Ulysses Grant

[RJNorton]

We will need to add this spot to our Springfield schedule. It's not that far from the hotel we stayed at.

There is also a stone obelisk which stands in a private garden.

[LincolnMan]

Lol. Roger, I did see in your previous post where you linked to information about the markers. Gene: yes, we will have to check it out!

[LincolnMan]

Nothing new to my knowledge concerning the Grant house located on the site of the old Michigan State Fairgrounds. A new shopping district has been built there- pretty much right next to the Grant House. I assuming that plans are still in the works to relocate and preserve the house.

[LincolnMan]

Sadly, I drove by the U.S. Grant house today and it still has not be relocated. Worse, vandals have spray painted graffiti on it. It is too vulgar to post a picture of it. I pray the house doesn't get totally ruined before it is saved...

[L Verge]

Sadly, I drove by the U.S. Grant house today and it still has not be relocated. Worse, vandals have spray painted graffiti on it. It is too vulgar to post a picture of it. I pray the house doesn't get totally ruined before it is saved...

Bill - Is the entire state suffering from the same economic troubles as we hear about in Detroit? If so, it is highly unlikely that any support will be given to this history project. Historic preservation seems to always be on the chopping block at budget time.

[LincolnMan]

Yes, I would say that is true. It's bleak really. Like I said, my biggest fear is that the house will be torched by vandals- then we will have lost something priceless.

[L Verge]

As someone whose family home had historical ties to the Lincoln assassination and was ultimately torched by vandals two years ago, I totally agree. I spent years trying to save it, sell it, protect it, but there are too many evil people out there for one person to fight. And, law enforcement is too busy fighting crime to help protect a vacant house. Let's hope there is a Civil War organization out there who will put some force behind the project. Sons of Union Veterans, Ulysses S. Grant Association, Civil War Trust??? Buildings are just as important as battlefields.

[LincolnMan]

The Michigan Historical Center and the State of Michigan are involved. In an article published one year ago in the Detroit Free Press it was stated that the house was to be moved last summer. I don't know what happened but they better hurry.

[RJNorton]

In Illinois the Historic Preservation Agency itself is in jeopardy due to possible budget cuts.

[LincolnMan]

This may be the situation here in Michigan also. I have found no updates on it.

[LincolnMan]

I will be presenting this unfortunate update to my brothers at our Sons of Union Veterans meeting tonight. I also conducted more online searching for any updates pertaining to the house but found none. I have a couple names that I might try contacting for that purposr. We shall see...

[LincolnMan]

I gave a presentation last night at my Sons of Union Veterans meeting regarding the U S Grant house. The Camp Commander vowed to make some contacts to try and discover what the current plans are. I will keep you all posted.

[RJNorton]

Kudos, Bill!

[Miss_Bellatrix]

Bill, where is the house located? My husband and I are planning a trip to the Henry Ford in May. Is it close by there? I never knew Grant was in Michigan until I read it in a bio about him last year. Always found it interesting and I did wonder what happened to where he lived! Here's hoping the house can be saved! It'd be a shame to lose a piece of history like that.

[LincolnMan]

Welcome to the Forum!
The house is in Detroit proper. You can view it from State Fair Avenue which runs through Woodward Ave.
The Henry Ford is in Dearborn which is outside of Detroit.
Let me know when you are in Michigan when the time comes!