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by Mary J. Wallace (Text by (Art/Photo Books))
In 1950 Detroit was the fifth most populous city in the United States with 1.8 million people living within its boundaries. Its downtown streets bustled with activity. Away from the city center, the neighborhoods were vibrant and active. By 1979, however, the Motor City had lost over one third of its residents. Factories, shops, and theaters closed down, businesses moved to the suburbs, neighborhoods began deteriorating, and crime was on the rise. Despite the city's problems, the bonds of friendship and family along with memories of "the good old days" compelled some Detroiters to remain near their roots and continue life as usual in and around the city.
Historic Photos of Detroit in the 50s, 60s, and 70s documents what a Metro Detroiter would have experienced through those decades, from the commonplace--like bad traffic and bad weather--to the historic--like a visit from John F. Kennedy and a baseball world championship. In this companion volume to Historic Photos of Detroit, Mary J. Wallace gives readers an inside look at the ups and downs of one of the most interesting and relevant cities of the twentieth century.
Author Biography
Mary J. Wallace has a Master of Arts in Modern American History with a Certificate in Archival Administration from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. She received a Bachelor of Fine Art in Advertising Design from Wayne State University as well. Mary has worked as an Archivist in the Audiovisual Department at the Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs at Wayne State University for over eleven years. Besides her extensive audiovisual reference work, she manages all of the incoming historic collections for the Archives and sits on many Reuther and Wayne State University committees. Mary has written photographic articles for Michigan History magazine, has given numerous professional presentations, curated an exhibit on Detroit Lions history, and has authored Historic Photos of Detroit. She and her husband, Jim, have two daughters, Megan and Lily. They live in the Detroit suburb of Troy.
