The Dearborn Historian Quarterly of the Dearborn Historical Commission
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INSIDE: Dearborn’s Only WW1 Casualty The Dearborn Historian Quarterly of the Dearborn Historical Commission South End Starlet Dearborn’s Adele Mara appeared in nearly 100 films and TV shows. She joked with the Three Stooges, won renown as a pinup girl in World War II and taught John Wayne to jitterbug. SUMMER 2018 \ VOLUME 55, NUMBER 2 The New Editor David’s editing is a hard act to follow, but I will do my Bill McGraw best to maintain his standards and creativity. He will remain as contributing editor and will continue to write stories and Please Allow Me to contribute in other ways. Introduce Myself “The istorianH has a pretty impressive pedigree going back more than 50 years as a journal doing original research,” Good received some good news early this summer: The Dearborn told me. “And I’m grateful I had the chance to resurrect it as a Historian was looking for an editor. volunteer project in 2011 after the Historical Museum stopped I publishing for four years. I also appreciate the editorial freedom My friend David Good was retiring after putting out The that Jack Tate gave me after he took over as acting chief curator Historian for seven years as a volunteer. To make a long story in 2012. short, I got the job. This is my first issue. I couldn’t be happier. I’ve been a reader of The Historian since I moved to “During 34 years of writing and editing at the Detroit News, Dearborn 30 years ago August. Its I had a number of jobs I truly considered fun, but nothing was stories and photos supported my quite as rewarding as being editor of The Historian.” belief that Dearborn is the most As for me, I’m a local product: I was born in Detroit, and unique and interesting suburb prior to my 1988 move to Dearborn, I had lived in Grosse in metro Detroit, with the most Pointe, Detroit and St. Clair Shores. I graduated from Wayne compelling history. Warren, Sterling State and worked for 37 years at the Free Press as a freelance Heights, Troy and Southfield are writer, reporter, sportswriter, editor, columnist and Toronto- big and busy. But they don’t have based Canada correspondent. I also had a hand in two of Dearborn’s mix of auto headquarters; the Free Press’ non-newspaper successes in recent years, The industry; commerce; Mideastern Detroit Almanac (2000) and “12th and Clairmount” (2017), community; restaurants; colleges; the Emmy-winning documentary on the 1967 riot. shopping; world-class tourist David Good attractions and neighborhoods filled with distinctively designed I want to hear from you. Give me your feedback, your story homes and well-tended parks. ideas and even your stories. Write me at billmcgrawdetroit@ And no suburb has Dearborn’s past, from its 18th Century gmail.com. Lastly, please spread the word about The Historian, settling to its 19th Century site as a military base to its 20th and ask your family and friends to subscribe. Subscriptions Century role as one of the world’s most famous industrial centers. help us keep Dearborn’s fascinating history alive. Next Issue Work has been un- derway for months on Ford Motor’s $1 billion transformation of its research and engineer- ing campus south of Oakwood Boulevard and Michigan Avenue -- the birthplace of the Mustang, among many other iconic cars. Check out The Dear- born Historian’s fall issue for a look back on the campus and its early years. Photo/Millard Berry The Dearborn Historian the Dearborn Quarterly of the Dearborn Historical Commission HistorianQuarterly of the Dearborn Historical Commission Robert A. Abraham SUMMER 2018 \ VOLUME 55, NUMBER 2 Dearborn City Council WINTER 2017-18 \ VOLUME 54, NUMBER 4 Your Councilman since 2002 Contents 2013 Contents RECIPIENT Museum Weather Report: When It Comes to Our Collection, State History Award in Communications Th e ‘D’ Word Is Something We Embrace Historical Society ONBy Andrew THE Kercher COVER: of Michigan 2 e Dearbo Adele Mara: Th rn Hubbard’s Hair-Trigger Response to ’67 Detroit ‘Riots’ Historian ForeshadowedFrom Ongoing Amazon Controversy Overand His StatueEagle to HollywoodBy David L. Good and Vine. 7 PublishedPublished by by the the By Rudy Constantine 4 Dearborn Historical Commission Best Dearborn Stories: ‘Little White Lie’ Dearborn Historical915 Brady Street Commission By Roy Wilson Detroit,915 Brady Michigan Street 48124 9 Detroit, MichiganEditor: 48124 For the Nowlin Cemetery,Retired a Gesture Chief of RealJohn Dedication Connolly’s Love Letter By John Zadikian David L. Good 10 to Dearborn Police 2 Editor Editorial Staff : State Legislature,Volunteers American Legion Deliver Support a Great Garage Sale WillikamBill McGraw H. Hackett Sheppard Nomination for MedalBy L. of Glenn Honor O’Kray 7 L. Glenn O’Kray 14 ContributingKaren Wisniewski Editor The Death and Life of Walter Blankertz, Dearborn’s Our New Coff ee-Table Book Is LayoutDavid and Good Design: All About Showing offOnly Our World Homes War I Casualty Jeff rey Lobb By L. Glenn O’Kray By Mason17 Christensen and Abdulkadir Yapici 10 ContributingContents of Writers THE DEARBORNL. Glenn O’Kray HISTORIAN How a Volunteer ‘Seams’Requiem to Have FoundFor a Bowling Alley mayMason be reproduced Christensen if consent is A Calling in Creating PeriodBy Clothing Bill McGraw, 14 received and credit given. By Brenda Purkiss Abdulkadir Yapici Book Excerpt:19 How Henry Ford Found a Swedish Solution Simon Winchester to His Problem with Precision { 24 } { 1 } By Simon Winchester 16 Photo Editor Millard Berry Despite a Century of Change, the Wagner Hotel Remains Contents of By Bill McGraw 19 THE DEARBORN HISTORIAN High School in the Jazz Age 21 may be reproduced if consent is received and credit given. Local History in Brief 23 { 1 } second grader is brought in for a day, I would like L. Glenn O’Kray to know what the museum is planning to attract their families and appeal to other new visitors in I Just Wanted Them to the future.” She also said that the museum should “Say Yes to History!” consider having a capital campaign. I believe that the city council members are diligent in their concern for the use of tax dollars. I n July 31, the Dearborn City Council chose also agree with Councilman Abraham’s statement Onot to support a millage proposal for the that the museum is being treated differently than the Dearborn Historical Museum. Susan Dabaja was city’s other departments. No other city structure has on vacation. Councilman Bob Abraham voted fallen into disrepair without repairs. In my research in support of the motion. All others voted in for the publication “Before Fair Lane,” a collection opposition. of photos of Dearborn’s old homes, I found no other The vote followed a year-long effort to put 100-year-old structures that were in nearly the sad forward a ballot proposal that would cost the average state as the museum buildings. Dearborn household $17 per year to fund the Every second grader in the Dearborn Public museum’s operating costs, building renovations and Schools has attended a day at the museum for two an extensive rehabilitation that would have provided generations. Jack tells of parents escorting their space for storage, display and staff. We just wanted children on these expeditions and recalling how they to give Dearborn residents the opportunity to decide themselves had gone on similar trips. the museum’s future. I began volunteering in the school program this Despite that setback, each council person praised past spring. I chuckle when I reflect that one young Director Jack Tate for his work at the museum. fellow thought that the pioneers hunted for chickens Thank God they recognize his contributions! in the early days of Dearborn. We need the museum It was recognized that the Ross Fund, an to enlighten our youth on our city’s fascinating past. endowment of $571,480 that we received for the One member of the July 31 audience suggested sale of land to Andiamo’s, has been substantially that Dearborn’s history be managed by our sister supporting the museum. But, at the current rate of museum, The Henry Ford. City resident and expenditures, these funds will run out by 2026. Dearborn Historical Museum volunteer Jill Franks, Council members had these concerns: They felt a former Henry Ford employee, said that institution the museum had no long-term plan. They thought did not support Dearborn history. She also said that that approving a tax increase would bring the city if the museum closes, Dearborn’s history will be lost. too close to the maximum allowable millage limit, I agree. leaving little wiggle room should additional taxes be Resident Janet Good said that many Dearborn required for unforeseen projects. residents are looking for the millage proposal on Councilman David Bazzy suggested an architect the ballot. Its absence inaccurately will tell some in walk through the museum and estimate costs on the community that the museum failed to follow needed repairs. He said no action should be taken through on the project. until a plan was determined for the Michigan and City council members want Jack to go through Brady corner, next to the museum, which is a vacant the process of requesting additional funding for the parcel that might be developed. Jack Tate and the museum in the next budget process. I just want city Dearborn Historical Commission have been open to council members to treat the museum as they would the use of the property. any other city entity, just as Bob Abraham requested. Council member Leslie Herrick said in an I just want them to support the motto emblazoned interview, “I want to see what the museum’s vision on the t-shirts of those in support of the millage, is for 20 years from now.