Search Constraints
Search Results
- Description:
- This 8-page letter was handwritten in black ink on slightly yellowed paper by Edwin W. Abbott who was the owner of a real estate and insurance company. The paper shows the company letterhead across the top of the page and also has a watermark that shows an image of a swan along with the word, "Linen." A small brass clip (not shown in the images) was used on the upper left corner of the letter to hold the pages together. The text of the letter has been transcribed as follows: "Detroit, Mich. Dec. 31, 1900, 10 P.M., Local Time. To the Mayor and Citizens of Detroit of 2001, I have just returned home from a trip into the county and find the Mayor's request for a short letter on "Detroit's Suburbs." Our present City limits are on the east side present (I suppose I should say old) water-works or Cadillac Boulevard thence north to Gratiot Ave thence west to St. Antoine and MCRR [Michigan Central Railroad] known as the Milwaukee junction - thence west to Mall and thence west to Cameron thence north to Woodland thence west to Hamilton Boulevard thence south to within one block of the Boulevard thence southwest to Grand River and Scotten Ave. thence south to McGraw thence west to Livernois thence south to the river, making our present river frontage about 7 1/2 miles and our north limit 5 miles. The first place I shall refer to is "Grosse Pointe" proper which is 5 miles east of the city limits and is reached by an electric car line and Jefferson at which point the Lake Shore line for Mt. Clemens and many points connects. Grosse Pointe is the home of many of Detroit's most notable families and is noted for its handsome homes and beautiful Greek club houses etc. The second place is "Palmer Log Cabin Park." This park is 5 miles north of the present city limits and is in a very crude state. There is a frame building that cost about $3000.00, a small artificial lake and the "Log Cabin" of Senator Palmer where the Senator used to give his famous dinners. It may be advisable to refer to "Royal Oak," a hamlet of about 500 people, and 13 miles from our present City Hall. Birmingham 5 miles beyond, a place of about 1500, is Detroit's most popular suburb and is here that many of our businesses own farms. Detroit's most important suburb is Delray which adjoins city limits on the southwest and has recently expanded. Here are the ammonia works of the "Solvay Process" and voluminous salt wells. Just below is Ecorse and only 12 miles from the City Hall is Wyandotte a bustling town of 3000 and next Trenton only 4 miles beyond. But why need I dwell, these places are already known by you in history. They have long since ceased to exist and are now a part of "Greater Detroit." I cannot close without [?] our neighbors across the river, Windsor, Walkerville, and sleepy old Sandwich. They too are lost - absorbed by "Sault Detroit" [Windsor]. And from the flag pole on the City Hall waves the Glorious Stars and Stripes and they are now "flesh of our flesh and bone of our bone." Wishing you all a Happy New Year, I remain as ever Yours very sincerely, E. W. Abbott"
- Date Issued:
- 1900-01-01T00:00:00Z
- Data Provider:
- Detroit Historical Society