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They come form all over the world to photograph the decline of Detroit. And why not? It’s stunning in both it’s breadth and depth.
But none have captured the transitory soul of Detroit as well as French-Canadian Jean-Pierre Lavoie. His 360 degree panoramas of the the Michigan Central train station, built in 1913 and permanently abandoned in 1988, are accompanied by ghostly sounds from its past. He has presented this iconic symbol of Detroit’s decline as a shameful purgatory of abandonment that engulfs much of the rust belt. It feels like a nerve unsheathed, it looks like a malignant menace. It is the face of a city waiting for salvation, it’s worthiness unclear.
Societies require care and selfless leadership to survive, let alone thrive. Detroit has had neither for nearly 40 years. I mention this simply as a cautionary tale.
I have a particular penchant for the Michigan Central depot! Thanks for this post. It's just one example of the many areas of Detroit that have been lost over the years.
ReplyDeleteThat was some amazing, and depressing, stuff! As a Detroiter from the mid-40's until '76, I remember when Detroit was a great city and we were proud to say we were from there. As you say, those days are long behind us.
ReplyDeleteAs for Michigan Central.....well, I went off to USAF bootcamp (and returned) through her and I remember the grandeur that there was. What a damned shame! Thank you for this post!!!!!
cynicalsynapse & AZTech2020:
ReplyDeleteI haven't been back to this post since I published it, hence the long delay.
It is just one of so many losses Detroit has suffered over the years. I hope Dave Bing can stop the free-fall, but I fear there is no way back.
I don't even know what to say.
ReplyDeleteOur whole country is quickly going the way of Detroit. When the liberals tell people that they don't need to be responsible in their lives and to depend on the gov't, the nation will die.
ReplyDeleteAnother evil thought that the libs jam into peoples minds is that it's great to be homosexual and even better to be transgender.
I believe the liberals (and that includes a good number of republicans, RINOs) are actually trying to destroy America, otherwise why would they push such thoughts onto people.
I have to concur with "anonymous", sadly!
ReplyDelete