North Detroit

Continuing south down Woodward from Ferndale, just north of 7-mile is Palmer Woods, one of Detroit’s grandest old neighborhoods of historic mansions. Frank Lloyd Wright’s Turkel House is at 2760 W. 7-Mile Rd.

South of Palmer Woods is Highland Park, the location for Clint Eastwood’s Gran Torino. Although there really aren’t very many Hmong people in Highland Park, the rest of the portrayal is somewhat accurate. The town is economically depressed and has quite a few problems.

Another significant historic Detroit neighborhood is Boston Edison. If you’re in the market for a 6000 sq. ft. Victorian Mansion for about $175,000, this is where you’ll find it. Some of the historic homes are run down, others are impeccably restored (or in the process). These houses were built by folks with names you might recognize like Kresge, Ford, Fisher and Rackham.

Just south of Boston Edison is the Motown Museum at 2648 West Grand Blvd, housed in the original “Hitsville U.S.A.” building. Check the website for hours and info. It’s quite popular.

On the east side of I-75 is the weird and wonderful enclave of Hamtramck. A separate city completely surrounded by Detroit, it is still home to a GM assembly plant, and was historically inhabited by a majority of Polish immigrants. There isn’t a lot to see for a tourist, but folk art fans will get a serious kick out of Hamtramck Disneyland, also known as Urkainian Disneyland, a collection of folk art junk sculptures in the back yard of retired GM worker Dmytro Szylak. Take Commor St. east from Joseph Campau and look for the hand-painted wooden sign at the alley between Sobieski and Klinger. Walk (don’t drive) up the alley and behold the bizarre.

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