men working on car repairs. Photo taken on Trombly, west of Chene.

(WSAV002727_002) Poletown, Architecture on E. Grand Blvd., 1981

eclemens — Fri, 05 Jul 2019 14:22:20 -0400

A view of an apartment building with Kuehn Building in left foreground. Photo taken on E. Grand Blvd. and Chene.

(WSAV002727_003) Poletown, Businesses, 1981

eclemens — Fri, 05 Jul 2019 14:22:20 -0400

Exterior view of a corner store, located diagonally across from Immaculate Conception Church. Photo taken on Trombly at Moran.

(WSAV002727_004) Poletown, Churches, Exterior Views, 1981

eclemens — Fri, 05 Jul 2019 14:22:20 -0400

Exterior view of Holy Cross Church, an Apostolic faith storefront church located on Mitchell Street. A sign notes Elder D.B. Mahone as pastor.

(WSAV002727_005) Poletown, Demonstrations, 1981

eclemens — Fri, 05 Jul 2019 14:22:20 -0400

View of a Pro-Central Industrial Park (CIP) Project demonstration on Jos. Campau at Finley.
Photo was taken in February or March of 1981, during the time that Ralph Nadar was in Detroit organizing against the CIP project.

(WSAV002727_006) Poletown, Neighborhood Views, 1981

eclemens — Fri, 05 Jul 2019 14:22:20 -0400

Two young African-American men pose for a photo outside of Hupp Billards on Chene, north of Milwaukee.

(WSAV002727_007) Poletown, Residents, Celebrations, 1981

eclemens — Fri, 05 Jul 2019 14:22:20 -0400

A view of a child's birthday party, celebrated among family and neighbors in the DuBois Apartments on E. Grand Blvd.

(WSAV002727_008) Poletown, Residents, Celebrations, 1981

eclemens — Fri, 05 Jul 2019 14:22:20 -0400

A view of a child's birthday party, celebrated among family and neighbors in the DuBois Apartments on E. Grand Blvd.

(WSAV002727_009) Poletown, Residents, Celebrations, 1981

eclemens — Fri, 05 Jul 2019 14:22:20 -0400

An African-American family celebrates their child's first birthday among family and neighbors at the DuBois Apartments on E. Grand Blvd.

(WSAV002727_010) Poletown, Residents, Celebrations, 1981

eclemens — Fri, 05 Jul 2019 14:22:20 -0400

Friends and family celebrate during a child's first birthday party at the DuBois Apartments on E. Grand Blvd.

(WSAV002727_011) Poletown, Residents, Relocation, 1981

eclemens — Fri, 05 Jul 2019 14:22:20 -0400

A family on Kanter Street loads a rented truck as they prepare to leave their home during the Poletown clearances.

(WSAV002727_012) Poletown, Dodge Main, Demolition, 1981

eclemens — Fri, 05 Jul 2019 14:22:20 -0400

A view of the entrance to Chrysler's Dodge Main plant, taken on Jos. Campau near Dunn Street during the building's demolition.

(WSAV002727_013) Poletown, Neighborhood Views, Businesses, 1981

eclemens — Fri, 05 Jul 2019 14:22:20 -0400

A view of businesses on Jos. Campau, near Dunn Street, including: Mitch’s Bull Dog Bar and Ruth and Russell Soul Food.

Note: Mitch's Bulldog Bar has a graffiti tag by the Chene Gang on its exterior.

(WSAV002727_014) Poletown, Businesses, 1981

eclemens — Fri, 05 Jul 2019 14:22:20 -0400

A view of the Philips 76 filling station on E. Grand Blvd. and St. Aubin Street.

(WSAV002727_015) Poletown, Architecture, Piquette Street, 1981

eclemens — Fri, 05 Jul 2019 14:22:20 -0400

A row of well-kept homes on Piquette Street, west of Ellery.

(WSAV002727_016) Poletown, Neighborhood Scenes, DuBois Street, 1981

eclemens — Fri, 05 Jul 2019 14:22:20 -0400

Two African-American women pose for a portrait in front of a home located at 2190 Dubois (one block north of E. Grand Blvd.).

(WSAV002727_017) Poletown, Neighborhood Scenes, 1981

eclemens — Fri, 05 Jul 2019 14:22:20 -0400

Two African-American men pose for a photograph outside of the DuBois Apartments, located on 2420 E. Grand Blvd.

(WSAV002727_018) Poletown, Architecture, Sargent Street, 1981