Mellus Newspapers Building

United States historic place

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″N 83°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

[edit]

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

[edit]

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

[edit]

1. ^ a b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
2. ^ a b c d e 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. ^ a b "Save the Mellus Newspapers Building". Lincoln Park Preservation Alliance. Retrieved July 20, 2010.[permanent dead link‍]
5. ^ a b c "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. ^ a b Nate Stemen (May 15, 2010). "LINCOLN PARK: Mellus Newspapers' building demolished; small park planned for site (with video)". The News-Herald.

## External links

[edit]

* Save the Mellus[permanent dead link‍]

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