Mellus Newspapers Building

Mellus Newspapers Building
Formerly listed on the  U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Former site of building
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Location	1661 Fort St., Lincoln Park, Michigan
Coordinates	42°15′6″N83°10′31″W / 42.25167°N 83.17528°W / 42.25167; -83.17528
Area	less than one acre
Built	1941
Architectural style	Moderne
Demolished	2010
NRHP reference No.	05000716 [1]
Significant dates
Added to NRHP	July 20, 2005
Removed from NRHP	July 24, 2024

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] The building was removed from the National Register of Historic Places in 2024. ^[3]

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. ^[4] 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). ^[5] Mellus also expanded operations into the next-door Pollack Jewellery Building. ^[5] 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. ^[4] The building was sold by the Mellus family in 1994. ^[5]

In 2009, the Mellus and the next-door Pollack were purchased by the Lincoln Park Downtown Development Authority for $93,000. ^[6] The Mellus Building was demolished in May 2010; a small park is planned for the lot. ^[6]

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. "Weekly List 2024 07 26". National Park Service. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
4. "Save the Mellus Newspapers Building". Lincoln Park Preservation Alliance. Retrieved July 20, 2010.^{[ permanent dead link ]}
5. "Historic gem or eyesore? Lincoln Park preservation group seeks developers for Mellus Newspaper building". Hometown History Tours. July 27, 2009. Retrieved July 20, 2010.
6. Nate Stemen (May 15, 2010). "LINCOLN PARK: Mellus Newspapers' building demolished; small park planned for site (with video)". The News-Herald.

External links

• Save the Mellus ^{[ permanent dead link ]}