DETROIT'S NORTHEND COMMUNITY
Detroit's North End neighborhood is bound by Woodward Avenue to the west, the city of Highland Park to the north, the Chrysler Freeway to the east, and I-94 (Ford Freeway) to the south. Historically, before the construction of the Chrysler Freeway, the eastern boundary of the neighborhood was Oakland Street. The North End was one of the few places middle class African-Americans could live in early twentieth century Detroit. The neighborhood flourished until the early 1960s, when the construction of I-75 and urban flight led it to decline. The neighborhood is now badly blighted. Despite the construction of I-75 and the effects of urban decay, the North End still has a stock of early 20th century housing, including several dozen rowhouses and apartment buildings. The North End is also starting to see new housing being built for the first time in several decades, and was chosen as one of the focus neighborhoods for Mayor Kilpatrick's NEXT Detroit Neighborhood Initiatives, with specific goals to beautify the neighborhood and strengthen civic leadership. Some in the city have accused the administration of using the NEXT Detroit Neighborhood Initiative to give tax breaks to speculators.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
NORTHEND HISTORY:
(1910-1932) THE PURPLE GANG consisted of young Jewish immigrants, and others who engaged in theft and armed robbery along Detroit's notorious Hastings Street. They operated between Detroit and Chicago, and would meet behind the Bohm Theatre or in secret places in houses of Albion, Michigan. The gang supposedly received their name during a conversation between two Detroit market owners, each of them gang victims. One owner made the comment: "They're rotten, purple like the color of bad meat."

(1918-1950's) Some of the neighborhood's first residents included automotive icons Frederick Fisher and John Dodge, retail pioneer J.L. Hudson , as well as Alexander Y. Malcomson, Clayton and Albert Grinnell. Another retail magnate, Stanley Kresge, Jr. of K-Mart fame, resided in the community.

In the 1940s, prominent black professionals began to move into the neighborhood. These included Dr. Dewitt Burton, founder of the Burton Mercy Hospital; Charles Diggs, Sr. first black elected to the Michigan State Senate (father of Charles Diggs, Jr.), and Dr. Haley Bell, dentist, and the first black to receive an FCC license to operate a radio station (WCHB). Prophet Jones, a prominent African-American Detroit religious leader of the 1950s, resided in a mansion on Arden Park and often addressed his congregation from the front steps of the residence. Today, the neighborhood is comprised largely of urban professionals, many of whom work in downtown Detroit.

(1960's) William "Smokey" Robinson was born on February 19, 1940, in the rough-and-tumble area of North End Detroit, Michigan. The product of a working class family, he loved cowboy movies as a child, and thusly was given the nickname "Smokey Joe," by an uncle. The nickname stuck in the shortened form of "Smokey," and his love for cowboy movies turned into a love of singing, after he formed a vocal group with his high school friends. They called themselves the Matadors, and the vocal harmony group serenaded the hallways of Detroit's Northern High any chance they could get.

(1967 Riots) - Starting Point of the 1967 Riots

Historic Northern High School  Distinguished alumni:

• Elsie Roxborough - Graduated 1932. Claim to fame "passing"
• Nile Lofton- Graduated 1975. Has held over 50 jobs in the course of his live. As he always says "He's got a heart of gold."
• Motown Great Smokey Robinson and the members of the Miracles
• "Queen of Soul" Aretha Franklin
• Members of the Four Tops
• As a globally renowned track and field athlete, Marshall Dill (1971) was a high school state champion and silver medalist (200 meter dash) at the 1971 Pan American Games. Marshall Dill was also an All-American sprinter for Michigan State University; during the 1973 indoor season he established a world record in the 300 meter dash.
• Gloria Fuller (1975) won a state championship in the 440-yard dash, at the 1975 Michigan High School Athletic Associationtrack and field finals.
• Erskine Farrow (1980) and Jerome Rivers(1980) were state champions during their senior season at Northern High School. Farrow won the mile run and Rivers took first place in the 330-yard hurdles, at the 1980 MHSAA track finals.
• Derrick Coleman(1986) was a longtime NBA basketball player.
• Chandra Burns (1993) was Northern's princess of the sprints; Burns won state titles in the 100 and 200-meter dash, at the 1993 MHSAA championships.

 1966 Northern High School Student Strike     

April 7-8, 1966 - Detroit Northern High School students, led by Judy Walder, Michael Batchelor, and 12th grade honor student Charles Coding, organize a demonstration and walk-out after the censorship of Coding's editorial in the student press, which criticized what he considered to be the inferior education offered at Northern.

April 20, 1966 - Northern Students resume their walkout when the School Board returns Principal Carty to duty. They open a "Freedom School" at St. Joseph's Episcopal Church with the support of Rector David Gracie and staffed by Wayne State University professors.

April 22, 1966 - Eastern High School students join Northern students in a sympathy walkout.

April 26, 1966 - Northern High School students vote to return to class, one day before a citywide student boycott is to take place. The students have successfully raised awareness on education issues in the city.

Milwaukee Junction

Piquette Avenue Industrial Historic District 

Dunbar Hospital

Arden Park

Detroit Historic Sites

Detroit Historical Society

Northend & Central District Historic Homes:

Lyman Cochrane Home

Henry and Clara Ford Home

Berry Gordy Home

S.S. Kresge Home

Benjamin Segal Home

Prophet Jones



Rich History of Woodward Ave Churches



1937 Detroit Driver's Handbook (just a little interesting)

Why is the Northend called Northend?

Northend & Central District's Historic Streets are Named After Who?

12th Street - Now known as "Rosa Parks Boulevard" in honor of Civil Right's activist Rosa Parks.

1st Street - Cass Street was located immediately west of Fort Shelby, and after Cass the streets were named numerically First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, signifying their order west from the fort.

2nd Avenue/Street - Cass Street was located immediately west of Fort Shelby, and after Cass the streets were named numerically First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, signifying their order west from the fort.

3rd Avenue/Street - Cass Street was located immediately west of Fort Shelby, and after Cass the streets were named numerically First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, signifying their order west from the fort.

Atkinson Avenue - Named for W.F. Atkinson, of Detroit

Beaubien Street - Named for the Beaubien family and their farm, which was bordered by Beaubien Street. Mary Bailey of the Detroit News, writes, "Beaubien and St. Antoine originated from the two Beaubien brothers, Lambert and Antoine, each of whom received half of the family farm after the death of their father, Jean Baptiste Beaubien, one of the first white settlers on the river, opposite Fort Dearborn. Lambert was a colonel in the First Regiment of Detroit's militia. He fought in the War of 1812. Antoine chose to name his property after his patron saint, St. Antoine. Antoine was a lieutenant colonel in the Michigan Territorial Militia. He donated a chunk of his land for the Sacred Heart Academy, once located at the corner of Jefferson and St. Antoine."

Boston Avenue - Named for the City of Boston in MA

Boston Boulevard E-W - Named for the City of Boston in MA

Brush Street - Named for Elijah Brush's farm (originally the Askin farm belonging to John Askin). Mary Bailey of the Detroit News writes, "Brush was named after Edmund Askin Brush, son of Elijah Brush, who was a leading lawyer and Detroit's second appointed mayor. Brush Street was also the Brush property boundary. Edmund studied law, as did his father before him. He was Secretary to the Governor and judge of the Michigan Territory in 1823, a private secretary to Lewis Cass in 1826, a court recorder, a member of the City Planning Commission and a police commissioner. "

Cass Avenue - Named for Lewis Cass.
Cass was once a farm boundary line. The Lewis Cass farm, purchased from the Macomb family, was one of the largest Detroit farms, the width of Cass to Third Street and north from the Detroit River to Grand Boulevard in length. The 500 acres bought for $12,000 and the subsequent growth of Detroit made Cass a very wealthy man.

Clifford Street - Clifford has a bit of humor attached to its name. Thomas Cliff owned the only home in this area of the city and ran a tavern where the David Whitney Building now stands. A creek crossed the road near the tavern and overflowed onto the road in the spring. When the festive set of Detroit wanted some merry-making, they usually went up to Cliff's place and crossed over the creek by means of stepping stones. When the roisterers returned they had great difficulty keeping on the stones, so they would return to town wet to their knees (sometimes even elbows). The townspeople referred to the crossing as "Cliff's ford."

Columbia Avenue E-W - John R, Elizabeth and Columbia streets are named for personal reasons. John R. Williams was a landowner , merchant and bank president in the first half of the 19th century, who named the street after himself. Baptized John Williams, he adopted the letter 'R' to distinguish himself from another John Williams in Detroit. Some of his business ventures, such as publishing an early newspaper, included his uncle, Joseph Campau. Williams was a general in the Territorial Militia, a member of the board of trustees at the 'new' University of Michigan and the first elected Detroit mayor in 1824. Williams named Elizabeth after his daughter, and Columbia after a street where he lived in Albany, New York."

Congress Street E-W - Congress was named in honor of the 1826 Congress. In that year, Congress granted to Detroit the military reserve through which the street ran.

Elizabeth Street E-W - John R, Elizabeth and Columbia streets are named for personal reasons. John R. Williams was a landowner , merchant and bank president in the first half of the 19th century, who named the street after himself. Baptized John Williams, he adopted the letter 'R' to distinguish himself from another John Williams in Detroit. Some of his business ventures, such as publishing an early newspaper, included his uncle, Joseph Campau. Williams was a general in the Territorial Militia, a member of the board of trustees at the 'new' University of Michigan and the first elected Detroit mayor in 1824. Williams named Elizabeth after his daughter, and Columbia after a street where he lived in Albany, New York."

Ford Highway - Named for automobile magnate, Henry Ford.

Fort Street E-W-S - "Fort and Shelby streets were named after Fort Shelby, which was located there. The western point of Fort Street was opened and named in 1827 when the remains of Fort Shelby were razed. The fort was named after Gov. Isaac Shelby of Kentucky, who aided Michigan in the War of 1812 with troops from his home state. "

Grand Boulevard E-W   is a thoroughfare in Detroit, Michigan, running east to west in some places and north to south in other places. It once constituted the city limits of Detroit. Grand Boulevard is named the "Berry Gordy, Jr. Boulevard" in the area where the Motown Historical Museum is located and the "General Motors Boulevard" in the area of Detroit's "New Center" where the Fisher Building and Cadillac Place (formerly the "General Motors Building") are located. Grand Bouelvard is commonly referred to by residents of the city simply as "the Bouelvard".

Grand River E-W - Began as a Native American hunting/travelling path. Mary Bailey of the Detroit News, writes, "Grand River was part of the original road that led west from Detroit to the Grand River at Grand Rapids."

Gratiot Avenue - Began as a Native American hunting/travelling path (some say at was a military road). It's named after Gen. Charles Gratiot, the engineer in charge of the project. Construction on Gratiot was completed in 1831.

Griswold Street - "Griswold was named by Michigan Territorial governor William Woodbridge in honor of Governor Roger Griswold of Connecticut. "

Hancock Avenue E-W - Hancock is a very common street name, probably referring to John Hancock.

Hubbard Avenue - Named for the Hubbard family ribbon farm.

Jefferson Avenue E-W - Named for Thomas Jefferson. Mary Bailey of the Detroit News, writes, "Jefferson Avenue was named for President Thomas Jefferson, who appointed the first Michigan territorial officials and was a good friend of Augustus Woodward. It was first surveyed in 1807 and named "Main Street," but soon renamed for Jefferson. At its intersection with Griswold it passes through the heart of the old cemetery of St. Anne's Church where the remains of Detroit's earliest inhabitants are buried. "

John R. Street - "John R, Elizabeth and Columbia streets are named for personal reasons. John R. Williams was a landowner , merchant and bank president in the first half of the 19th century, who named the street after himself. Baptized John Williams, he adopted the letter 'R' to distinguish himself from another John Williams in Detroit. Some of his business ventures, such as publishing an early newspaper, included his uncle, Joseph Campau. Williams was a general in the Territorial Militia, a member of the board of trustees at the 'new' University of Michigan and the first elected Detroit mayor in 1824. Williams named Elizabeth after his daughter, and Columbia after a street where he lived in Albany, New York.

Kaline Drive - Formerly Cherry Street, the name was changed in honor of Tiger legend, Al Kaline.

Lafayette Avenue E-W - Most large U.S. cities have a street, park, or square bearing the name of the Revolutionary war hero Marquis de Lafayette. Detroit is no exception.

Lafayette Boulevard - Most large U.S. cities have a street, park, or square bearing the name of the Revolutionary war hero Marquis de Lafayette. Detroit is no exception.

Larned Street E-W - Larned's namesake was General Charles Larned. He settled in Detroit after assisting General William Henry Harrison in ridding the town of the British in the War of 1812. He became a U.S. attorney in 1814 and served in local government.

LaSalle Boulevard - Probably named for French explorer, Robert Cavalier sieur de La Salle

LaSalle Court - Probably named for French explorer, Robert Cavalier sieur de La Salle

LaSalle Gardens N-S - Probably named for French explorer, Robert Cavalier sieur de La Salle

Macomb Street - Named for early Detroiter, Alexander Macomb and his family. Macomb owes its name to the Macomb family, one of Detroit's earliest settlers. They owned large parcels of land and at one time owned Hog Island, later named Belle Isle.

Michigan Avenue - Began as a Native American hunting/travelling path.

Milwaukee Avenue E-W - Named for the city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Monroe Avenue - Probably named for President James Monroe.

Oakland Avenue - Possibly named for Oakland, California.

Philadelphia Avenue E-W - Probably named for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Pingree Avenue - Named for former Detroit Mayor, Hazen Pingree.

Ponchartrain Drive W - Named for Louis (or Jerome) Ponchartrain, Minister of Marine at the court of King Louis of France. Also the name of Detroit's first settlement (Fort Ponchartrain du Detroit).

Randolph Street - Randolph Street was named after John Randolph, the Virginia statesman and orator in the early 1800s.

Rosa Parks Boulevard - Formerly 12th Street, the name was changed in honor of Civil Right's activist Rosa Parks.

Shelby Street - Fort and Shelby streets were named after Fort Shelby, which was located there. The western point of Fort Street was opened and named in 1827 when the remains of Fort Shelby were razed. The fort was named after Gov. Isaac Shelby of Kentucky, who aided Michigan in the War of 1812 with troops from his home state.

St. Antoine Street - Beaubien and St. Antoine originated from the two Beaubien brothers, Lambert and Antoine, each of whom received half of the family farm after the death of their father, Jean Baptiste Beaubien, one of the first white settlers on the river, opposite Fort Dearborn. Lambert was a colonel in the First Regiment of Detroit's militia. He fought in the War of 1812. Antoine chose to name his property after his patron saint, St. Antoine. Antoine was a lieutenant colonel in the Michigan Territorial Militia. He donated a chunk of his land for the Sacred Heart Academy, once located at the corner of Jefferson and St. Antoine.

State Street - State Street was named in 1835, the year the State of Michigan was organized. The capitol was on the street until 1847, when it was moved to Lansing."

Temple Avenue - Named for the Masonic Temple, which is located on it.

Trumbull Avenue - Named for the son-in-law of William Woodbridge. William Woodbridge's wife, Julia, was the daughter of John Trumbull, so the street was named after the famous FATHER-in law, John Trumbull.

Woodbridge Street E-W - Named for William Woodbridge. William Woodbridge owned land west of the Cass farm and was active in early Detroit government. He was secretary of the Michigan Territory in 1814, a Michigan representative to Congress in 1819, territorial judge in 1827, governor of Michigan in 1839 and U.S. senator in 1841. His legacy is remembered in Woodbridge Street.

Woodrow Wilson - Named for President Woodrow Wilson.

Woodward Avenue - Named for Judge Augustus Brevoort Woodward, Woodward Avenue had its humble beginnings as a Native American hunting/travelling path.

http://www.historydetroit.com/streets.asp