The Ford Historic Home District
contains some really beautiful homes. Although there are only six
different styles (A-F) each looks unique. We were surprised to learn
that this development had nothing to do with cars but with equipment and
tractors. Henry Ford started production of tractors in 1915 to help
the American farmer. He employed 400 men who had to rent homes in Detroit
at the high rate of $75.00 per month and ride the crowded street car to
get to work. In 1919 construction of high quality homes began by
Dearborn Realty and Construction Company whose major shareholders were
Clara Ford and Edsel Ford. 250 homes were constructed in 1919 and
1920. Pictured are models that originally sold for about $9000 in 1919.
The CRUISIN' history of rock and roll radio begins in 1956, one of the most exciting years in "pop" history, and to take us down this memory lane (with a beat) is Robin Seymour of WKMH, which was, when he joined it, a little-known station in Dearborn, Michigan. Robin came to the suburban Detroit station from the Armed Forces Radio Network and he brought with him a voice that mixed the warm, confidential tone of an intimate friend with the slick disc jockey rap we all know today, a blend which made him a natural for housewives and teenagers alike.
Robin
never had any particular ethnic identification or allegiance - but the
"Bobbin' with Robin Show" quickly found its audience, as he constructed a
bright, orderly program that featured (almost exclusively) the records
listed on the sales charts printed by the music press. He also was among
the first of the nation's deejays to ask his listeners what they
thought about new records, and hosted some of the earliest sock hops and
commercial tie-ins with local record stores. In 1953 he was named "Disc
Jockey of the Year" by Billboard, the music trade magazine. The
following year he was given the same title by another publication, Hit
Parader.
The Botsford Inn 
With over a quarter of a million people voting, Miller's Bar on
Michigan Avenue in Dearborn has claimed the number one spot in metro
Detroit for the all-American hamburger. We had to go check it out. This
little unassuming place was packed wall to wall and Shirley, our
server, was a stitch. When we asked her what beer was on tap, she
responded with attitude, "Miller"! The burgers were delicious, but we
have to confess a huge surprise in finding out they were served sans plate--just
on a piece of paper. Another shocker was--no bill! You just go up to
the counter and tell the cashier what you ordered. We thoroughly enjoyed
the experience. 
Built
on the site of an earlier theater, the Strand, the Calvin opened in
1927 and could seat around 1300. It also contained an organ. For much of
its years in operation, it was part of the Wisper & Wetsman chain.
In 1965, it was modernized and began screening second-run films. In
1980, it was gutted by two blazes in the space of two months, and
shortly thereafter, the property was acquired by the city of dearborn and the ruins demolished.
The Dearborn Inn, located at 20301 Oakwood Boulevard in Dearborn, Michigan, was conceived by Henry Ford, who saw a need for food and accommodations for visitors flying into the nearby Ford Airport. Designed by famed architect Albert Kahn,
the Dearborn hotel was intended to be a stately inn with Georgian
architecture and, upon its opening in July 1931, it became the first
airport hotel in the country.
THE DEARBORN DRIVE INN- 
Bob Lo
