Dang nab it, I thought I was the only one in this big old world who knew about the lovely local directories secreted within Google Books! Another hope dies hard. (Shakes fist) Darn you, Google Books!
Ed V., BF, and Joe correctly guessed that this was the onetime Ypsilanti Laundry Company at Race (now Catherine) and Chidester, near the present-day Water Works Park. Joe added more information as well. He said, "I am assuming its the auto junk yard building on the corner of Catherine and Chidester." [Yes!] "Finding the perspective is difficult since the building seems to have been modified many times. Is it looking south from Catherine?"Joe, I see a dirt road running across the bottom of the laundry photo. I'm guessing this is Chidester. So yes, I'm guessing this is a view looking southeast from a spot just south of Race/Catherine and on the west side of Chidester. Here's a modern satellite view:
So good job, guessers!
OK, I've given up on locating any single building, no matter how obscure, to quiz you folks. So this week I searched for a photo WITHOUT any of those pesky telltale buildings. Here's a shot from somewhere in town. There are a couple of clues in the photo as to where this photo was taken. OK, eagle-eyed 'Spotters, test your wits against this Mystery Spot!
About that "obscure mystery building" from last week ... it had a sign!
ReplyDelete... ok, back to the current mystery spot...
The domed structure just above and to the right of the center of the photo looks like an old water reservoir, which I believe the city had before the tower was built. At least, I can swear I've seen a picture of it in one of the books I have at home, but those books are all, alas, at home right now.
ReplyDeleteBF: Yeah, you're right...I know. :) I debated blocking it out, but I thought it wasn't fair to tamper with the photo. There aren't too many directories online (3 or 4 for Ypsi I believe) so I was kind of hoping it wasn't in there. But good sleuthing on your part paid off. :)
ReplyDeleteThomas: Interesting guess...we'll see next Wednesday!
ReplyDeleteIt looks like the paper mill smoke stack over on the left. Which would make this picture *perhaps* from somewhere along North Huron, near 725 N. Huron, or, it could have been taken from along the (now gone) railroad spur that went just south of 725, through what is now part of campus, was where the trail is between campus and west campus, and ran all the way into Saline. (You can still follow the bits and pieces of it via the satellite view from Google. See: http://files.me.com/filipiak/aqfgdp - the spot I'm thinking would be at the north end of that railroad line.)
ReplyDeleteI mention this, because I know a certain blogger who can get "stuck" on a series for a few days. So when a recent mystery spot at Lowell and Huron was featured, I think perhaps this photo was taken from near that spot, though perhaps a bit south and east.
Just a thought...
BF: That is a good guess, and you are right in saying a certain local blogger gets stuck on a certain subject sometimes. So that was a shrewd observation informing your guess.
ReplyDeleteI will say, however, that although your guess is very plausible, that is not the site of this image.
A hint remains to this day in a well-known place name somewhere near the river in Ypsilanti.
I think what we are looking at is the is the old pumping station that was located what is now called water works park. The smoke stack is the paper mill owned by the Cornwell Family(until 1898). I would guess that the picture was taken somewhere along Grove St. near the corner of Factory St.
ReplyDeleteDag Nabbit.
ReplyDeleteHad I read my Winter 2009 "Gleanings", and then read the YCUA First Annual Report, I might have gotten this.
Good job Joe!