amacdermaid Architecture, History

The 1950s Housing Boom

Whenever I tell people about Redford, I mention that most of the Township was built in the 50s. Literally blocks and blocks of brick ranches and bungalows. According to the 1950 census, there were 18,940 people living in Redford. By the time the 1960 census rolled around, that number jumped to 71,276 people. In a … Continue reading The 1950s Housing Boom

amacdermaid Architecture, History, People

The Smith Family Legacy & Volney Smith School

One afternoon, while on the hunt for some of our Centennial Homes, I drove past this house. I actually had to pull over to admire it. From amazing architectural detail to a lawn so well-manicured that it could be in a magazine, it reminded me of the homes in Detroit's Indian Village neighborhood (just scaled down in … Continue reading The Smith Family Legacy & Volney Smith School

amacdermaid Architecture, History

15116 Telegraph (Redford’s Oldest Building)

If you're like me, you've passed Redford's oldest known commercial building a million times and didn't think twice about its age. It sits right off Telegraph, but yet it's hiding in plain sight. That's because the only recognizable characteristic strangely disappears into the skyline behind a blue awning. The Redford Observer 1959 This hidden gem is … Continue reading 15116 Telegraph (Redford’s Oldest Building)