8128-8130 West Jefferson
The Gunsberg Building
I’ve been digging for information about this building for ages. Here’s what I’ve been able to find so far:
In January 1921, Detroit’s new address numbering system was fully implemented. According to the brief, ‘Under the present plan…there is little, if any, relation existing between the numbers on parallel streets, even in the same neighborhood.” The new plan addressed this issue and made finding homes and businesses much more straightforward. It also enabled a separate address for entryways every 10 feet of frontage, whereas the old plan only allowed for one every 20 feet.
2272 West Jefferson, as it was called before January 1, 1921, was built in 1912, although the Detroit Parcel Map indicates that it was completed in 1916. When 1921 commenced, it would be split into two addresses, 8128 and 8130 West Jefferson.
The building was built by the Gunsberg family, headed by Louis Gunsberg. Louis emigrated to Detroit around 1904. He first opened a butcher shop near the northeast corner of Jefferson and West End. It existed there by at least October 1909.
We know this because the Detroit Free Press reported that Albert McDonald, a 24-year-old man from Toledo, Ohio tapped the till in Gunsber’s Butcher Shop at 2214 West Jefferson (7924 West Jefferson converted to the new system). He bolted up the street as an angry mob chased him, screaming, “Stop, thief!” The group eventually caught up with McDonald, pushed him to the ground, and began kicking and beating him. Gunsberg recovered the $17 that was stolen, and McDonald was arrested. In 2020, the money stolen would be worth roughly $550.
In 1916, the Gunsberg Liquour Company existed at 2272 West Jefferson. Before and after that, numerous businesses were bearing the Gunsberg name in Delray. Clothing, groceries, furniture, and real estate companies bore the name along West Jefferson alone.
Gunsberg Packing Company Incorporated was created in 1921 at 2384 20th Street in Corktown. Louis Gunsberg was the president. Today, that space is occupied by Corktown Slaughterhouse LLC, formerly operating as Cornbelt Beef Corporation, across the street from the long-abandoned Southwest General Hospital (United Community Hospital).
It’s unclear when the Gunsberg family sold their building in Delray. Many different Gunsbergs lived above the shop while they owned it, and after they left, the upper floors were still used as apartments. Research completed by Shirley Kmetz lists Henig’s Dress & Dry Goods at 8130 West Jefferson, but I haven’t found any information on that business.
In October of 1933, Anna Franczak, 23, of Wyandotte, was discovered dead inside the building. The property was being fumigated, and she died after inhaling the gases. Kenneth Goulet, the overseer of the job, was charged with involuntary manslaughter. The Detroit Free Press reported that he had sealed the property and left an 85-year-old woman guarding the back door and a 17-year-old boy at the front door. Although the guards did not appear to understand their duties, Goulet was acquitted in 1934.
I haven’t been able to find much information about the Gunsberg Building after the death of Ms. Franczak. I imagine, but cannot be sure, that it housed various businesses, was home to several folks upstairs, and continued to be an intricate part of the fabric of Delray until things started to unravel in the 60s, 70s, and 80s.
The Gunsberg Building was last sold to Frank Koutoulakis. Frank owns several buildings on West Jefferson in Delray. On Jefferson between West End and Sloan, I’ve counted six properties in Koutoulakis’ name and seven total in the area.
A Detroit Free Press article from August 4, 1971 lists Mr. Koutoulakis’ address as 8120 West Jefferson, which is between the Gunsberg Building and the Albert G. Bolla Commercial Block at the corner of Jefferson and Cary. He reported his truck stolen in December of 1970, and the Detroit Police found it in the Detroit River in August of 1971. The article listed Koutoulakis as 31 years old. That was 51 years ago, so it’s expected that he is now over 80 years old.
Although the facade is in surprisingly good shape, the rear sections of the roof of the building have seen better days. Of all the structures I’ve photographed in Delray, this one is the most likely to survive. Sadly, that isn’t saying much.
Here’s to hoping, eh?
I shot these photographs in the snow in Delray on November 12, 2022.
Update: This structure was added to the Detroit demolition pipeline in early 2024.
