Mellus Newspapers Building

Mellus Newspapers Building

Former site of building
Location 1661 Fort St., Lincoln Park, Michigan
Coordinates 42°15′6″N 83°10′31″W / 42.25167°N 83.17528°W / 42.25167; -83.17528Coordinates: 42°15′6″N 83°10′31″W / 42.25167°N 83.17528°W / 42.25167; -83.17528
Area less than one acre
Built 1941
Architectural style Moderne
NRHP Reference # 05000716[1]
Added to NRHP July 20, 2005

The Mellus Newspapers Building was a commercial building located at 1661 Fort Street in Lincoln Park, Michigan. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2005,[1] and demolished in 2010.[2]

History

In 1933, William S. Mellus founded the Lincoln Parker, a newspaper serving the city of Lincoln Park.[2] As the population of Lincoln Park grew, Mellus eventually needed more space, and in 1941 he constructed this building on Fort Street.[2] Mellus also published newspapers for other downriver communities: The Allen Parker, Ecorse Advertiser, Southgate Sentinel, Taylor Tribune and Riverview Sentinel.[3] In the 1950s, a two-story addition was constructed in the rear of the building, enlarging the space to 4080 square feet.[4] Mellus also expanded operations into the next-door Pollack Jewellery Building.[4] Mellus sold his newspaper chain to Panax Corp. in the early 1970s. The company remained in the building until 1986, when it merged with Heritage Newspapers.[3] The building was sold by the Mellus family in 1994.[4]

In 2009, the Mellus and the next-door Pollack was purchased by the Lincoln Park Downtown Development Authority for $93,000.[5] The Mellus Building was demolished in May 2010; a small park is planned for the lot.[5]

Description

The Mellus Newspapers Building had simple but distinguishing Art Deco characteristics exemplifying the application of these to a small commercial building.[2] The front facade was covered with white porcelain enamel panels, and the entryway was framed with curved glass block sections. Six steel casement windows faced the front.[2]

References

  1. 1 2 National Park Service (2009-03-13). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Ren Farley. "Mellus Newspaper Building". Detroit1701.org. Retrieved July 20, 2010.
  3. 1 2 "Save the Mellus Newspapers Building". Lincoln Park Preservation Alliance. Retrieved July 20, 2010.
  4. 1 2 3 "Historic gem or eyesore? Lincoln Park preservation group seeks developers for Mellus Newspaper building". Hometown History Tours. July 27, 2009. Retrieved July 20, 2010.
  5. 1 2 Nate Stemen (May 15, 2010). "LINCOLN PARK: Mellus Newspapers' building demolished; small park planned for site (with video)". The News-Herald.
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