It’s not just a piece of furniture.
What started with a photo of a vintage table led us down quite a path to learn more – and yes, there was a lot more. From a 1970s flea market, to the 1905 football season, to a famous campus bar, to the words of a U-M glee club favorite, to a tile mosaic on the streets of Ann Arbor.
Here’s the story:
A huge thanks to Larry for sending this over, along with the additional photos and the video.
If you have a table like this, I want to see it! If you have questions for Larry let me know and I’ll connect you. I did notice there’s a somewhat similar table up on eBay (as of the time of this posting), but it dates to the 1950s it’s not in the orbit of the piece Larry owns.
Check out all the Michigan History videos on my YouTube Channel.
A few more notes:
- The original Joe’s – where this table most certainly came from – was at 204 S. Main Street. Today the restaurant/bar Regent’s Field owns the space.
- Around 1912 Joe’s moved over to the Catalpa Inn at the corner of Huron and Ann. That’s the current site of Ann Arbor Running Company‘s downtown location, and the “joe” tile mosaic still sits outside the door today.
- There’s much more to the 1905 game against Chicago. Tragically Denny Clark ended up taking his life years later. In the note he left he mentioned his regret over the muffed kick from that fateful game.
- Michigan Glee Club home page.
- Here’s an old 5 cent piece from Joe’s, just because I love it:
SPONSOR: Thanks to my friends at Underground Printing. Custom apparel for your event, business or maybe for the MVictors History Show (soon)??
