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There Went The Neighborhood - Studio Interview: Russell Calvert

Russell Calvert attended Jones School from kindergarten through sixth grade in the post-WWII era. He recalls the strong influence of Black business owners like his father, Burgess Calvert, and Charlie Baker. He tells the story of “The Old Neighborhood” before it became known as Kerrytown.

This interview was filmed during the making of the documentary film There Went The Neighborhood: The Closing of Jones School, produced by the Ann Arbor District Library and 7 Cylinders Studio. More interviews are available in the There Went The Neighborhood Interview Archive.

Staebler & Son Manufactured Home Construction, 1020 Maple Rd., September 1956

Staebler & Son Manufactured Home Construction, 1020 Maple Rd., September 1956 image
Year:
1956
Published In:
Ann Arbor News, September 15, 1956
Caption:
Number 100,066: This model home, trucked to a lot at 1020 Maple Rd., is the 100,066th unit manufactured by the National Homes Corp. It is being constructed here by Staebler & Son. It will be opened to the public during its roughed-in state and again when completed. This home will feature a dining room apart from the living room.
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Westaire Subdivision Model Home, July 1956

Westaire Subdivision Model Home, July 1956 image
Year:
1956
Published In:
Ann Arbor News, July 21, 1956
Caption:
...Things to Come: This is a Staebler & Son model home: a model representation of the more expensive homes this firm will build in Westaire subdivision. This home fronts S. Circle Dr. at Maple Rd. Staebler & Son took out permits to build its first 16 homes in Westaire. Its officials expect to start 10 others this year.
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Aerial Photograph of Westaire Subdivision, July 1956

Aerial Photograph of Westaire Subdivision, July 1956 image
Year:
1956
Published In:
Ann Arbor News, July 21, 1956
Caption:
Westward Ho: Ann Arbor's city limits are pushed ever outward. And this aerial photograph offers graphic evidence. That thoroughfare across the bottom of the picture, completely paved and lined with neat homes on landscaped lots is Duncan St. Earlier in this decade, Duncan St. resembled the area above it, an area which lies due west. Maple Rd., the western city limits in this area, is shown above the rough land under construction as it extends across the picture. Miller Ave. is shown along the right extending from Duncan up to Maple. The sector under construction is Westaire subdivision, a 200-lot project being developed by Staebler & Son and the Prospect Hill Construction Co., a subsidiary of the Home Realty Co. Today, its streets are but graded, exaggerated paths through the field. But, they have recorded names and, in the future they will appear as urban as Duncan. Looking from Duncan west, the first street (the curved street) is N. Circle Dr. (right) and S. Circle Dr. (left). Above the curved street are three straight streets known as Westaire Way, Hasper Dr. and Western Dr. On to the west (toward top of picture), beyond Maple Rd., lies pastoral land. How long will it maintain its rural appearance? Who knows?
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AACHM Oral History: James Anderson, Jr.

Please take a moment to take our Living Oral History Survey and let us know what you learned.

James Anderson, Jr., was born on October 23, 1937 and lived on Miner Street where he attended Mack School. James built a career in real estate and recalls the few blocks in the Mack school area where African Americans could live at that time, and how housing has changed over the years, from segregation through today. He remembers the bond drives during WWII and some of the businesses in town. James also worked on behalf of the JCs to establish Washtenaw Community College and was a trustee for 19 years.

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