Research on the City of Hazel Park by the Historical Commission Many times people would ask of City Officials or the Librarians about the history of our City. They found there were not many records of the early days of our community. One group of people began to worry that as time passed, chances of obtaining material about those early days would become slim. This was brought to the attention of the City Council, who passed an Ordinance on January 24, 1966, creating its first Historical Commission. The members‚ job was, and still is, to locate and preserve historical records and items. Seven members were appointed. The first Historical Commission members were Mrs. John Lacey, Chairwoman; Mrs. Willma Monroe, Vice-Chairwoman; Mrs. A. S. Sollose, Secretary; Mrs. Shirley Finely; Mrs. James Gibson, Sr.; Mrs. Charles Kunze, Sr.‚ and Mr. Frank Neusius. The Historical Commission asks that persons who have old records or photographs contact the Historical Commission so that copies can be made and placed on file. It is the Historical Commission‚s hope that one day a complete history of the City be possible. Due to the Commission‚s dedication, hard work, and persistent efforts, the following is a narrative of the history of Hazel Park: After the War Of 1812 between England and the United States, the United States Congress wanted to provide the war veterans with new land on which to live. It ordered two million acres to be surveyed. They acre which is now Oakland County was to be the first. Under the law, the surveyors were to divide the land into townships, six miles square. Each township would be given a number and then divided into 36 one-mile squares. The township in which our city now stands was labeled Royal Oak Township. A survey was taken and reports said that this land was very attractive for settlers, as it had rich soil, plenty of fresh water, and was covered with good timber, such as maple, elm, ash, walnut, beech, hickory, white and black oak, and an abundance of hazelnut bushes with large hazelnuts. In 1820, Congress passed a new law saying that land could be purchased in smaller parcels. For One Dollar, men could buy a quarter acre. Who were the first settlers in the area that our City now occupies? The first large purchases of land are recorded on July 3, 1835. Land titles were transferred from the Government to a Mr. Shubael Conant. As much as an entire Section (640 acres) was purchased on this date as well as several small parcels by other persons. By 1872, Mr. Conant still retained the largest amount of contact property. Thirteen homes had been erected by this time on other smaller parcels of which most were forty acres each. The only residence in the Northeast Section was that of Thomas J. Lacey and his wife, Ellen, two of the earliest permanent settlers, who came here in the early 1860‚s by ox and wagon. Born in England on May 6, 1798, Thomas J. Lacey lived in Canada prior to his arrival here. His sister bought property for him after walking from Ann Arbor, more than forty miles away. He built a log cabin house for his family, approximately in the vicinity of what is now Vassar and Woodward Heights. Two sons were born in that long cabin house, Thomas W. Lacey on July 28, 183 and John R. Lacey on October 17, 1865. These two sons continued to work their father‚s farm after his death in May, 1882. This included, at one time, the land now occupied by the Racetrack. The barn from this farm still stands north of Woodward Heights near Couzens and is believed to be the only one of its type of building within this area. Thomas W. Lacey established his own home with his wife Celia, and their son Homer, on Nine Mile near Campbell Road, continuing to farm. He was Township Highway overseer for many years and served as an official on the School Board from 1900 to 1920. He also served as President of the Board Of Education. A school erected at Nine Mile and John R. bore his father‚s name. John R. Lacey was married in March 1895 to Minnie Mandel, who, as a girl of twelve, came to the Detroit area from Germany. She met the Lacey Family though her cousins, the Grubb Family, who had a farm nearby. Some years later, they built a home at 1143 Woodward Heights, where their two youngest songs, Marvin and John H. were born, both of whom graduated from the first two classes of the first Hazel Park High School in 1930 and 1931. These two men in turn had five sons between them, who all attended school when classes were held, for at that time school lessons were given two days one week and perhaps three the following week. They went on to graduate from the present High School. John R. Lacey farmed the land until he died in 1943. The last of this generation graduated in 1966. Marvin Lacey was married in 1938 to Dorthea Hoemke who was born in Royal Oak. His mother continued to live in her home until her death in May 1960. This home was removed in 1964, and the Church of Christ Of Hazel Park was erected on the site. Marvin resided in the home he built west of his parent‚s home. His three youngest sons, Thomas, Marvin, and Gerald, attended the Junior and Senior High Schools. John H. Lacey was married in 1940 to Lucille Seeholzer who was born in Detroit. He and his family lived in the home they built east of his parent‚s house. They‚re youngest son, Lloyd, and their oldest son, Alan, graduated from the High School. Alan went on to attend Macomb Community College. Mrs. Grubb once owned the property on which the Jardon Vocational School now stands. An early school census taken in 1889 lists five Grub children attending school. Although the name is spelled with only one „b‰ in the record, perhaps Minnie, Teney, John, Alvena, and Emma Grub were Mrs. Grubb‚s children, or of some relation. Perhaps not, for still another record gives them the last name of „Grubby.‰ Four generations of that family have been traced. John R. Lacey ‚s two sons completed high school and were graduated from the first two classes of the first High School building in 1930 and 1931. These two men had sons, all who were graduated from the present Senior High School. The last of this generation was graduated in 1966. Among some of the first settlers was Peter Neusius, a Detroit tailor, his wife and their two children, Anthony and Julia. His family was among the first of the German-speaking settlers. They came here from Detroit about 1870 and settled on Nine Mile Road, between Wanda and West End as we know it today. An older son of Peter Neusius, Anthony, cleared the first land which is known today as Hazel Park. To date these two families, Thomas J. Lacey and Peter Neusius, have been found to be the earliest permanent settlers and whose descendants have taken an active part in community affairs up to and including the present. This land had natural drainage and plenty of rainfall which made it ideal for farming. Most of the early wells and water systems were drilled and installed by Michael Smith, who also served as Secretary on the early School Board. Of course these natural drains were disturbed as roads were built. The roads were literally „made‰ by the farmers during this early period. They also maintained the ditches by cutting the brush and regularly cleaning them. For this, they received credit for a part of their Township taxes. They also helped with the maintenance of the first school building and supplied it with firewood, etc., from their farms. Regarding how roads were developed and to make a shorter route to Detroit, a road was built from Eight Mile to Six Mile, known as Woodward. To pay its cost, a toll was charged of 4 cents for one horse and 8 cents for a two-horse team and wagon. Transportation in these early days was primarily by horse and buggy, followed by the Grand Trunk Railway and by Trolley, which traveled from Highland Park to Royal Oak though Hazel Park along the general alignment of Stephenson Highway, now known as the Chrysler Freeway. In addition, the only road north of Detroit ended at a vast swamp at Six Mile. From here, the settlers took what was know as the Indian Detroit Saginaw Trail. This wound through Eight Mile, then along the Ridge, angled along to Royal Oak and then around the Hills of Bloomfield and Birmingham to Pontiac. In 1882, the residents and farmers, after establishing themselves in the area, realized a need for the children and requested a school be built in the area. The first meeting was held October 22, 1882 in the yard of the home now standing at 40 East Nine Mile. An old ledger, now in the files of the Hazel Park Historical Commission was given by Michael Smith, who had kept it all these years and presented it in 1951 to the Hazel Park Memorial Head Librarian Mrs. Willma Monroe. It tells of the first meeting of the settlers to organize a school district. They met at 2:00 p.m., November 1, 1883 in the Grow and Benjamin(e) Brickyard. It stood at what is now that east end of the athletic field of Beecher Junior High School. A vote was taken, and in 1884, John W. Benjamin(e), School Inspector of the Royal Oak School District, petitioned the Sate of Michigan to establish a new school district from Sections 25, 26, 35 and 36 of Royal Oak Township, naming it Hazel Park School District Number 8. He chose the name from the abundance of hazelnut bushes growing wild in the area. Hence, the name of the City became known as Hazel Park. The men immediately elected William Fulton as Director, Joseph B. Grow as Assessor and Henry P. Beck as Moderator. They decided to buy one and one half acres of land on which to build a schoolhouse, then voted „that we got to look for a site.‰ In November, 1883, the Building Committee made of up Joseph B. Grow, John W. Benjamin(e), Agust Muhme, and D.L. Campbell, decided the one-room schoolhouse, which was eventually increased to two rooms, would be built on what is now the Guesthouse Hotel property. They voted to spend $150.00 on the one and one half acres and $1,000.00 on the schoolhouse. At first, the men thought they would like to build a schoolhouse modeled after one made of longs in Troy Township. Later, they changed their minds and decided to design their own. When finished, the white-painted schoolhouse bore a black roof and black shutters. A flag flew from the belfry. Later, these men voted to spend not more than $14.00 on a school bell. In beautiful elaborate script writing, which we do not often see now, Miss Margaret S. Simonds singed the first teacher contract for $75.00. School Board members had voted to „hire a lady teacher.‰ Miss Simonds taught her students eight months of each year. On her records she checked that spelling, reading, writing, mental arithmetic and arithmetic were being taught. Of the fifty-two children enrolled, twenty-eight showed up for classes. Perhaps the others were needed to help farm the land. It should be stated, as indicated by other records that have been kept, that a Miss Marie Knowles (later Mrs. W.H. Osgood of Royal Oak) taught the first class of twenty-five students. Lena Neusius was among the pupils. The building, known as Hazel Park School, was used until 1920 and sold to Frank Neusis when the Lacey School was built. Mr. Neusis used the building for a Barbershop and Grocery, moving the building across John R at Woodruff. In later years, a record tells that a new floor had to be built around the stove at a cost of $4.85. Was this because the floor had become worn from the children gathering around the warmth of the stove? Other school bills that had to be paid included one for „cleaning the stovepipe.‰ Others were for the „purchase of a water bucket‰ and for „repairing the outhouse.‰ The old ledger also contains the names of may pioneer schoolchildren. Listed is Annie and Frank Hamata and May Felker. Today we have streets named Hamata and Felker. Do you suppose they were named for those early families? About 1919, this first little white schoolhouse was moved from its site and placed behind Frank Neusius‚ store. The bell was removed and taken to St. Paul‚s Lutheran School in Royal Oak. The next year, a two-story brick building rose where the old schoolhouse sat. It was named for Thomas W. Lacey. In 1922, the ninth, tenth and eleventh grades were added. In 1923, an addition was added because the student population was growing. Years later, Lacey School became a Junior High School and later still, the School Board Administration offices. At one time, a few vocational classes were held there. Four Elementary schools were built by 1929. For 30 years, students attended High School classes in what is now Beecher Junior High School. The first High School class graduated in 1930. The present High School, located on Hughes Street, opened in the spring of 1960. In 1968, the old school was renamed to honor Howard H. Beecher, who was principal from 1924 to 1957. That same year, another Junior High School opened. It was named Wilfred Webb Junior High School for Dr. Webb, Superintendent of Schools. He served for almost 30 years with the Hazel Park schools. Anthony Neusius, son of Peter Neusius and father of Frank Neusius, retired head of the Hazel Park Water Department, was leasing a home from Mr. Benajin(e) as payment of clearing three acres of land per year. Frank Neusius became Supervisor of the Water Department and held that job until he retired. He developed and put into operation the area‚s water system. In the 1920‚s, Frank Neusius operated one of the first grocery stores on John R at Woodruff Street. Henry Meinke was born in Detroit and settled here in 1873. His son, Dr. Herman Meinke, built and operated for nearly 35 years the only hospital in the area at the time at Eight Mile and Stephenson Highway, which was named for his mother Helene Meinke. It was removed several decades later with the coming of the I-75 Expressway at Eight Mile. It was the site of the family farm. The area grew slowly, and it was not until World War I, when the Ford Motor Company of Highland Park expanded, that people began to purchase property and build in Hazel Park. The men commuted to work on the Trolley, which ran along Stephenson Highway. The homes were lighted by oil lamps and water was carried from the few wells. As stated earlier, four Elementary Schools were built; Martin Road (renamed Lee O. Clark Elementary in 1966) and Wanda were built in 1923, United Oaks and Hoover in 1925. High School classes were started in Lacey School in 1923 and the first High School at Nine Mile and Highland was dedicated in 1929. This building is now Beecher Junior High School. During those times, the city of Highland Park bought 21 acres at the north end of the Lacey farm. The Conley brothers operated a pig farm there. At times they had as many as 1,000 pigs. After the piggery closed, the property was used by Highland Park as a dump. At that time there were no incinerators and many open dumps dotted the countryside. Later the property was purchased by our City and then sold to the corporation that built the raceway. In 1918, subdividing of farms began with the first houses built on Yuma Avenue in 1921. A streetcar track was built from Six Mile to Royal Oak and on the track ran the „Toonerville Trolly‰ as it was known by these first suburban settlers. Two cars ran on this single line track, which created some problems. One car would have to wait at a side switch at the Woodward Heights intersection until the other car passed that point. Then the first car could continue on its way. When a car reached the end of the line, the conductor changed the trolley on the wire overhead then removed the operating levers. He then moved to the other end of the car, put the handles on that end and was ready for a return trip. In June 1922, Frank Neusius opened the first General Store at the corner of John R and Woodruff, called the Hazel Park Grocery. This was followed in 1924 by a Notions store built by Grandma Sark on Nine Mile west of John R. That same year, Grandpa Wood built his Grocery Store on Nine Mile east of Stephenson. The following year, 1925, Roy Loft built his Hardware Store on the corner of John R and Woodruff. The first Drug Store was opened in 1926 by Joe Dulac and was called Joe‚s Drug Store. A thriving business area developed at John R and Nine Mile with a few businesses scattered along Eight Mile. The Hazel Park Athletic Club was well known for its wrestling matches. The Hazel Park Sate Bank was organized. Dr. Ernest Bauer established his office and home in Hazel Park in 1924, and for many years was the only resident physician. George W. Ashley established the Ashley Funeral Home in 1927. It is now operated by his son, Allen Ashley. Archie McCardell, Master Plumber, started his business in 1920 with his first partner Harold Watts. The first Service Club, the Hazel Park Exchange Club, was organized in 1924. They provided a building for the Deputy Sheriff, obtained both the first traffic light at John R and Nine Mile and a substation of the Royal Oak Post Office. The Hazel Park Women‚s Club, a member of the County, State, and National Federations, organized in 1923. The first Fraternal group was the Hazel Park I.O.O.F. #515, chartered 1924, followed by the Hazel Park Rebekah Lodge #497 in 1925. The Hazel Park Chapter #486 O.E.S. chartered in 1928 and the P.T.A. Council was organized in 1927. Area growth continued even in a spiritual sense, with the establishing of the following churches: Hazel Park First Baptist, Tabernacle Baptist, Free Will Baptist, Calvary Baptist, Church of Christ, Hazel Park First Methodist, Free Will Methodist, Hazel Park Lutheran, St. Margaret‚s Episcopal, St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church, and the Church Of The Nazarene. All have since built new church buildings. This was one of the areas hardest hit by the Depression and bank failures of the 1920‚s and 1930‚s. Many people lost their homes, business places closed and the majority of people were on relief because the population had depended on Detroit for employment. Early attempts were made to annex to Detroit but failed, and feeble attempts were then made to incorporate the area of the School District. The first Library came into being as a result of the efforts of many people in the community. In May 1936, the Hazel Park Parent Teacher Association Council called a meeting. People for 28 different clubs and organizations came. It was decided all would work hard to make the Library a reality. John E. Erickson, Superintendent of Schools, was to act as Temporary Chairman and William Jewell was to be Temporary Secretary. To get things started, the P.T.A. donated $227.00. September 26, 1936 was set as Library Day. On that day, volunteers went from house to house asking for books. Young school children dressed up in gay storybook costumes and paraded about. Next a community fair was held and brought in $403.00. On November 4, 1936, rules were made, a Constitution adopted and Officers elected. John E. Erickson was named President. The necessary equipment was purchased with the $630.00 and the 1,617 books arranged in a basement room of the Lacey School. Three years later, the Library contents were moved to rooms in the back of the then Lofft Hardware at the corner of John R and Woodruff. Mrs. Wilma Monroe was hired as Head Librarian. The people of the community were still not content. They wanted a permanent building and began to make plans. In 1937, a fundraising drive was held which netted $2,832.52. Two lots at Pearl and Otis streets were purchased for $368.89. This left only a little over $1,500.00 for the building itself. There was only one thing to do. Each Saturday, and sometimes during the week, men of the community gathered to help build it. Those that could not help donated materials. John G. Campbell acted as General Supervisor of the construction. The Building Committee members were Superintendent John E. Erickson, Carl Frostman and Sam Burbin. Because of this volunteer help, the cost of the completed building was $3,100.00. The cornerstone was laid of September 28, 1940. A grand opening was held January 6, 1941. Mr. Erickson died in 1948. On the first Anniversary of his death, the Library was renamed in his honor. At the dedication ceremony, held May 1, 1949, a framed portrait of Mr. Erickson was presented by Dr. Ernest Bauer, as a gift from the Hazel Park Exchange Club. Mrs. William Gibson made the dedication. Mrs. Monroe accepted the portrait. School children placed a granite stone bearing a copper tablet in front of the library. It remains there today. The Library Board operated the Library until July 1942, when it was told there had been a reduction in state aid. It did not want the Library to close and asked the School District to take over the operation. This they did until October 1960, when a school mileage defeat made it necessary to give up the job. The Library was to close November 1960, but the city came to the rescue and took over on July 1, 1961. By 1967, the Library building was overcrowded. There was little room for students to study and old books had to be packed away to make room for new ones. It was decided a new and larger Library was needed. In August 1967, a Library Building Authority was created my city officials. Bonds would be sold to build the Library. Once built, money coming into the Library would be used to pay back the money. Shortly after the new Library was built at the corner of Nine Mile and Carlisle Avenue, dedication ceremonies were held on April 5, 1970. It was named the Hazel Park Memorial Library as a memorial to the men of the community who had died in all wars. Plaques were presented to families of men who died in Vietnam. Value of this beautiful Library is $420,000.00. The Library was opened January 1, 1941, with Mrs. Wilma Monroe as Librarian. The first year 20,607 books were circulated. On July 9, 1942, the Library Association, having no funds available for operation, gave the building and property to the Hazel Park School District. The city took over the management of the Library in February, 1961. Enthused by the support for the Library, the residents, under the directions of John G. Campbell, Dr. Ernest Bauer, Superintendent Of Schools John E. Erickson, C.B. Keister, owner of the weekly newspaper, The Palladium (Hazel Park News), Clarence Adams, a local barber, and many others, organized the Non-Partisan Taxpayers Association. Their goal was the incorporation of the area bounded on the south by Eight Mile, on the north by Ten Mile, on the east by Dequindre and on the west by West End, Pilgrim and Lennox. The area was the largest in population of any unincorporated area in the State. Police and Fire protection was under the jurisdiction of Royal Oak Township Officials. The Detroit Water Board serviced the area, but there were few sewers and those in existence were totally inadequate. The only paved roads, John R, Eight Mile, Nine Mile, Ten Mile, Stephenson and Dequindre, each had two paved lanes for travel. Street lighting had been abandoned by the utilities company. The Electors, on September 24, 1941, voted by 68 percent for Home Rule Government and elected the Charter Commission, consisting of Chairman John E. Erickson, Dr. Ernest Bauer, M.D., Delmar Hall, John R. Jones, George W. Ashley, Rev. Paul W. Szamanske, Clarence Adams, John G. Campbell, and George Westfall. On January 5, 1942, a 92 percent vote of the Electors approved the Charter and elected the first Council consisting of Mayor John G. Campbell and the following Councilmen: Clarence Adams, Dr. Ernest Bauer, M.D., Carl Graves, and William Chynoweth. They took their oath of office on February 2, 1942 in the new Library, the building they had helped to build. Rev Czamanske gave the invocation. The oath was administered by Lester Opliger, Royal Oak Township Clerk, and a resident of Hazel Park. John Dower was Justice of the Peace and resigned on February 24, 1942. The Council appointed Robert C. Baldwin to succeed him. William Balla was Constable. Once sworn in those first Councilmen appointed John R. Hall as Assessor. They agreed to pay him $210.00 a month. Dr. Ernest Bauer was named Acting Clerk and Carl Graves as Acting Treasurer, who both agreed to serve without pay. At the first session of the Council, four Ordinances were passed. The first three were necessary for the transition of Government: the Royal Oak Township Building Code, the Royal Oak Township Electrical Code, and an Ordinance governing the licensing of dogs. The forth Ordinance created a Civil Defense Unit for the new City. Clerks were hired at $27.00 a week. Stanton G. Dondero was named City Attorney and Sam McCreedy was named Building Inspector. Before Clarence Adams became a Councilman, he was a Deputy Sheriff in the Oakland County Sheriff‚s Department and served under William Wheeler, whose wife was a sister of Mrs. John Grubb. During those years, it was illegal to make, buy, or sell alcoholic beverages. „Bootleggers‰ was a name given to those who disobeyed the law. Sometimes Clarence Adams and the other men would have to raid an establishment where they knew alcohol was being sold. Sometimes a gunfight would ensue. Later that law was appealed. Old timers told of bullet holes they had observed in some of the buildings where raids had taken place. Dr. Ernest Bauer and his wife came to this area in 1924 and he began to practice medicine. At one time, his offices were above a drugstore that used to stand on the northwest corner of John R and Nine Mile. He had two sons, Bruce and William, who both followed their father into the medical profession. At one time, all three doctors had offices in the same building on the Stephenson Highway near John R. The new City was without operating funds until the summer taxes due in July would be collected. In order to receive their share of the State Gas and Weight monies, they requested a special Census from the Federal Census Bureau. Twenty-eight women volunteered their services and, under the direction of William Lehman, they counted 15,340 persons. They 1960 Census showed 25,631 persons. It was necessary to borrow $8,000.00 from the Royal Oak Township Water Department to supplement fees already collected to meet the $18,000.00 required for the first three months of city operation. Byron G. Rockwood was appointed City Manager and took over his duties April 1, 1942. The first meetings of the City Council were held in the John E. Erickson Memorial Library. Plans for development of the City, including paved streets, sewers and a new City Hall, were presented along with his first budget in the amount of $104,745.00, based on an assessed valuation of $1,919,364.13. City offices were rented at 4445 West Nine Mile, and with three employees, City Clerk Georgene Wallace, City Treasurer and Assessor John R. Hall, and Deputy Treasure and office girl Irene Jones, the city was in operation. The country was at war (World War II), and under the able direction of Manager Byron G. Rockwood and John E. Erickson as Coordinator, again the residents rallied for the war effort, including first aid classes at Lacey School on Sunday afternoons to 372 persons, including Air Raid Wardens, Zone Captains, and Auxiliary Police and Firemen. Hundreds of women volunteered for Red Cross work, knitting and sewing groups, U.S. Savings Bond sales and Ration Programs. The City Fathers were having their problems, as all materials and vehicles were restricted by the Government, making it difficult to set up the various departments of government. The cornerstone for the first City Hall was laid on February 24, 1954. It was combined with the Police Department. Before this, the Police Station had been located in several places throughout the City. Early residents claim the protectors were first located in a booth at Nine Mile and John R. The City‚s first police force was organized in 1942 with a total of three men. Robert E. Taylor was appointed Police Chief July 28, 1942 and by the end of the first year, six men were added to the staff. Among this staff were Harold Jill, James (Dusty) Nolan and Valoris (Pete) Scott. A force of 37 men and women were under the capable leadership of Chief Paul Marvin, until his retirement of April 18, 1967. The Fire department was slower to organize due to inability to obtain equipment. Sam McCreedy was named Chief August 16, 1943. Frank S. Drubin was appointed Chief January 1, 1944 following the untimely death of Mr. McCreedy. The first township fire station was located at Nine Mile and what is now the Chrysler expressway. Chief Durbin, along with Walter Ashley and James Wyland began their duties, in the partially finished building constructed by Stan O‚Conner and sold to the city on a lease option basis on East Nine Mile. The department of 21 men under Chief Durbin eventually located themselves in the new building on Russell, near Nine Mile. True to their campaign promises, the Council started free garbage and rubbish pickup in September 1942. The Hazel Park Mom‚s Unity Number 17 was the first organization to receive its Charter after the City‚s incorporation on September 17, 1942. They held breakfasts for the draftees at their inductions, sent Christmas packages to the men and women in the services, and have continued their working visiting veteran hospitals. Other organizations that became chartered in Hazel Park at the time of incorporation and are still active are q VFW Post # 3140, chartered November 1, 1934 q Auxiliary to Post 3140, chartered May 16, 1935 q Pride of Oakland Council #27 D. Of A., chartered 1936 q Metropolitan Club #64, chartered in 1946 q Auxiliary to # 64, chartered in 1948. The voters in April of 1944 turned down a 4-mill tax for three years, which would have provided a City Hall at an estimated cost of $70,000.00. The assessed valuation increased form $5,440,231.00 in 1942 to $16,880,045.00 in 1953. Hazel Park Aerie #2449 was Chartered in 1945 and its Auxiliary in 1947. The Hazel Park Lions Club was organized in 1948 followed by the Hazel Park Business Ad Professional Women‚s Club in 1950. This Club was successful in having Stephenson Highway widened to four lanes in the 1950s by the Michigan State Highway Department, and in having the Federal Government build a new Post Office in 1957. The Hazel Park Rotary Club was formed in April 1955; the Hazel Park Jay Cees on January 23, 1961; the Hazel Park Jay Cetts in 1962; the Hazel Park Junior Women‚s Club in April 1961; The Father Dolan Council #3170 Knights Of Columbus on July 25, 1962; and the Southeastern Business And Professional Women‚s Club in 1964. The Hazel Park F. and A. Lodge#570 was organized on February 22, 1944, and received their Charter on May 29, 1946. Youth groups during the early days included the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Camp Fire Girls and Club Parker. All of these clubs were active and helped with the war effort. The Hazel Park Rainbow Assembly for Girls was formed April 9, 1951 and the Hazel Park DeMoLay on June 11, 1952. The Intra Club Council Of Service Clubs was organized in 1950 by the Hazel Park Exchange Club, Hazel Park Business And Professional Women‚ s Club, Hazel Park Lions, V.F.W. #3140 and the Hazel Park Businessmen‚s Association. They were active in promoting Civic Programs such as city-wide clean-up drives, Christmas parties for the children at the Lacey School gymnasium, banquets for Hazel Park athletes, assisted with Michigan Week Observance and planned the Tenth Anniversary of the City. They, with Superintendent Wilfred D. Webb and the P.T.A. Council, organized the Youth Protection Council. They city adopted an ordinance governing this Committee in 1943. It is made up of representatives from business, professional, clergy and lay people working with trained staff member, under the approval of the Oakland County Court, to help and assist youth with their problems. Although the Salvation Army had for many years been in the City and given assistance to many residents, they established their first permanent headquarters and Church in 1955. Other churches established were St. Justin Catholic Church, Little O‚Fashioned, Wesley and Holiness, and the Hazel Park Community Church. Two parochial schools, St. Mary Magdalene and St. Justin have been established in the city. The residents of the community, under the leadership if Mayor John Campbell, City Editor Deister and the V.F.W. Post, contributed funds for a Memorial Building to house the honor roll of the men and women who had given their lives in World War II. It was erected in 1943 on Nine Mile on the property owned by the V.F.W. Post #3140. The People‚s State Bank Of Hazel Park was organized by business and professional residents and others, opening November 19, 1946. Benjamin(e) F. Saylor was President; Charles D. White was Cashier; Walter J. Klein was Assistant Cashier; and Henry Graham was another Assistance Cashier, who eventually became Vice President. Directors of this bank were Mr. Saylor; Mr. White; Robert Taylor, local manufacturer; Roy F. Klotz, local attorney; Maurice Haupert, former Hazel Park resident; and George N. Higgins, former State Representative of the area. This bank consolidated with City Bank Of Detroit on December 29, 1951 and again was re-organized as City National Bank in 1966. They completed a branch bank on July 15, 1963 with Wiley E. Galbraith, Cashier, a long time employee placed in charge. Bernard C. Osebold, Assistance Vice President, was in charge of the parent bank. The largest industry in the city is the Hazel Park Racing Association, which was organized in 1949. The city received $204,434.81 from the State Of Michigan for their share in the pari-mutual betting, which enabled the city to contribute to the city‚s growth by tax monies, real estate, and personal property. During the first four years this money was placed in a revolving fund and used to build the first City Hall at 22615 Stephenson Highway (eventually having to be raised to make way for the Chrysler Freeway) D.P.W. Building, Water Board Building on Couzens, and the Recreation Center on Woodward heights, without any cost to the taxpayers. Money was also loaned to the residents on a five-year plan to pave streets, construct sidewalks and lateral sewers. Since that time, and the advent of the Harness Races, the city has received $500,000.00 each year from the State of Michigan. This, along with other city revenues, goes into the general funds of the City. At the close of World War II, many builders came to Hazel Park to erect homes and industrial buildings. The Hazel Park Development Company and the Hazel Park Industrial Company, owned by the Fuller brothers, David, Arnold, Harold, and Tobias, constructed over 60 industrial buildings along Dequindre, Nine Mile and Ten Mile. They built a large Holbrooks Supermarket and other adjoining stores later raising the smaller ones and developing the Eight Mile Shopping Center. George Karam built over 400 homes in the city during this time. The East Side Interceptor Sewer was constructed in 1944 along Pearl Street, paving the way for the first laterals on the east side. The city eventually completed the sewers and drains with the final tie-in with the Twelve Town Drain. The Storm Districts draining into Bear Creek and Kutchey Drain were completed in 1964. The water system was modernized with many new sections completed in 1963. Federal money was sought and obtained by the School District in 1942 for an additional eight classrooms at the High School. An amount of $71,000.00 was obtained from the government with the District providing $40,000.00. School enrollment continued to rise and under Superintendent Peter Jenema, four new Elementary Schools, Ford, Longfellow, Webster, and Edison, were built in 1950. Later additions were added to these as well as to the original Elementary School in 1957, when the Roosevelt schools was erected. The new High School on Hoover at Woodward Heights was build and officially opened in 1960. The Marta Jardon Vocational Center was built and so named to honor Marta Jardon who retired in 1966, after working for thirty years as teacher, diagnostician and Director of Special Education. Ms. Jardon was responsible for the State and National recognition being given to Hazel Park Special Education Program. A new Board Of Education Office was set for construction with anticipated opening by June 1967. The second Junior High School was set for construction and with anticipated opening for classes in 1968, and became known and Wilfred D. Webb Junior High School. School enrollment in 1942 was 4,503. Statistics showed 123 teachers and 13 Administrators and staff members. The City Planning Commission, organized in 1942, prepared the first Zoning Ordinance and land use map with the assistance of Manager Byron G. Rockwood. This was adopted by the Council in July of 1944. A Master Plan detailed studies, the land use map was revised and a Zoning Ordinance was prepared by the Planning Commission, assisted by Vilican Leeman and Associates, and presented to the Council in 1961 who adopted same. In 1962, the eight-year old City Hall was scheduled to be raised to make way for the Chrysler Freeway. Despite professional planner‚s doubts, officials began to work the sale of the old City Hall into both a new civic building and a downtown Urban Renewal project. „Urban Renewal‰ means that the Federal Government will pay a large portion of money for new civic buildings or city improvements if the local government pays a certain smaller amount. These plans included development of the Arbor Park Subdivision, under the Federal Urban Renewal Program, known as the Roberts Renewal. The area was cleared and 62 new homes, costing between $30,000.00 and $50,000.00 each, were erected. Fourteen more homes were built at a slightly lower price. Many old homes in that area were removed and new ones built. Government officials helped those who had move to find new homes. The second Urban Renewal Program under Federal assistance was the business area at John R. and Nine Mile Roads. The northeast corner was being prepared for a new City Hall and Police Station, a shopping center and Hazel Park Memorial Library. Adjacent to the City Hall would stand a United States Post Office. Letters, magazines, and small packages are delivered to our homes each day by smartly uniformed mail carriers. Large packages come to our homes by special trucks. This convenience is a far cry from the early times in Hazel Park. Before a Post Office was established in the area that is now our city, mail had to be picked up from boxes that lined Nine Mile and John R. The nearest United States Post Office was in Royal Oak. It was not until 1927 that a branch of the Royal Oak Post Office was located on what is now the City Hall site. Nineteen years later, the Hazel Park Post Office became an independent branch. Percy T. Modern was appointed Acting Postmaster. He had 11 men to service the area. As business increased, more men were hired. Men who had fought in World War II were coming home. They were given preference. In 1946 there were only two foot carriers and one rural driver delivering mail. In an effort to give residents better service, Postmaster Morden increased foot carriers routes to 20 and added another motor route. A new Post Office was opened for business on August 1, 1957, only a short distance from the old building on John R just off of Nine Mile Road. The building was formally dedicated September 21, 1957. This building has 6,300 square feet of interior space. The lobby is open from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. at night. Outgoing mail is dispatched nine times daily, except Sunday. The City has 34.2 acres of parks, Green Acres Park, Scout Park, Felker Field and Tot Lots to-wit: Madge, Maxlow, Tucker, Karam, Kennedy, and Fuller, the latter being donated by the Fuller Brothers. The W.T. Anicka And Associated Architects was authorized to draw plans for a City Hall in 1950. These pans were rejected and revised plans ordered in 1952. Final plans were accepted August 24, 1952. Bids were advertised and the contract was given to the Commercial Contracting Corporation on November 11, 1953 in the amount of $200,335.00. Mayor Elias was appointed December 4, 1953 to finish the unexpired term of Mayor John R. Hall, who passed away November 6, 1963. The Councilmen of Hazel Park City Council at that time were Oscar Beamer, Leonard C. Milligan, Harold Young and Joseph Vrabel. Most street paving and sidewalk repairs were completed by 1968. All properties in the city were reviewed in the city for assessment purposes, according to new Michigan State Equalization Laws. City Manager Cance C. Fouts prepared his budget for the 1966-67 year in the amount of $1,919,364.13 based on valuation of $49,814,680.00. In city government, change already is being created by the same forces that cause people to seek more efficient means of operation, that is, increasing costs and increasing demands for goods and services. In Hazel Park, an increase in population is expected due to the construction of three and four story high-rise apartments in areas adjacent to the freeway. However, the character of the community between existing businesses, industries, and single-family residences are not expected to be appreciably altered by the addition apartments. In the area of renewal, generally referred to as Urban Renewal, the city probably will have been 50% re-developed and will have had a 100% spot renewal. In 1992, the age of most homes will be 65 years old. Renewal will become a continuous program just as removal of „junk‰ automobiles is today. Since Hazel Park is located in an area that will surround two major traffic arteries, this will have a great bearing on the commercial development in the city. It will draw into our city different types of businesses. National companies will locate here because of easy access to all parts of the state. The additional income from these new industries and businesses will give Hazel Park a sound financial base. The John R Business District will be of a quality that we, as a city, have never know before. It will be an all-around shopping center and will draw outsiders into Hazel Park for merchandise and services. But most important, it will serve Hazel Park and we will not have to go elsewhere to shop. The City Hall-Police Station, Post Office and a Library now occupy the northeast corner of Nine Mile and John R. Hazel Park will have more small industries located on the main streets. These commercial, industrial, and office buildings will lend much to the appearance of the city. New buildings will be of a uniform type, with attractive fronts and desirable back entrances. The major part of the establishments of 1967 will be replaced with new buildings by 1992. These new builds will be planned and carefully developed and not allowed to just grow as they did in the past. Small in size, being 2.6 square miles but large in heart, Hazel Park bears the motto „The Friendly City.‰ Our city has 15 churches, 28 Social and Service Organizations, 370 commercial businesses and 150 industries. The city made history when Interstate 75 was opened in Hazel Park, making it possible for motorists to travel on freeways from the Ohio border to the Canadian border at Sault Ste. Marie. An extremely active Senior Citizens group operates within the City. Former Municipal Judge Robert Baldwin initiated and directed the group until his retirement. The group meets at the Senior Citizen Building frequently for a variety of recreational, social, and public information activities. A monthly newsletter goes out to its members. A $98,167.00 grant was given from the Department of Natural Resources which resulted in the expansion of the Recreation Department, a lighted ball field at Green Acres Park and a new park in the south end of the city. At the time, there were five parks and three tot-lots for a total of 34 acres of recreation. Volunteers from the Beautification Committee operate a glass, paper, and tin recycling center behind the Fire Station to improve the ecology of the community. The Governor of Michigan awarded Hazel Park a Landscaping Award, the only of its kind for 1971, for the landscaping plan at the Civic Center. Hazel Park has been commended four times by the National Clean-Up Bureau for its ecology and beautification efforts. A Youth Aid Foundation had been in operation since 1957 to help students with clothing, emergency medical and dental care, and school expenses. Since it began, it has helped over 300 families. Since 1949, the city has operated a volunteer Youth Protection Committee. Its chief aim is to give free help to youngsters no matter what kind of troubles they may have. United Oaks Midget Wrestlers captured the State Championship for the 1970-1971 year. This is not the end of our city‚s history. We have come a long way from our humble beginnings and our earliest settlers. People have come and gone; businesses have been established; buildings have been constructed, moved or raised to make room for newer and bigger ones; land cleared for homes, and schools built. History is about change and our city has had a substantial share of it. As we look back now, in the twenty-first century, we can be proud of quite a number of accomplishments that we have met. The road to success and accomplishments is not meant to be easy, because change is not easy. We, as residents of Hazel Park, can look forward to more well-earned accomplishments and continued success. We, as residents of Hazel Park, should be very proud of our „Friendly City". News Community Profile City of Hazel Park, 111 E. Nine Mile Rd., Hazel Park, MI 48030 Disclaimer