Lifeguard Robert Mitchell watches over the beach at Belle Isle in 1987.
John Collier, Detroit Free Press
Mrs. Mamie Stewart places spareribs on the fire on Belle Isle as her family enjoyed summer’s fleeting hours in 1970.
Detroit Free Press
Grand Prix Race Detroit 1985.
Detroit Free Press
An aerial view of Belle Isle in 1975.
Tony Spina, Detroit Free Press
Mr. Pringle’s cuts a turn off the eastern end of Belle Isle. Driver Scott Pierce won the 1987 unlimited race.
Johm Collier, Detroit Free Press
Lillian Muzbeck , 80, of Detroit, shown here participating in a group exercise session on Belle Isle in 1980. The limbering up was part of Renaissance Day, a celebration of health and physical fitness sponsored by the Friends of Belle Isle
Mary Schroeder, Detroit Free Press
Children exercise on Belle Isle in 1980.
Mary Schroeder, Detroit Free Press
Diana Gratopp rides a hors on a Belle Isle trail in 1977.
Detroit Free Press
Some 52,700 race enthusiasts at Belle Isle on Sunday helped push the three-day attendance to 153,900, up about 9,000 from last year in this 1993 photo. Danny Sullivan won the race on the last lap.
William Archie, Detroit Free Press
Mary Kay Goff, of East Detroit, takes a breather during the 30-mile bike-a-thon on Belle Isle in 1975.
Detroit Free Press
Baby pumas imported from Brazil are a major attraction at the Belle Isle Zoo.
Met Photo Agency
Nigell Mansell stops off in the pits as he checks computer readouts on his car’s performance during the qualifier at Belle isle in 1993.
Steven R. Nickerson, Detroit Free Press
Bobby Rahal’s crew starts to celebrate after Rahal past the finish line at the Grand Prix on Belle Isle in 1992.
Julian H. Gonzalez, Detroit Free Press
Dr. Robert G. Shimmel runs on Belle Isle in the Detroit Free Press/Mazda International Marathon course in 1992.
John A Stano, Detroit Free Press
Steven Campbell, 5, and his father, Brian, complete their walk-a-thon for the March of Dimes on Belle Isle in 1982. The Ferndale father and son were among 15,000 who marched Sunday.
Hugh Grannum, Detroit Free Press
It’s a different world on Belle Isle’s nature trails in 1977.
Hugh Grannum, Detroit Free Press
Belle Isle in 1974.
Bob Scott, Detroit Free Press
Barbara Coulter, 10, and her uncle Charles Noble of Detroit at a family picnic on Belle Isle in Detroit in 1978.
Patricia Beck, Detroit Free Press
An armada of 350 novice canoeists float at Belle Isle in 1963.
Jimmy Tafoya, Detroit Free Press
The Civil Defense truck makes a debut in Detroit in 1951.The truck, designed by Federal Civil Defense Administration, was on display Sunday at Belle Isle and at Campus Martius, it is fully equipped for any kind of disaster, manned by team of eight men.
First Ed.
Wanda Ashford of Detroit heads for the finish line in the office chair race, part of the Free Press Formula Pedal Prix at Belle Isle in 1987. Ashford finished first in the race.
William Archie, Detroit Free Press
Fishing and tanning on boats in the Detroit River near Belle Isle bridge during in 1985.
Manny Crisostomo, Detroit Free Press
Counter-clockwise from top, Lori Hinojosa, 6, Tanya Carana,6, Robin Beard, 8 and Jeanette DeJesus 6 grin and swing at Belle Isle in 1981.
William Archie, Detroit Free Press
Curator Robert E. Lee stands behind a scale model of the City of Detroit III – the world’s largest side-wheeler when it was built in 1912 – in the Gothic Room of the Dossin Museum on Belle Isle in 1975.
Richard Lee, Free Press Photo
On April 30, 1967, a few thousand Detroiters staged a love-in on Belle Isle in Detroit. It was very groovy: Couples wore flowers in their hair, smoked dope and played bongos. Then a cop tried to arrest a member of the Outlaws motorcycle gang for reckless driving. A riot broke out. Hippies and biker dudes pelted police with sticks, bottles and bricks. Officers from the tactical mobile unit eventually restored order. Peace.
Detroit Free Press
On April 30, 1967, a few thousand Detroiters staged a love-in on Belle Isle in Detroit. It was very groovy: Couples wore flowers in their hair, smoked dope and played bongos. Then a cop tried to arrest a member of the Outlaws motorcycle gang for reckless driving. A riot broke out. Hippies and biker dudes pelted police with sticks, bottles and bricks. Officers from the tactical mobile unit eventually restored order. Peace.
Fred A. Plofchan, Detroit Free Press
The Skating Pavilion on Belle Isle in 1948.
Andrew Plofchan, Detroit Free Press
Police Harbor Master Division on Belle Isle in 1970.
Ira Rosenberg, Detroit Free Press
Some 2,500 young people from 50 southeastern Michigan cities gathered at Belle Isle for the 23rd Annual Detroit Metropolitan Area Youth Fitness Program in 1980. The crowd here watches a heat in the boys’ 50-yard dash.
Detroit Free Press
A family picnic Bell Isle in 1978.
Detroit Free Press
Ronald Alvin of Detroit gets some early tips on boxing from one who really knows, Thomas Hearns at the Youth, Fun, and Sports Day at Belle Isle in 1982.
Craig Porter, Detroit Free Press
Charles Enners, harbormaster of the Detroit police harbormaster division. He’s on Belle Isle with Detroit behind him.
Detroit Free Press
A little friendly splashing turned into a full-fledged water war at a Belle Isle drinking fountain. Damion Gulley, 12, left, and his fair weather friend Jerome Williams, 13, hauled out a variety of weapons including a paper cup and water bottle in 1974.
Detroit Free Press
Hospice of Southwestern Michigan employee Laurie Tobel shares a look at the greenery in the Belle Isle Conservatory with cancer patient Elmer Habel, who once worked as a senior floriculturist at the park in this 1972 photo.
John Collier, Detroit Free Press
Belle Isle fisherman Hesekia Howard baits his hook, hoping for a prize from the Detroit River in 1980.
Detroit Free Press
Mary Copeland, who lives in the Brewster-Douglass Homes, fishes along the Detroit River near the Belle Isle bridge in 1983.
Craig Porter, Free Press
Women watching Detroit’s Senior Olympics on Belle Isle in 1987.
Detroit Free Press
Belle Isle Zoo in 1990.
John Luke, Detroit Free Press
A pair canoe on Belle Isle in 1977.
Detroit Free Press
Sedeal Harper and her son Rodnay Gordon, 13, join hundreds in a workout led by sports celebrities at the Shape Up Michigan ’92 youth rally at Belle Isle on Sunday. Isiah Thomas and other speakers asked the crowd to avoid drugs and alcohol, eat right, and exercise. “If you care about your body, you’ll make correct decisions in life” Thomas said.
William Archie, Detroit Free Press
A group enjoys the weather on Belle Isle in 1984.
Ira Rosenberg, Free Press
Nick Palazzolo kisses Elizabeth Palmgren during a weekly dance for senior citizens on Belle Isle in 1985.
George Waldman, Detroit Free Press
Young skippers from Detroit area schools participate in the annual Model Yacht Regatta Saturday at Belle Isle in 1973.
Jimmy Tafoya,
Men sit at the Belle Isle Coach Station in 1974.
Alan Kamuda, Free Press Photo
The James Scott Memorial Fountain, Belle Isle Park in 1981.
Nickerson,
Students from Detroit’s Holy Trinity School go to great lengths to meet several of the tiny residents at the Belle Isle Children’s Zoo, in 1974.
Detroit Free Press
Two youngsters mug for the camera on Belle Isle in 1989.
Detroit Free Press
Stollers take a walk over a bridge on Belle isle as the surrounding scenery is reflected in the water below 1987.
Detroit Free Press
Belle Isle, 1974.
Thomas R. Copi, Detroit Free Press
Hudson’s Belle Isle Run winner Cliff Ratza of Westland cruises beside the Detroit River in 1980.
Craig Porter, Free Press
The Irving Bailey family enjoys a quiet holiday picnic on Belle Isle in May, 1973.
Detroit Free Press
Belle Isle’s Livingstone Overlook in 1980.
Taro Yamasaki, Detroit Free Press
An aerial view of the Belle Isle Conservancy and grounds taken from a helicopter in 1988.
Manny Crisostomo, Detroit Free Press
Dozens of children billow a parachute in the air, one of the many activities at Youth Day on Belle Isle in 1989.
Detroit Free Press
Duane Grant, 29, from Detroit leads s 500 member choir at the Belle Isle band shell sunrise services in 1987.
Daymon J. Hartley,
Jesse Christian, left, and Leonard Peales canoe on Belle Isle in 1973.
Steve Thompson,
With the skeleton of a Renaissance Center building in the background, police work on a suspected pipe bomb found on Belle Isle in 1975.
Ira Rosenberg, Detroit Free Press
Walter Kaszubski and his son Walter Jr. feed ducks on Belle Isle in 1980.
Detroit Free Press
The MacArthur Bridge spans the Detroit River between Detroit and Belle Isle. The bridge features nineteen total arches across 2,193 feet and provides main access to Belle Isle. Completed in 1923 for $2,635,000 USD, it replaced a mostly wooden bridge that caught fire and was destroyed in 1915.
Detroit Free Press
Nikia Williams, 3, poses for her mother, Joyce, with a clown at the Belle Isle Zoo in 1984.
Ira Rosenberg, Detroit Free Press
Linda Lane and her sister, Debby, both of Florida relax at the Belle Isle Zoo in 1975. This year elephant rides have returned to the zoo.
John Collier,
The James Scott Memorial Fountain in Belle Isle Park, 1981.
Detroit Free Press
Children check out the new Nature Center on Belle Isle during opening day in 1977.
Hugh Grannum, Detroit Free Press
A woman and two children watch a barge while on Belle Isle in 1978.
Detroit Free Press
A vehicle is pulled out of the Detroit River off of the Belle Isle Bridge in 1984.
Ira Rosenberg, Detroit Free Press
There are a number of places in Detroit where motorists are warned against blowing horns under viaducts but none more frustrating than the one emptying E. Grand Blvd. under E. Jefferson and onto the Belle Isle bridge.
Joe Lippincott, Detroit Free Press
Jerry Rauch and son Larry feeding goats at the Belle Isle Children’s Zoo.
Patricia Beck, Detroit Free Press
Children and parents watch the black bears play on opening day of the Belle Isle Zoo in 1985.
Hugh Grannum, Detroit Free Press
Calloway Robinson, left, and Keith Howard, both 9, bury their friend Percy Williams, 12, in the sand as they play on the beach at Belle Isle in 1977.
Detroit Free Press
A boy is launched into the air as children play in the water at Belle Isle in 1978.
Detroit Free Press
Milton and Pam Allen sit under the broken limb of a willow tree on Belle Isle in 1991.
John Luke, Detroit Free Press
Children enjoy a playground at Belle Isle in 1978.
Free Press Photo
A family picnics on Bell Isle in 1978.
Detroit Free Press
Brothers Emil and Louis Moresi and friend frank Bassi pose for a photograph at the Belle Isle fountain in 1934.
Detroit Free Press
Volunteers head towards Detroit’s Belle Isle during a March of Dimes event in 1993.
William Archie, Detroit Free Press
A hydroplane near Belle Isle in 1963.
Detroit Free Press
A family reunion on Belle Isle in 1985.
Richard Lee, Detroit Free Press
Bob Clarke, of the Belle Isle Conservatory in Detroit, inspects a Walnut Queen Mum on display during a chrysanthemum show in 1974.
Ed Haun, Detroit Free Press
Elmer Habel, retired senior floriculturist, smells a geranium on his trip to the Belle Isle conservatory in this 1982 photo.
John Collier, Detroit Free Press
In 1898, the place to be and be seen was on Belle Isle in Detroit, Michigan, picnicking. Upper row, from the left – Mrs. Alice Heal, Mrs. Emma Pennimen and Edith and Nellie Roe. Seated – Phoebe Roe, Mrs. Forbes, Mrs. Emma Wreford, Flo Roe, Mrs. Ellen Roe.
Detroit Free Press
