BY JANET STEINBERG
Part 4 of
a Series
a Series
When I was a very small child, I used to
visit my grandparents who lived in Detroit, Michigan. As an adult, I
remembered absolutely nothing about Detroit, and very little about my
grandparents. The only thing I ever remembered about those trips was the
name Belle Isle, a place to which they would take me during my visits.
visit my grandparents who lived in Detroit, Michigan. As an adult, I
remembered absolutely nothing about Detroit, and very little about my
grandparents. The only thing I ever remembered about those trips was the
name Belle Isle, a place to which they would take me during my visits.
Now, umpteen years later, I made it a
point to revisit that romantic-sounding island that I fantasized about from my
childhood. Well, I didn’t find palm trees swaying from ocean breezes and
I didn’t find turquoise waters beckoning snorkelers. However, what I did find
was an historic 982-acre island park plunked down in the middle of the
Detroit River…a 2.5 mile-long river island between two countries, and the two
cities of Detroit, USA and Windsor, Canada.
point to revisit that romantic-sounding island that I fantasized about from my
childhood. Well, I didn’t find palm trees swaying from ocean breezes and
I didn’t find turquoise waters beckoning snorkelers. However, what I did find
was an historic 982-acre island park plunked down in the middle of the
Detroit River…a 2.5 mile-long river island between two countries, and the two
cities of Detroit, USA and Windsor, Canada.
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| BELLE ISLE IN DETROIT RIVER BETWEEN DETROIT, USA AND WINDSOR, CANADA |
Like me, people in the area have fond
recollections of reunions, celebrations, or events they attended on the island
that has been a Detroit attraction since 1880. This serene island of
lakes, woods, and spectacular views of the Detroit and Windsor skyline, also
offers many historic, cultural, and fun features.
recollections of reunions, celebrations, or events they attended on the island
that has been a Detroit attraction since 1880. This serene island of
lakes, woods, and spectacular views of the Detroit and Windsor skyline, also
offers many historic, cultural, and fun features.
Come along with me as we cross the
approximately half-mile long, 35-foot wide, cantilever arch MACARTHUR BRIDGE
from Detroit to the island. This longest concrete deck arched bridge in
Michigan, opened on November 1, 1923 and was renamed for WWII General Douglas
MacArthur in 1942.
approximately half-mile long, 35-foot wide, cantilever arch MACARTHUR BRIDGE
from Detroit to the island. This longest concrete deck arched bridge in
Michigan, opened on November 1, 1923 and was renamed for WWII General Douglas
MacArthur in 1942.
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| THE ARCHED MACARTHUR BRIDGE |
Upon entering the island, you will be
greeted by Belle Isle’s lovely FLORAL CLOCK, originally created in 1893
at Waterworks Park. In 1934, Henry Ford rescued and restored the clock
and placed it at the entrance to Greenfield Village. In 1989, the clock had
fallen into disrepair again was returned to Detroit Water & Sewage
Department and placed in storage. In 1990, the workings were moved to
Belle Isle where it is once again a functioning beauty.
greeted by Belle Isle’s lovely FLORAL CLOCK, originally created in 1893
at Waterworks Park. In 1934, Henry Ford rescued and restored the clock
and placed it at the entrance to Greenfield Village. In 1989, the clock had
fallen into disrepair again was returned to Detroit Water & Sewage
Department and placed in storage. In 1990, the workings were moved to
Belle Isle where it is once again a functioning beauty.
 |
| BELLE ISLE FLORAL CLOCK |
Continuing on, you will see the JAMES
SCOTT MEMORIAL FOUNTAIN that features 109 water outlets in the shape of
lions, turtles, Neptune figures, artistic horns and 16 bas-relief
panels that depict early Detroit life. James Scott, (1936-1910) the
fountain’s namesake, was a Detroit real estate speculator and
developer. He was also a gambler and a scoundrel of his day. When
he died he left Detroit $200,000 on the condition that they build a fountain
with a life-size statue of himself. Because of his checkered past,
several community and religious leaders opposed honoring him with a
fountain. They were overruled and the city accepted the gift. However,
they placed the statue of Scott in a spot where the spray of the fountain would
continually hit him in the face.
SCOTT MEMORIAL FOUNTAIN that features 109 water outlets in the shape of
lions, turtles, Neptune figures, artistic horns and 16 bas-relief
panels that depict early Detroit life. James Scott, (1936-1910) the
fountain’s namesake, was a Detroit real estate speculator and
developer. He was also a gambler and a scoundrel of his day. When
he died he left Detroit $200,000 on the condition that they build a fountain
with a life-size statue of himself. Because of his checkered past,
several community and religious leaders opposed honoring him with a
fountain. They were overruled and the city accepted the gift. However,
they placed the statue of Scott in a spot where the spray of the fountain would
continually hit him in the face.
 |
JAMES SCOTT MEMORIAL FOUNTAIN |
The 85-foot NANCY
BROWN PEACE CARILLON TOWER was named to honor Nancy Brown, a longtime
well-loved columnist for the Detroit News who, in 1934, organized a Belle Isle
Sunrise Service. In 1936, her readers proposed to erect a commemorative
tower to be paid for from contributions and fund-raisers. On Dec. 13, 1939, Nancy Brown wielded a
trowel and the cornerstone was laid. It read: “Dedicated to peace in
honor of Nancy Brown by readers of her Experience Column in The Detroit News.
A.D. 1939.” The tower, said to be “a voice for peace in a war-weary
world,” was dedicated at the seventh annual Sunrise Sevice (June 16, 1940)
before a crowd of 50,000 people.
BROWN PEACE CARILLON TOWER was named to honor Nancy Brown, a longtime
well-loved columnist for the Detroit News who, in 1934, organized a Belle Isle
Sunrise Service. In 1936, her readers proposed to erect a commemorative
tower to be paid for from contributions and fund-raisers. On Dec. 13, 1939, Nancy Brown wielded a
trowel and the cornerstone was laid. It read: “Dedicated to peace in
honor of Nancy Brown by readers of her Experience Column in The Detroit News.
A.D. 1939.” The tower, said to be “a voice for peace in a war-weary
world,” was dedicated at the seventh annual Sunrise Sevice (June 16, 1940)
before a crowd of 50,000 people.
 |
| NANCY BROWN PEACE CARILLON TOWER |
Renowned Detroit architect, Albert Kahn
designed THE BELLE ISLE AQUARIUM featuring a Beaux Art style entrance
that is decorated with an ornate arch incorporating two spitting dolphins and
the emblem of Detroit. Rare green opaline glass tiles line its vaulted
ceiling. Opened on August 18, 1904, it is the oldest aquarium in the country
and home to a unique collection of more than 1000 fish from around the world.
According to the Belle Isle Conservancy, much of the water in the tanks
was brought in directly from the ocean.
designed THE BELLE ISLE AQUARIUM featuring a Beaux Art style entrance
that is decorated with an ornate arch incorporating two spitting dolphins and
the emblem of Detroit. Rare green opaline glass tiles line its vaulted
ceiling. Opened on August 18, 1904, it is the oldest aquarium in the country
and home to a unique collection of more than 1000 fish from around the world.
According to the Belle Isle Conservancy, much of the water in the tanks
was brought in directly from the ocean.
 |
| THE BELLE ISLE AQUARIUM |
In 1955, The ANNA SCRIPPS WHITCOMB
CONSERVATORY, built in 1904, was renamed after Anna Scripps
Whitcomb, who had donated a huge collection of orchids to Detroit. The
conservatory is divided into six distinct sections: the Vestibule, the Palm
House, the Tropical House, the Cactus House, the Fernery and the Show House,
which includes an outdoor lily pond. Located at the center of the
island, this historic building was also designed by renowned architect Albert
Kahn.
CONSERVATORY, built in 1904, was renamed after Anna Scripps
Whitcomb, who had donated a huge collection of orchids to Detroit. The
conservatory is divided into six distinct sections: the Vestibule, the Palm
House, the Tropical House, the Cactus House, the Fernery and the Show House,
which includes an outdoor lily pond. Located at the center of the
island, this historic building was also designed by renowned architect Albert
Kahn.
 |
| ANNA SCRIPPS WHITCOMB CONSERVATORY |
The DETROIT YACHT CLUB, one of the oldest, largest, and most
prestigious yacht clubs in the world, was founded in 1868. The current
Mediterranean-themed clubhouse, completed in 1922, was designed by architect
George D. Mason. Mason also deigned the Grand Hotel on Mackinac
Island. The Detroit Yacht Club has been the center of Detroit society
since opening its doors and provides social and recreational boating activities
to its members and their guests.
prestigious yacht clubs in the world, was founded in 1868. The current
Mediterranean-themed clubhouse, completed in 1922, was designed by architect
George D. Mason. Mason also deigned the Grand Hotel on Mackinac
Island. The Detroit Yacht Club has been the center of Detroit society
since opening its doors and provides social and recreational boating activities
to its members and their guests.
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| THE DETROIT YACHT CLUB |
The BELLE ISLE GIANT SLIDE will
bring out the inner child in you. Originally introduced in 1967, the renovated
slide re-opened for business on Aug. 2, 2014. During the first two
weekends, 1400 visitors went down the slide. Staffed by Michigan
Department of Natural Resources park rangers, the six-lane slide is open from
June-Labor Day. Fun! Fun! Fun! Fun for the young and the young at
heart.
bring out the inner child in you. Originally introduced in 1967, the renovated
slide re-opened for business on Aug. 2, 2014. During the first two
weekends, 1400 visitors went down the slide. Staffed by Michigan
Department of Natural Resources park rangers, the six-lane slide is open from
June-Labor Day. Fun! Fun! Fun! Fun for the young and the young at
heart.
 |
| BELLE ISLE GIANT SLIDE |
JANET STEINBERG is an award-winning
Travel Writer/Editor and International Travel Consultant with THE
TRAVEL AUTHORITY in Mariemont, Ohio
Travel Writer/Editor and International Travel Consultant with THE
TRAVEL AUTHORITY in Mariemont, Ohio