Virtually nothing symbolizes Detroit’s background as the Motor Capital of the world better than this gift from the World’s Fair of 1964-65, which was held for two six-month periods in Flushing Meadows, New York, near the former Shea Stadium (the fair’s theme: “Peace Thru Understanding”).

As can be seen, the eight-story, approximate 100 ton structure – properly titled Uniroyal Giant Tire – did start its life at the event as a Ferris wheel with “US Royal Tires” originally emblazoned on it.

This historic structure was built in 1939 on land deeded by Henry and Clara Ford. Comprising 38 acres at the corner of Southfield Road and Outer Drive, the original building shown here was later complimented by additions made during World War II, and again during the 1960s.

The Southgate Tower, known to many as the Security Bank Building, is located in Southgate where Fort Street, Pennsylvania and Trenton Roads converge, and has been a landmark in this spot since 1973. It sits on what once was the grounds of the old Wonderland Amusement Park.

The tallest building between Detroit and Toledo, it was locally well-known for its annual Christmas tree formed by green and gold lights in its windows. In 2016, it was announced the tower was completely vacated following the departure of PNC Bank, with vandalism taking place. By 2021, Southgate Mayor Joseph Kuspa announced the site was currently under review for repurposing as a possible apartment complex.

Finally in 2023, plans were approved for the tower to house high-level apartments, a nature area, and bridge over Trenton Road to connect with Kiwanis Park. The overall restoration project was due to be completed late in 2026.

White Star Refining began along Allen and West Roads in the early 1920s, and became one of three refineries (and one of four tank farms) to have operated Downriver; the other facilities being Marathon’s complex in Detroit/Melvindale, and Petroleum Specialties Incorporated (PSI) near Flat Rock.  

Major operations began phasing out in this location in the early 1980s after many name changes to the facility (Socony-Vacuum, then Socony-Mobil).  A decade later, the area best known as the Mobil Refinery would be cleared and readying for the multitude of shops now located along that stretch. 

The original WCX-AM when broadcasting debuted in 1922, WJR would move its offices to the iconic Fisher Building in Detroit around 1928. Transmitting power increased from its initial 10,000 watts up to an eventual level of 50,000 watts.

To help provide for the increased modulation, a new facility was sought out and found at the corner of Sibley and Grange in Riverview. Designed by Cyril Edward Schley and constructed in 1934 using Zig-Zag Art Deco, it is somehow not yet listed in the Michigan Register of Historic Places, yet it is probably without a doubt Downriver’s best example of Art Deco on any of its commercial buildings today.

Public sentiment on this structure since its opening in 2004 has been vocally mixed. Some have called it a massive improvement over the double-viaduct setup of the 1960s which preceded it (the interchange had a dangerous left-hand merge/left-hand exit setup), while some have referred to it as “The Big Blue Blunder,” saying state money should have been spent on freeway or road resurfacing instead.

Geared to give travelers from Detroit Metro Airport an impressive sight to see in time for the 2005 Super Bowl in downtown Detroit, this particular bridge/interchange setup is the only one of its type in the state of Michigan, and has been proven to cause fewer accidents in the time it has been in service.

Water towers appear to be revered among many Downriver residents thanks to various Facebook posts throughout the years. Of the many which our area had, two stand out in particular: the ones which stood guard over Sears Lincoln Park Shopping Center, and Southgate Shopping Center.

The Sears water tower, anchoring the plaza in Lincoln Park, stood until 2025, and underwent only one modification in nearly sixty years of existence. It was originally an all-silver tower with SEARS in big, black, capital letters. Around the time of the Sears store’s exterior modifications (late 1990s), the tower received its more recent look. This water tower would bear witness to this particular Sears store becoming the most successful in the world during a stretch in the 1960s.

The Southgate water tower had its own interesting history. Situated at the foot of Federal Department store, its role was to signify what would be Downriver’s largest shopping center from 1958 to 1970. The large “S” on the crown and “Federal” running down the tower stem were fixtures into the early 1970s.

Located on the southern part of Grosse Ile off Southpointe Drive, the Wonder Well produced a natural flow of two million gallons of water daily at its peak.

The well was drilled in 1903 in an attempt to locate oil, but drillers mistakingly drilled into this spring rich with mineral water.  The water was taken from here and bottled for medicinal purposes throughout Michigan and Ohio up until 1957.

With the dawn of the Industrial Revolution by the 1870s, the Detroit River became a huge shipping point for trade, not just for neighboring Canada but other states bordering Michigan in the high Great Lakes area. Initially, shipping could only occur during the day, which led to the Cleveland Vessel Owners Association petitioning to have range lights installed through the Downriver section of the Detroit River in order to facilitate night-time shipping for steamboat traffic. This request was granted and by 1891, the first front and rear range light appeared on Hennepin Point.