The Dearborn Historian Quarterly of the Dearborn Historical Commission Winter 2018 Volume 55, Number 4 Celebrating 100 Years of the Ford Homes Historic District Let’s Celebrate Dearborn’s 90th Birthday Dearborn might have been settled in the late 18th Century, but it didn’t become a city until January 1929, after residents of Dearborn, Fordson (east Dearborn) and Dearborn Township voted to merge. To celebrate the occasion, the Dearborn Historical Museum is planning a Roaring 20’s-style speakeasy gala on July 19th at the historic Commandant’s Quarters, which underwent $88,500 in renovations this fall. as well as a strolling dinner, music and entertainment on the roof top of the beautifully renovated Wagner Hotel. Find out below how you can be part of the celebration. Join Us for Over the Top at the Wagner WHEN: Friday, July 19, 2019 starting at 6 p.m. WHERE: Wagner Hotel Rooftop and the Commandant’s Quarters Strolling Dinner on the Rooftop of the historic Wagner Hotel complete with music, entertainment, and a variety of optional activities WHO: Sponsors & Benefactors WHY: To help preserve the wonderful history of Dearborn for years to come. HOW TO OBTAIN TICKETS: There are a variety of ways in which you can attend this unique event. To be- come a sponsor or benefactor or to find out more call the Museum office at 313-565-3000 or visit thedhm.com. SPONSOR LEVEL INFORMATION Event Sponsor (Bricklayer): $750 2 event tickets. Commandant’s Quarters Champagne Reception; Rooftop strolling dinner at restored Wagner Hotel, your information included in all event media (print & social) Event Sponsor (Pioneer): $1000 4 event tickets. All benefits include Bricklayer level plus your identity on event signage, event announcements, gift bags and DHM memberships for each ticket holder Presenting Sponsor (History Buff): $2500 6 event tickets. All benefits include Pioneer level plus a commemorative coin for each ticket holder. Benefactor Ticket $250 1 ticket Includes Commandant’s Quarters Champagne Reception, Roof- top strolling dinner at restored Wagner Hotel, a copy of The Bark Covered House and a 1 year Pioneer Family Museum membership. General Ticket $125 1 ticket Includes Rooftop strolling dinner at restored Wagner Hotel and a 1 year Bricklayer Museum membership. the CONTENTSDearborn The Dearborn Historian Quarterly of the Dearborn Historical Commission Winter 2018 Volume 55, Number4 Robert A. Abraham HistorianQuarterly of the Dearborn Historical Commission Dearborn City Council WINTER 2017-18 \ VOLUME 54, NUMBER 4 Your Councilman since 2002 Contents 2013 RECIPIENT Museum Weather Report: When It Comes to Our Collection,ON THE COVER: State History Award in Communications Th e ‘D’ Word Is Something We Embrace Historical Society By AndrewA Kercher 100 year old photograph of Michigan 2 e Dearbo Th rn Hubbard’s Hair-Trigger Responsefrom to a ’67 truly Detroit ‘Riots’historic district. Historian Foreshadowed Ongoing Controversy Over His Statue By David L. Good 7 Published by the Dearborn Historical Commission Best Dearborn Stories: ‘Little White Lie’ 915Published Brady Street by the By Roy Wilson DearbornDetroit, Historical Michigan Commission48124 9 915 Brady Street Editor: For the Nowlin Cemetery, a Gesture of Real Dedication Dearborn, Michigan 48124 By John Zadikian David L. Good 10 Editor Editorial Staff : Craig Hutchison State Legislature, American Legion Support Willikam H. Hackett Sheppard Nomination for Medal of Honor L. Glenn O’Kray 14 KarenContributing Wisniewski Editors Dave Herndon Our New Coff ee-Table Book Is LayoutDr. Donn and WerlingDesign: All About Showing off Our Homes Dr.Jeff Gerald rey Lobb Moran By L. Glenn O’Kray Contents 17 CoverContents Photo courtesyof THE DEARBORN HISTORIAN How a Volunteer ‘Seams’2 to Greetings Have Found from the Editor Benson Ford Research Center may be reproduced if consent is A Calling in Creating Period Clothing received and credit given. By Brenda Purkiss All other photos 3 The19 Day Henry Ford Borrowed My Model A The Dearborn Historical Museum by Joseph Dulmage { 24 } { 1 } Copy editors 4 Ford Homes Historic District History Mark Giannotta Nancy Derringer by Joseph Oldenburg Contributing photographer 13 Discovering Dearborn’s Hidden History Bill Schwab by Craig Hutchison billschwab Page layout 15 125 Years: A Brief History of Dearborn High School Image Printing Co. Royal Oak by Mason Christensen Jeffrey Lobb 25 Calendar of Events Greetings from the Editor Craig Hutchison Hello, Readers was recently asked to come onboard to be the editor of this Parks and the Dearborn Historical Museum. I earned a B.A. I award-winning publication. I cannot tell you how excited I in History at the University of Michigan. While at the Wayne am about this opportunity. As long as I can remember, I have County Parks, I served on the National Heritage Area project, had an intense desire to be involved in one capacity or another which resulted in the Detroit Metropolitan area being named in the field of history, it has been a life-long dream. I have a the MotorCities National Heritage Area. passion for getting historical information into the hands of anyone and everyone who might have an interest. I deeply Having a great desire to continue training in this amazing believe in the preservation of history and in communicating field, I am presently pursuing an M.A. in Public History from stories about objects and people from the past which will Arizona State University. In terms of being published, there enrich lives in the present and bring an appreciation for what is no greater thrill for me than to be able to share fascinating has been. I have never been far away from the history of history with the public via the written word, and to date, I Henry Ford and Dearborn. Dearborn has such a robust and have had four history books published including Dearborn, rich history. There are so many facets to interpret and relay to Michigan and Lost Dearborn. For this opportunity to be a readers. I look forward to the challenge. success for me, the most important thing I can do is to make this publication fun and enlightening to you, the reader. By way of introduction, I was born in Dearborn and I have lived here my entire life. I have served in a number of different I am not afraid of tackling tough historical topics, but roles in the field of history. I am a historian, researcher and when I do, I can promise it will be with an honest approach author, but more than anything else, a communicator who and for the purpose of disseminating truthful information desires to convey not only the events of history, but to devoid of any agenda. What I truly look forward to in this communicate stories of the past which will both inspire and endeavor is furthering the cause of history. Thank you for provide an appreciate for what has gone on before. I have a your support. If you have any questions or ideas about topics deep love for both oral interpretation and the written word. I that you would like to see covered, please feel free to email have worked in history-related positions for such institutions me at [email protected] as the Henry Ford Estate, The Henry Ford, Wayne County ENDOWMENTMUSEUM GUILD INFORMATION OF DEARBORN ENDOWMENT FUND INFORMATION All donations are tax-deductible. Gifts can be made in cash, checks, stocks, bonds and Name: ___________________________________ other assets, as well as by a will. Checks should be payable to the Museum Guild of Dearborn, noting Address: _________________________________ the Endowment on the memo line. City: ___________________________ Checks and pledges can be mailed to: State: ______ Zip Code: __________ Museum Guild of Dearborn 2612 Burns Street Telephone: _______________________________ Dearborn, MI 48124 ___ For more information, contact the Museum Guild E-Mail Address: ___________________________ of Dearborn at (313) 363-3560. If you would like to help us ensure the future of I would like to contribute $___________________ the Dearborn Historical Museum and its programs to the Museum Guild Endowment. through a donation to the Museum Guild of Dear- born Endowment, please complete this form and re- turn it to the Museum Guild: { 2 } etween 1934 and 1952 the second floor of the world-famous After a while Ford returned the car to where he found it and BHenry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan, housed the then came inside the building. He asked Mr. Todd, the head Edison Institute High School. I was lucky enough to go to school instructor of the department, who owned the Model A. Mr. Todd there. Young people attending the Edison Institute participated in smiled and pointed to a nervous teenager at the end of the hall. a program called “Learning by Doing.” Henry Ford encouraged students to select jobs from a variety of occupations. Whether it Henry Ford walked down the hallway. “I guess you know that was tending a garden, homemaking, or applying textbook theory I borrowed your car,” he said, shaking my hand. to real-life problems in a machine shop, Ford’s philosophy was that such an education would make the transition from home life “Yes, sir,” I said. to the working world easier. “Was that all right with you?” One day, after spending the morning at the Edison Institute High School, I set off for my “on-the-job training” in the “engine “Yes, sir,” I said. build-up” department. Driving my Model A Ford along Oakwood Boulevard in Dearborn, Michigan, I became painfully aware of “I’ve got a special place in my heart for the Model A, and when I saw your car in the parking lot, well, I just had to drive it. You’ve got it running pretty good.” The Day Henry Ford “Thank you,” I said.