Carbines and More... Detroit July 1967

[Brian Dick]

It's a ways east to Kent Road 15. As a happy little farm kid, I knew it was happening but didn't have a clue why nor did I care. Great memories of life there until age nine when my parents packed my sister, me, what was left of their belongings, our dog and south we went to the east coast of Florida. Talk about culture shock!!

I remember my third grade teacher at Indian Creek Road Elementary School was dating a draft dodger from the USA. We didn't really know what a draft dodger was as kids but we all knew it. You know how little kids are.

[browningautorifle]

I was the other side of things, wondering why the black smoke on the horizon, thought it was closer. The flames caused a glow on the horizon at night...

[butlersrangers]

I was born in Detroit, but, grew up in Royal Oak, Mich. (I belonged to a Detroit Boy Scout Troop and we use to go annually to Irnwagle Scout Camp on Lake Erie, near Leamington. I think it is a Provincial Park, now).

In 1967, I was a Freshman in college. During the Summer Break, I was working as a Mailer at the Detroit News and old Detroit Times buildings. I would drive to 8 Mile & Woodward Ave., park, take the DSR Bus to Grand Circus Park, and walk a few blocks to work. My family felt a bond to Detroit. We had lots of friends and family, who lived there, worked for the City and felt it safe. (Like any city, there were known areas to avoid).

On the Sunday, when the riots broke out, I was driving to Church and heard on the Radio about a disturbance after a "Police Raid on a Blind Pig". Later in the afternoon, I was watching a Movie on CKLW (Windsor TV Station). Announcements started being made for Michigan National Guard Units to report to the Light Guard Armory and Artillery Armory.

I received a telephone call, from the Mailer's Union Steward, warning me not to go to work on Monday, there was "Sniping from "Overpasses at Cars", and it was not safe to come in to the City. Men, who were working to put out the newspapers, were being kept at the workplaces.

The next day, (Monday), Radio reports, and T.V. News captivated the area. Word of mouth spread accurate information, as well as, rumors. I remember instructing my Mother and Sister on how to load and fire a break-action shotgun. There was an area wide evening curfew and restrictions on going into Detroit. Around 9pm, I was talking outside with neighbors, it was deathly quiet. Suddenly, there was a strange moaning noise. It was the 'lugged tires' of N.G. Military Vehicles on Woodward Ave. rolling into Detroit.

I was not able to go to work, until Thursday. I carpooled with a friend/co-worker. The City was unnaturally still. At lunch-time, we sat on the loading-dock eating sack lunches. The only street traffic, because it was so alien, seemed like Jeeps & Military Trucks with Guardsmen armed with Garands and M1 Carbines, with bayonets fixed.

Later in August, 1967, I was visiting relatives in Northern Michigan. The local National Guard Unit retuned 'Home', during that time, and there was a 'Parade'. It made me sad and confused. A lot of people were happy and celebrating, but, for me it was like 'being happy at a funeral'. This was not any kind of victory, but, a terrible loss.

I didn't ride the Bus to work anymore. I drove in the Safety of my car. A lot of People gave up hope that Detroit was 'improving', or ever going to improve, and sold their homes for 25 cents on the Dollar.

Maybe Detroit is on the rebound. It is so geographically blessed that there will always be a major city, there. But, 50 years of stumbling, pain, and lack of progress for many, for what?

I don't care for the Revisionist terms and rationalizations: "Rebellion", "Revolt", "Protest", "Revolution". It was a RIOT, hurt many, and killed Trust. The 'Social Fabric' is a tricky thing. - IMHO

[browningautorifle]

Irnwagle Scout Camp

Never heard of it, closed for sure. If you knew more I could pinpoint it, I know the area well...

8 Mile

A less than stellar area now...

[butlersrangers]

I suspect the "Irnwagle Scout Camp" (my spelling could be off) may have been incorporated into the Wheatley Provincial Park.

It did exist in the early 1960's and was a primitive camp. I was there a couple of times, around 1961-62, and we camped on a bluff with the beach on Lake Erie below.

I can remember waking up to the sound of commercial fishing boats going out on Lake Erie.

One of our leaders went into town and brought back a ton of Smelt for us to cook up.

I remember 'The Big Tomato' information booth in Leamington being a landmark on the way!

[browningautorifle]

the Wheatley Provincial Park.

Makes sense.

we camped on a bluff with the beach on Lake Erie below.

That too, not quite all the way into Pelee point...

'The Big Tomato'

Always a good hold card for anyone that says they're from the area..."What's the most recognized landmark in Leamington?" Answer, "The big tomato"...advance one and be recognized...

[painter777]

there were known areas to avoid

Cass Corridor rings a bell.

I always enjoyed our family get togethers out on Belle Isle Park which I believe is over 900 acres. They still have the Aquarium there and the Maritime museum. The island has 3 interior lakes. I still often fish my way from near Monroe (Raisin river mouth) or Gibraltar (Huron river mouth) and head up river or out on to Lake Erie depending on the time of year. Great thing about fishing here is you never know what you may catch, Walleye, Muskie, Tiger Muskie, Pike, Large and Smallmouth Bass, Sheephead, Gar,Yellow and White perch, Channel, Blue, Flathead, Bullhead and other Catfish. All types of Pan fish plus Rock Bass near 19-20" (I swear !) My favorites because of sheer numbers, after winter ice clears in early April/May weather, and ease of catching when you have young ones with you have to be the what us 'Downriver locals' call White Bass or Silver Bass, also often called Striped Bass. Were times where 4 of us in one boat could catch over 100 apiece.

Anyone remember Boblo Island ?
That would be my 1st trip to Canada.
Carbine forum..... So I'll stop here, but I recall almost being arrested while pulling ashore on a small Island to 'relieve' my bladder, when a Official came out from the bush. He didn't care for my 'Actions' while on Canadian soil. I was fined for EACH fish in the live well because of not having a Canadian license.... Don't recall how much but it was very pricey, IIRC it was near $700+, I was lucky he took a Credit Card.

A Good Weekend To All... Veterans Day soon.

Charlie-Painter777

P.S. Don't forget the Detroit Zoo (still very nice) and the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village, My Mother in Law is a top contributor there. VIP service when we visit.

[butlersrangers]

We have an 'Aunt Nora' in our family, who is of Armenian descent and was born in Detroit. Her family members were victims of Turkish atrocities in the "first holocaust", during WW-I, in the Ottoman Empire.

Following the War, Nora's widowed Grandmother fled Turkey with four young children. They went to Canada because the immigration policy was more accepting than in the U.S.A. and the Grandmother had a Cousin there.

However, she wished to go to Detroit, because she had a Brother, who lived there and had immigrated before the War.

One nice Summer day, Aunt Nora's Grandmother, (future) father and his siblings went to Boblo Island from Amherstburg, Ont. They got on a Detroit bound, return boat, only to be stopped at the Detroit Dock by a Policeman.

The Detroit Cop put the family back on a Boblo bound boat, while quietly telling the mother, "next time don't wear the Babushka".

Two weeks later, the Evarian Family repeated the process (without Babushka) and quietly became Detroiters!

(p.s. - The Detroit Zoo is actually at 10 Mile Rd., tucked between Royal Oak, Huntington Woods, and Pleasant Ridge. I grew up a mile from there. Belle Isle (Hog Island) is now a Michigan State Park, which is a good thing).

[painter777]

The Detroit Zoo is actually at 10 Mile Rd

Yes, A classmate is on the board there.

We used to catch the Boblo boat at the park in Wyandotte, at the park just south of the old Wyandotte general hospital.
My Aunt lived on 1st street, walking distance for us little guys. We'd spend the day fishing, eating ice cream or playing ball. I remember they'd shut down River Street (?) and have a big block party, street sales.... sorta like a small scale carnival every summer.. very early 60's.

And Belle Isle now being run by the State park service vs the city of Detroit...... well... goes without saying.

I got a little curious after posting about the RIOTS and seeing the links about the DPD Carbines. Looks like the DPD may have very well started getting these carbines at and just after the riots. Getting late now.... And I know there are plenty more posts, I'll look later Saturday, suppose to be a WET weekend..... but here's 1 link:

https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=55088

Good Evening,
Charlie-Painter777

[browningautorifle]

Anyone remember Boblo Island ?

Of course I do...

Carbine forum..... So I'll stop here

Yes, you're right...

the Henry Ford Museum

Saw a beautiful Gatling gun there when I was just a kid...never forget...