The Great Depression was one of the most trying times in our history. But what happened after that grim period was, on most accounts, even more of a test in our nations history. What we learned though, is that our nation endures though our ingenuity, grit, and perseverance. Here are some rarely seen images of a time when our country endured the great war.
8. Chemical laboratory at House of David, Benton Harbor, Michigan
1. A boring mill machining a cast-iron die which, when finished, will be used to stamp out automobile fenders. Plant of Frederick Colman & Sons, Inc., Detroit, Michigan
As you can see Michigan played a huge role on the manufacturing of supplies during the second world war. Tell us, what are some of your most profound memories during this time in the history of our nation?
In the 1960s, a dream to infuse the town of Pontiac with economic prosperity inspired the vision of a larger-than-life stadium. The visionary was C. Don Davidson, a Pontiac local and athlete-turned-architect. Sitting on nearly 200 acres of land, the stadium was eventually built in 1975 and would be the primary home of the Detroit Lions for the next several decades. Due to weather and unforeseen economic challenges, however, the stadium was eventually left in ruins. Come with us as we explore the once-vacant football stadium, which now lives on in memory and photographs alone.
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If you love creepy content, Only In Your State’s Vacant series – which partners with talented photographer Johnny Joo – explores a dozen other fascinating abandoned places just waiting to be discovered.
Editor’s Note: Due to the nature of abandoned destinations, many of the places featured in this series are off-limits to visitors or have actually been demolished. We do not condone trespassing and other illegal activity but rather encourage readers to enjoy learning about these fascinating destinations.
If you were an avid football fan between 1975 and the early 2000s, you likely watched a game that was placed at the storied Pontiac Siverdome. In fact, up until the year 2000, this was the largest stadium in the NFL until it was succeeded by FedExField outside of Washington D.C.
The Silverdome was the home of the Detroit Lions for several decades. It was known for its unique fiberglass fabric roof which was held up by air pressure and built to withstand drastic weather events. Ironically, it was Michigan's notoriously harsh weather that would cause the eventual downfall of the stadium.
Pontiac Silverdome Stadium
During the Silverdome's heyday, it hosted an impressive variety of events, ranging from Super Bowl XVI, the 1979 NBA All-Star Game, and even the 1994 FIFA World Cup. It also served as the stage for iconic performers, including Led Zeppelin, The Who, and Elvis Presley.
When Ford Field opened in 2002, the stadium no longer had a permanent team. Pontiac struggled to find use for the space, and after being left empty for 8 years, it was eventually sold in a 2009 auction for less than 1% of its original cost to build. But, in 2013, a particularly harrowing storm caused the roof to tear, and this wasn't the first time the structure had been compromised.
Pontiac Silverdome Stadium
By 2017, the owner of the Silverdome decided to tear down this facility, which had been abandoned for years at this point. Prior to permanently shutting its doors, various contents from the stadium were auctioned off and the parking lot was even home to thousands of recalled Volkswagen vehicles. In 2019, Amazon announced that it would be developing the site into a warehouse.
Did you know about this fascinating piece of Michigan history?
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Special thanks to Cleveland-based photographer Johnny Joo of Odd World Studio for the photos used in this article. To discover more creepy and abandoned places, check out his website, Architectural Afterlife.
Nearly 100 years ago, the 1930s was a simpler time without televisions, computers, or smartphones. A time when everyone knew everybody and neighbors helped each other. Let’s take a glimpse into life in the 1930s in Michigan and what things have changed today.
In the 1930s, it was unheard of to pump your own gas. Filling station attendants, also known as gas jockeys, would primarily pump gas, clean windshields, and check the oil levels in vehicles.
While not every town had one, Michigan is home to the most lighthouses in the United States thanks to our wonderful Great Lakes. There are 129 remaining in the state as some have fallen into disrepair and abandoned. But in the 1930s many lighthouses were still actively used.
With big box stores supplying most of our needs today, mom-and-pop shops were the main way you would purchase everyday essentials. Whether it was a general store, hardware store, or grocery store, mom-and-pop shops were vital to local Michigan communities.
Small-town stores needed to set up shop somewhere and that place was your local downtown. Can you imagine shopping for birthday and Christmas gifts for loved ones on a thriving old-fashioned main street?
The past can be romanticized but one thing that will take you back to reality is the thought of walking in the snow to an outhouse in February. We can be grateful for indoor plumbing, hot water, and flushing toilets nowadays!
Another backyard staple of every household was a clothesline for drying your laundry. Dryers weren’t common until the 1960s when they made doing the wash much faster. However, nothing beats the smell of freshly line–dried sheets out in the Michigan summer sun.
Students ranging from first to eighth grade would be in attendance in a one-room schoolhouse. A school bell would ring throughout the town for students and parents to hear at the start of the school day.
What is your favorite memory of growing up in Michigan back in the day? Let us know in the comments below. While it is fun to feel nostalgic for a simpler time, life in the 1930s in Michigan was undeniably more difficult. Read about the year It Was So Cold In Michigan, Temperatures Were Well Below Freezing.
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And for more fascinating places in Michigan, check out this stunning footage of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore:
