I've been by this house on Adelaide in Brush Park numerous times over the years, and have even taken a few pictures of it from time to time. However, it wasn't until today that I learned a bit about the home's history. According to the book Home In Detroit the famous comedian/actor Danny Thomas and his wife Rose Marie Mantell Thomas lived here beginning in 1936. The photos below show the home in 2004 and again in 2009.
*Special Note* a portion of the proceeds from the sale of Home in Detroit are being donated to Motor City Blight Busters.
2 comments:
You know, its a shame that folks don't realize the history of the neighborhoods and homes in Detroit. I'm not blaming you for not knowing Danny Thomas lived there, but to me - maybe folks wouldn't let some of these once treasured homes, shops, etc. get so run down.
Then again, most folks don't care either. Detroit has become like an old museum that nobody visits. It's like you know that its there, but you don't really care.
I lived on the northwest side by Fenkell and Grand River when I was a kid. Lot of 70-80 yr old homes there now. Just nobody can afford to keep these old 'gals' up anymore.
Just sad, I guess.
Danny Thomas supposedly prayed at the Shrine/Statue of St. Jude at SS Peter and Paul Cathedral at John R and Adelaide (SW corner now site of townhomes)promising if he was successful he would help others in need. He became a famous entertainer and founded St. Jude's Hospital for Children. So, it figures if he lived on that block, as a devout Catholic SS Peter and Paul would have been the closest church. the building dated from the 1860's as St. Patrick's, became the Roman Cathedral in the 1880's and was enlarged several times. When Blessed Sacrament at Woodward and Belmont was named the new Cathedral, the old church reverted back to St. Patricks. Demolished in the early 1980's if I remember correctly.
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