Burns Park in Ann Arbor in Washtenaw County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Social and Political Change on South University
Photographed By Joel Seewald, October 12, 2017
1. Social and Political Change on South University Marker
Inscription.
Social and Political Change on South University. . When local merchants began the Ann Arbor Art Fair in July 1960, South University catered to both townspeople and students. During 40 years of social and political change, the fair grew into a city-wide extravaganza. In the twentieth century, as fraternities, sororities, dormitories, and student rooms concentrated nearby, South University had become a focus of student activity. At this corner in the 1950s and 1960s you could have seen homecoming parades or panty raiders shouting "To the hill!" (women's dorms), in the 1980s a basketball riot, and the 1990s the Naked Mile.
Political activities as well as pranks have always been a part of student life. Earlier students, fueled by alcohol, youth, and boredom, had torn up the town's wooden sidewalks for bonfires, disabled trolley cars, and shouted down presidential candidate William Jennings Bryan. They vigorously debated abolition, temperance, wars, and women's suffrage. During the Vietnam War, Ann Arbor became a center of the nationwide social and political firestorm. Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) and peace teach-ins originated at UM. Those turbulent years began with civil rights picketing, intensified with antiwar protests, White Panthers, Black Action Movement strikes, and demonstrations for women's liberation and gay rights. "Make love not war!"and "Power to the people!" affronted middle-class values and expressed the new rebellious spirit that led to hippies, the sexual revolution, and the Hash Bash.
Photos courtesy of the Bentley Historical Library, the Ann Arbor News, and John and Leni Sinclair.
When local merchants began the Ann Arbor Art Fair in July 1960, South University catered to both townspeople and students. During 40 years of social and political change, the fair grew into a city-wide extravaganza. In the twentieth century, as fraternities, sororities, dormitories, and student rooms concentrated nearby, South University had become a focus of student activity. At this corner in the 1950s and 1960s you could have seen homecoming parades or panty raiders shouting "To the hill!" (women's dorms), in the 1980s a basketball riot, and the 1990s the Naked Mile.
Political activities as well as pranks have always been a part of student life. Earlier students, fueled by alcohol, youth, and boredom, had torn up the town's wooden sidewalks for bonfires, disabled trolley cars, and shouted down presidential candidate William Jennings Bryan. They vigorously debated abolition, temperance, wars, and women's suffrage. During the Vietnam War, Ann Arbor became a center of the nationwide social and political firestorm. Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) and peace teach-ins originated at UM. Those turbulent years began with civil rights picketing, intensified with antiwar protests, White Panthers, Black Action Movement strikes, and demonstrations for women's liberation and gay rights. "Make love not war!"and "Power to the
Click or scan to see this page online
people!" affronted middle-class values and expressed the new rebellious spirit that led to hippies, the sexual revolution, and the Hash Bash.
Photos courtesy of the Bentley Historical Library, the Ann Arbor News, and John and Leni Sinclair.
Erected by Ann Arbor Historic District Commission and South University Area Association.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Peace • War, Vietnam. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1960.
Location. 42° 16.504′ N, 83° 44.152′ W. Marker is in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in Washtenaw County. It is in Burns Park. Marker is at the intersection of South University Avenue and East University Avenue, on the right when traveling west on South University Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1101 South University Avenue, Ann Arbor MI 48109, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Also see . . . Site 15. South University and East University. Marker on the Downtown Ann Arbor Historical Street Exhibit website. (Submitted on October 19, 2017, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)
Photographed By Joel Seewald, October 12, 2017
3. Top Panel, Upper Right Image
By the 1971 Art Fair, psychedelic rock, long hair, Afros, and tie-dyed T-shirts had replaced the Hit Parade music, crew cuts, suits, ties, hats and gloves of the 1950s.
Photographed By Joel Seewald, October 12, 2017
4. Top Panel, Lower Left Image
Minorty students on South University returning from a three-day sit-in at the UM Administration building.
Photographed By Joel Seewald, October 12, 2017
5. Top Panel, Lower Right Image
The first Hash Bash brought thousands of young people to the Diag on April Fool's Day 1971 to celebrate Ann Arbor's lenient penalties for smoking marijuana.
Photographed By Joel Seewald, October 12, 2017
6. Bottom Panel, Main Image
On a hot June night in 1969, over 1,000 youths tried to "liberate" South University and turn it into a "People's Park." On the third night of escalating conflict, city police and sheriff's deputies responded to rock throwing by using tear gas and nightsticks to clear the street. This incident symbolized for many the political and social upheaval of the time.
Photographed By Joel Seewald, October 12, 2017
7. Lower Panel, Upper Left Image
Officers with night-sticks, riot helmets, and gas masks form a line on South University at Church Street, June 1969.
Photographed By Joel Seewald, October 12, 2017
8. Social and Political Change on South University Marker
View looking toward the east along South University Avenue.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 19, 2017, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 228 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on October 19, 2017, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.