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Video clips that show everyday life in Detroit from the World War II era never lose their ability to fascinate on any number of levels, especially given the way the city has deteriorated over the past 50 years.
This video, almost 11 minutes long, was posted on YouTube by someone with the screen name of "mikcollmi."
He writes:
"The selected clips in this vintage movie are from my father's collection of 8mm home movies taken during the period 1937 through 1949. The scenes shown in Detroit include locations on 14th Street in west Detroit, Fort Street in downtown Detroit, Indiana Street in northwest Detroit, Bramford Street in northeast Detroit, the Belle Isle Children's zoo, the Detroit Zoo in Royal Oak, and several other unidentified locations. Also included are clips of my parents and my sister, grandparents and other family members and friends. I hope you enjoy a unique view of the City of Detroit during some better times."
Of special interest in the mikcollmi video are the sharp cars, some of them convertibles, and the housing developments that shown under construction, certainly the Elm Park Village project, at the 4:45 mark. The development's sign carries the phrase, "A Restricted Community," a slogan that in those days almost certainly meant restricted to white residents. The image gives a jolt, almost like seeing signs for "Colored" and "White" above drinking fountains in the post-war era.
The so-called "better times" were not that good for everyone in Detroit.
Thanks to DetroitYES! for the tip.
