Jacob Jones

HISTORY LESSON: With these failed building plans, let’s imagine the Detroit that might have been

Welcome to History Lesson, a new recurring feature in Model D led by local historian Jacob Jones, in which we delve deep into the annals of Detroit history and nerd out over a different topic each time. This month, we're talking about big plans for Detroit developments that didn't come into existence.

HISTORY LESSON: A sympathetic look at the Renaissance Center’s architect, John Portman

HISTORY LESSON: The right-wing radio mogul who gave the Lions to Detroit – and revamped Thanksgiving

The same year that a leading right-wing station was receiving 10,000 letters of fan mail daily, its owner bought the Portsmouth Spartans, a struggling small market NFL team in Ohio, and moved them to Detroit.  

HISTORY LESSON: How Dutch Elm Disease killed Detroit’s tree canopies, and how it lingers today

Welcome to History Lesson, a new recurring feature in Model D led by local historian Jacob Jones, in which we delve deep into the annals of Detroit history and nerd out over a different topic each time. This month, we're talking elm trees.