Detroit coming to life...

[LincolnMan]

In death there is renewal. Winter leads to Spring. In driving through Detroit today, I came across whole city blocks of land where young trees had been planted. There had to be hundreds if not thousands of them. What had been whole city blocks of abandoned vandalized houses- now contained a virtual urban forest in the making. There is is renewal in place of death. The mere sight of the young trees inspires hope and gives rise to promise. Although Lincoln never visited Detroit- I think he would have been pleased. It was not a depressing thing to behold...

[L Verge]

That is wonderful to hear because we have seen so many photos of the decay in that great city.

[LincolnMan]

Yes! 15,000 trees planted!

[Wild Bill]

Somewhere there are four pictures: Two are of Detroit and Hiroshima in 1945, Detroit prosperous and Heroshima a destroyed wreck. Below them are two more pictures of the same cities in present-day, Detroit looking like a bombed out wreck and Hiroshima a prosperous modern city. Shocking!

[Eva Elisabeth]

I saw a TV report that in Detroit people created community gardens on abandoned industral areas, growing fruit and vegetables.

[LincolnMan]

Wild Bill: Detroit certainly looks like what you described. Yet, at the same time, there are signs that the once proud city is coming back. Certainly the planting of the trees is a very positive sign. There are also young business people establishing shops in the very heart of the town. And Eva: you are correct- I have seen the vegetable gardens. The products from the gardens are available to purchase. I am optimistic about the city. I see the signs as seeds that may sprout to what will once again be a booming city- probably not to be realized during the remainder of my days. Today I also visited my "friend" Zachariah Chandler at his grave- and for the first time in a long time I felt that if he were alive to see what I'm seeing concerning his city- he might find reason to be encouraged too.

[RJNorton]

Somewhere there are four pictures: Two are of Detroit and Hiroshima in 1945, Detroit prosperous and Heroshima a destroyed wreck. Below them are two more pictures of the same cities in present-day, Detroit looking like a bombed out wreck and Hiroshima a prosperous modern city. Shocking!

Bill, I do not know if these are the exact same photos you refer to, but I found this:

[LincolnMan]

That picture of Detroit in 2012 is known to me. The photo is of an area that can be seen while on I-94 coming up to I-75. Sadly, it has been that way for years. Although cleanup of the city is underway, it will still take years and money that the city doesn't have to do the job. Yet, just a short distance from that site, the GAR building is now standing tall. It will reopen to the public soon. I once thought that the historic building would never get any help- but there it is- with the flag posted at the top.

[L Verge]

I am not familiar with areas of Michigan, but Dr. Richard Mudd's youngest son, Tom, now resides in the family home in Saginaw, Michigan. He and his sister have both told me of the decay in that area also. Tom and his wife are very active in the historic preservation community in that town. The decay of our great cities of population seems to be systemic in the U.S. Taxes, greed, corruption, and social programs sure aren't helping.

[LincolnMan]

Yes, I have been to Sagniaw many times- and have driven by the Mudd house also. I have also corresponded with members of the Mudd family. Laurie, it's true. So many cities are run down and and mere shadows of what they were- including Saginaw. Still, I'm hopeful! Maybe I'm just a dreamer...

[L Verge]

Keep dreaming, Bill. It can happen. D.C. is much better now than it was in the 60s and 70s. The damage done by the riots is being repaired, and we have a few more responsible politicians pulling the strings.

[LincolnMan]

The riots! I was in Detroit for the 1967 riot. Detroit was never the same afterward. But as you say regarding D.C., there is rebuilding...

[L Verge]

I just received this from a high school classmate. It's about ten minutes in length, but well-worth the time - and right on the money as we discuss historic preservation.

http://route66news.com/2014/06/11/high-s...-route-66/

I wish James O. Hall were here to view it. He was born and raised in Oklahoma.

---

The riots! I was in Detroit for the 1967 riot. Detroit was never the same afterward. But as you say regarding D.C., there is rebuilding...

The riots were a scary thing. The school that I was teaching in was commandeered by the Maryland State Police because it was about two miles from the D.C. line. The school was closed to students, but teachers still had to report in order to get paid. The teachers' lounge became the police "dormitory" for days, and the front office space became the squad room.

My apartment was right on the line, and we could see the fires at night lighting up the skies, even though they were on the opposite side of the city. I hope never to see anything like that again.

[Gene C]

Very nice video

say, that reminds me of a song
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zw1tiNGQ4wI

and
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhiZGjMwpAg

[LincolnMan]

Laurie: I relate to what you said about being there during the riot. It leaves a memory that will not fade. I was a teenager during the Detroit riot. I still vividly remember the National Guard rolling down Gratiot Avenue heading towards the main disturbance. Trucks carrying troops- what a sight.