That was my thought too, which really stinks because you can see how vibrant that neighborhood was before it was leveled. Speaking of, I wish I made it to the history session at CADL where this was discussed.
I believe the gas station was at the northwest side of St. Joe and Butler Blvd. and could be still standing at that corner. Or it could be on the other end of the street at Butler and Saginaw. When I was a kid in the '60s we were taught never go this neighborhood as being white I could get in trouble over there. It was the kind of casual racism our folks taught us. When I see this little film of 1966 I see a nice neighborhood and folks enjoying a peaceful summer day in Lansing. There is a lot to regret about the destruction of this whole area including the racism that led to its destruction. It really would be great if somehow the neighborhood were to be put back together but I think the old belief that this is a "bad neighborhood" still has to be overcome and maybe what is standing in the way of its redevelopment.
It is true that most things are not all good or all bad, 496 and M-99 were thought of as necessary, and it is understandable why they built them where they did. I was just noting that the neighborhood in the film was not a scary crime-ridden ghetto like my folks and many people liked to portray it back then. And of course, when you lived in an old house that was in disrepair back then [almost no one thought of old houses as something of value back then] it would have been great to move to a nice modern little ranch out in Church Hill Downs. Much warmer in the winter for sure!
Which house is that? I could be wrong! but I thought the oldest house was 1214 Center Street in Old Town. What is The General Consulate of Morrocan Empire? it sounds like they located in the wrong Capital City. It always pops up on my googlemaps.com when I look at the west side.
I remember that church and Mr. and Mrs. Letts. They were both admirable people. I did not notice that the big church in the median of MLK was the same congregation or that a King was a Pastor there. A lot of asphalt over there! Many of homes over there nearer to MLK that may have been built in the late19th Century and to help the neighborhood create a better identity these homes and other 100+-year-old buildings could be noted in some way like a little plaque tell saying when the house was built and that it is one of Lansing's Historic Vintage Homes or something like that.
I have this fantasy idea of covering over 496 from Grand Ave to Everett and building homes parks and businesses, connecting the old streets and sewing our city back together. Hey, they did it in Boston and our highway is already "depressed".
Oh yes, that house does stand out from the neighborhood because of it's Federalist [Greek revival] style. It also has a large lot maybe it was a farmhouse on the edge of town when it was built. I seem to remember something about a Governor living there at one time. I think if they did create some kind of commemorative plaque for the antique homeowners to display it might inspire people to take better care of their homes.
The Morrocan site always pops up on my google maps, why? it just looks like a house with an impressive sounding name. Could be a church or a social club like the Free Masons that uses African/Arabic names and symbols. Do we have a Morrocan community in Lansing? I see a clubhouse for Samolis up on Pennsylvania, so it's possible, we have people from all over the world living here these days. I'll check out the facebook.
It's funny you mention this area (South of 496, north of the river and west of MLK), because as a resident I can definitely say it sometimes feels like we're forgotten. We are technically part of the Westside Neighborhood Association and they have been doing what they can to keep us involved. I've lived there since 2007 and honestly love the area. While it has changed since I've moved in, people who had lived there since the 60's passing away now changing to younger generations, or unfortunately, rentals galore, it's still a community where we all know whats going on. Over the last decade or so, various programs have completely rehabbed several homes over here. I've also rehabbed the one I moved into. Of course, I would love some more action in the neighborhood from the city and residents but it is, unfortunately, so sectioned off from everything.
As far as the house on Malcolm X goes, I recall reading an article that it was originally located downtown and intended to be the Governor's mansion, but none ever lived in it. When it was facing demolition, an architect had it moved to its current location and lived there until his death in either the 80's or early 90's I believe.
Yeah, I always have hoped that they would do something with those lots; of course I have my own visions for them. It just could be so much better utilized with how much traffic passes through that area. I was just thrilled once GM started doing some landscaping and maintaining the lots they owned that weren't paved over. As for that gas station, I don't even use it because of it's dated layout and sketchy feel. Something I would actually utilize, within walking distance, would be wonderful!
After they took the traffic lights out it's been even worse, along with the increased speed limit. I enjoy bike rides on the river trail after work but I have to wait until after 6 otherwise it's nearly impossible for me to even cross MLK. I understand why they did it, but I don't think it was a smart move for this area of neighborhood.
I'd love to see a developer buy this property up and do something with it, but I'm sure GM is saving it for potential expansion...someday.
If you would like to see the type of house that was in the neighborhood where 496 is now, check out Zillow.com and look up 500 W. St Joesph. It is really very grand inside with beautiful woodwork. This house was kind of modest compared to many of the mansions that were its neighbors. I think it has an amazingly reasonable price at $169k, I'm sure the location may be a factor in the lower price. I think this home would make a great Bed and Breakfast.
No pavement but they had sidewalks anyway. Some parts of our streets still look worse than this today. Parts of E Mt Hope N Grand River Bridge Baker Street to name just a few. I pull up to this corner almost every day I think you are right about the building to the left rear still standing there.
Comments
I believe the gas station was at the northwest side of St. Joe and Butler Blvd. and could be still standing at that corner. Or it could be on the other end of the street at Butler and Saginaw. When I was a kid in the '60s we were taught never go this neighborhood as being white I could get in trouble over there. It was the kind of casual racism our folks taught us. When I see this little film of 1966 I see a nice neighborhood and folks enjoying a peaceful summer day in Lansing. There is a lot to regret about the destruction of this whole area including the racism that led to its destruction. It really would be great if somehow the neighborhood were to be put back together but I think the old belief that this is a "bad neighborhood" still has to be overcome and maybe what is standing in the way of its redevelopment.
It is true that most things are not all good or all bad, 496 and M-99 were thought of as necessary, and it is understandable why they built them where they did. I was just noting that the neighborhood in the film was not a scary crime-ridden ghetto like my folks and many people liked to portray it back then. And of course, when you lived in an old house that was in disrepair back then [almost no one thought of old houses as something of value back then] it would have been great to move to a nice modern little ranch out in Church Hill Downs. Much warmer in the winter for sure!
Which house is that? I could be wrong! but I thought the oldest house was 1214 Center Street in Old Town. What is The General Consulate of Morrocan Empire? it sounds like they located in the wrong Capital City. It always pops up on my googlemaps.com when I look at the west side.
I remember that church and Mr. and Mrs. Letts. They were both admirable people. I did not notice that the big church in the median of MLK was the same congregation or that a King was a Pastor there. A lot of asphalt over there! Many of homes over there nearer to MLK that may have been built in the late19th Century and to help the neighborhood create a better identity these homes and other 100+-year-old buildings could be noted in some way like a little plaque tell saying when the house was built and that it is one of Lansing's Historic Vintage Homes or something like that.
I have this fantasy idea of covering over 496 from Grand Ave to Everett and building homes parks and businesses, connecting the old streets and sewing our city back together. Hey, they did it in Boston and our highway is already "depressed".
Oh yes, that house does stand out from the neighborhood because of it's Federalist [Greek revival] style. It also has a large lot maybe it was a farmhouse on the edge of town when it was built. I seem to remember something about a Governor living there at one time. I think if they did create some kind of commemorative plaque for the antique homeowners to display it might inspire people to take better care of their homes.
The Morrocan site always pops up on my google maps, why? it just looks like a house with an impressive sounding name. Could be a church or a social club like the Free Masons that uses African/Arabic names and symbols. Do we have a Morrocan community in Lansing? I see a clubhouse for Samolis up on Pennsylvania, so it's possible, we have people from all over the world living here these days. I'll check out the facebook.
It's funny you mention this area (South of 496, north of the river and west of MLK), because as a resident I can definitely say it sometimes feels like we're forgotten. We are technically part of the Westside Neighborhood Association and they have been doing what they can to keep us involved. I've lived there since 2007 and honestly love the area. While it has changed since I've moved in, people who had lived there since the 60's passing away now changing to younger generations, or unfortunately, rentals galore, it's still a community where we all know whats going on. Over the last decade or so, various programs have completely rehabbed several homes over here. I've also rehabbed the one I moved into. Of course, I would love some more action in the neighborhood from the city and residents but it is, unfortunately, so sectioned off from everything.
As far as the house on Malcolm X goes, I recall reading an article that it was originally located downtown and intended to be the Governor's mansion, but none ever lived in it. When it was facing demolition, an architect had it moved to its current location and lived there until his death in either the 80's or early 90's I believe.
Yeah, I always have hoped that they would do something with those lots; of course I have my own visions for them. It just could be so much better utilized with how much traffic passes through that area. I was just thrilled once GM started doing some landscaping and maintaining the lots they owned that weren't paved over. As for that gas station, I don't even use it because of it's dated layout and sketchy feel. Something I would actually utilize, within walking distance, would be wonderful!
After they took the traffic lights out it's been even worse, along with the increased speed limit. I enjoy bike rides on the river trail after work but I have to wait until after 6 otherwise it's nearly impossible for me to even cross MLK. I understand why they did it, but I don't think it was a smart move for this area of neighborhood.
I'd love to see a developer buy this property up and do something with it, but I'm sure GM is saving it for potential expansion...someday.