Monday, May 10, 2010

Detroit.

We were in downtown Detroit last week for my future sister-in-law's graduation dinner. Afterward my dad wanted to take us by where his GM career started 31 years ago.
He worked in the lab (second floor of the building, by the stoplight in the picture) of the Cadillac Headquarters over on Clark St. He can still remember thousands of people bustling around outside. When he worked afternoon shifts my mom would come down and pick him up and they would go out to lunch.It is so sad to see what once was because when we drove by it yesterday it was just fields. There wasn't a trace of any of the hustle and bustle of a world headquarters. The street light wasn't even working and the street was deserted.
As we were driving out of Detroit we saw so many potentially gorgeous houses that had been neglected, burned, and/or abandoned. It would have been quite a sight to see Detroit when it was booming. Now it just makes my heart hurt for what could have been.

16 comments:

Ink Obsession Designs said...

I so understand this. About a half hour from here is a town with amazing old Victorians and bungalows and all these incredible historic homes, but they haven't been taken care of at all and are just run down looking. It breaks my heart every time we pass through and I can only imagine how incredible it all was back in the day. :(

Charbelle said...

I know Michigan's economy was hurting before the decline, my BF grew up in St. Joseph. I wonder if there's not a way to bring something new to Detroit and rejuvanate it.

Rebecca Jo said...

That IS so sad to see what was once a booming area, just turn into a bunch of nothing...

SnoWhite said...

I agree -- it's hard to imagine what Detroit was.... and makes me sad for what our state has lost over the past few years. It would be amazing to see Detroit in all it's hustle and bustle again. Maybe someday.

LWLH said...

It makes me sad to see the traces of a once better life of somewhere. I came home and was amazed by all the beautiful business and buildings that have since ben neglected

Lauren said...

My in-laws live about 30 miles SW of Detroit & it's so sad to see what changes have taken place in that city. How wonderful it must have been in its prime!

Alissa said...

I know what you mean there are so many areas that I've seen that are just like this. It really is sad to see these areas just disappear.

JennyLee said...

That is so sad. :(

Tasha said...

Very sad, but maybe the economy will turn around soon! I love that old picture of downtown!

Brittany Ann said...

I have heard other stories like this about Detroit. It really is heartbreaking!

AmberDenae said...

That is so sad :( I hate seeing things like that.

The Pink Chick said...

How sad! It is so hard to see a city like this in such decline!

Michelle said...

My husband is from the area, so sad. Did you see the Dateline special on Detroit a few Sundays ago?

Tara Gibson said...

that is so sad that areas like this dissapear... so sad : (

Jen Caputo said...

yup, when we were home for christmas and drove through Detroit it was so sad. Such a bummer... it looks like the artist community is trying to move in and do its part in some of the area but sometimes I think some of it might be better off just turned back in to farm land... I read an article about it recently and think it could be great for the city!

Patience said...

It is very sad. I wish detroit was still like that picture.