detroit

Campus Martius, 1914

Posted on February 2, 2006May 29, 2006 by Michigan in Pictures

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.

The Big Football, The Bigger Vehicle

Posted on February 1, 2006February 1, 2006 by Michigan in Pictures

The Big Football, originally uploaded by raywert.

The colors made me think it was a Steelers football, but it turns out it’s promoting the official vehicle of Super Bowl XL (click for photos of the nifty banner Cadillac has).

The photographer, Ray Wert, is better known as the blogger DetroitWonk. On his site, he has great stuff about Detroit every day including highlights of discussion elsewhere in the Motown Blogverse.

He also tipped us of to the very cool webcam for Campus Martius Park (site of the Motown Winter Blast).

Looking Towards Ford Field

Posted on January 31, 2006February 1, 2006 by Michigan in Pictures

Looking Towards Ford Field, originally uploaded by ifmuth.

Nice shot of how Ford Field sits amidst the city. It’s not an “out in the boonies” field like the Silverdome was but right in the heart of Detroit.

The photographer also has a great shot of Woodward Avenue that shouldn’t be missed.

Here’s another view of Ford Field that lets you zoom waaaay in.

detroit sunset

Posted on January 30, 2006January 30, 2006 by Michigan in Pictures

detroit sunset, originally uploaded by osotracie.

Well, I was going to take a day or 2 off from the Detroit / Super Bowl XL watch but this photo said Hold on there buddy, you aren’t going anywhere.

Beautiful.

Pistons Basketball!

Posted on January 27, 2006January 29, 2006 by Michigan in Pictures

Billups has the sweet shot, originally uploaded by farlane.

M.V.P.

My family & I went to the Detroit Pistons’ game with the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night. Chauncey Billups & co. turned it on just under 3 minutes to move the Pistons to 36-5 (and make us really happy!).

My favorite shot of the night is this one of a young but very happy fan.

The Spirit of Detroit

Posted on January 26, 2006January 2, 2017 by Michigan in Pictures

The Spirit of Detroit, photo by Global Reactions.

One of Detroit’s most recognizeable landmarks is the Spirit of Detroit.

Lauren supplies the scripture behind the Spirit on one of her photos of the statue: “Now the Lord is that Spirit, and where the spirit of the Lord is, there is Liberty” II Corinthians 3:17

Fans of the Detroit Pistons, Detroit Red Wings and even the Tigers know that when their team plays for or wins a championship, the Spirit will don their uniform. Lions fans are as yet unsure if the tradition applies to them… The Spirit also wore a jersey to honor Super Bowl XL.

Marshall Fredericks, the sculptor who crafted the Spirit of Detroit and other public works in Detroit & Michigan. Fredericks was a man who felt his art was a civic duty and said this about it:

I want more than anything in the world to do sculpture which will have real meaning for other people, many people, and might in some way encourage, inspire or give them happiness.

UPDATE: I was in Detroit and got a few photos of the Spirit (including some decent detail shots and a shot of the plaque).

UPDATE 2: Check out this cool photo of the Spirit of Detroit from One Foot Over the Moon.

Knocking Down Motown

Posted on January 25, 2006January 25, 2006 by Michigan in Pictures

…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).

Beautiful Brilliant Blue

Posted on January 10, 2006January 17, 2006 by Michigan in Pictures

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…