2021: At 8:40, the former Presbyterian church at Franklin and Fuller. Built in 1925. Still standing. I pass by that building almost every day since 2011. :)
@@JerryM710 My great great grandfather Alexander Matheson was a stone mason who, I was told, either supplied or worked on the City Hall's foundational stone. And when it was torn down, my family purchased a section of the heavy iron spiral staircase from the building's tower & installed it in the new house we were building on Lake Michigan.
Thank you for a wonderful video! I only wish my mom and dad had lived to see it. Now I have shared it with my children hoping to keep history alive. I remember all of it!
Old Matress factories are nice to look at on a quiet Sunday morning, with strong winds blowing against the tall glass window seals at my upstairs house; (1984) now there are these huge buildings Grad school GVSU Presidential academics too! PEARL STREET BRIDGE YA'ALL!!
I'm pretty sure that since this was a production of the GR Amateur Film Club, and since it was 1946, they were darned proud of their color processing, and I think the producer did as good a job as could be expected to set up as many shots as possible with a sign on a building or on the street out in front. Having said that, yes, narration would be so cool!BTW, it's not too late for that if anyone is interested. I watched this with my dad (born in 1933, so he was 13 years old when this was shot), and he narrated almost every shot for me! I know there are some folks in their mid-late 80s who could fill in the gaps.
I wonder is the Historical society or the Library could make a copy and install labels at least. Its a shame I did not know some of the building, and some are torn down now.
Women, married or single, couldn't get a credit card in their name, borrow money without a male relative co-signing, and were very limited on how to make a living. No thanks.
I would also love to see an HD copy of this. And especially donated to the Grand Rapids Library. But see contact link given here by Jack no longer works.
I was born and raised in Grand Rapids. I love my City but as a Black Man who experienced racism growing up there in the 70s and 80s, I view this film differently.
I am a White Man who went to Sigsbee Elementary & the old Ottawa Hills HS from the early to the late 1960's, both schools back then with significant African American populations, & were I you, I'm certain I would view this film as I think you must see it. The racism that surrounded me & the kids I went to school & grew up with was de facto, generationally hard wired, pervasive, and nearly always unapologetic.
The NASA capsule that used to sit downtown in 1980 is moved to the Museaum near the Grand River, msy as well put that at Roger B Chafee planetarium - Grand Rapids, Michian where a person in the 20's 30's 40's or 50's csn grow up all over again!!
I grew up there in the '60's. I didn't meet a black person until I was thirteen.Grand rapids was so isolated by religion and a white bread. mentality..Happily, the city has grown up. It's now a great destination.
I hope it's changed. I grew up there in the 60s and 70s, also. I think 3 black students went to my high school. Lots of conservative people who dragged their feet to change. Moving away after high school was the best thing I ever did for my growth as an individual.
No litter, vehicle pressure, fat people, or crowds. All the trees were healthy. All the building materials were sustainable. Taking turns, teamwork, and respect. Manual transmission cars, sailboaters and people able to use a hammer! I saw ONE plastic item. Water clean and useable. Eighty years later and overpopulation is never discussed.....
This needs to have narration before theirs nobody left to do so. I couldn't help but notice that I didn't see a single non white person. I doubt they did much swimming in fancy pools.
I was born in 1954 and I remember most of these places. I love looking back on Older Grand Rapids. The good old days. 🙂. Thank you for the great video
Love to see the city before the freeways.
Very cool to see Richmond and Lincoln park pools. Lots of memories at those places growing up.
Nice Work!!!
I was born at Butterworth Hospital, in 1972.
Grew up in Cutlerville.
Attended School there.
Graduated East Kentwood High in 1991
This is great! Nice to see what GR looked liked when my Mom & Dad started the family. Thank you for posting!!
Awesome! I'm going to show this to my 95yo grandmother when I next visit her. She'll love it.
2021: At 8:40, the former Presbyterian church at Franklin and Fuller. Built in 1925. Still standing. I pass by that building almost every day since 2011. :)
So much has improved about Grand Rapids, but at the same time so much has been lost over time. But I guess that's how it has always been.
4:34 - Still can't believe they tore down that beautiful building.
@@swdragonmntn7848 City Hall. It was built in 1888. I only know that from watching this video: ruclips.net/video/saWHB5D_tu4/видео.html
@@JerryM710 My great great grandfather Alexander Matheson was a stone mason who, I was told, either supplied or worked on the City Hall's foundational stone. And when it was torn down, my family purchased a section of the heavy iron spiral staircase from the building's tower & installed it in the new house we were building on Lake Michigan.
The overhead shot at the 0:56 mark shows the beginning of the Cross Bronx Expressway.
Thank you for a wonderful video! I only wish my mom and dad had lived to see it. Now I have shared it with my children hoping to keep history alive. I remember all of it!
imagine the shit being pumped into the river back then and for 60 years before
Old Matress factories are nice to look at on a quiet Sunday morning, with strong winds blowing against the tall glass window seals at my upstairs house; (1984) now there are these huge buildings Grad school GVSU Presidential academics too! PEARL STREET BRIDGE YA'ALL!!
Awesome city . Beautiful places great Film of old Grand Rapids,Thank you
This is very nice; but, too bad there was no narration or labeling of the shots. I recognize some of the areas shown, but not all unfortunately.
I'm pretty sure that since this was a production of the GR Amateur Film Club, and since it was 1946, they were darned proud of their color processing, and I think the producer did as good a job as could be expected to set up as many shots as possible with a sign on a building or on the street out in front. Having said that, yes, narration would be so cool!BTW, it's not too late for that if anyone is interested. I watched this with my dad (born in 1933, so he was 13 years old when this was shot), and he narrated almost every shot for me! I know there are some folks in their mid-late 80s who could fill in the gaps.
I wonder is the Historical society or the Library could make a copy and install labels at least. Its a shame I did not know some of the building, and some are torn down now.
I Iived in GR 1991-1996 and I think about those years often.
Neat. Urban renewal really damaged GR.
Truly liked the video. :D
Awesome!
Ahhh my home town
This is really cool thanks for posting it
Crazy to see the church both of ur grandparents were laid to rest
How can I get a copy of this, at least the part on Blythefield CC's swimming pool (24:15 to 25:17)? I'd like it for my research on BCC history?
Golden Ages of the United States.
Women, married or single, couldn't get a credit card in their name, borrow money without a male relative co-signing, and were very limited on how to make a living. No thanks.
Extremely racist time!
I WAS BORN IN 1958! DO NOT REMEMBER SWIMMING EXCEPT FOR LAKE MICHIGAN.
there were a number of city run pools
The Golden Days of MICHIGAN..
20 years pre grand rapids white flight
I noticed this is a VHS video transfer. Any idea where the original film might be? Private Message me. Thank you. Jim
Jim. I have the original 16mm film. Feel free to contact me (via baty.net/about/)
Oh wow. Can someone transfer this in HD? The original 16mm should be fantastic.
I would also love to see an HD copy of this. And especially donated to the Grand Rapids Library. But see contact link given here by Jack no longer works.
Where were the roller coaster and amusement park at? Thanks
These were part of Ramona Park at Reed’s Lake
I am doing research on the old steamboats of Reeds Lake. Does a HD copy of this video exist? Could I get a copy of it? Thanks for posting this.
Greetings, May the East Grand Rapids History Room please have a copy of this video? Thanks!
Yes Ma'am, you may. Do you want me to burn a DVD for you or do you have the means to copy from youtube?
Is this available for purchase on a DVD? Very wonderful video. Thanks.
I was born and raised in Grand Rapids. I love my City but as a Black Man who experienced racism growing up there in the 70s and 80s, I view this film differently.
I am a White Man who went to Sigsbee Elementary & the old Ottawa Hills HS from the early to the late 1960's, both schools back then with significant African American populations, & were I you, I'm certain I would view this film as I think you must see it. The racism that surrounded me & the kids I went to school & grew up with was de facto, generationally hard wired, pervasive, and nearly always unapologetic.
as someone from burton street in the 90s: lmfao
I went to Union in the 80s and I saw zero racism there, fortunately.
You're absolutely correct. I was born there. I didn't meet a black person until I was thirteen.
12:49
Is the video footage from the pool at Richmond Park ?
yes, it is.
michgoblue43 , the large pool at 12:25 is Richmond Park.
Once I recognized the pool house, I was stunned to see the Richmond neighbourhood freshly built!
The NASA capsule that used to sit downtown in 1980 is moved to the Museaum near the Grand River, msy as well put that at Roger B Chafee planetarium - Grand Rapids, Michian where a person in the 20's 30's 40's or 50's csn grow up all over again!!
Richmond 12:43?
I grew up there in the '60's. I didn't meet a black person until I was thirteen.Grand rapids was so isolated by religion and a white bread. mentality..Happily, the city has grown up. It's now a great destination.
I hope it's changed. I grew up there in the 60s and 70s, also. I think 3 black students went to my high school. Lots of conservative people who dragged their feet to change. Moving away after high school was the best thing I ever did for my growth as an individual.
@@laumur302 no there sill picks and racist trust me my dad live here all his life for 67 years
1946....rock and roll ruined everything
No litter, vehicle pressure, fat people, or crowds. All the trees were healthy. All the building materials were sustainable. Taking turns, teamwork, and respect. Manual transmission cars, sailboaters and people able to use a hammer! I saw ONE plastic item. Water clean and useable. Eighty years later and overpopulation is never discussed.....
Chris Craft fat people? Don’t be rude
Lol not only that it was FAT ppl then 😂😂😂 2 this city NOT over populated
@@tevinklyce8710 Hahaha. Cherry-pick the part you don't like. Everything about GR, in 1946, was rude.
Yr I was born January battle creek live in Barry county
This needs to have narration before theirs nobody left to do so. I couldn't help but notice that I didn't see a single non white person. I doubt they did much swimming in fancy pools.