They kept everything.

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My Grandparents kept everything, and it all ended up in my lap. This collection of stuff ranged from the cool (WWII V-Mail from my Uncle Frank) to the "you've got to be kidding me" (receipts from a trip taken in the 50s). I've weeded out a lot of the nonsense and kept the more interesting (at least what was interesting to me). In turn I decided to create this site to not only post some items, but also as a research exercise. Most items are from Chicago and Detroit, but of course family trips expanded their reach of hoarding. I hope you enjoy this very random collection. Frank Kownacki

theme by Robin Wragg

 
The recent good news about Chrysler being out of the dumps reminded me of this postcard.  This is the old Dodge Plant, which became known as Dodge Main, in Hamtramck, Michigan.  This postcard looks to be from the 1920s and I can guarantee you that my Grandma knew people, or even was related to folks, that worked there.   Hamtramck is a separate city that is surrounded by Detroit and was pretty much built up because of this plant.  The plant itself was built in 1910 and instantly the town grew in population as the labor force moved in, most of which were Polish.  (Before the plant closed 90%+ of Hamtramck was Polish.)  The original plant closed and was demolished in 1980/81 to make way for the monster GM Poletown plant.  That plant is so big that it wiped out entire neighborhoods in both Hamtramck and Detroit that were taken over through eminent domain (which was a very ugly fight with the residents).   One weird part of the old neighborhoods that remains is a Jewish cemetery that is completely isolated within the grounds of the GM plant.  The Beth Olem cemetery is walled-in and only open twice a year for only two hours each time (on the Sundays preceding Rosh Hashana and Passover).  Even my cousin that lived in Hamtramck when the plant came down didn’t know about this cemetery.  Anyway, I found this site that has photos of it along with some sad stories about the flak people get when they try to visit their ancestors.  All in all it’s pretty sad when you stop and think about it.  If you go here you can see the cemetery located within the plant’s grounds. 

The recent good news about Chrysler being out of the dumps reminded me of this postcard.  This is the old Dodge Plant, which became known as Dodge Main, in Hamtramck, Michigan.  This postcard looks to be from the 1920s and I can guarantee you that my Grandma knew people, or even was related to folks, that worked there.  

Hamtramck is a separate city that is surrounded by Detroit and was pretty much built up because of this plant.  The plant itself was built in 1910 and instantly the town grew in population as the labor force moved in, most of which were Polish.  (Before the plant closed 90%+ of Hamtramck was Polish.)  The original plant closed and was demolished in 1980/81 to make way for the monster GM Poletown plant.  That plant is so big that it wiped out entire neighborhoods in both Hamtramck and Detroit that were taken over through eminent domain (which was a very ugly fight with the residents).   One weird part of the old neighborhoods that remains is a Jewish cemetery that is completely isolated within the grounds of the GM plant.  The Beth Olem cemetery is walled-in and only open twice a year for only two hours each time (on the Sundays preceding Rosh Hashana and Passover).  Even my cousin that lived in Hamtramck when the plant came down didn’t know about this cemetery.  Anyway, I found this site that has photos of it along with some sad stories about the flak people get when they try to visit their ancestors.  All in all it’s pretty sad when you stop and think about it. 

If you go here you can see the cemetery located within the plant’s grounds. 

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