The Detroit times., 1911-10-09
times DISTRICT HAS
SEEK METAMORPHOSIS
N THE LAST DECADE
Development Of Section Rapid,
Ramshackle Buildings Giving
Way To Business Blocks.
SALOONS DISAPPEAR.
Newspaper Office Is Now Hub of
Constantly Expanding Mercan-
tile Activities-Some Changes.

In the metamorphosis OF Detroit's
business section that has taken place
IN the last decade. no one part Of that
section has undergone greater
changes than The Times District; +"
that "a, the district Of which the Times
building Is sort OF hub, embracing.
IN q general way, Farmerst., from
John r. TO Grand River-avs. east;
John r., from woodward to Broad.
way, and Woodward and Broadway
between Grand River and Grand
Circus park
Looking down Farmer-st-it was
then called Barclay-pl. at the upper
end-from the front windows OF The
Times once. eleven years ago, one
gazed upon a spectacle that reflected
anything but prosperity and enter
prise. Ramshackle buildings doomed
conspicuously on both sides of the
street. They included one or two old
Time frame residences, a notorious sa-
loon. with large female patronage,
deserted warehouse and other
4 structures In about the same class.
The only substantial buildings were
the Flynn block. the Barclay hotel
then untenanted) and the Fellow.
craft club building. at Barclay-pl. and
Wilcox-st. as Grand River east was
then known.
The picture presented today Is in
striking contrast. The tumble-down,
ratfnfested shacks have given place
70 modern mercantile establishments.
The deserted warehouse is gone, and
In II place stands the handsome Han
nan-Mills building, the home OF some
Of the most exclusive speciality shops
this side OF New York, and the firms
for the most part, are new Across
the street Is the Knowles building,
which houses the Woman's Exchange,
q florists shop and a book exchange.
{ Adjoining this is another modern
structure, given over to mercantile in
stitutions. Just back OF the Univers-
ity building towers the big plant OF
the Central Heating Co. The old Eel.
Iowcraft club IL now the Scherer
building. having been completely re-
modelled and enlarged by the addi-
ton Of two stories. This. also, Is now
devoted wholly to business purposes.
AT the southeast corner OF Grand
HIferave. east and Library-ave.,
Iormerly Farrar-st., stands the hand
some new King building. immaculate
IA its exterior OF white-enameled
terra Gotta, and Ranking the other.
branch OF the 'sY'' formed by the juno
ton OF Farmer-st. and Library-ave.. at
Grand River, Is the Newcomb- Endicott
addition. Substantial. modern and or
nate.
One block east. on Grand River, one
cncounfers broadway, which was
known as Miami-ave. 10 years ago.
ornamentinR the northwest corner Ii
the new Selling q May building. re-
Gently completed, while on the south
west corner 10 the huge gap in the
ground that marks the first step in the
efection Of the Broadway market.
All along Broadway one finds evil
dences Of progress. Notable examples
are the Broadway Central building.
the Holmes block, the surgical instru-
ulent house OF the ]. f.. Hartz Co. and
several other modern business estab-
IIshments, all OF which have replaced
old residences and bear striking wit
nbss to the fact that Detroit is no
longer one-street town in business
sense.
Woodward-ave., too. has figured in
this metamorDhosis. The new bust
ness home of ID. J. Healy. dealer in i'm
Dbrted specialties and fancy goods,
3h the east side of Woodward be-
tween Grand River and John r. is an
skample. With it's marquise. covering
the full width OF the sidewalk. II IL
unquestionablv one of the most artis-
nc store buildings In the country and
d q distinct establishment TO the
Avenue The locations OF the English
Wooden Mills Co. and the j. A. Burns
20. are two other slightly examples of
,kconstruction and strictly modern ap-
0bintments. Further up the street Is
be Woodward arcade, always a scene
u activity. Several more new firms
ave found quarters here and they
ave made good from the start On
the west side, there Is the new Grin
1ell music store. with its remarkably
attractive white front, and the re-
modelled fur house OF Newton Annis.
A step further down. the Lewis Gold
On building has suDplanted the old
stores vacated by Grinnel Bros.
Right IN line with all these improve
ment has been the remodeling OF the
Times building. just completed. Stand.
ing ~ the head OF Farmerst., midway
between Woodward and Broadway
and set on by ornamental columns and
wrought Iron brackets topped by great
white globes. II serves TO mark the
Biographical ceunter OF The Times
Distict" as impressively by night as
~ day