You Know You're From Detroit If...

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Bernard LaForest Scottsdale AZ

St. Ambroise 1959

Comments: I'm pretty sure that you, Eileen, may be a cousin. If you had connections to the LaForests through my dad's uncles and their spouses, it's for sure. I was a police officer in Detroit during the 60's. In the 80s I was the Special Agent in Charge of ATF's field division.

Michael LaForest Knoxville TN

Grosse Pointe 1961

Comments: Let's not forget that it

was Grosse Pointe H.S. (South) that dominated the BCL (Border Cities League) in every sport in the 50s and 60s. I lived 500 yards from the Lake,

so my memories gravitate there. Did you mention the hydroplane races on the River, like Miss Pepsi, Suchcrust,

Miss Bardol, etc? I recall the Fox and Madison theaters downtown as beautiful and safe places to bring dates, and the huge estates measured in acres, and the mansions on Lakeshore Rd., now occupied by wimpy houses on a building lot measured in feet. The memories are great.

Leah Meredith Langfitt Topeka KS

Comments: We moved when I was in the 4th grade, but I went to Monteith Elem. and Walter Chrysler Elem. Cried when I saw the Milky the Clown picture. Remembered the power boat races on the Detroit river, Bob-Lo boat rides, the big torch erected near Cobo Hall for the March of Dimes, the Cinerama movie theater; the Hudson's Thanksgiving parades (later marched in one when my WV high school was invited) and the "Good Ole Summertime" event, Santa on TV and the sandpail lunches at JLH's; Sanders; checking out the "new KMart" concept; the Barbie section at JLHudson; eating peanut butter sandwiches at Belle Isle; Vernors tours; Tiger games watching Al Kaline; Sonny Elliot seemed so funny! Sampling food at Eastern Market. Hudsons was awesome at Christmas.

Bob Lazur Oregon

Chadsey 1950

Comments: Great site for former Detroiters who can recall when Detroit was a great city. One of your commenters said he is glad he is FROM Detroit. So am I. The memories are great to recall.

Patricia Serra Leipelt Wilmington NC

Cousino 1968

Comments: Very cool website. Thanks for the memories! Been looking for "Detroit" memorabilia on eBay which is hard to find, at least from 50's, 60's, 70's...my era! Loved Motown and regret now I hadn't seen more live groups. Here in Wilmington, Motown music is grouped into "beach" music. Does anyone remember Club 1270?? I called WXYZ some time ago to see if they had any old videos for sale. They didn't keep any of it or didn't have the capacity to do so then. Hard to believe. What a cronology of Detroit-introduced music! So for now, all you "cruise babies," keep on ridin'.

Alexander L. Orchard Lake MI

Cass Technical 1942

Comments: I think it is wonderful to recall some of the wonderful events from the past. Thank you for being there for us who remember these great and wonderful times of past years.

Roberta La Ponse Warren MI

Stevenson 1979

Comments: I remember the Suzy Q on Gratiot & 11 mile, and when the sign really did turn. The Cow to Car on

9 Mile & Bolam where you pulled up and they brought the milk, bread or pop to your car.

Marilyn Lerche

Lennon

Comments: Interesting to look back and see a few things that I can remember.

Tony Lewis Valencia CA

Denby 1968

Comments: It is great to see Detroit Pride growing in leaps and bounds! Living in the L.A. area you see a lot of Pittsburgh, Chicago, New York, Boston, Jersey and Cleveland pride. Finally us Detroiters are letting the rest of the nation know what we already know. There is no place like Detroit to be from! I love Detroit! Tony Lewis - Detroiter Forever! I have visited Detroit several times in the past 4 years. I thought I was the only one that realized that Detroit was having a rebirth. Your site is a breath of fresh air! You capture Detroit past, present and a bright future. I am a Detroiter forever and appreciate your efforts!

Carol Lucente Rochester Hills MI

St. Louis 1969

Comments: I have a photo of my brother, some neighborhood friends and myself standing near some houses that had been set on blocks so they could be moved to make room for I-94 near French Road. I also remember sitting on top of the I-94 bridge on summer nights and looking for out-of-state license plates.

Emily [Isabell] Lyon Bay City, MI

Lowrey 1959

Comments: It's great.

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MaryAnn Bakersfield CA

Denby

Comments: It is terrific, loved it, wonderful memories.

Jeff Mastracci Auburn Hills MI

Shrine 1977

Comments: A great walk down memory lane.

Marilyn Maust Pigeon MI

Pershing 1957

Comments: The original name of Big Boy on 8 Mile and Orleans was called Dixie Drive-In. BelAire Drive-In on 8 Mile Rd., 6 Mile Uptown Theatre on Woodward & 6 Mile, Highland Park. Krim Theatre on Woodward & 6 Mile, Highland Park. Sealtest Home Delivery. Block parties in the summertime. Alleys with Hollyhocks. Detroit police who rode with detectives were called "The Big Four." The original "Buddy's Pizzeria" on 6 Mile Rd. The "Cider Mill" at 23 Mile Rd. The "Sand Pits" in Oxford for swimming and parking. I love this website and after I get my breath over here I'm sure to think of more memories from way back when. We reach an age where we just grow sick and tired of having to go thru a long explanation about the past. It's just nice to drop in and talk knowing all the memories are floating around in the same area. I'm sending this site to everyone I know. Keep up the good work!

Carol McGrath Butte Falls OR

Ferndale 1972

Comments: Too cool. I was amazed when I moved to Oregon how many people come from or have roots in Michigan. My sister and I have been talking about opening a pastie shop. Are you familiar with pasties? It is an Upper Peninsula thing.

Kirk McVittie Farmington MI

Cody 1971

Comments: Awesome site! Such great and vivid memories! I have shared it with many of my Detroit area friends!

Richard Messenger Hyampom CA

Central 1947

Comments: Returned to Detroit in 1991 for first time since 1958 to run the International Marathon. Ran through the Tunnel, by Tiger Stadium, Michigan Central Depot, and all the memorable buildings of eld, including the great J.L. Hudson's, and wasn't aware it had been torn down. We Americans certainly seem to have a predisposition to destroy our history, don't we?

Nadya Mogilev Rohnert Park CA

Cass Tech 1969

Comments: Cutting class to hang out with the hippies and bikers on Plum Street...Sunday at Detroit Dragway... Hudson's "Fashionettes" teen panel.

Mark Monterosso St. Clair Shores MI

Grosse Pointe North 1971

Comments: Nice job, I may have a few memories you could add.

Mary Kay Moore Peachtree City GA

Ann Arbor HS, U-M

Comments: Really enjoyed all of your hard work.

Ronald Moore Ecorse MI

St. Francis de Sales 1959

Comments: The "light" on Denton road, The UFOs at Hillsdale, knock knock street, The Bagel deli, The Broadway market, The Brass Rail, Scott Reagen (burger), The Mauna Loa restaurant, Devon Gables, Plum Street, Mister Houdini (Larry Thompson), The Empress, Stone, and Gayety Burlique houses, Fort Wayne, Pewabic pottery and The United Artists theater.

Barbara Garber Murray

St. Petersburg FL

Central 1950

Comments: Brings back GREAT memories....thanx!!! Pony rides at Palmer Park in the summmer, and

ice-skating in the winter. Seeing

Frank Sinatra in person at the Michigan Theater. The beautiful staircase at the Riviera Movie Theater on Grand River and Joy Rd.

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Christine Malek Warren MI

Regina 1963

Comments: City buses instead of school buses and five-cent transfers. Streetcars.

Linda Matiyow Chesterfield MI

Hamtramck 1970

Comments: One great hangout was Sweet Lands on J.C., then walking over to Baker's shoe store where you could buy a pair of flats (in 5 different colors) for $2.99. Any one remember Helen's Toyland on Jos. Campau? Or if you went to H.H.S., the lunch crowd headed to Betty's and one of their specials was 47 cents for a cheeseburger, fries and a large coke. Apple pie and a drink, 25 cents. Then there was Brower's 5&10 store on Jacob and Jos. Campau where they had a black bird of some kind that would only talk Polish. If you tried to talk in English, the owner would yell at you. Had a great time growing up in Hamtramck. Little town with many fine memories.Website was fun to read. I'd forgotten about many of the places people wrote about.

Mary McClellan Crossvile TN

Southwestern 1987

Comments: Taking the bus downtown and going ice skating at Hart Plaza in the winter time.

Nita Mckenzie Wayne MI

Belleville 1966

Comments: Wonderful web site. I can't wait to hear about Soupy Sales.

Clifford Montreuil Livonia, MI

St. David 1968

Comments: My favorite memories include going on dates to Belle Isle, Bob-Lo and some of the parks along

the Windsor shore (lower drinking age). I also remember all the small neighborhood movie theaters you could easily walk to (Harper, Vogue, Civic, etc.).

Garrette Motta Livonia MI

Holy Redeemer HS

Comments: The smell of Tiger Stadium, United Shirt, playing PAL (Police Athletic League) baseball, Sanders.

Cindi M Fraser MI

Lincoln

Comments: An old high school friend sent this site to me and boy it took me back. Those were the good ole days. Remember the Bel Air Drive-in on

8 Mile? Or going for a real frozen custard in the summertime? Yep,

those memories hold dear.

Beverly (Ebel) MacDonell Bayport NY

Southeastern 1963

Comments: I lived on the lower east side and remember the time before the expressways (sometimes referred to as the ditches) were built. Then I remember walking across the bridge of I-94 to get to Harper Ave. to shop in many of the stores you have listed. This was great fun to think back about "the old days" in Detroit. Southeastern HS had to hold their graduations in the auditorium of our rival Denby HS because ours wasn't big enough. Also, the rolling billboard indicating how many automobiles had "rolled off the assembly lines" in Detroit. I believe in the 50s many of the city swimming pools, like Chandler Park pool (near Dickerson and Frankfurt Ave.) closed down because of the polio epidemic. In the winter there was an ice skating rink at the park. I also graduated from WSU and remember Old Main being there. I think there were only about 6 or 7 main classroom buildings.

Patricia Mack Dearborn MI

Cody 1965

Comments: Corned beef sandwiches from the Broadway Market Downtown, phone "booths" when the cost of phone calls was a nickel, watching fireworks from the foot of Woodward hanging my feet over the edge almost touching the water, taking pictures in front of the Belle Isle Fountain at night with the water changing colors, renting a canoe at Belle Isle and paddling on the canal, stopping and getting a lunch at the outdoor food stand, popcorn machines in Rouge Park by the outside lavatories, always filled with fresh popcorn in the summer.

Stacey MacKenzie Clemmons NC

Comments: I remember riding on the Kerchival-Deanhurst bus to downtown. My grandmother dressed me to the nines (white gloves, etc.). I remember chicken croquettes at Stouffer's restaurant. Peter's Funeral Home at 8 Mile and Mack had three life-size camels at Christmas (someone stole a camel one year). The milkman and, of course, the milk chute, which my mother used to shove me through when we got locked out. My grandmother would feed me warm Vernor's when I had a cold. I would also go to Augustine's Bakery to get a loaf of bread and watch them slice it in the slicer. Bob's Drug Store on the corner of Roslyn Rd. and Mack Ave. had all kinds of goodies. We shoped at Food Fair, which closed at 5:00 PM weekdays and was NOT open Saturday or Sunday. And "fish-flies" all over your screen door in the summer!

Lora Marchewitz Westminster CO

Denby 1974

Comments: Gosh, what great memories! I'm forwarding your site address to ex-Detroiters now scattered all over the country!

Melba Marentette Taylor MI

Southwestern High 1956

Comments: Nice website. I remember a lot of those places.

Elizabetth A. Marchewitz San Diego CA

Girls Catholic Central 1958

Comments: Awesome! I love it. What wonderful memories it brought to mind, also a few tears. I worked for Sanders for three years when I was in high school, Woodard & the Boulevard store, it was one of the best times of my life. We also had a Twin Pines milkman who lived next door. In bad weather he would drive us to school in his milk truck, we'd sit on the milk crates. I also remember Awrey's Bakery made house calls, my mother used to get all her baked goods from "Charlie" who'd come once a week. I am going back "home" for a family reunion over the

4th of July weekend, first time in 19 yrs. I will share your site with family and friends. "Thanks for the memories."