My maternal grandfather emigrated to this country from Finland to work in Michigan's copper mines. It was grueling work but one of the few skills that he came here with. Later he basically conned his way into being employed as a millwright for General Motors by convincing them that he was one in Finland. He wasn't, but within a few years he was training all new millwrights at GM.
By the time I knew him my grandfather was quite old and fairly senile. He passed away when I was seven or eight. All I remember him going on about are the Tigers and the salt mines under Detroit. All these years I basically thought the poor guy was hallucinating about the mines. Nope. There are more than 50 miles of salt highway under Motown. Check out the amazing photos, too.
Posted by mikewolf at February 19, 2004 04:55 PMWOW! That is amazing. Thanks for sharing Mike.
Posted by: Cassie on February 20, 2004 12:43 PMIt is funny when you look back at the history of things and see how this country was built. I like to look at the old photos, especially of the people and see in thier eyes and try to find otu what they were thinking at that moment. I know it was not something profound, but still it was something. One reason I like going to the museum of science and industry in Chicago is that you get to touch a lot of the items in there. That tactile response makes it all the more real. They have a blues exhibit that really hit home to me, and since I love your family so much thanks for a little piece of history today.
Posted by: Brad on February 20, 2004 02:18 PMThat's wild. Who knew.
Posted by: Jim on February 21, 2004 03:41 PM