Grosse Ile in Wayne County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Recording Movements
at the U. S. Customs House
Photographed By Joel Seewald, July 9, 2020
1. Recording Movements at the U. S. Customs House Marker
This building has seen a lot of travel.
The U. S. Customs House was built about 1873 by the Canada Southern Railroad along its railroad track, now Grosse Ile Parkway. Along this railway, people and freight traveled both ways across Grosse Ile and the Detroit River into Canada. In this building, customs agents inspected and taxed goods traveling over the border. After Canada Southern closed in the 1880s, the building was moved for other uses on Macomb Street. It was moved again in 1979 to its prsent location to serve the Grosse Ile Historical Society.
You Auto Know
On Macomb Street, the building was used as a residence, an ice cream parlor and a bank.
Erected by MotorCities National Heritage Area, National Park Service.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the MotorCities National Heritage Area series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1873.
Location. 42° 7.559′ N, 83° 8.533′ W.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Rails Through Grosse Ile (within shouting distance of this marker); The End of the Line (within shouting distance of this marker); Michigan Central Railroad (within shouting distance of this marker); Across the Water (within shouting distance of this marker); The Livingstone Channel (within shouting distance of this marker); St. James Episcopal Chapel (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Military Outpost (approx. 0.4 miles away); Times of Change (approx. 1˝ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Grosse Ile.
Also see . . . U.S. Customs House. Part of a Wikipedia article about the East River Road Historic District. (Submitted on July 12, 2020, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)
Photo courtesy of Grosse Ile Historical Society.
2. Recording Movements at the U. S. Customs House Marker — upper left image
The U. S. Customs House on Macomb Street as the Bank & Trust, 1979.
Photos courtesy of the Grosse Ile Historical Society
3. Recording Movements at the U. S. Customs House Marker — far lower left images
Mabel and Walter Warrow, about 1916. When the U. S. Customs House was on Macomb Street, it was owned by the Warrow family from 1915 to 1974.
Photo courtesy of Grosse Ile Histoical Society
4. Recording Movements at the U. S. Customs House Marker — near lower left image
The building being moved from Macomb Street to its site next to the depot museum on August 9, 1979.
5. Recording Movements at the U. S. Customs House Marker — near right image
The U. S. Customs House is operated by the Grosse Ile Historical Society as an archive and offices of the Grosse Ile Historical Museum.
Photos courtesy of Grosse Ile Historical Society
6. Recording Movements at the U. S. Customs House Marker — far right image
Interior details of the U. S. Customs House suggest its history, including this stair banister and coal stove.
Photographed By Joel Seewald, July 9, 2020
7. U. S. Customs House and Marker
Photographed By Joel Seewald, July 9, 2020
8. U. S. Customs House and Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on July 12, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 12, 2020, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 187 times since then and 74 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on July 12, 2020, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.
