The Detroit times., 1917-02-26
CITY IS NOT
SlIBDIvIDE0
TOOfAR OUT
Detroit Is Just Now Be-
ginning To
Spread
PEOPLE NEED
FORESIGHT
Those Who Have Re-
tanned Land Have
Made Millions

lFIuiA hhu nut oNru ouuoiFtuVN
too far out" declared a represents
tive OF the Detroit Real Estate board
when asked for his opinion on this
question "ln fact" he continued.
Detroit has just commenced to
spread and property which may
now be considered too far out will.
before long. be classed az close
in.
''Detroits growth has been sensa
,ional during recent years. The
city has grown beyond itself In
many ways because housing facili.
ties and all public utilities have
been unable TO keep pace with the
Increase in population. For this
reason people have been forced 10
live within a rather restricted area
ot the city. They have become &C.
customed 20 living in close proxim
itv 10 ths central business section.
This IL a privilege. but people
do not stop 10 realize that they en-
Joy u while AZ the same time they
are living in an unnatural condi-
ton Of housing congestion. For
this reason past experience has
proved in many cities that under
such conditions the foresight OF the
people becomes somewhat clouded
and II is AZ times dificult TO make
the taxpayers perceive the neces
sity OF supporting bond issues and
l. other ways stimulating the ex
pansion OF the residential districts
into the open country where the
freedom OF home life may be en-.
joyed.
The subdivider must necessarily
be far sighted. lie has been right.
L. classed as one OF the most i'm
portant elements in the building OF
any city. ~ r. his business 10
look ahead and perceive the needs
OF the growing city so that the open
country surrounding the city may be
properly developed TO care for the
future needs In home sites.
1T q the history OF every city
o. community OF any material size
that always there are certain old
timers Who can be heard 10 say
I had a chance 60 buy that prop
orty few years back at a price
that would now net me a profit sui
ncient 10 enable me to retire. but |
didn't have the foresight
The history OF Detroit shows
how many old time families have
lost millions by their lack Of fore.
sight In failing Ia hold on TO their
extensive land possessions. while. on
tho other hand. there are today In
Detroit many families OF great
wealth and afHuence who were far.
sighted enough 10 maintain their
holdings rs well az 20 invest In
property which was then too far
out but which nov is centrally To-
Gated
The FIRST step in Detroit's growth
took place when the FIRST settlers
In 1901 cut a path northward thru
the woods from the little stockaded
settlement on the river bank. That
path has been extended until today
II Is Woodward ave. and the prin.
cipal thorofarc In the city. As
years elapsed the more venture.
some settlers were granted land
holdings out Woodward-ave. as re-
ward for their intrepIdity as farm
ers In the woods Some OF those
grants now constitute sites for such
buildings as the Pontchartrain ho-
tel. city hall. Dime Bank building.
and. in fact. the entire central bus
mess section OF the city.
Millions upon millions In wealth
have been returned 10 those descend.
ants OF the settlers possessing fore
sight enough 10 retain their land
possessions. The next step in De
trolts growth came when Jerer.
son. Fort. Gratiot. Michigan and
Grand River-aves. branched OF from
Woodward. ave. during successive
periods Not many years ago the
cows gra1ed on pastures very close
TO what Is now Times square.
Subdivision development II a re-
hection OF the same natural condi.
lions that have featured the growth
% the city In past years. As com
pared 20 many other cities OF equal
size. subdivisions In Detroit. as
whole, are not far out but are made
to appear 80 in many instances BY
the absence OF proper traction and
other facilities. in few years
from now. when housing facilities
have oauEht M with the needs OF
tho city. the newly annexed terri
tory vii be 40 we'll populated that
u will be close-in compared TO sub
seaufnt subdivision development
that will be necessitsted by the In.
creased population"