Westland in Wayne County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Annapolis Park

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, May 21, 2021

1. Annapolis Park Marker

Inscription. During World War II Detroit's black population doubled from 150,000 to 300,000 and faced the extreme housing shortage that had existed since the early twentieth century. Restrictive covenants, inflated rents, and other discriminatory practices confined blacks to certain areas and hindered their ability to purchase property. In 1953 Julius Schwartz and several partners broke ground for Annapolis Park, a modern suburban neighborhood for African Americans. Because few banks would approve loans for potential buyers, Schwartz and his brother-in-law Jack Kellman established the Franklin Mortgage Company. By 1957 Annapolis Park's 354 lots were fully developed and African American families were able to live in a well-built home with "nice trees, nice country living."

Erected 2007 by Michigan Historical Commission - Michigan Historical Center. (Marker Number S0700.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: African Americans. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1953.

Location. 42° 16.206′ N, 83° 19.736′ W. Marker is in Westland, Michigan, in Wayne County. It is at the intersection of Middlebelt Road and Hanover Boulevard, on the right

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when traveling south on Middlebelt Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5340 Middlebelt Rd, Westland MI 48186, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Michigan

and in Greater Detroit.

It is also in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Samuel Tobyne - 1827 (approx. 0.7 miles away); Malcolm X Shabazz / Wilfred Little (approx. one mile away); Eloise (approx. 1.4 miles away); Northwest Airlines Flight 255 (approx. 2 miles away); Norwayne Subdivision (approx. 2.1 miles away); Oak Grove Burying Ground (approx. 2.8 miles away); Veteran's Peace Memorial (approx. 2.9 miles away); First Congregational Church (approx. 2.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Westland.

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, May 21, 2021

2. Annapolis Park Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on July 14, 2021. It was originally submitted on July 13, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 624 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 13, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.