14th Street in 1903

This photo was taken on the east side of 14th Street between Marantette and Baker, facing south. The caption reads: "Apr. 20th 1903. M. Hayes. In front of 224 14th Ave. There had been a new walk put down."


Courtesy of the Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Public Library (Source)

The sign in front of the house a few doors down reads "Furniture and Piano Moving." That would be the home of furniture mover James Reardon at 218 14th Street. This is the area today:



The charming building in the photo was built in 1940 as a repair center for vehicles owned by the United States Postal Service, and it retains that function today.

The Burton Historical Collection also contains a photo from the same spot but facing north:


Courtesy of the Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Public Library (Source)

The same view today:



This is a detail from an 1885 atlas of Detroit showing the houses that stood at the time. (The Bechstein House is highlighted in red.) Below that is a recent satellite photo of the area.