Vintage photos of lost Shopping Malls of the '50s, '60s & '70s
Saturday, June 18, 2005
Westland Mall
Westland, Michigan. 1960's West Court (above).
This is one of my favorite vintage mall photos. Like something out of A CLOCKWORK ORANGE! Man, if I could only live in a house like this... I'd never leave the house.
I recently visited Wonderland and Livonia Malls...what a disappointment! I'd love to see pics of Wonderland from back in the old day when it was an outdoor mall.
Dearborn kid. Westland was the spot until the Fairlane Town Centre! Everyone: take a peek at the photo of the West Court. You'll see a Raimi's store. Owned by Sam Raimi's mother (a lingerie store, if memory serves)!
Not sure, chris, but they look like little ambient lights or something. If you zoom in, they look like lights that are glowing.
Either way, it's beautiful design. They did everything so cool back then!
And that glass elevator is just...just...awesome. What else can I say. I bet riding up in that thing, in this place, looked like the ending of WILLY WONKA! With a little luck, you'd burst right through that ceiling and fly away up into the bright blue Michigan sky of the 1970's!
It does??! Can't imagine that. I've recently heard from people who still go there and all lamented the fact that it's too bad it doesn't look like that anymore. I was told it, too, has had its share of updating and modernizing over the years, like most Amercian malls. I need to get out there myself sometime and have a look.
Chris: I was thinking that, too. That this area in the photograph would be a great place to live! Heh. I'd keep the cool elevator, though.
Amy: You don't say! I'll have to check out some photos of that airport then.
From Dearborn, but preferred Westland Mall over Fairlane Town Center for the arcade. :) The basic layout of the mall is the same today with the exception of a Sears which juts out of the side now. A rather unusual Sears location considering they are usually anchor stores rather than additions. To say that it looks the same isn't really correct however... the color scheme, some of the open ceiling areas, and some of the carpeting has been updated to look more modern. I preferred the old look. :(
I was a student at Radcliff Jr. high in Garden City and shopped at the mall the first week it opened. In the fall of 1966 my parents took my younger brother to see Santa land in a helicopter in the mall parking lot. thanks for the great pictures and memories they brought back.
Wow! I though I was the only one to hang on to strange memories of the past. I too recall the monkey cages of the once "outdoor" wonderland mall. And westland mall, well, as a child i was there alot..i remember the butcher shop "ALexander & Hoernung" where we found import german chocolate, and the toy section in the basement of Kresge. The mall looks nothing like it did back then and everytime im there it almost brings a tear that something can change so drastically in such a short amount of time, seems like so many things from that era are slowly disappearing...blue light specials, Franks nursery, Perry drugs, redbell schools- maybe im just in serious denial that im getting older!
I was specifically searching for photos of this mall! I grew up in Westland (now in Texas / Northpark does look the same by the way) and seeing these pictures is such a trip! I've always had blurry memories of the interior but this has brought a lot back to me. I remember in the lower level there was a record store but I can't remember its name. Hope to see more of Westland Center. The Quo Vadis movie theater was across the street. The theater was designed by the same guy who designed the World Trade Center.
Anyone remember the kiddie rides at Wonderland Mall, and dime day Wednesday? I remember them being there all summer ~ my mom claims that's a distorted childhood memory.
Tilt-A-Whirl, Boats, Helicopters, the TRAIN, and of course the Merry-Go-Round and Ferris Wheel.
I remember there was a octagonal aquarium in the main corridor that always had a greenish hue to it. My brother and I used to compete to be the first to find the catfish. I remember it being so huge to my young eyes. Most major changes were made in the early to mid 80's and they went crazy with popcorn stucco, added the basement Emporium etc. These photos bring a tear to my eye... you'll never see that kind of open space again. Take note of white tree of lights obscured by the stairway. Only one is visible, but there were rows of them along the sides. Simply beautiful!
Ah, the original Westland Mall - it looked like the Krell from Forbidden Planet designed it. There was a massive "sculpture" opposite that glass elevator consisting of 3 or 4 giant elongated metal "points", all delicately balanced and higned so they were in constant, subtle motion. That was gone the last time I saw the poos place. And that elevator! My brother and I used to ride that just for the fun of it! Thanks for sharing!
I know one of the men who designed this mall, his name is McClune. He told me that this mall almost was not built because a rep from Hudsons could see the Detroit skyline from the site. He feared that it was to close to the downtown store.
It's a great information about business.Very helpful advice on this article! It is the little changes that make the biggest changes. Thanks a lot for sharing. Magnetic name badge
Designed by Victor Gruen. Technically he was the architect of record on Twelve Oaks, but the vast majority of the design there was done by another architect, Richard Prince, Jr.
That might explain why Westland and Twelve Oaks have absolutely nothing in common. So sad to hear about the Hudson and restaurant closing. It seems the ownership has their hands tied too as Macy's owns that building and apparently has no plans for it.
Agree 100 %.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Art! Glad you dig it. :)
ReplyDeleteBtw, love your blog. Great idea!
Nice photos!
ReplyDeleteI recently visited Wonderland and
Livonia Malls...what a disappointment!
I'd love to see pics of Wonderland
from back in the old day when it was
an outdoor mall.
Great idea for a site!
Dearborn kid. Westland was the spot until the Fairlane Town Centre! Everyone: take a peek at the photo of the West Court. You'll see a Raimi's store. Owned by Sam Raimi's mother (a lingerie store, if memory serves)!
ReplyDeleteTo the right of the Raimi's was a butcher shop.
ReplyDeleteI lived within walking distance of Westland Mall.
Joe: Glad you dig Graves! ;) I've got a little Kennedy thing I'm toying with...
ReplyDeleteAs for more Wonderland pics, Tony, I'll see what I can do.
Gary: Thanks for noting Raimi's mother's store there! Didn't know that!
what are those dandelion looking things on the staircase?
ReplyDeleteNot sure, chris, but they look like little ambient lights or something. If you zoom in, they look like lights that are glowing.
ReplyDeleteEither way, it's beautiful design. They did everything so cool back then!
And that glass elevator is just...just...awesome. What else can I say. I bet riding up in that thing, in this place, looked like the ending of WILLY WONKA! With a little luck, you'd burst right through that ceiling and fly away up into the bright blue Michigan sky of the 1970's!
yeah good call on the elevator. that place would seriously be the most stylish pad ever.
ReplyDeletei think i would convert the elevator to a bar.
This looks exactly like the Salt Lake City airport.
ReplyDeleteWestland mall looks the same today.
ReplyDeleteIt does??! Can't imagine that. I've recently heard from people who still go there and all lamented the fact that it's too bad it doesn't look like that anymore. I was told it, too, has had its share of updating and modernizing over the years, like most Amercian malls. I need to get out there myself sometime and have a look.
ReplyDeleteChris: I was thinking that, too. That this area in the photograph would be a great place to live! Heh. I'd keep the cool elevator, though.
Amy: You don't say! I'll have to check out some photos of that airport then.
From Dearborn, but preferred Westland Mall over Fairlane Town Center for the arcade. :) The basic layout of the mall is the same today with the exception of a Sears which juts out of the side now. A rather unusual Sears location considering they are usually anchor stores rather than additions. To say that it looks the same isn't really correct however... the color scheme, some of the open ceiling areas, and some of the carpeting has been updated to look more modern. I preferred the old look. :(
ReplyDeleteI knew there was no way it looked exactly the same today. :)
ReplyDeleteI was a student at Radcliff Jr. high in Garden City and shopped at the mall the first week it opened.
ReplyDeleteIn the fall of 1966 my parents took my younger brother to see Santa land in a helicopter in the mall parking lot. thanks for the great pictures and memories they brought back.
Hey Gary, sorry Raimi's was a window treatment store or back then a place to buy curtains. My mom shopped there.
ReplyDeleteI remember the butcher shop. They used to sell chocolate covered ants!
I lived in walking distance too!
Wow! I though I was the only one to hang on to strange memories of the past. I too recall the monkey cages of the once "outdoor" wonderland mall. And westland mall, well, as a child i was there alot..i remember the butcher shop "ALexander & Hoernung" where we found import german chocolate, and the toy section in the basement of Kresge. The mall looks nothing like it did back then and everytime im there it almost brings a tear that something can change so drastically in such a short amount of time, seems like so many things from that era are slowly disappearing...blue light specials, Franks nursery, Perry drugs, redbell schools- maybe im just in serious denial that im getting older!
ReplyDeleteKeith. I love this photo, thanks. I moved away from Michigan when I was a young kid, but my best memories involved this mall. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI was specifically searching for photos of this mall! I grew up in Westland (now in Texas / Northpark does look the same by the way) and seeing these pictures is such a trip! I've always had blurry memories of the interior but this has brought a lot back to me. I remember in the lower level there was a record store but I can't remember its name. Hope to see more of Westland Center. The Quo Vadis movie theater was across the street. The theater was designed by the same guy who designed the World Trade Center.
ReplyDeleteAnyone remember the kiddie rides at Wonderland Mall, and dime day Wednesday? I remember them being there all summer ~ my mom claims that's a distorted childhood memory.
ReplyDeleteTilt-A-Whirl, Boats, Helicopters, the TRAIN, and of course the Merry-Go-Round and Ferris Wheel.
Anyone else remember? PLEEZE!
Not a distorted childhood memory! Out front along Plymouth Road by the Red Barn restaurant.
DeleteI remember there was a octagonal aquarium in the main corridor that always had a greenish hue to it. My brother and I used to compete to be the first to find the catfish. I remember it being so huge to my young eyes. Most major changes were made in the early to mid 80's and they went crazy with popcorn stucco, added the basement Emporium etc. These photos bring a tear to my eye... you'll never see that kind of open space again. Take note of white tree of lights obscured by the stairway. Only one is visible, but there were rows of them along the sides. Simply beautiful!
ReplyDeleteAh, the original Westland Mall - it looked like the Krell from Forbidden Planet designed it. There was a massive "sculpture" opposite that glass elevator consisting of 3 or 4 giant elongated metal "points", all delicately balanced and higned so they were in constant, subtle motion. That was gone the last time I saw the poos place. And that elevator! My brother and I used to ride that just for the fun of it! Thanks for sharing!
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I know one of the men who designed this mall, his name is McClune. He told me that this mall almost was not built because a rep from Hudsons could see the Detroit skyline from the site. He feared that it was to close to the downtown store.
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It's a great information about business.Very helpful advice on this article! It is the little changes that make the biggest changes. Thanks a lot for sharing.
ReplyDeleteMagnetic name badge
Designed by Victor Gruen. Technically he was the architect of record on Twelve Oaks, but the vast majority of the design there was done by another architect, Richard Prince, Jr.
ReplyDeleteThat might explain why Westland and Twelve Oaks have absolutely nothing in common. So sad to hear about the Hudson and restaurant closing. It seems the ownership has their hands tied too as Macy's owns that building and apparently has no plans for it.
I remember sliding down that goose that laid the golden egg hundreds of times!!
ReplyDelete