History

Northeast corner of Nine Mile and Woodward. Businesses included Federals and Radio City constructed in the late 30's.

There are two excellent books on the history of Ferndale: Ferndale of Yesteryear, written by Maurice F. Cole and Old Timers Tell It Like It Was, written by Ruth Rodgers Elmers, and June Waugh Kotlarek, edited by Gerry Kulick. You can order copies of these books from the Ferndale Historical Society website. Following are some excerpts and pictures from these books:

Ferndale of Yesteryear

Forward

The City of Ferndale, Michigan is typical of many suburban communities in Michigan and the Midwest. Located in Oakland County and adjacent to the City of Detroit, it was first inhabited by Indians and situated on the site of a major Indian Trail connecting Detroit with Saginaw Bay and the Straits of Mackinac. It was first settled by homesteading farmers in the nineteenth century. It grew slowly until the advent of the automobile and the opening of the Ford Motor Company plant in nearby Highland Park. In 1918 it was incorporated as a village and in 1927 as a city. Since that time it has become one of the major suburbs north of Detroit.
(Forward written by Dr. Philip P. Mason, Professor of History, Wayne State University)

The Crow's Nest

The Crow's Nest was constructed so that traffic could be directed safely One of the land marks which distinguished Ferndale in its early days was a traffic signal known far and wide as The Crow's Nest. Located at the intersection of Woodward Avenue and the Nine Mile Road, no traveler through the village could fail to observe this unusual structure.

Woodward Avenue was so narrow at this intersection that a policeman's life would have been endangered had he attempted to direct traffic from the center of the pavement. The city of Detroit had been experimenting with traffic signals of various types and the "crow's nest" type appealed to the Ferndale village commissioners.

I recall that a year or two after the installation of the Crow's Nest that some of the village officials would take turns in their off hours directing traffic from the tower. One of these officials was Lorenzo Berry, the village president, a rather portly gentleman, and he received considerable goon-natured banter because of the difficulty he had in squeezing through the small entrance to the platform of the Crow's Nest.

In making preparations for the widening of Woodward Avenue later in that first decade of the village's existence, the Crow's Nest was removed. The northbound strip of Woodward Avenue today covers the original location of that famous structure.

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The Castle On The Nine

One of the most unique developments in the life of the city was an organization known officially as Youth, Incorporated. Its home was "The Castle on the Nine."

Born of the depression, when jobs were scarce and leisure time was plentiful, "The Castle on the Nine" flourished for a day, served in a remarkable way the purposes for which it was intended, and with the passing of the depression, it too passed, and is now but a memory. But a bright and shining memory it is.

While "The Castle on the Nine" itself is gone, the stimulation it gave the citizens of Ferndale to provide a community gathering place for both young and old, later resulted in our splendid Ferndale Community Building on East Nine Mile Road

Although closely supervised and counseled by a board of adults, the youth themselves largely directed the activities provided by the "Castle." Classes in the various arts were offered, and a rather full program of social activities was undertaken. An opportunity was given to profitably occupy the many leisure hours which the depression had caused.

One of the programs involved the building of an outdoor dance floor. A sizable slab of concrete was poured at the rear of the lot, attractive lights were installed, and dances were conducted with both live and "canned" music. In fact, the dances became so popular and attracted so many dancers, that although at no time boisterous or unruly, they did create so much noise that neighbors, in some instances several blocks away, made formal complaints to the city government against the dance phase of the program.

With improved economic conditions and the return to more normal employment and business, jobs became available, for those who wanted them and educational opportunities opened up. Some of the leaders among the youth left town for college, or were married and began homes of their own. The need which had spawned the program no longer existed and gradually the program itself was abandoned. But the memory of this example of youthful courage and determination in the face of great odds will ever be an inspiration to those who follow.

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Old Timers Tell It Like It Was

You can find a lot of stories and pictures from "old timers" in this book on the history of Ferndale. Following are some pictures and captions from this book

Wetmores

"Where's Ferndale" asks a metropolitan newcomer. "Out Woodward where the car on the roof has spinning wheels." Wetmores, whose business is a landmark, is an old Ferndale family.

Roys, a family business of three generations has served Ferndale for more than six decades

"Get your radios fixed at Roy's" said one writer who spoke for many. Ray Waugh, pioneer in the city and in early radio and television, started his business in the early 20s and remained with the shop until his death in 1984. His family business of three generations has served Ferndale for more than six decades.

Rodger's Dutch Mill, now the site of the First United Methodist Church of Ferndale.

Rodger's Dutch Mill was advertised as "Greater Woodward Avenue's Most Unique Eating Place" located at the southwest corner of Leroy and Woodward, now the site of the First United Methodist Church of Ferndale.

The City of Ferndale, Michigan
300 East Nine Mile Road
Ferndale, Michigan 48220
(248) 546-2525
City Hall Hours:
Monday - Thursday 8:00am - 5:30pm
Closed Fridays

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