Westland, Michigan - July 23, 1965
Early view from outside the J.L. Hudson designed Westland Center shopping mall, around the time of its initial opening in 1965.
In fact, judging by the very small number of cars here, and also the rather blank looking sign, this photo just may have been taken before the mall was actually officially opened for business. Don't know if that's the case, just thinking out loud here.
Mall history: 1965 - present
Developer: J.L. Hudson Company
Current website: here
Current aerial view
Info from Wikipedia
Previous entries: 1, 2, 3
(Image courtesy and © Wayne State University)
My Guess is Marshall Field's (Hudson's) came first, with a mall that surrounding the building. Later came the rest?
ReplyDeleteScott
Are you sure this picture was taken in 1965? That blank, boring and dull look could have easily been taken in 2005!
ReplyDeleteBigmallrat, you're right on the money, almost. The mall also featured Kresge and Kroger as junior anchors when it opened. JCPenney was added in a new wing in the 1970s (displacing the Kroger store in the process), and Mainstreet (now Kohl's) was added in the 1980s. Sears also came in the 1980s, retrofitted onto the JCPenney wing. Kresge has been cut up into other stores.
ReplyDeleteStrangely, in 2006, the mall still lacks a food court.
Great Photo, looks like it was taken by Stephen Shore or Ed Ruscha
ReplyDeleteactually sears was built in the late 90s
ReplyDelete