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Fueled by phenomenal growth in the early part of the 20th century, Hamtramck went from being a farming community to a major industrial city in the space of a decade. Thousands of immigrants flooded into the city to work in the new auto factories. Each one had a special story to tell, but some stood above the rest. Maurice Keyworth developed a public school code in 1927 that was so innovative it was copied by schools across the nation. Gail Kobe acted in and produced popular TV shows, and Rudy Tomjanovich thrilled crowds around the basketball court. Still others made their mark in more modest, yet meaningful ways, like business owner Dave Stober, who sent local kids to camp. Their stories, and those of many more who made Hamtramck what it is today, are here. Each made a special contribution to the story of Hamtramck. Photos courtesy of the Hamtramck Historical Commission unless otherwise noted and most have never been published before.
Photos on the cover from left to right:
Top row: Lee Barecki, Miss Dodge Days; see page 97,
Rev Joseph Jordan, pastor, Corinthian Baptist Church; see page 84,
Walter Kanar, mayor; see page 79,
Gail Kobe, actress; see page 44,
Msgr. Peter P. Walkowiak, St. Florian Parish; see page 84,
Middle row: Ordine Toliver, Hamtramck Village councilman; see page 11,
Mary Zuk, councilwoman, activist; see page 78,
Joseph Lewandowski, mayor; see page 18,
Walter Gajewski, city clerk; see page 19,
Karen Majewski, first woman mayor; see page 32,
Bottom row: Yvonne Myrick, library board member; see page 99,
Peter Jezewski, first mayor; see page 12,
Stephen Skrzycki, mayor; see page 20,
Woodrow W. Woody, auto dealer; see page 64,
Albert Zak, mayor; see page 21.
Author Bio: Greg Kowalski has been with the Hamtramck Historical Commission since it was formed in 1998. A professional journalist for nearly 40 years. This is Greg's 6th book on Hamtramck.
Article in the local newspaper: click here... The Review
Article in the local newspaper: click here... Polish Times
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