The Crofoot facts for kids
Crofoot Block 1928
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| Address | 1 South Saginaw Street |
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| Location | Pontiac, Michigan |
| Coordinates | 42°38′12″N 83°17′29″W / 42.6366°N 83.2915°W |
| Type | Concert venue/ Live Event Facility |
| Seating type | General Admission |
| Capacity | 1100/250/75 |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 1830/1882/2007 |
| Renovated | 2007 |
The Crofoot is a cool place in Pontiac, Michigan. It's actually three different music venues all in one building! These are The Crofoot Ballroom, The Pike Room, and The Vernors Room. Many popular bands play here. You can also find other big events and festivals at The Crofoot. They have shows for all ages and concerts just for adults.
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The Crofoot's Amazing History
The Crofoot building has a long and interesting past. It has stood strong through many big changes in Pontiac!
Pontiac's Early Days
Pontiac was Michigan's first city that wasn't right on a big lake. It was started in 1818 where two important Native American trails met. The Clinton River also winds through downtown Pontiac. The area where The Crofoot stands was always a busy spot for businesses.
Surviving a Big Fire
Imagine this: On April 30, 1840, a huge fire destroyed almost all the shops and buildings in downtown Pontiac. But guess what? The Crofoot building, or at least its very first version, survived! After the fire, people learned a lesson. All new buildings were made from strong stone or brick. This helped them last longer.
Standing Strong Through Changes
In the 1960s and 1970s, many old buildings in Pontiac were torn down to make way for new projects. This was called "urban renewal." But the Crofoot building was lucky again! It was not demolished.
In 1882, the building was rebuilt. They used the old foundations and some of the original walls. This new building was named the "Crofoot Block."
Who Was Michael E. Crofoot?
The Crofoot Block was named after Michael E. Crofoot. He was a very important person in Pontiac's history. He was a successful businessman and a lawyer. He even served as a judge for Oakland County.
Michael E. Crofoot was involved in many big events. He helped raise money for the Michigan Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument in Detroit. He rebuilt the Crofoot Block in 1882. He even had his law office on the third floor, watching Pontiac grow. There's even a school in Pontiac named after his family!
Three Buildings, One History
The Crofoot we see today is actually three buildings joined together. They are the original Crofoot Building, the Vernor's Building, and the New Crofoot Block. Each one tells a different part of Pontiac's story.
- The Crofoot Building: This is the oldest part. It has been a barber shop, a meat market, and even an American Express office. Its second floor held offices for photographers and lawyers.
- The Vernor's Building: This building was remodeled in 1926 to be a Vernor's Ginger Ale Soda Fountain. Imagine getting a fizzy drink there!
- The New Crofoot Block: This part was built around 1912. It used to be a barn area. It became new shops and offices as Pontiac grew with the car industry.
These three buildings were joined together after World War II. They show how downtown Pontiac changed over time. They are special because they have kept their original shapes and uses.
The Crofoot Today: A Hub for Music and Art
Not long ago, in 2005, the city almost tore down The Crofoot building. But in 2006, a local developer decided to save it! They worked hard to fix it up.
On September 7, 2007, The Crofoot reopened its doors. It became a new home for music and art in the Detroit area. The building has a super modern sound system. But it still keeps much of its old, historic look.
The Crofoot has hosted many famous people and bands. These include Michelle Obama, Bill Cosby, and John Waters (filmmaker). Many popular music groups have played there, like Twenty One Pilots, Chvrches, Jimmy Eat World, Deadmau5, The National (band), Girl Talk, Owl City, Sufjan Stevens, Above and Beyond, Band of Horses, Vampire Weekend, Bon Iver, King Crimson, St. Vincent, The Avett Brothers, Public Image Ltd., Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, EELS (band), Lindsey Stirling, Black Veil Brides, Rodriguez, Cody Simpson, Machine Gun Kelly, Motionless in White, We the Kings, Enter Shikari, We Came as Romans, Miss May I, The Wombats, LCD Soundsystem, The Front Bottoms, Caravan Palace, and Killswitch Engage.
