Northland Mall, Images of Modern America
When the Northland Mall opened in Michigan on March 22, 1954, it was the world's largest shopping center. Its innovative design was the vision of architect Victor Gruen and the Webbers, nephews of Joseph Lowthian Hudson and executives of the J.L. Hudson Company. Northland featured Hudson's flagship suburban store surrounded by other businesses selling a variety of merchandise and services. More than just a shopping destination, Northland Mall was a total experience of activity and relaxation, with colorful courtyards displaying sculptures such as the famous The Boy and Bear.
Gerald E. Naftaly, James B. Webber III
Author Gerald E. "Jerry" Naftaly served as mayor of Oak Park for 20 consecutive years and as councilman for 14 years prior. He is the author of Images of America: Oak Park. Several benchmarks in the history of Northland Mall coincided with important events in Naftaly's life. He was born in 1952, the year of Northland's ground breaking. His family moved to neighboring Oak Park in 1954, just after the mall's grand opening. During his professional career, store owners were his clients. Naftaly's mother, Grace, to whom this book is dedicated, passed away in March 2015 within weeks of Northland's closing.
