I have a million and one stories from the Packard Plant, and among the many fun nights spent there this one from 2008-ish stands out as one of the better ones (at least the ones my attorney will let me admit to).
They reportedly had contained pieces of the Autobots shipped to the movie set.
So naturally, we did what a Detroiter does best, which is to set them on fire.
Now, I know what you're thinking—was I behind any of the arsons that roasted various portions of the plant on an almost nonstop basis from 2011 to 2013? No. We only built campfires for sing-alongs and roasting marshmallows.
So naturally, we did what a Detroiter does best, which is to set them on fire.
Now, I know what you're thinking—was I behind any of the arsons that roasted various portions of the plant on an almost nonstop basis from 2011 to 2013? No. We only built campfires for sing-alongs and roasting marshmallows.
But seriously, it was contrary to my interests to light large problem fires—that would only have made it harder for me to safely enjoy my favorite hangout spot with impunity. In fact it got to the point that we were actually on the lookout for whatever asshole or assholes were doing that shit, so that we could administer The Beatdown they had coming.
Eventually it got so high profile that I chose to stop going there completely, out of fear of being blamed for it. Nobody needs to be seen hanging around arson bait, so that was the end of our Packard campfire days.
But like I said there was a mountain of those crates back then, so we did our part by helping dispose of them. They burned so nicely! Maybe they were actually Energon Cubes?
But like I said there was a mountain of those crates back then, so we did our part by helping dispose of them. They burned so nicely! Maybe they were actually Energon Cubes?
Even old Al came out to enjoy the warmth. It was the least we could do in exchange for him letting us park at his place.
He's been featured in the media so many times now that I hardly think black-boxing his face is necessary. But just to be safe, I protected the identity of his pooch.
If only dear Mr. Bay or his Hollyweird lackeys knew of the simple enjoyment we were getting out of their garbage (which they apparently didn't feel they needed to clean up...hey, it's Detroit, right?).
While they attended million-dollar dinner parties and clinked champagne glasses with other high-brows out in Cali's balmy 70-degree winter nights, we guzzled cheap 40oz'ers and entertained ourselves by telling dirty jokes while huddling around flaming debris amid the gargantuan apocalyptic ruins of the factories where our grandparents built the American Middle Class—ruins that exist to the Hollyweirdos only as mere props in their fantasy movies.
This was during the darkest days of Detroit, when everything seemed like it was finally coming apart at the seams and total anarchy appeared imminent.
My last visit to the Packard Plant was long enough ago as to be past the statute of limitations at this point. I keep saying I will get around to doing a full writeup on the Packard, but I don't know when I will be able to tackle that monumental task.
Nailhed, were all the fires you show between the same two buildings? If so could you tell us which ones?
ReplyDeleteBill H.
Bill I believe all these photos are from Court 15
DeleteNailhed, I've been puzzled trying to identify the locations of these pictures but with your comment and more studying, I thought I was there. I was really mystified by the first picture, but with your comment I understand that this is the western end of Bldg. 15 (Tire Toss) and the step in the building is the beginning of the collapsed section. It looks like it was taken from Court 15 and the sky-bridge is coming over to Bldg. 15 from Bldg 17.
ReplyDeleteHowever, in studying the pictures with the fires, one of the buildings definitely looks like it has only 4 stories. I think it's most clear in the picture after the one with Al in it. I believe that picture is taken looking westward, as the end of the court is open and the four story building is Bldg. 10. If that's right, it puts the fire in Court 4 and the building on the left in that picture is Bldg. 4. That makes sense with the 5th picture, looking eastward, 5 story building on the right (Bldg. 4) and 4 story building on the left (Bldg. 4).
BTW I have found six pictures of Packards at the Detroit Public Library sitting on a wooden turntable that is almost certainly the one you showed on the 7th floor of Bldg. 5 and discussed in your 2006 Part B. posting. I hope to collect that info in another comment soon.
Your work is fascinating. Please keep it up. - Bill