See Downriver from the viewpoints of TV commercials and personal images!
As a general rule, please note these video presentations were submitted freely by individual YouTube members, who may or may not be members of the Facebook “Downriver History & Facts” site, or predecessor sites, unless otherwise noted.
Neither downriverhistory.org nor WordPress and its predecessors for providing this site are responsible for the existing content in the videos, though proper discretion is taken when selecting them for our listing, in order to eliminate those with excessive profanity or less-than-flattering social commentary.
Artistic License is solely the responsibility of the video provider.
Bowling For Dollars
Allen Park’s Thunderbowl Lanes was THE place to see and be seen from 1974-1979 and is often given credit for being the most successful local market under the nationwide banner of “Bowling for Dollars.”
Elizabeth Park Recreation
Gives a nice tour of Wayne County’s oldest park seen from a modern-day viewpoint.
Ray Whitfield Ford (Taylor)
One of the classics which also had one of the longest lifespans of local TV commercials… even remade with new vocals for the 21st century.
Walt Lazar Chevrolet (1988)
Fortunately, this commercial is listed first on this video, so one will not need to scroll. From WDIV-Channel 4, this popular dealership would compete with the aforementioned Ray Whitfield Ford dealership up Telegraph Road.
Southgate Heritage Days Parade 1960s
Estimated to be late 1960s 8mm film capture of the annual parade. Our best guess is that Eureka Road is the scene, between Richmond and Fordline Roads, near the McDonald’s restaurant.
From the eyes of “Wendy Ward”
Posted by the Southgate Historical Foundation in January 2026, this is a 1960 peak into one of Montgomery Ward’s annual Wendy Ward Charm School presentations. The foundation was unsure whether this was the Southgate Shopping Center location, but the webmaster can confirm it is.
Miranda Jones: What is Downriver?
This video was produced in 2023 by Downriver-area realtor Miranda Jones, who gives a good explanation as to who we are as an area and as a people.
Drone footage of Sibley Quarry
Locals have been unable to visually see progress at the quarry since berms were installed on the Fort Street side in the 1980s. This video, shot in 2022, gives a drone view of the quarry’s current state. There seems to be a lot of equipment abandoned on-site. The quarry is expected to be operable until at least the 2040s.
Bob-Lo Island: Historical Videos
This documentary is narrated by legendary Detroit-area TV broadcaster Mort Crim.
This is a silent, 1972 film showing the happenings on Bob-Lo Island.
Tour of the Bob-Lo steamer Columbia, now the oldest surviving passenger steamer in the United States. This footage was shot in 2014, one year before being towed to New York via Toledo, where ongoing efforts to return the boat to glory as an educational experience are underway. Its eventual route will be New York’s Hudson River, date to be determined.
Documentarian Katie Hawkins explores the remnants of the park (2012).
Facebook embedded videos
We are still working to make these Facebook flashback videos more accessible. We have posted these, assuming most people now have subscriptions to the service. This particular section will be designed and updated soon, so please check back.
https://www.facebook.com/michael.stoner.712/videos/940749875962885
downriverhistory.blog 