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Comments:
raymond - 2004-07-13 08:10:20 ...Gilbert "Park" that is...* * * * * * * * * * * * Laura - 2004-07-13 09:45:47 Nice sight to stumble onto when you're with your Mom...lovely. But the photo really is lovely--thanks Raymond. Looks like early fall.* * * * * * * * * * * * Tuesday - 2004-07-14 13:22:38 So I have to ask - did the island itself physically disapear (due to erosion or tinkering by humans) or is it just not included on current maps?* * * * * * * * * * * * Laura - 2004-07-14 13:39:14 It actually vanished...it's very distinct on an 1890 map repro I have--I'm trying to pin down the date it disappeared.* * * * * * * * * * * * Patrick - 2004-07-14 18:59:37 It may have gotten washed away before some of the larger dams we have now controlled the flooding)(?) The recent flood in the park was probably nothing compared to the floods of long ago.* * * * * * * * * * * * Laura - 2004-07-14 19:40:50 That's an idea. Now I'm intrigued. I have to pick up a cat and work on Sunday but maybe I can stop by the Historical Museum to ferret through their clippings. Some maps also hint that they just infilled the southern stream, thus incorporating the erstwhile island into the park.* * * * * * * * * * * * Anna - 2004-07-15 12:15:22 Interesting; My best guess would be that it does have to do with a dam -- maybe the island is there but submerged because the water level is higher? Is the river wider than it used to be?* * * * * * * * * * * * Laura - 2004-07-15 12:17:59 I've read that the modern day level is actually five feet lower, overall, than in Potowatomie days due to numerous dams & drinking water siphon-off, but on the other hand the island is so close to Ford Lake that maybe the island disappeared due to backup water from the lake as Anna says.* * * * * * * * * * * * raymond - 2004-07-15 15:30:00 Ford Lake was invented by Henry Ford. Was a meandering stream through fields before French Landing and other places were damned...oops...dammed. Bella Vista Farms, among others, was down there. The Huron was too fleet to get boats past Woodruff's Grove, about where Visteon sits. I hadn't been down there by the river much since early autumn two years ago (viz previous pic). I went today. Quite a trip. Found a remnant of land in the river about where Lincoln Street used to meet, where Independence was. Islet about 23 paces long, maybe 15 feet wide, 12-15 feet from shore. Wadable, in fact found human and other footprints on a miniscule beach downstream. Trod both sides of wild area, very wild, among bottles, condoms, grocery carts, flotsom and jetsom, fill of every description, poison ivy, and two suspicious human females up to no good in Waterworks Park. Path open to Water Street development fiasco. Chainlink gate secured with a bungee cord if you want to drive in. Gilbert Park a disaster. Huge baseball-field lights all broken, piles of dirt and construction machines and material, overgrown with weeds. CAUTION tape which blocked off transformer oil spill on Motor State Products building down. Urban adventurers pried open windows, went in, looks like. Have pics of oil spill from two weeks ago. Today pics in progress. Anyway, to make a long story longer, there is something left of an island.* * * * * * * * * * * * Laura - 2004-07-15 15:41:47 Well, I'll be double-dipped. Little did I know that this little blog would ever turn into a Lost and Found for...islands! What an amazing post, Raymond--thanks so much for such interesting info! You are clearly the official (re)discoverer of Independence Island!* * * * * * * * * * * * raymond - 2004-07-15 17:42:34 Hey, you're welcome. 'Twas a rush being there. I rarely look at the "Ypsilanti Courier" but bought one today, what with election day coming up (unless terrorists cancel it) on August 3. Fascinated to find Mister J. Mann in the July 15 issue quoting "The Washtenaw Times" of July 24, 1900, about the drowning of Jacob Schmid aged 10 years in the very area where I lurked today. Still more bizarre as a result become the human footprints I observed on the river's shore along with other animal footprints. The traces seen today were those of a child, age pre-puberty given the size, a raccoon, and a large bird. Does Jacob's ghost yet frolic naked in the river in the company of familiars?* * * * * * * * * * * * Laura - 2004-07-15 21:23:45 Rediscoverer of Independence Island, you keep outdoing yourself with fascinating posts. This one is poetic, even...I've got to get down there this weekend and check it out. What a totally bizarre coincidence.* * * * * * * * * * * * raymond - 2004-07-16 07:58:58 If you go, be careful. The area has a certain desolation and a reputation for lawlessness. If possible, don't go alone. If you have one, take a cell phone. At the very least, let someone know where you are. When I go on expeditions alone to such frontiers I take along protections permitted me to the extent of law. I'm too old for fisticuffs and too weak to run. I'm prepared to stand my ground, and I always look over my shoulder before I shoot (a camera that is).* * * * * * * * * * * * Laura - 2004-07-16 08:55:38 that is excellent advice for all urban explorations...thanks raymond. Guess I didn't realize it was as dicey as it apparently is.* * * * * * * * * * * * raymond - 2004-07-16 17:43:02 The Ghost of Independence Island July 15, 2004* * * * * * * * * * * * add your comment: |
