A few days ago, in a conversation with Brett about the impending destruction of Detroit’s Belle Isle Aquarium, the oldest continually operating aquarium in the United States, I mentioned that there was a fish there that reminded me of my late grandfather. Well, much to my surprise, Brett tracked down of photo the exact fish that I’d been thinking of… Hopefully they’ll find a good home for him if/when the consistently shortsighted city of Detroit pulls the plug… Detroit politicians, for those of you who don’t live in the shadow of Motor City’s carcass, have a knack for sniffing out the things that make this city special, and then destroying them.
Here, on a happier note, is my grandfather.
…If anyone can tell me what’s going to happen to this particular fish, should the tanks be smashed on schedule, I’d appreciate it. I really do have a soft spot for the guy.
4 Comments
That may be the ugliest fish I’ve ever seen, and I’ve seen Splash, Too!
omg mark—i think we’re related. that was a picture of my uncle ed.
I remember I brought a first date to the Belle Isle Aquarium. I thought it was a pretty damn cool place. I also wanted to show her the miniature reindeer that run around on the north side of the island as well as the wounded gazelle sculpture by Marshall Fredrick. ( http://info.detnews.com/history/story/index.cfm?id=159&category=people )
My blood pressure goes up just thinking about what they are destroying. Morons. The Soup Kitchen Lounge and now this.
Mark – Julie use to work with Vivian and Pat over at the News. She could put you in touch with them. They would be a great resource for the history of the aquarium and may be able to put you in touch with groups organizing to protect it.
And wasn’t there a virgin birht of a white shark there recently? That alone should make the place worthy of being saved.
Fuck.