Downriver Life

Southland Center as seen from across the street at West Mound Cemetery.

The original Wyandotte Hospital

Hello, my Metro Detroit followers! Sorry for my extended absence. To make it up to you, here's some surreal pictures I took from the Northland Center Macy's just prior to the mall's closure. More Northland and other mall posts to come!

The Ecose Drive-In in Taylor after the green storm of 1980.

Ford Rotunda Center

Entrance to Wyandotte's underground restrooms, circa 1965

Panera is now open for business in Taylor. Who would have guessed that decrepit looking Rio Bravo building would end up looking this nice?

These giant Presto Whip cans were located in Dearborn on Telegraph just south of Michigan Avenue, where the La Fontaine dealerships currently are. They were removed in 1983.

Wyandotte Theater

Relics of the past uncovered at the previous Lions, Tigers, and Beers spot in Downtown Wyandotte

Facing northbound on Southfield Freeway near Outer Drive in Allen Park.

Brief history of the Fairlane Mall Fairlane Town Center opened in 1976 in Dearborn, featuring a Sears, JCPenney, an ice skating rink, and a 5-screen theater, which was located on the second floor above the ice rink. Another interesting feature was the elevated Ford people mover that took patrons to and from the nearby Hyatt Regency. Later that year a Hudson's was added, followed by a Lord & Taylor in 78, and a Saks Fifth Avenue in 80. By the early 80's the ice rink was converted into 5 more movie screens, bringing the total to 10. The theater operated until the late 90's, when it eventually closed down and was demolished to make way for the 20 screen AMC which remains in operation today. By the late 90's Saks was converted into a Saks Outlet and eventually closed. Lord & Taylor closed in 2006, which pretty much brings it to where it is today. Today the mall features Macy's, JCPenney, Sears, AMC 20, and a food court called "The Lifestyle Cafe". The Lord & Taylor store remains empty and the Lord & Taylor wing is mostly vacant. The Saks Fifth Avenue was demolished and turned into a large entrance, featuring a PF Chang's and Bravo restaurants on either side. Though the mall features just about every store a mall needs to be considered "in style", for the most part, it no longer holds a reputation as being upscale due to its lack of upscale anchors. Additionally they had some crime problems in the early 2000's, which led to the instating of a curfew in 2004. (After 5pm, anyone under the age 18 must be accompanied by a chaperon 21 or older)

Thanks, neighbor!

Gibraltar Trade Center

Detroit skyline panorama and Detroit Princess I love this city.

Southgate Kmart will be closed down by the end of the summer leaving the Taylor location as Downriver's sole remaining Kmart.