I'd like some histrory about what's known as the Rriver Run Park in Shelby Twp. Mi.48317.?

Question

I think River Run Park may have been known as Joe Louis Park in the late 1950's and early 1960's. Did Joe Louis have a house on that property?

Answer 1

Man, I grew up in Shelby Township (I'm 36) not too far from River Bends Park(s)-which is what I believe you are talking about- and have lived pretty much in the area my entire life. I've never heard anything about the park (actually I think it has been expanded to a series of connecting parks from the original one) being known as Joe Louis Park or about Joe Louis owning property anywhere in any part of the park or anywhere in the Shelby/Utica area either for that matter. Had either case been true, I would think I would have heard about it somewhere from a local newspaper (you may want to search the Advisor/Source newspaper which serves the area), through someone in the community, through the Parks and Recreation Department and/or local government itself(you may want to try contacting someone there too), or through any other possible channel. I took a lot of history during high school and college including Michigan history during high school (which ironically enough is probably only a mile from any part of the park) and also think I would have learned if Joe Louis had at one time lived in Shelby Township- not much did happen in that area other than the nearby Clinton Canal and I think that tidbit would have sunk in my memory as well being a sports fan. What I do know just from living in the area for so long is that much of Shelby Township used be dumping grounds/trash dumps for much of the Detroit area until like the 80's; much of the area had ground contaminated from various things that were dumped in the area prohibiting development and I almost want to say that new parts of River Bends Park may actually have been parts of these old garbage dumps that have been reclaimed although I am not positive; Shelby also housed missles during the Cold War. Try the links below and you'll have to keep me updated.


You may also want to re-post your question in the Travel-United States-Detroit section of Yahoo Answers to see if maybe anyone knows about this; I think you'll get more feedback than putting the question in the history section.

WOW- you ARE correct. Click on the first link below (shelbyhistory.tripod) and check out the Joe Louis Farm. I guess Joe Louis DID have a horse farm on what has become part of the park. This same farm had also been used as part of the Underground Railroad prior to the Civil War as a "depot" before fugitive slaves headed to my new home town of Port Huron and on to Canada. Thanks for teaching ME some intersting history.

Also, my mom says that at least part of the park was known as Dodge Park when it was owned by the state before being turned over to Shelby Township; we're going to see if my dad (older than my mom and lived in the area longer) has heard anything about the park being known as Joe Louis Park at any time.