History
**Detroit Strange**

Jess and Alex explore and celebrate the strange and unusual history of Detroit with a side of humor. They tell stories, share a cocktail, and have some laughs while discussing the great and sometimes ooky spooky city they love.

Latest Episodes:

Ep.33 - Maker of Stars (Jessie Bonstelle) Mar 03, 2020

Show notes

In this week's Episode Alex mixes up a good ol' American drink involving rum, coke, and peanuts. He then goes on to tell Jess all about the powerhouse that was Jessie Bonstelle and the theatre she created in Detroit. There may be some ooky spookies in the theatre today. Who is still hanging around? What is in store for the future? And why do Alex and Jess try speaking French? Tune in and find out!

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Ep.32 - Nasty Neighbors, Sweet House (Ossian Sweet House) Feb 25, 2020

Show notes

Jess and Alex start off proving that Jess can't (and will not try to) yodel. They talk about some of their current favorite songs and Jess tells Alex all about what goes into the New Orlean's born Sazeracs they are sipping on (rye, absinthe, sugar cube, lemon peel, angostura bitters, peychauds bitters). Jess then goes on to tell Alex about the history of the Ossian Sweet House. How many neighbors showed up to protest the house? What stupid name did they come up with for their neighborhood association? How did those in the house have charges against them dropped after shots were fired through the air? Tune in and find out!

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Ep.31 - Everything Starts from a Dot (The Heidelberg Project) Feb 18, 2020

Show notes

Alex makes up a drink he had in college (eventually named a "Dot House") while he tells Jess all about the Heidelberg Project and Tyree Guyton. Jess reminisces about visiting Heidelberg street in college and Alex talks about it's at times tumultuous existence; full of lots of love, but unfortunately some hate too. What does the future hold for the art installation? Tune in and find out!

Also February 17th starts "Random Acts of Kindness Week" - celebrate it!

“Everything starts from a dot” - Wasily Kadinsky

Ep.30 - Gordy How? (Esther & Anna Gordy) Feb 11, 2020

Show notes

Join Jess & Alex as they sip on some homemade "Gordy Hounds" (gin, grapefruit juice, simple syrup, & a sprig of rosemary) while Jess tells Alex about some of the Gordy's behind Motown Records; the two eldest of the Gordy sisters Esther and Anna. Who had the idea to create the Motown Museum? Who did Anna meet and eventually marry? Who granted the $800 loan to Berry to get Motown Records started? Tune in and find out!

Ep.29 - Last Stop (The Second Baptist Church & the Underground Railroad) Feb 04, 2020

Show notes

In episode 29 Alex & Jess sip on some Manhattans while Alex tells Jess all about the Second Baptist Church and George DeBaptiste. DeBaptiste along with the church helped hundreds if not thousands of slaves find passage to Canada via the Underground Railroad. How did DeBaptiste do it? What happened to the first building to house the church? And how much does Alex know about Jane Fonda during two truths and a lie? Tune in and find out!

Ep.28 - Where's the Body? (Boy Governor, Stevens T. Mason) Jan 28, 2020

Show notes

Jess and Alex drink some cozy drinks (Poor Man's Irish Coffees) while Jess tells Alex all about the youngest governor in America, Stevens T. Mason AKA Michigan's "Boy Governor." What did that young whipper snapper do for the state? How many times was his body moved? How did his body get lost? Where is it now? Tune in and find out!

Ep.27 - Yes We Khan! (Albert Kahn) Jan 21, 2020

Show notes

Alex mixes up some "Detroit Mules" and tells Jess about none other than Detroit Architect Albert Kahn! He tells his history, who he met along the way, and about the innovations he brought to building not only in Detroit but world-wide. Where else are his building? Who did he meet? Tune in an find out! #staystrange

Ep.26 - Undercover (Ruth Montgomery & the Black Legion ) Jan 14, 2020

Show notes

Jess and Alex sip on some cold Gin & Teas (Gin, tea/ginger/orange peel infused simple syrup, Lemon Juice, Blood Orange Juice) and Jess tells Alex about Ruth Montgomery and the murderer she uncovered while being a reporter for the Detroit Times in 1936. Jess then goes on to tell Alex all about the group behind the murder of Charles Poole along with at least 49 others; the Black Legion. Who were it's members? What roles did they play in society? And what other discoveries did Ruth uncover in her life? Did she go on a ride in a space ship? Listen in and find out.

Ep.25 - Vanished (The disappearance of D'wan Sims ) Jan 07, 2020

Show notes

In episode 25 Alex & Jess sip on some Peppermint Martini's (the season is over but leftovers are still around) and Alex tells Jess all about the *1994 disappearance of then 4 year old D'wan Sims during a trip to Wonderland Mall with his mother. What did the surveillance tapes show? What else was in the news at the time? What happened recently (in December of 2019) that might explain where he went? Tune in and find out!

*Special Thanks to our listener & friend Sarah W. for the story suggestion!

Ep.24 - $2000 and an Old Caddy (The Murder of Jane Bashara) Dec 31, 2019

Show notes

In this episode Alex and Jess sip on some "Swedish Winter Smashes" and Jess tells Alex about the horrible murder of a woman found in her car on the east side in 2013; Jane Bashara. Who did it, and who planned it? What were the motives? What happened to the clothes Jane was wearing that night? Listen in and find out.

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