Here’s a neat old postcard view of Riverside Dr. from the 1950’s. It looks like you can see Belle Isle off in the distance in this one, and I think the shot is looking east from somewhere around where the end of Reaume Park is today.
As you can see in this aerial view from 1949, Reaume Park is brand spankin’ new, and built on reclaimed land. Note in the back ground of the postcard, how natural the shoreline is behind the the car…
Looking at the two photos, I’m not sure that is the same location, however not too far east of the area in the photo, Riverside Dr. moves away from running right next to the river, and west of here, the area around the Ford Plant was still fairly built up.
So… Your guess is as good as mine. With the changes to the shoreline over the years, the exact location may never be known…
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Does the aerial also show Glenguarda? Thats a good identifyer too...
Andrew, does IM have any records of the old Glenguarda?
What makes me think it's Alexander is the angle/look of Belle Isle. Reaume Park is directly across from the (old) aquarium and conservatory, which are right in the middle of the island. I think BI is closer there than in this postcard. In the photo above BI looks up river a bit as well, and if it could pan to the left, I'd think we'd see the Scott Fountain & casino.
Yep, and the more I think about it, that curve is right around George or Rossini. Drove that back to Tecumseh for 15 years, sometimes in my sleep, so the shape of riverside drive is imprinted on my brain (like it or not).
The curve also doesn't match the aerial photo either.
OK, that ends the great friday geography nerd-out.
I'm thinking It's Reaume Park too ,as a kid I use to fish down there & they have filled over the years east or to the right of the photo slowly but surely... That is why I think the shore line is so altered... The only thing that makes me a little skeptical is there were houses to the left of the park and I don't see them in the old photo ??? Those houses are still there !!!!
I don't believe that is a start to Belle Isle as there is a freighter in the water (white stern). I beleive this is right across from Belle Isle not west of it...look closely and you can tell the the island continues west.
Trust me guys it is the same location.In the sky veiw I can see Glengarda School and down from Pillette on Wyandotte the old Center Theater .In the other picture of the post card is looking east from close to Pillette road. Yes that is belle Isle If you go to Google sky you can see how far it is up the river from Pillette park or Reaume park as it is so named.The beggining of Belle Isle is across form The park the rest goes way up the river.It is the same place
I would place that old car right at 5151 riverside drive.
ME, I think that white part of the lake freighter is the wheelhouse on the other pointy end ...the bow...
Yeah, I see the curve now....just east of Pilette. OK.