Author

Jacob Jones

Jacob Jones's Latest Articles

The John Portman-designed Renaissance Center was built two generations after Detroit’s architectural heyday and a generation after its mid-century modern mini-boom.
HISTORY LESSON: A sympathetic look at the Renaissance Center’s architect, John Portman
George A. Richards
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.  

View of a man looking at an elm tree on the grounds of the Main Library, Detroit Public Library.
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.

Our Partners

The Kresge Foundation logo
Ford Foundaiton

Solutions journalism takes time, trust, and your support.

Close
Psst. We could use your help today!

Don't miss out!

Everything Detroit, in your inbox every week.

Close the CTA

Already a subscriber? Enter your email to hide this popup in the future.