All the glory of man is as the flower of grass

The 1874 Diary of Ypsilanti Teen Allie McCullough

Part of a year-long weekly series of excerpts from Ypsilanti teenager Allie McCullough's 1874 diary, from the last year of her life.

Last week, Allie cut up in class a bit, and had to stay after school twice due to whispering.

Jan. 16 Fri. Had ever so much fun in school today. Not one of us had out French lessons and C. got mad and sent us into the room. Went up to C. N.'s last night and she was not at home. Will came up to the school after me with the horses and sleigh. Got J. and C. and then took J. S. home. Had ever so much fun and a good long ride. Went to hear Griffith read. It was nice.

Jan. 17 Sat. Went up to the Gallery with Mary to get her picture taken. We had to wait a long time and while we were there two fellows came up and they were real nice. When I got home I found that J. H. had been to call on me. C. N. was out riding with Marion. She came home and stayed all of the afternoon. I went home with her and went to the Playdees. They were real nice. I had a fall right in front of the Curtises and it hurt my arm.

Jan. 18 Sun. Did not go to bed last night until about twelve. Had ever so much fun. Went to Church this morning with Durbin and Carrie. Stayed to Sunday school. They are trying to get up a present for Mrs. Parsons. Did not go to Church at night because it rained and I had a good book to read. When I got up this morning I put on C's dress and Durbin told me I looked like a scarecrow.

Jan. 19 Mon. It rained this morning and I would not have gone to school if Carrie W. had not come for me, but I had all my lessons and fun besides, it stopped raining before I got up it was time to go home. Did not have to stay after school tonight for a wonder. Came home and copied some music. Then played and got my lessons, read and wrote in my diary. The wind is blowing hard.

Jan. 20 Tue. Marion went out to Pontiac today. S. came and sat with me this noon and asked my company to the concert. He came about half past six for me and stayed until almost wight before we went up there. Joe and Will, Carrie and geo. were there and we got a seat with them. marion got a letter from Let so I opened it. We for a letter from Uncle Tom and Will got one from Alf., so we had enough to read.

Jan. 21 Wed. Have had a nice time in school today. All the girls were surprised to see me last night with S. for I did not tell one of them and they say that Linny feels real bad. She had better for such a fellow as he. Went up to Carrie's with J. S. and had a nice talk together. I wish I could have stayed for they will have ever so much fun.

Jan. 22 Thurs. Went to school and the very first thing had my seat changed for whispering and I was mad enough about it. S. came over and sat with me this noon. It rained so that I did not go home for dinner and at night I got just drippiing wet before I got home and I had an umbrella. J. H. and M. C. came down in the evening.

Jan. 23 Fri. It snowed real hard this morning when I went to school. I came over to my seat the first thing and stayed until the little bell rang. Went to Lyceum and Will went with me. Joe told me that I never looked so well before. carrie N. was there and we had some time to talk but not much for C. bothered us so. I was chairman. John Ninda went home with me. Did not go to school in the afternoon. Had intended to if Carrie N. had not have come in.

Thanks for reading; tune in this coming Friday for another chapter!.

Huron Hotel: Stock Certificate

The Huron Hotel was built in 1923 with money raised from residents of Ypsilanti via the sale of $200,000 worth of stock. Here's the stock certificate you would have received had you been one of the investors.

650 people bought stock, most of them people of modest means who bought just one share for $100. This certificate represents 12 shares of stock purchased by a couple: Atwood R. McAndrew Jr and Martha P. McAndrew.

Atwood was the son of Atwood McAndrew Sr., who with Thomas McAndrew ran the Mack and Mack furniture store on Michigan Avenue. It appears that this block of 12 shares was purchased on November 18, 1957 and sold on February 7, 1967. This surprised Dusty D because as far as she knew the only sale of stock occurred in 1923, but apparently sales of stock continued after the initial fundraising.

At any rate, the document is a testament to the civic spirit and pride that allowed one small city to build a hotel using only money raised from its own residents.

Take a Stoll down Pearl Street in 1924

Like to take a walk with me down Pearl Street in 1924 to see what's there? Then take a peek at today's story in the Courier (thanks, A.!).

Reverend Tindall's Tellurian: YpsiNews.com

What did an overworked Ypsilanti minister unexpectedly invent in 1874?

You can find out over yonder at YpsiNews.com by reading my newest story, "Reverend Tindall's Tellurian."

I like this one, and I hope you do as well.

Facebook Account Disabled; Request for Your Kind Help

As some of my FB pals know, yesterday my account was hijacked by some loser who inappropriately IM'd some of my contacts to tell them I was "stuck in london" and "had a gun pointing at me" and needed money. This was a fraudulent attempt by someone to obtain money. I resent that they bothered my friends. It was really embarrassing.

This morning, I find that my account has been disabled. I have e-mailed the following letter to disabled@facebook.com, appeals@facebook.com, appeals+0xxid2p@support.facebook.com:

Dear Facebook,

My account was hijacked yesterday by someone who inappropriately
contacted my friends with chats about my "being stuck in London" and
needing money. I promptly apologized to all my friends and changed my
FB password and the password to the email account connected to the FB
account.

This morning, I found that my account was shut down.

I feel terrible that someone hijacked my account, since I tried to be
a responsible FB user. I never post inappropriate content, and as a
local writer, FB is invaluable in publicizing my work, In fact, the
loss of FB is a potentially serious financial blow to my freelance
career. I write for 4 local newspapers and use FB to publicize my
stories, and FB is a place where potential employers can see my work.

If you review my posting history, you can see I am a responsible FB
user. Would you please reinstate the account?

Thank you for your consideration of my question.

Laura Bien

I scoured help and FAQ sites about how to get one's account reinstated. One person mentioned that he thought the fact that his FB friends emailed FB was the reason the FB admins reinstated his account. So, as much as I regret wasting your time to bother you with this vexing problem, I will humbly ask:

Would you please send a quick email to disabled@facebook.com, appeals@facebook.com, appeals+0xxid2p@support.facebook.com to tell 'em I'm legit and benign?

If you do email them, please:

1. Put my email username, Ypsidixit, in the subject line, e.g. "Please Reinstate Ypsidixit's Account."
2. Mention in a brief sentence or two that I'm legit (and rely on FB for professional reasons!)

If you do this, please bcc me if you wish, because I will owe you a favor and I want to keep that in mind. I am sorry to have to pester you with this stupid problem--believe me, I really don't have time to deal with this mess either!--but any kind help you can provide would be gratefully received. Thank you. --Dusty D.

Huron Hotel: Woodruff's Grove Restaurant

Here's a piece of Huron Hotel history; a menu from its 1980-1989 restaurant, Woodruff's Grove. The cute bit of this restaurant is that the menu choices are themed, with names reflecting tidbits from Ypsilanti history. Dusty Diary's favorite is "Asa Dow's Crab Legs." I can just imagine him saying, "I BEG your pardon!"

There's also the Judge Woodward (steak, but should be something more Detroit-y), the "Raftsmen," featuring a water creature on a li'l English muffin raft, and the Salad Demetrius, which is appropriately Greek. Were Dusty D to have lunch there today, she would choose...hmm, the "Fire of 1851," yummy.

The "Fence Watcher" burger confused Dusty D till she read on the back of the menu, in a little glossary there: "Fence Watcher: (mid 1850s)--A one man job riding property lines making sure fences were in good repair; prevented livestock from wandering and becoming the center of ownership disputes." Ah.

Wednesday Mystery Spot

Last week I posted an old photo of a long-gone building, confident that no one would guess something that doesn't even exist any more. I even started humming a carefree little tune--for about 45 seconds. That's how much time it took for BF to, once again, nail it, followed closely by cmadler, lhillebr, and, over on Facebook, Brent J. Yes, yes, you were all right--this is EMU's old gymnasium, which sat in the little parking lot just east of the water tower.

Sigh.

However, yesterday at the Archives I had the chance to do some deep digging in some mighty obscure files. I found this photo of a vanished Ypsilanti business--its old building, however, still stands. But where? There are several clues in the photo, two in particular. Take your best guess!

Huron Hotel: Dinner in 1931

During the Depression, the Huron Hotel (here called Hotel Huron; both names were used through the years) was one of the few hotels in Michigan to stay open and successful. Here is what you could choose for dinner in November of '31.

Things that I find interesting: There are zero ethnic-influenced dishes on the menu, though they're standard fare today. Buttermilk is one of the beverage choices. Oysters were still a common appetizer--oysters had been popular in Ypsilanti since the 19th century (one aspect of the past Dusty D is sorry she missed). Leg of lamb is still a popular and apparently common meat. All in all, it sounds delicious. I'll take the Mackinac trout if you please.

Huron Hotel: Humor with your Food

This is neato mosquito, a menu cover from the Hotel Huron in 1961 (click any image for larger version).

In that year, the hotel was facing financial difficulties.

The hotel started offering dinners for lunch prices and allowing weekly room rentals.

Though those efforts were ultimately not successful, one of the artifacts it generated was this menu cover cartoon featuring a caricature of downtown Ypsilanti.

Here you can see the downtown hotel at Washington and Pearl. You can see the buildings on the north side of Pearl between Washington and Huron. There's the Grand Army of the Republic Hall, which of course is still standing. One Yank and one Reb are having a shootout in front. Next door, at the Huron corner, is the onetime Ypsilanti Press building.

You can also see the north side of Michigan Avenue. There are a number of women swarming one store offering a sale where the modern-day Mix is housed. Note that by the 60s, the original 3rd floor of Hewitt Hall was already removed (some decades before).

In the cartoon's upper left corner, you can see the water tower and the onetime location of the business school.

There's a hunter up there too shooting a pheasant, and there's the old YHS (now Cross Street Village.

In the lower left corner, you can see a box extolling the features of the hotel. Dusty D likes "TV and Radios" especially. And a fire-resistant building is always a plus. I wonder if they meant they'd installed asbestos.

Note the little cartoon of a va-va-voom type girl inciting a car crash and another guy's wolf whistle. You can also see a bunch of kids playing stickball (?) and a woman sensibly hanging out her laundry.


Last, here's a shot of Depot Town. You can see the Streicher murder house at Cross and Huron with the old poultry barn behind it, which did exist there for many years.

A couple of guys are playing football on Frog Island--for years the YHS used Frog Island as their athletic field. Two silos seem to refer to the old Farm Bureau corn silo at Forest and the RR tracks (?). There's a simplified referenced to the old Peninsular Paper factory. Dusty D has no idea what the "Archery" building next to Michigan ladder might be. Last, you can see the present-day automotive museum ("Used Cars").

I leave y'all with a question: is that really a coal-powered steam train that's going through Depot Town? Were any of those still around in 1961? I thought things had largely switched over to diesel engines by around that time. Anything else that you notice or would like to comment on?

Huron Hotel Floor Plan

Dusty D picked up a lot of interesting ephemera during research for my last Ann Arbor Chronicle article about the Huron Hotel (Centennial Center). I'll be posting some of these cool items over the next few days as time permits. Here is a floor plan on the first floor of the hotel, labeled with a date that appears to be 1936 (possibly 1986, hard to tell; the lettering font suggests the former, does it not?). It's not much different from the original floor plan of 1923.

On the left is the old coffeeshop that later served as a series of restaurants, most recently Buffalo Wild Wings and is now Korey's Krispy Krunchy Chicken. Those tables look a bit jammed-in, don't they? At top is the big kitchen., and below it, a bar occupying the original site of the reception desk. I believe the big empty room on the right was used as a formal dining room for banquets, &c. I wish I could go back in time and traipse through and see it for myself.

The Ferocious Senior Citizen

When an Ypsilanti retiree's car was stolen in 1925, he ended up sending a thief to the chair. That's today's story of criminal derring-do in the Citizen! (thanks, D.!)

The 1919 Diary of Ypsilanti High School Teacher Carrie Hardy

Part of a year-long weekly serialization of Ypsilanti high school math teacher Carrie Hardy's diary.

Jan. 14 Tues. Senior girls decide to wear knots of class colors tomorrow--showing their loyalty to the debaters.

Jan. 15 Wed. _Debate_. Seniors _won_. Private vs. Gov't ownership of railroads. A good, strong debate. Miss Bacher's birthday.

Jan. 16 Thurs. Junior colors removed from flagpole by Seniors. Whole school seems restless. Onions for supper. Am tired to night. Rec'd $40 check.

Jan. 17 Fri. Parent-Teachers' Club met. Did not leave HS build'g until 6 o'clock. Lunch at school. Still trouble over class colors.

Jan. 18 Sat. Washed + washed windows. Am going down town and over to Ann Arbor. Pretty tired again. Miss Laird came over. Ouija board 1st time.

Jan. 19 Sun. Did not go to church. Read and slept. Oh!--it seems good not to go out unless you want to. Roosevelt Memorial service in Pease Aud. 7:30. I went.

Jan. 20 Mon. Two boys told wrong stories about absences. Life is indeed strange when we can not trust each other, but, Don't become "cynical," Carrie.

Jan. 21 Tues. Seniors kidnapped Juniors drove out into the country + allowed the Juniors to walk back. Druse Osborn, Jim Orr, + Paul Cairns "canned" by Mr. A.

Thanks for reading; tune in next Tuesday for the next series!

Ypsilanti's Waldorf-Astoria

Like to take a peek inside the building the newspapers used to call "Ypsilanti's Waldorf-Astoria"? It's in today's Ann Arbor Chronicle! (And it looks terrific--thanks to D.!)

The 1874 Diary of Ypsilanti Teen Allie McCullough

Part of a year-long weekly series of excerpts from Ypsilanti teenager Allie McCullough's 1874 diary, from the last year of her life.

Last week, holidays over, Allie started the new semester in school on a high note.

Jan. 8 Thurs. This has been one of the gayest days this term and I have had all my lessons. I have had my Geometry three times and I am afraid it will be three and then out. Will came up to school after me with the sleigh. I took Joe and then took Jen home, after that we had a long ride. When I came back I found Aunt L., Clara B., and Joe W. Had a good visit and they all went off and left me alone.

Jan. 9 Fri. Went to Lyceum. Had a splendid time as usual. Promenaded with J. S., J. N., Mr. H. J. S. and ever so many others. Will was here to go home. Home with Carrie and J. We got a seat over by the boys and are going to keep it every night. There were ever so many visitors. I had as many as half a dozen compliments. Nettie R. came tonight and we had other company.

Jan. 10 Sat. Went up to the Library and got two splendid books. Went up to Carrie N. Had a good long chat with her. I like Durbin better than I did. Carrie came down town with me. Saw J. C. He is handsomer than ever. Went over to Mary W. after I came home and spent the evening. Made one of those horrid mistakes again tonight before Durbin (Playing).

Jan. 11 Sun. Went to Sunday School, up to Temperance S. S. There was a splendid young man there--so was J. C. there. Went to Church in the evening. They had a prayer meeting most of the time and I had all I could do to keep from laughing at their Amens. N. R. is here yet. Stay up real late to read in my book. Have not looked in a book for to study my lesson.

Jan. 12 Mon. Went to school this morning. Was there by Joe's when Mr. Whitman came along. He waited for me and walked up to school with me and told me which side of the question in Lyceum to take. He is just gay and I am the only girl that he has walked up to school with and every time but one he has waited for me. Had to stay after school until five o'clock for whispering.

Jan. 13 Tue. Had a good talk with A. L. at the gate this noon. Ma and Pa have gone to Dexter this morning and will not be back until tomorrow night. Mr. S. came over and sat with me this noon. Would have had to stay tonight, if I had not got out of it. Came home and wrote my composition. N. R. has gone home. It is snowing hard.

Jan. 14 Wed. Ma came home tonight. It is splendid sleighing. Will took me up to school this morning and this noon. Met Joe and Carrie and took a long ride. Went past all of the Normal scholars and was stared at more than a little. Got back to school just as the triangle rang. Strickland was sitting with Jennie and tried to take my hand and get it warm. He had to stay after school.

Jan. 15 Thurs. Had to read my composition this morning. It is fearfully cold. Had all of my lessons today, but had to stay after school for whispering. Miss Pierce told me not to look on J. S. book and I said real loud that I could not study very well without a book. She said some did. I said I was not one of those in such a snappish tone that she and the whole school fairly roared.

Jan. 16 Fri. Had ever so much fun in school today. Not one of us had out French lessons and C. got mad and sent us into the room. Went up to C. N.'s last night and she was not at home. Will came up to the school after me with the horses and sleigh. Got J. and C. and then took J. S. home. Had ever so much fun and a good long ride. Went to hear Griffith read. It was nice.

Thanks for reading; tune in this coming Friday for another chapter!.

Do You Have Memories of the Huron Hotel? (for possible inclusion in article)

Do you have memories of Ypsilanti's Huron Hotel at Pearl and Washington (now Centennial Center)? I want to talk to you! For just 10 mins or so, for possible quotation in an upcoming article. Tiny or seemingly insignificant memories welcome [and are often the best ones!] :) Please email me at ypsidixit at gmail, (or email a phone # and a good time for me to call) and thank you!

Wednesday Mystery Spot: Insane Love

Last Wednesday's "Insane Love" Mystery Spot was no sooner posted than guessed. I never learn. As Thomas and BF correctly guessed, and despite my severe cropping, yep, it's the old Ypsilanti Farm Bureau grain silo on the north side of Forest Avenue near the railroad bridge, most recently occupied by the Frog Island microbrewery.

I see that if I am to have any chance at all at stymieing you-all, I'll have to delve into my "Photos of the Lost" collection. All right then. Here's an old crenellated-tower beauty of a--whoops, almost said it. Where and what was this? This is pretty obscure, so I'll be impressed if anyone guesses this correctly. Good luck; answer next Wednesday!

Leather Buckets and Loggers' Coffee

Today's article in the Citizen deals with a little-known tidbit of Ypsi railroad history; hope you enjoy it! Right here.

The 1919 Diary of Ypsilanti High School Teacher Carrie Hardy

Part of a year-long weekly serialization Jan. 9of Ypsilanti high school math teacher Carrie Hardy's diary.

Jan. 7 Tues. Mrs. Orr went to lunch with me. Mr. Arbaugh and I nearly collided in the Library door. School went quite well. Am on hall duty. F. Wheeler called.

Jan. 8 Wed. Preparation going on for the Junior-Senior Debate. Attended prayer services both Tues. evening and this evening at Cong. Church.

Jan. 9 Thurs. More debate preparation. Very tired. Tooth bothering by swelling. P. L. S. this evening when Miss Randall lectures on Art with steriopticon [stereopticon].

Jan. 10 Fri. School fair. A little discouraging. Senior mass meeting for Debate. Annual church supper + business meeting. Went with Miss Laird.

Jan. 11 Sat. Heard Senior debaters rehearse. Hair shampoo. learned today that Mr. Morris does not return next semester.

Jan. 12 Sun. Home all day. Mr. Ross called. Planned next semester's program. Am awfully "blue." Miss Laird over.

Jan. 13 Mon. Last rehearsal for the Senior debate Good. Teachers' meeting--not much accomplished. Miss Laird's first experience with a Ouija board.

Jan. 14 Tues. Senior girls decide to wear knots of class colors tomorrow--showing their loyalty to the debaters.

Thanks for reading; tune in next Tuesday for the next series!

325 Ypsilantians Now Have Phones

1906 was an exciting year in Ypsilanti. The city council debated erecting a power plant for municipal lighting. The Detroit News lambasted the town for allowing the Lewis "Horse Exchange," a Depot Town pool room and gambling spot, to remain open. And, announced the February 8 Ypsilanti Daily Press, of the roughly 8,000 residents, 325 were connected to telephone service (4% of all residents).

As a bonus, when you lifted the earpiece and were connected to the operator, Central could tell you if the MCRR trains were on time or running late. "Anyone calling up will be informed by the "hello" girl without a second's loss of time," reported the paper. The phone service was expanding rapidly; of the 325 subscribers, 75 had signed up just the month before.

New subscribers included the downtown Davis and Kishlar dry goods store, Michigan Avenue dressmaker C. A. Klavitter, and J. A. Burtis's barber shop at 8 North Huron.

Dusty D tried but failed to get a good understanding of the color code in the list, consisting of black, blue, red, and white numbers. I could take a stab and say these are 4 separate systems, divided up so as to optimize the # of phone numbers, but that would just be talking out of my hat; I have no idea what those colors mean, but hope to learn.

A Possum for Your Pinkie

Discriminating people like you recognized the recent craze for Blended Squirrel for what it was--a silly fad. A showy, silly, fad. And not very nice--squirrels don't like to be blended. You knew that all along.

That's because you're a trail-blazer. A fence-cutter. Unherdable. People look up to you. However, the laughably few other people with your strength of character and power of discernment still need to keep their hands warm. And boring old fox, ermine, or squirrel just won't do. What you need is something unique.

How about the animal with a built-in warming pocket? Wouldn't it be nice to carry around a cute little opossum and tuck your hands in its toasty pouch? There's only one drawback--those needle-sharp teeth and a temper like a snapping turtle drinking sriracha. We've solved that problem for you.

Our firm maintains a retirement home for aged opossums, "Twilight Grove." When one of our residents passes on to that big roadside in the sky, we respectfully preserve the pelt, its most outstanding feature, and craft from it an exquisite muff the likes of which you've never seen--that's how rare they are. Just right for someone as rare as you. Just imagine the look on those Blended Squirrel flibbertigibbets when you sweep majestically into church with something as exciting and novel as our best Possum Muff. Stop by today and examine them, won't you?

Bonus Mystery Spot (A Mystery to Me!)

One local resident sent out an email asking if anyone knew where this plaque is. Dusty D does not know. Might some clever reader know? Looks like the plaque needs a tad bit of maintenance! Hmm, who can pinpoint it?!

May I Suggest Blended Squirrel?

Sore fingers. Penetrating pain. Stiff joints. Reader, haven't you put up with enough? You deserve better. Chuck those soggy old mittens out and treat yourself to a nice new muff.

Less ethical merchants we could name, but, out of innate decency, will not, may offer you muffs that are uneven, patchy, deciduous, exfoliated, mangy, or simply poorly lined. This is not the sort of muff someone with your standing in the community should show in public. Think of the humiliation.

No, your tastefulness and gentility deserve more. Some persons choose opossum for their muff. We feel that marsupials are beneath you. Others pick fox or ermine. We don't find it becoming to flaunt one's wealth so crassly. None of these are suitable for you.

May we humbly beg to tender a suggestion? Have you considered squirrel? This elusive and rare animal has a pelt so warm and rich it puts other warm and rich pelts to shame. But wait--before you answer, we'll go one step further. We will not only equip and dispatch our squirrel-man, at enormous expense, to track down and locate several specimens of these rarely-seen creatures for you. We will then select only the best specimens, and then artfully blend said squirrels into a product we call Blended Squirrel. Our finest.

Demand nothing less that a lovely new muff of Blended Squirrel.

The 1874 Diary of Ypsilanti Teen Allie McCullough

Part of a year-long weekly series of excerpts from Ypsilanti teenager Allie McCullough's 1874 diary, from the last year of her life.

Last week, Allie was surprised by visitors just as she and Anna were toasting themselves in front of the fire.

Jan. 1 Fri. Went up to Anna's just as soon as I finished my breakfast and could get dressed. She was not dressed yet when we saw Cooper and Strickland and Rankins coming. I had to open the door and entertain them until she came down. They stayed an hour. Had a gay time all day. At night Anna and I had out shoes off and our feet stretched out before the fire when we heard the bell. There were those three fellows. We did not have any light except what came from the fireplace. J. G. went after J. S. When they came we had refreshments. J. G. took J. Shipman. H. took Anna and J. S. took me. We had a lovely time.

Jan. 2 Sat. They did not go home until two o'clock this morning. I stayed all night. Strickland told me that I looked sweet. If it had been anyone else I should have been surprised. Found three cards when I got home. Went up to Carrie's. She went with me up to J. S. Durbin and Will came in the evening. Going home it was awful muddy. I pulled my rubbers off ever so many times. Durbin walked with me, Will with Carrie.

Jan. 3 Sun. Went up to the Library in the afternoon. Came across Kate Cody. Went all over town and then up to Joe's with me. We had a good chat together. Stayed there until dark, then I went up to Uncle's and got a book to read, then around to the Post Office. When I got home I found Cad Newton. She stayed to tea. When she went home I went up to town with her and to the Post Office.

Jan. 4 Mon. Went to church in the morning, stayed to Sunday School. When we went home it rained and blew a perfect hurricane. Wanted to go up to the Jubilee this afternoon, but it rained and I could not go. Wrote a good long letter to Ida and read all the rest of the afternoon. Went to Church in the evening. It was real pleasant but cold.

Jan. 5 Tue. Went to school this morning. It seems real good to see all of the boys and girls again. I take Latin and French and Geometry this term. We did not have to recite today. Lucy Jennes was there this afternoon. She sat with me almost all the time. Carrie N. came down tonight and stayed till dark. I have had my seat changed and now sit in the senior aisle.

Jan. 6 Wed. Have had all my lessons today. Jennie Shipman sits with me. It is just gay at school this year. J. S. and J. H. are all right and as "grissing" [?] as ever to each other. Joe and I are more intimate this term than we ever have been before. Mrs. Guy came tonight and made quite a call. Carrie N. came also and had something good to tell me as usual. Mr. Whitman walked up to school with me.

Jan. 7 Thurs. Strickland came and sat with me this noon. I don't know what to make of the fellow, he is so queer. I have had all of my lessons and ever so much fun for Mr. Van Cleve keeps his eyes in our direction all the time and we act worse or as bad as any girls in school. We are going to have a public Lyceum and they want me to read. Perhaps I shall. It is snowing. Marion is up to Aunty's.

Jan. 8 Fri. This has been one of the gayest days this term and I have had all my lessons. I have had my Geometry three times and I am afraid it will be three and then out. Will came up to school after me with the sleigh. I took Joe and then took Jen home, after that we had a long ride. When I came back I found Aunt L., Clara B., and Joe W. Had a good visit and they all went off and left me alone.

Thanks for reading; tune in this coming Friday for another chapter!.

1937 Road Surfaces

This is pretty neat. I got aholt of a "Street Surface Survey" from 1937, showing the 7 different road surfacing surfaces then in use in downtown streets. The 4-page survey has a list of all the streets within the city limits. For each street, the surveyors noted how many feet of which material was used. Most streets had more than one material.

So Dusty D got out her lovely Berol colored pencils, color-coded the material categories, scanned and cropped a map, and contentedly colored all evening. Er, for research! Research! While admiring the French names, printed in gold, on the pencils: vert pre, bleu ciel, lavande, ocre orange, brun dore.

METHODOLOGY: The streets with only one material were easy. I went through and did those first and they are the vast majority of streets on my colored map. I only did a few multi-material streets--only when I could make a good and supported guess where each material was on the road. If I couldn't, I just left it blank.

INTERESTING BITS: As you can see, downtown Ypsi had a heart of gold. Gold signifies brick pavement. You can still see a tiny remnant of this brick on the east side of Huron just south of City Hall. Look at the sidewalk. The brick sidewalk is well over 70 years old.

Another interesting bit comes out of the materials totals for the whole city. As measured in miles, they were:

BRICK: 1.13
ASPHALT: 1.76
CONCRETE: 11.60
ROAD MIX: 2.78
DUST LAYER: 16.31
GRAVEL: 11.80
UNIMPROVED: 3.40 (48.78 miles of road all told--stretched out, it could reach Toledo)

Road Mix is a technique of roadmaking whereby existing gravel is scraped up, mixed with tar or bitumen, and reapplied to the road surface. Sometimes new gravel is used to mix in.

Another item of note is that the materials as listed in the survey are a hierarchy. BRICK is the absolute best and most expensive, and UNIMPROVED obviously the worst.

Yet another item of note (we could talk about this all day, couldn't we? Sure!) is that the most common form of road surfacing in 1937 is Dust Layer. This is basically a dirt road sprayed with a thick oil to control dust. There were quite a few City Council meetings back then involving wrangles over where to oil the roads and who gets to have oiled roads, and one meeting when one councilman was accused of oiling the road his house was on, at the expense of needier roads.

Wouldn't it be nice though completely impractical to restore Ypsilanti's beautiful brick-paved heart? Bet you dollars to doughnuts all those bricks are atill right under there, just waiting for a brighter economic climate. They've likely been preserved quite well. Not all the brickage is on the map, due to the aforementioned problem of multi-material streets. And I put a dotted gold line on Washington between Michigan Ave and Ferris--that seems like the logical choice, and I know Washington had one more block of brick, but I wasn't sure if it were north or south of the brick Peal-Michigan ave. section.

So if you were driving around town in the late Depression, you faced a constant kaleidoscope of ever-shifting road surfaces in a system cobbled (heh) together since the town's beginnings.

Two New Stories for Ya

Would you like to read about an Ypsilanti teen who in 1885 predicted the Internet?

It's over here on YpsiNews.com.

Today I also have for you a story about a Prohibition-era raid, in today's Ypsilanti Courier right here. I hope your enjoy them both!

How Many Bridges of Ypsilanti? Part II

When Dusty D inquired as to how many bridges were in Ypsi, she discovered she was dealing with some serious knowledge-mongers! (Eek!) Good info from both BF and cmadler!

Looks like the definition is key here; BF focused on bridges actually under city jurisdiction, which nets us 5 "city" bridges: "LeForge, Forest, Cross, Prospect, Spring." BF said, "Other bridges within the City limits belong to other jurisdictions (MDOT [I-94, Mich. Ave.?], railroad, etc.)"

cmadler took a more inclusive view, counting ALL the bridges that exist within the city and coming up with 12 or 13. Phew, I had to break out my maps to pin this down and see what's actually within the city limits. Let's take a look (click for larger map image) and boil this down:

- 6 city streets with bridges over the Huron River (Superior, Leforge, Forest, Cross, Michigan, Spring)

DD: OK, right off the bat we find that Superior Road Bridge (#1 on the map) is JUST outside the city limits. The section of road leading to the bridge leading to the bridge adjoins the city line, but the BRIDGE PROPER is just BARELY outside of the city. Phew. OK, I'm afraid we'll have to eliminate Superior Bridge.

Leforge Bridge (#2 on the map) actually forms part of the city limit. That's in! Forest (#3), Cross (#4), Michigan (#5), and Spring (#6) are all in. Running total: 5.

- 1 I-94 bridge over the Huron River This appears to be barely within the southernmost city limits and is #7 on the map. Running total: 6.

- Prospect bridge over the railroad just north of Michigan Ave (#8 on the map; also within city limits). Total: 7.

- Michigan Ave bridge over the railroad just inside the city limits Just inside is close enough, #9 on map. Total: 8.

- Grove bridge over I-94 Sure enough--that's one I never thought of! #10 on map. Total: 9

- 2 railroad bridges over the Huron River.The Forest St. bridge (#11) is in. The other one on the northwest side of the city (#12) is, like Superior bridge, BARELY outside the city limits and sadly must be excluded. Total: 10.

- According to Google Maps, "Ecorse Service Road" bridges the Huron River just south of I-94, at the mouth of Ford Lake. I know something bridges it there, but I somehow thought it was just a bike/walk trail. Phew. Dusty D had to delve into Google Maps too...sure enough, there it is, a teeny tiny mini bridge! (#13). Total: 11

But if we're inclusive, then of course we have to throw in the Tridge (#14), totaling 12.

There are a few small bridges within the Washtenaw Country Club golf course, but we'll toss those out as they are not public bridges. Still at 12. (re-scrutinizes map, determined not to miss one!)

Wait!--one more--the Huron going over I-94 is another one that appears to be just barely in/on the city limits! #15 on the list. Total: 13.

There are little bridges at EMU in the Student Center fountain-pond, but they're not really public bridges per se...we'll toss those out too. Still at 13.

Wait! The footbridge linking Waterworks Park with Gilbert Park! Yay! #16. Total: 14.

(feverishly scans map...north, south, east west...)

Phew. I think that's it. So far as I can see, the official total of public foot- and car-bridges within city limits is...14. Thanks to BF and cmadler for their great info!

Wednesday Mystery Spot

So much for stumping readers with the merest wisp of a clue: the onetime name of a vanished settlement, Carpenter's Corners. Wysten and Joan both guessed it correctly: Carpenter and Packard (click for larger image).

You can see it here in an 1864 plat map. Curiously, the 1864 map is the only map, of 5 ranging from 1856-1915, in which the name of the settlement appears. This might suggest that the settlement was at its most prominent around 1864.

Joan added some additional interesting information: "I agree with Mr. Stevens, because of the Carpenter reference but also the reference to Leverett's. When I first moved to AA over 40 years ago there was a Leverett's home, market, etc.on Packard near Carpenter."

A check of aforementioned plat maps reveals that the Leverett name does not appear (so far as I can see) until the 1915 map. On that map, excerpted at right, you can see the extensive landholdings of Charles W. Leverett. At right is a rectangular section stretching from modern-day Washtenaw down to Packard. At center is a section south of Packard and east and west of Carpenter. Below that is another section extending south.

Dusty D would love to know the location of Leverett's onetime home and market. Guessing those were in the central portion...but where? And what sort of market was it? I'd love to know.

Moving on to this week's Mystery Spot now, here's a view of a scene somewhere around town. But where could you see "Insane Love"? Answer next Wednesday!

2010 3-D TV = 1931 Cabinet Radio

Dusty D was just listening to an NPR story about the imminent advent of 3-D TV. The interviewee said that for early adopters, a set will cost around $2,000. "Whoa," I thought, "who in their right mind would buy that?" Then I reflected that radios when they first started coming out around the 1930s cost a proportionately similar amount. Or did they? During the Depression? Really? So I dug up an ad to check it out.

Here's a 1931 ad from the Ypsilanti Daily Press. It's from Hopkins and Augustus, a shop then at 30 N. Washington, the current? (former?) meeting spot of the DDA.

You have two models in this ad to choose from. The tabletop model at $62 comes with "automatic volume control" [I think that means a volume knob], tone control (Dusty D remembers this, as a knob that would make things tinny or foggy), and "free dialing" [er, sounds like a made-up 'feature' for a new product). It cost $62,80, which would cost $880 today. Whoa, indeed.

If you prefer the cabinet model (The Historical Museum has a neat and pristine example of this up on the second floor in the music room, check it out) with "superheterodyne (Equal to 14 ordinary tubes)," well, then you'd have to shell out $122, or, $1,709 today. My stars. And that was during the DEPRESSION.

No wonder the 1930 Census had a check-box indicating whether someone had a radio, in an era that lacked the piles of shiny consumer things we have today. Guess it was a good predictor of whether someone had disposable income.

tl;dr: 1931 cabinet-style radios were roughly comparable in price to 2010 cutting-edge 3-D TVs.

Ypsi Trivia Question of the Day

Tidbit found during research: how many bridges are in the City of Ypsilanti (possible trick question depending on definitions...)? Bonus question: which is the oldest one? Super double extra credit gold star question: concerning the oldest bridge, what was its former name/nickname (4 words including "the").

Ypsilanti's 10 Most Notable Events of '09

...are in today's Citizen! Here 'tis.

(Thanks, Dan!)

I hope you enjoy it.

The 1919 Diary of Ypsilanti High School Teacher Carrie Hardy

Part of a year-long weekly serialization of Ypsilanti high school math teacher Carrie Hardy's diary.

Dec. 30 Tues. Decided to wait for bids rather than adopt the "cost plus" plan. Went over to Ann Arbor + bo't waist. Carrie + Sara Lewis + L. were here this Eve.

Dec. 31 Wed. Worked all A.M. In P.M. went down town with Mrs. Fletcher.--went driving with Lillian. Had Misses Laird + Cogswell + Mrs. Fl. in eve.

[Note on facing page: "Memoranda"]: Central Business Men's Association of Chicago paid me $99.43 for last summer's disability. This draft was dated Dec. 16. Another communication, dated Dec. 24, informed me that my policy was canceled. Mr. Hutchins has paid all rents on 223 River St. to the month of Dec. '19.

Jan. 1 Wed. Went down to Meade + Connors' auction sale to buy used car. Ate New Year's dinner with Mrs. and Miss Bachers. Rained all day--turning colder. Finished Rob's socks. Saw show.

Jan. 2 Thurs. Pd. milk bill $2.32. Sent Rob's socks. Everything went well in school except visitors-visitors--visitors! Helen Howlett visited school.

Jan. 3 Fri. More school visitors today; otherwise all was well in school. Received Mrs. Hutchins' check Hope to go to Ann Arbor tomorrow.

Jan. 4 Sat. Am very tired. Washed, cleaned kitchen and bathroom. Lillian gave me roses. Bought new union suits $3.25 each. Mr. Arbaugh in Kalamazoo.

Jan. 5 Sun. Attended church + S. S. Called on Miss Covell, Mrs. Erickson, Mrs. Dimans, Mrs. Beach. Played miserably in S. S.

Jan. 6 Mon. Theodore R. Roosevelt died this morning--Blood clot in heart. Talked to Senior girls about commencement dresses.

Jan. 7 Tues. Mrs. Orr went to lunch with me. Mr. Arbaugh and I nearly collided in the Library door. School went quite well. Am on hall duty. F. Wheeler called.

Thanks for reading; tune in next Tuesday for the next series!

Freighthouse/Commuter Rail Update; Public Meeting & Video

Here's a cool video of the upcoming AA-Detroit commuter rail plan! SEMCOG says it's scheduled to be in operation in October of 2010!

And here's the meeting info, verbatim from Carole Clare's monthly newsletter:

"Jan. 18, Monday, 7:15 PM Introducing, The New Old Freighthouse!! – Recreation Park Community Center, 1015 N. Congress St.

Nathalie Elliott Edmunds, co-chair of FOYF and a fifth generation Ypsilanti native, will provide historic background highlights of the Freighthouse. Nat started the preservation movement in Ypsilanti, helping to save many fine neighborhoods on both sides of the Huron River, and helped launch the Ypsilanti Heritage Festival and the Historic District.

Bonnie Penet, Chair of FOYF, will talk about the renewed FOYF effort to restore and renovate the Freighthouse.

Ed Penet, Building Committee Chair, will have the engineering and architectural drawings to show and will discuss the work to be done, especially in the old café area of the Freighthouse Bonnie, an artist and former teacher, and her husband Ed, a writer and designer, have lived in Ypsilanti for over twenty-five years and have restored a home here.

As significant as the MDOT Grant work will be, the team will explain how much more needs to be done to meet the needs of the proposed SEMCOG Ypsilanti commuter train stop. “As wonderful as our past memories are of the Ypsilanti Freighthouse, its preservation and renovation now will have an even greater impact on our community’s well-being,” says Ed Penet. “Freighthouse Restoration is, in my opinion, the key to any hope for meaningful future development, jobs and quality of life in Ypsilanti.” In addition to the presentation, a brief video animation of the finished Freighthouse will be available for viewing. Other historic exhibits can be viewed. And the presenters will be available for discussion and questions. Contact Information: gfp2@juno.com."

First Article in Ann Arbor Chronicle

Now here's a special honor, one that makes my day. Today begins a biweekly history series with the wonderful Ann Arbor Chronicle. Man, is their paper designed well. It's beautiful. I'm very grateful to them. Here's my first story: "The Cigar-Maker's Son."

The 1874 Diary of Ypsilanti Teen Allie McCullough

Part of a year-long weekly series of excerpts from Ypsilanti teenager Allie McCullough's 1874 diary, from the last year of her life.

Last week, Allie celebrated Christmas and exchanged presents with her family.

Dec. 25 Fri. Christmas. Besides my dress I got for Christmas a pair of nice black kids, a beautiful tie and a pair of mittens, a bottle of very nice perfumery and a [jetton] belt and buckle and a half dollar in silver. Ma got her castor, my picture, her night dress and gold rimmed spectacles. Mary got gold cuff buttons and others.

Dec. 26 Sat. Hattie and Lou came to spend the afternoon. Uncle M. was here for dinner. Joe H. was here and made a call, the same old girl. Was just going to dancing school when Carrie N. came. Had a grand time. The girls went up with us.

Dec. 27 Sun. Went to Church in the morning and stayed to S. S. Joe was there. It rained coming home. Read Pilgrim's Progress all the afternoon.

[four missing days]

January 1 Thurs. Went up to Anna's just as soon as I finished my breakfast and could get dressed. She was not dressed yet when we saw Cooper and Strickland and Rankins coming. I had to pen the door and entertain them until she came down. They stayed an hour. Had a gay time all day. At night Anna and I had out shoes off and our feet stretched out before the fire when we heard the bell. There were those three fellows. We did not have any light except what came from the fireplace. J. G. went after J. S. When they came we had refreshments. J. G. took J. Shipman. H. took ANna and J. S. took me. We had a lovely time.

Jan. 2 Fri. They did not go home until two o'clock this morning. I stayed all night. Strickland told me that I looked sweet. If it had been anyone else I should have been surprised. Found three cards when I got home. Went up to Carrie's. She went with me up to J. S. Durbin and Will came in the evening. Going home it was awful muddy. I pulled my rubbers off ever so many times. Durbin walked with me, Will with Carrie.

Thanks for reading; tune in this coming Friday for another chapter!.