Mellus Newspapers Building

The Mellus Newspapers Building was a commercial building at 1661 Fort Street in Lincoln Park, Michigan. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2005,[1] and demolished in 2010.[2]

Mellus Newspapers Building
Former site of building
Location1661 Fort St., Lincoln Park, Michigan
Coordinates42°15′6″N 83°10′31″W
Arealess than one acre
Built1941
Architectural styleModerne
NRHP reference No.05000716[1]
Added to NRHPJuly 20, 2005

History

In 1933, William S. Mellus founded the Lincoln Parker, a newspaper serving the city of Lincoln Park.[2] As the population of Lincoln Park grew, Mellus eventually needed more space, and in 1941 he constructed this building on Fort Street.[2] Mellus also published newspapers for other downriver communities: The Allen Parker, Ecorse Advertiser, Southgate Sentinel, Taylor Tribune and Riverview Sentinel.[3] In the 1950s, a two-story addition was constructed in the rear of the building, enlarging the space to 4,080 square feet (379 m2).[4] Mellus also expanded operations into the next-door Pollack Jewellery Building.[4] Mellus sold his newspaper chain to Panax Corp. in the early 1970s. The company remained in the building until 1986, when it merged with Heritage Newspapers.[3] The building was sold by the Mellus family in 1994.[4]

In 2009, the Mellus and the next-door Pollack were purchased by the Lincoln Park Downtown Development Authority for $93,000.[5] The Mellus Building was demolished in May 2010; a small park is planned for the lot.[5]

Description

The Mellus Newspapers Building had simple but distinguishing Art Deco characteristics exemplifying the application of these to a small commercial building.[2] The front facade was covered with white porcelain enamel panels, and the entryway was framed with curved glass block sections. Six steel casement windows faced the front.[2]

References
  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  2. Ren Farley. "Mellus Newspaper Building". Detroit1701.org. Retrieved July 20, 2010.
  3. "Save the Mellus Newspapers Building". Lincoln Park Preservation Alliance. Retrieved July 20, 2010.
  4. "Historic gem or eyesore? Lincoln Park preservation group seeks developers for Mellus Newspaper building". Hometown History Tours. July 27, 2009. Retrieved July 20, 2010.
  5. Nate Stemen (May 15, 2010). "LINCOLN PARK: Mellus Newspapers' building demolished; small park planned for site (with video)". The News-Herald.
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