Wheeler Center

Wheeler Center is a Michigan historical marker in Detroit, Wayne County, dedicated 1978.

637 Brewster St, Detroit

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In 1919 Leon “Toy” Wheeler of Indianapolis, Indiana, became the first black recreation worker employed by the city of Detroit. Seven years later the Detroit Recreation Department acquired a building at Vernor Highway and Hastings Street which Wheeler managed. Knowledge of sports and leadership qualities made him an excellent choice for the job. In high school Wheeler had received four sports awards and then went on to become an outstanding college athlete. Wheeler was in charge of the Brewster Center, which opened in 1929 in this two-story red brick building. Featuring a well-rounded athletic program, the center made significant progress in basketball, swimming, tennis, boxing, and other sports. Today this organization, known as the Wheeler Center, is a pioneer in programs for the elderly.

TodayHistorical map

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USGS Historical Topographic Map Collection

Historical maps covering this location

1873 · (Map of Wayne County, Michigan) (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
1874 · Plan of Detroit (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
1897 · Detroit, vicinity. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
1903 · Detroit and Vicinity. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
1918 · Detroit, Michigan (USGS Historical Topographic Map Collection)

Detroit, Michigan, 1918, covering the location of Wheeler Center, with a pin at the marker's coordinates — Detroit, Michigan, 1918, covering this location. USGS Historical Topographic Map Collection. The pin is ours, placed from the marker's coordinates.

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Marker data: Michigan History Center
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Wheeler Center

Historical maps covering this location

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