Our recollection begins in October 1835, when then President of the United States, Andrew-Jackson, deeded 80 Acres of land in the northwest section of Detroit to Mr. Otis C. Freeman. In November of that same year, President Jackson deeded 40 acres to Mr. George Bellamy. Between the time period of 1835 and 1916, the land changed ownership many times, and in 1916 the Rosedale Park Land Company purchased a portion of it and subdivided it for development. City residents who were eager to try suburban living motored out from the City and snapped up the lots quite rapidly. Their courage and foresight must be applauded when it is considered that there were only wide-open fields where we now see lovely homes, trees, manicured lawns and paved roads.
History of Rosedale Park
Back in those days, Fenkell Avenue was known as 12th Street. Southfield Road was known as Mill Road, which was a narrow and unpaved country lane, with Elderberry hedges, wild grapes, trees and bushes growing along its sides. The Rosedale Park Land Company planned an outstanding residential community from the very beginning, with fm restrictions on the types of homes to be built. “Out of the Smoke Zone into the Ozone” was the slogan that brought people to Rosedale Park. Soon construction crews were seen along Ashton and homes began to take form. On November 15, 191 7, Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Barkley with their infant son moved into their new home on the northwest corner of Ashton and Chalfonte to become the first residents of Rosedale Park.
At the corner of Fenkell and Grand River, where Chase Bank is now, there was a red barn. History reveals that the Barkleys objected to the fragrance from the barn, so the Rosedale Park Land Company caused for it to be removed. At first, only the first blocks on Ashton and Rosemont were developed. The rest of the surrounding lands were filled with lovely wild flowers. It is appropriate to note that you are living in the original Rosedale Park. The property north of Grand River was subdivided later as North Rosedale Park.
The families that lived in the Park had rural mail delivery (with boxes on Fenkell Avenue), country phones (5 rings), artesian well water, and no streetlights. Most of the surrounding property was farmland and woods, owned by the late A.J. Stahelin. Mr. Stahelin’s home was on Fenkell Avenue where the Greater Ebenezer Baptist Church is now. Mr. Stahelin’s nursery was where the Grandland Shopping Plaza is now. At this time in history, Fenkell Avenue was a mud road and Grand River was a narrow strip with one streetcar track. The streetcars turned around where Wireless Champs now stands at the southwest corner of Grand River and Fenkell.
Edison Detroit Public School was called Grandmont and was recognized as a very good country school. There was a small Kroger store not too far away from the school. However, most shopping was done in Redford and Strathmoor.
Early on, fire protection was the biggest problem. The neighborhood stored a manual drive fire hose in a shed on Glastonbury. By posting a cash bond with the City of Detroit, the City would send fire trucks if needed, after which it would be necessary to gather more subscriptions for a new bond. This was one of the original reasons for organizing the Rosedale Park Improvement Association.
It wasn’t long before several City residents began building homes in Rosedale Park. In 1924, a construction boom began, and in 1925, Rosedale Park became part of the City of Detroit. Although the annexation provided no cost fire protection, it was now subject to paying higher City of Detroit taxes than City residents themselves. City residents were said to have remarked, “That’s what you get for moving beyond the prairies.”
Fireworks were displayed at the first 4th of July celebrations. As the Park grew, the 4th became a big holiday. The day began with a parade in the morning. The parents worked for days preparing floats, and children decorated their wagons and bikes in celebration. There were prizes given every year for the most beautiful, comical, and original floats. The 4th of July afternoons were always filled with games for the young and old, including tug of war, horseshoe pitching, and always a ball game between the ladies and the men. Hot dogs, lemonade, coffee, ice cream and cake were served. Each family paid a small fee, and local merchants donated all of the prizes. The prizes were not always known to be useful, for example, one bald man was said to have won a bottle of hair tonic. In the evenings, everyone would go to the Great Lakes Theatre for a seven o’clock show-a lovely ending to a wonderful day.
Another big event early in the history of the Park was the Corn & Hot Dog Roasts held in the fall of each year. The ladies who lived in the Park would bring pumpkin pie. The annual event was held at the Park picnic grounds on Grandville between Keeler and Midland.
Many of the historic celebrations that were observed by Park residents since the early 1900’s continue to thrive still today. Even though the population has grown to almost 1,600 homes with more than 6,000 residents, the Park continues to maintain an atmosphere of a small town. In 1998, Rosedale Park and its surrounding neighborhoods formally adopted the slogan, “Small Town Living in a Big City.”
The Rosedale Park Improvement Association continues to celebrate summer in the Park in June with a Picnic in Flintstone Park. Good food and entertainment for both children and adults provides a gala atmosphere. However, it’s the residents’ participation in this event that makes the annual tradition special.
In addition, there are significant Annual Holiday Events that the Rosedale Park Improvement Association continues to sponsor for dues-paying residents, such as the Easter Egg Hunt that takes place every Easter in Stoepel Park, and the Children’s Holiday Pancake Breakfast that takes place just before Christmas.
Enjoy Historic Rosedale Park and its wonderful atmosphere. This special place in Detroit is rich with a proud history, and you are making tomorrow’s history with every action that you take in the Park today.