Out of the blue, originally uploaded by ifmuth.
Park Ave and Kales buildings in Detroit
Warm Hand Beats Frost
Warm Hand Beats Frost, originally uploaded by kiddharma.
Today’s mission was “Color, but stay in the season and no lighthouses or sunsets” … I think we have a winner.
Fire exit
Fire exit, originally uploaded by Nathanael.Archer.
The above photo is part of a nice set of photos of the city of Grand Rapids, Michigan that look to have been taken in 2000-2001.
Campus Martius, 1914
The Library of Congress has this amazing panorama of Detroit's Campus Martius taken in 1914. You can click the photo above for a large panorama and get details on the photograph here (and a link to a 12 MB tiff of the panorama)!!
From the Campus Martius Park web site:
In 1788, Campus Martius served as a drill ground for militia training. Campus Martius means "military ground" and was named after the Campus Martius at Marietta, Ohio, a 180-foot stockade.
After the fire of 1805, Judge Woodward was appointed to oversee the plan to lay out the streets, squares and lots with the assistance of the best surveyors from Canada. They placed their instruments and astronomical devices on the summit of a huge stone. He viewed the planets and meteors in order to determine "true North". Today we still call this point the "Point of Origin" which is located in center of Campus Martius at the junction of Woodward and Monroe. It is from this point that the City of Detroit's Coordinate system was created.
UrbanTiki explains that when it's not hosting the Motown Winter Blast, Campus Martius's hydraulic concert stage allows it to host concerts (photo by ifmuth) and serve as an ice rink (photo by mainegal). SNWEB.org has a great shot of the Point of Origin. (sorry to get all link-happy on you there)
Speaking of link-happy, here's a look by Michigan in Pictures at the Michigan Soldiers & Sailors Monument which is located in Campus Martius.
Knocking Down Motown
…and you are not it., originally uploaded by UrbanTiki.
We’ll start our run up to the Super Bowl with this photo of the demolition of the Motown Records Headquarters building in Detroit on January 21, 2006. You’ll also want to check out this shot of the building on the evening of January 20th.
SNWEB.ORG Detroit adds:
Our mayor couldn’t stand the broken windows and marred facade so he got it to be torn down for 15 or so spaces for the Super Bowl. What’s sad is that this historic building designed by Albert Kahn is in great condition, and they left everything inside, lobby details, motown papers, marble, etc.
UrbanTiki is Bobby Alcott, a photographer and founding member of UTATA (which looks like a really cool organization).
They Knew How to Build Things Then…
Train Station, Muskegon, originally uploaded by I am Jacques Strappe.
Marjorie writes:
Quite possibly one of the coolest buildings I’ve ever encountered…
It appears through her extensive photographs of architectural subjects that she’s encountered a building or two, including this one’s long-lost little brother: the Starkweather Memorial Chapel in Ypsilanti.
You can see some more photos and information about the Muskegon Train Station from Michigan Passenger Stations.
Beautiful Brilliant Blue
American Building #1-Southfield, originally uploaded by tedguy49.
I feel a bit guilty selecting this one as it’s not really representative of this photographer’s work. I really meant to pick another one. Honest. It’s not me, it’s the seasonal affective disorder talking…
The Men’s Ward at Building 50
Men’s Ward Facade, photo by mstephens7.
Building 50 is an amazing and rambling building that is part of the old state mental hospital in Traverse City, Michigan (which is now being redeveloped as The Village at Grand Traverse Commons).
View Building 50 B&W Enhancements (Set) and check Michael’s blog for more Building 50 pics and information
Michael lives in Indiana but spends as much time as possible in Traverse City.
Michigan in Pictures 