As a child (born 1938) I was living with my parents in the upper flat of my Grandfather and Grandmother house (their name was Bagozzi) on Green Avenue between South and the Railroad tracks behind the Detroit Produce Terminal. My Mother graduated from Southwestern in 1934 and was married to my Father (who lived on Lawndale) in the All Saints Church in 1936.

 

I work the All Saints Soup Kitchen to this day. My Grandfather (Angelo Bagozzi) worked at Solvay Chemical (off Jefferson) and my Grandmother passed away in the old Delray Hospital in the early 1950's. Grandpa and Grandms's house on Green Ave was demolished and all that is left is vacant property. (don't know who owns the property?) There are still some homes on Green Ave, but they are slowly deteriorating and will be soon demolished like the rest of the old dwellings.

 

My Father (Herman Onofrio) worked as a Chef at Joey Stables restaurant until about 1975. He always talked about the owner Nykiel. I remember stories about all the Celebrities he told me about who attended this famous Restaurant. In fact, I have and old Menu and a News article announcing the closing in 1989. What a landmark Joey Stables was in Old Delray. 

 

Another place to remember was the Cotterell Community Center. It was still standing about seven to eight years ago when I took my 90 year old Mother there (down memory lane). She and her brothers used to play basketball in the Cotterell Center when they were young kids (circa 1930-32). It was covered with Ivy and run down when we went by it. It has since been torn down like may of the other landmarks in that area. McMillan School, Delray Hospital, Joey Stables, Hungarian Restaurant, the Show (?) and many other Landmarks are gone. I think Kovacs Bar (my friends Uncle) is still there, but I'm not sure about Gables, Sefarians, or the Hinky Dink Bar?

 

Another favorite place was the West End Hotel. It was a famous "Jazz Hangout" during after hours. Many Jazz Musicians (like Yusef Lateif, Thelonius Monk)  came to the West End Hotel to play jazz for those who didn't want to end the night and wanted to stay up listening to the great Jazz artist...until the wee hours of morning. Cool Man!!!