Ypsilanti history featured online

By Christine Laughren
Apr. 7, 2009    ·    2:53 a.m.

There are several people out there who are experts in the history of the Ypsilanti area.

But it has been 200 years since three settlers built a log cabin on a convergence of American Indian trails - known today as Ypsilanti - and some pieces of history may have slipped through the cracks for many.

That’s why the Ypsilanti Historical Society has created a brief online presentation on its Web site, spanning from the establishment of Northwest Ordinance in 1787 to the establishment of Domino’s Pizza in 1965.

“There is a lot in our history that stands out, especially the innovativeness of some of the pioneers are really impressive,” Al Rudisill, president of the Ypsilanti Historical Society said.

Rudisill pointed out, the first woman doctor and the first woman driver in Washtenaw County were from Ypsilanti.

Helen McAndrew, who moved to Ypsilanti from Scotland with her husband in 1850, was not considered to be a “respectable” doctor and could only treat those who could not afford the fees charged by Ypsilanti’s male doctors, according to the presentation.

“Her reputation was firmly established after treating the wife of a prominent citizen, who had not responded to the best known physicians in Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor,” the presentation states.

A picture of Gertrude Woodard, sitting straight and tall, with her hand on the clutch of her automobile is displayed with some brief information about who she was and what she did.

“Every day she drove from her home on Grove Street in Ypsilanti to the Law School in Ann Arbor and back again,” the program goes on to say.

Approximately 65 Web pages, each with an accompanying image or two, make up the presentation.

Rudisill said the program was originally designed as a Power Point presentation to place on the historical society’s Web site. He said, however, the ultimate goal was to make the information accessible to as many people as possible.

The presentation moves through brief segments of history surrounding Eastern Michigan University, Depot Town and bits and pieces of Downtown Ypsilanti history.

The Ypsilanti Water Tower, voted the “World’s Most Phallic Building” by Cabinet Magazine in 2003, is just one of Ypsilanti’s landmarks thought to be sexually explicit since the city was established.

An image of a scantily clad woman wearing a one-piece “Ypsilanti Union Suit” was considered risqué for the late 1800s. Yet the image, advertising for Ypsilanti Health Underwear, remained up for some time despite the negative attention it drew.

“The company received many complaints, but the lady remained in place,” the presentation states.

Steve Pierce, head of the endowment fund board for the historical society, helped Rudisill with the technical aspects of creating the online presentation. Pierce said there is still some tweaking to be done to the site but expected it to be finished sometime this week.

Rudisill said he would like to expand the presentation options to different segments and features including background surrounding the Highland Cemetery and architectural features in Ypsilanti.

“Ypsilanti has a very rich history,” he said.

Rudisill also said, the historical museum and archives are open to visitors through much of the week. He said visitors are always welcome to explore more of Ypsialnti’s history and docents are available as a guide.

To watch the complete presentation visit www.ypsilantihistoricalsociety.org/history/

Visit the Ypsilanti Historical Society at www.ypsilantihistoricalsociety.org