| THE OLD D.S.R. CAPITOL PARK BUS STATION |
| The above photo shows the former DSR Capitol Park bus station, which was built in 1955. Taken from the north end, the photo shows the loading lanes for the Fenkell and Linwood buses on the left, and the Grand River electric "trackless" trolley-coaches on the right. (Photo source: D.S.R. Reporter, January 1956 edition) |
Although today it may only look like a small triangular–shaped downtown city park, the area which is currently being used
by the Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT) for its downtown transit hub was at one time the location of a
bustling downtown bus shelter, terminal and waiting station that served more than 25,000 daily riders.
by the Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT) for its downtown transit hub was at one time the location of a
bustling downtown bus shelter, terminal and waiting station that served more than 25,000 daily riders.
For decades Capitol Park has served as a major downtown loading
zone for the city's transportation system—–even dating back to the
DUR years. During the early DSR years, it served as a through stop
for the Jefferson–Grand River and Myrtle streetcar lines, and the
layover stop for the Fourteenth Street car line. By the late 1920's
the park had become a major boarding area for Grand River street-
cars after the Grand River and Jefferson lines were split in 1927. By
the early 1950's, the Grand River electric trolley–buses, along with
the Fenkell and Linwood bus lines all terminated at Capitol Park.
The history of the park goes back to when the original State Capitol
Building resided at that location. After the building was destroyed by
a fire in 1893, the triangular–shaped block where the building once
stood was converted into a park, which became known as Capitol
Park. The downtown park was lined with rows of park benches, and
even had its own fountain and pool. In order to accommodate the
large rush hour crowds that would gather to board streetcars at the
park, large loading platforms were eventually built along each side.
In early 1953, the DSR released a proposal plan to remodel the park
by building a new reinforced concrete bus station, which would offer
protection from the wind, rain, and snow for the thousands of DSR
passengers who used the location daily. The proposed station would
also provide the DSR with a much larger loading area to handle the
large volume of crowds.
However, considerable opposition resulted after DSR plans revealed
that the proposed bus shelter would require moving the statue and
tomb of Stevens T. Mason – Michigan's first governor – who was
buried at the north end of the park. Suggestions to instead enlarge
the existing loading zones along the edge of the park were rejected,
based on the grounds that it would further reduce the width of the
surrounding narrow streets. In addition, the loading zones were con-
sidered unsafe, as they placed passengers between the flow of both
automobile and bus traffic.
Construction began on the project in May of 1955. The bus shelter
zone for the city's transportation system—–even dating back to the
DUR years. During the early DSR years, it served as a through stop
for the Jefferson–Grand River and Myrtle streetcar lines, and the
layover stop for the Fourteenth Street car line. By the late 1920's
the park had become a major boarding area for Grand River street-
cars after the Grand River and Jefferson lines were split in 1927. By
the early 1950's, the Grand River electric trolley–buses, along with
the Fenkell and Linwood bus lines all terminated at Capitol Park.
The history of the park goes back to when the original State Capitol
Building resided at that location. After the building was destroyed by
a fire in 1893, the triangular–shaped block where the building once
stood was converted into a park, which became known as Capitol
Park. The downtown park was lined with rows of park benches, and
even had its own fountain and pool. In order to accommodate the
large rush hour crowds that would gather to board streetcars at the
park, large loading platforms were eventually built along each side.
In early 1953, the DSR released a proposal plan to remodel the park
by building a new reinforced concrete bus station, which would offer
protection from the wind, rain, and snow for the thousands of DSR
passengers who used the location daily. The proposed station would
also provide the DSR with a much larger loading area to handle the
large volume of crowds.
However, considerable opposition resulted after DSR plans revealed
that the proposed bus shelter would require moving the statue and
tomb of Stevens T. Mason – Michigan's first governor – who was
buried at the north end of the park. Suggestions to instead enlarge
the existing loading zones along the edge of the park were rejected,
based on the grounds that it would further reduce the width of the
surrounding narrow streets. In addition, the loading zones were con-
sidered unsafe, as they placed passengers between the flow of both
automobile and bus traffic.
Construction began on the project in May of 1955. The bus shelter
took six months to construct, with the total cost of the project reported at $280,000. The statue and tomb of former
Governor Mason were moved to the south end of the park along State street — its current location today.
According to the January 1956 edition of the D.S.R. Reporter (an employee newspaper), the shelter was constructed of
"...concrete re–enforced with steel. The overhead canopy, which took 400 yards of concrete, was poured in one day."
Plastic sky domes were used to admit daylight underneath the canopy during the day, while "cold cathode" (fluorescent)
lights would give off a glow affect at night. The only area of the shelter completely enclosed were the ticket office, located
on the north end, and the lavatories, which were located in the basement.
The DSR estimated that over 700 coaches and trolley-coaches picked-up over 15,000 passengers from the Capitol Park
Station every weekday. With high frequency lines, such as Grand River, operating through the station with one-minute
headways, the DSR implemented a "prepay" fare collection system to help speed up the loading operation. During rush
hours, riders would pay their fares at manned turnstile booths. With their fare already paid, the passengers would then go
directly on board the buses through both doors. This procedure would also help to speed up service.
Governor Mason were moved to the south end of the park along State street — its current location today.
According to the January 1956 edition of the D.S.R. Reporter (an employee newspaper), the shelter was constructed of
"...concrete re–enforced with steel. The overhead canopy, which took 400 yards of concrete, was poured in one day."
Plastic sky domes were used to admit daylight underneath the canopy during the day, while "cold cathode" (fluorescent)
lights would give off a glow affect at night. The only area of the shelter completely enclosed were the ticket office, located
on the north end, and the lavatories, which were located in the basement.
The DSR estimated that over 700 coaches and trolley-coaches picked-up over 15,000 passengers from the Capitol Park
Station every weekday. With high frequency lines, such as Grand River, operating through the station with one-minute
headways, the DSR implemented a "prepay" fare collection system to help speed up the loading operation. During rush
hours, riders would pay their fares at manned turnstile booths. With their fare already paid, the passengers would then go
directly on board the buses through both doors. This procedure would also help to speed up service.
| Unless otherwise noted, all photos displayed within this article are courtesy of the January 1956 edition of the D.S.R. Reporter, via the Stan Sycko Transit Collection. |
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| DETROIT TRANSIT HISTORY |
| DETROIT TRANSIT HISTORY |
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| The web-site which takes a look back at the History of Public Transportation in and around the City of Detroit. |
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Originally, the Grand River trackless trolley-coaches, along with the Fenkell and Linwood bus lines utilized the newly built
Capitol Park Bus Terminal. Later however, under DDOT, the Grand River, Linwood and E. Vernor bus lines were assign-
ed to the station, which became their downtown terminus and layover stop. This would continue on through the shelter's
remaining years of service.
But after less than 25 years of operation, city officials decided that the Capitol Park bus station had out-lived its usefulness.
During the late 1970's the downtown bus shelter was demolished. The park was redesigned into a more open city-park like
setting, similar to its appearance during the years prior to the arrival of the bus station. In December of 2001, the Capitol
Park area became the major transit hub for DDOT after its Cadillac Square Transit Center was closed to make way for
the Campus Martius Park Project. Current plans call for the Capitol Park Transit Center to remain operational until
the completion of the new DDOT Rosa Parks Transit Center in Times Square, scheduled to open sometime in 2009.
Capitol Park Bus Terminal. Later however, under DDOT, the Grand River, Linwood and E. Vernor bus lines were assign-
ed to the station, which became their downtown terminus and layover stop. This would continue on through the shelter's
remaining years of service.
But after less than 25 years of operation, city officials decided that the Capitol Park bus station had out-lived its usefulness.
During the late 1970's the downtown bus shelter was demolished. The park was redesigned into a more open city-park like
setting, similar to its appearance during the years prior to the arrival of the bus station. In December of 2001, the Capitol
Park area became the major transit hub for DDOT after its Cadillac Square Transit Center was closed to make way for
the Campus Martius Park Project. Current plans call for the Capitol Park Transit Center to remain operational until
the completion of the new DDOT Rosa Parks Transit Center in Times Square, scheduled to open sometime in 2009.
|
| This photo shows the Capitol Park Terminal on Friday, November 16, 1962—the last day of electric trolley-coach operation on the Grand River line. A General Motors "new-look" diesel coach—the impending replacement for these electric powered buses—can be seen following behind one of the last trolley-coaches to operate in Detroit. (Scalzo Collection Photo, courtesy of Tom's Trolley Coach Pictures at www.trolleybuses.net) |
| This early 1960's photo looks north toward the Capitol Park Bus Station from State Street. By the time this photo was taken electric bus operation on the Grand River line had been discontinued, and replaced by GM diesel buses. The statue and tomb of former Michigan Governor Stevens T. Mason can be seen along the south end of the park. (Photo source: General Motors Truck & Coach promotional brochure) |