City - Detroit, MI - The place for piano's 1917 - Side by Side

by Mike Savad

Title

City - Detroit, MI - The place for piano's 1917 - Side by Side

Artist

Mike Savad

Medium

Photograph - Colorized Photo

Description

Hand colored photo from 1917
Original title: Woodward ave
Photographer: Detroit Publishing
Location: 1553 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI

Boy this is a complex one, tons of signs, details etc. Only a few of these buildings exist in some form, mostly the ones on the left like the Ferguson building and the white one with the arches, that one closer to us on the corner with the awnings is still there as well. A few on the right but you can't see those. I wasn't sure if this was the mile they paved with cement or if it was dirt. But it looked like dirt to me so there you go. If at the very least, it would probably be dirty.

In 1805 Detroit was largely destroyed by a fire, which then lead to its rebuilding, Woodward Ave was one of the major streets laid out in the city's grid while they rebuilt everything. It was named after Augustus Woodward, a judge and first chief justice of the Michigan Territory. Woodward ave was designed to be a wide, grand boulevard running from downtown Detroit to the northern suburbs.

By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Woodward Avenue became a center of commerce, culture, and social life in Detroit. It was lined with elegant homes, prestigious businesses, theaters, and other attractions. In 1896, Woodward Avenue became part of the first mile of paved concrete road in the United States, marking a significant milestone in transportation history.

In the 1910's, Woodward Avenue would have been bustling with activity. The automobile industry, which was burgeoning in Detroit, played a significant role in shaping the avenue's character. Henry Ford's Highland Park Plant, which started production in 1910, was located near Woodward Avenue and played a crucial role in the development of the automotive industry and the city's economy.

You'll notice at least seven different piano stores lined up, along with fur stores. Back then owning a piano meant hours of entertainment. But imagine trying to carry one of those things out and to your home, going up stairs or raising it outside your window. I wonder what they did if it didn't fit through the window or doors when it got there? That must have been interesting. And hilarious.

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March 14th, 2024

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