Abandoned Funeral Home Where Houdini Was Embalmed

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Күн бұрын

Пікірлер: 239

@andyhamilton8940 Ай бұрын

My families funeral home. William R Hamilton Co.Most of the comments are correct. Houdini was placed in his bronze prop casket for shipment via train back to NY. This site was closed in 1980. It was a private residence when my great grandfather bought it in the Nineteens. They handle all the prominent Detroit residents. When the Fords passed, they would deliver a fleet of Lincoln’s for the funeral then take them back. The Hamilton Co. used Packards for limos and hearses. They performed the very first automotive funeral procession in the US using a Grabowski panel truck around 191O.

@Freaktography Ай бұрын

Wow, what a piece of history! Thanks so much

@Jamie-u9n8t Ай бұрын

Wow thank you for sharing. That's very interesting knowledge

@charlottemaruska8816 Ай бұрын

Omg such a beautiful place! Can it be put on the National Registry? Really would like to see it fixed up.

@stevesosa599 29 күн бұрын

Thank you for the history lesson, I'm from S.W Detroit, born and raised and can't get enough of Detroit history, thank you!

@detroitfunk313 3 ай бұрын

There used to be a hearse in the garage as well as a Detroit Police Department paddy wagon - which was a horse drawn sled from the 1800s. There was also a Louis Comfort Tiffany skylight before the place fell. Not just Harry Houdini, but Henry Ford, Edsel Ford and Clara Ford were prepared for burial here. Should have been on the The National Register of Historic Places.

@Freaktography Ай бұрын

WOW, SO MUCH HISTORY! Thank you

@laurabrooks7655 5 ай бұрын

The addition was built in 1930, so Houdini (who died in 1926) would have been embalmed in the original house part of the funeral home, probably the embalming room in the basement. The one on the second floor looks like it is probably in the addition.

@MomWifeLove 4 ай бұрын

As a music lover, my heart is broken seeing the pianos, sheet music and record albums destroyed. 😭😭

@JWalterYooper3661 3 ай бұрын

Having worked in funeral homes the pink tiled rooms were definitely the embalming/preparation rooms. The embalming table would have been positioned over the large white flush sink. The plumbing above connects to the aspirator and embalming machine. The white tiled room in the basement was probably the original embalming room prior to the addition. It’s the old Hamilton Funeral Home in Detroit.

@EsmereldaPea 3 ай бұрын

I'd wager that Houdini was more likely embalmed in the basement room. Although pink tiles certainly existed well beforehand, entire rooms of pink tiled walls weren't really a thing until the 1940s. Houdini died in 1926. My guess would be that the original embalming room was the one in the basement and the 2nd pink-tiled embalming room was outfitted after 1940. Whether it was a 2nd embalming room or took the place of the 1st one might be able to be found out if any records from the funeral home still exist. Another possibility if you really wanted to go down that rabbit hole would be to look up construction permits for that address. My guess is that everything would have been done above board and special plumbing would have needed to be installed. But these are just conjectures on my part based on historical design trends.

@badexter1 5 ай бұрын

Even now probably all of those pianos can still be saved and restored. As a musician I hate seeing such waste.

@Caareenkm6726 2 ай бұрын

Especially that carved one.. so beautiful.

@wilmamcphail4686 2 ай бұрын

And many of those records could be saved too.

@michaelstusiak5902 Ай бұрын

These pianos are making me cry

@CuZn7030 Ай бұрын

Seeing as how the entire property was abandoned the pianos are the least of the concern. Unless they’re Steinway or Baldwins they are not worth moving and restoring

@susanlongb4 5 ай бұрын

Great, historic explore! Thank you for treating those people with respect and kindness. These things can happen to anyone. ❤

@maryannschwittek4984 5 ай бұрын

It was the Arts Center Music School since 1981.

@EvilscooterKitty Ай бұрын

Houdini died in 1926........so this funeral home is ancient! Great video!

@Freaktography Ай бұрын

Thanks, Houdini was a cool dude!

@kellymusher6630 Ай бұрын

My family has been in the funeral business since 1867. The pink tiles are from the 1940's as is the sink. The basement sink and white tiles is what you would see in a 1920's embalming room. We have photos.

@garymorris1856 Ай бұрын

It's very sad, that this once beautiful structure is very like beyond repair, I can't imagine the cost to renovate it,

@rogerreeves7969 Ай бұрын

I retired from the firehouse next door. The name of the funeral home was Harris Funeral home which was later turned into a music and dance studio. Houdini was embalmed in the basement where the embalming took place. the bodies were then taken to the second floor where the dressing and makeup was applied. When I was there the embalming table was still there. and some of the makeup was still there. Houdini was picked up and sent to New York. The funeral home received the body from Grace Hospital. Date of death was 10/31/26 and date of burial was 11/01/26. I also have a copy of his death certificate. As fate would have it I now in the funeral business in Cookeville Tn.

@Freaktography Ай бұрын

wow, thanks so much for that insight!! I really do appreciate it

@andyhamilton8940 Ай бұрын

@@rogerreeves7969 William R Hamilton Co was the name, not Harris.

@xeero24 2 ай бұрын

It’s not “their home” they are squatters and have no rights to that property

@donnarouse9432 Ай бұрын

Too true!

@laurabrooks7655 5 ай бұрын

It was the Art Center Music School which closed in the late 1990s.

@theodorepetine7562 2 ай бұрын

I love these videos.My uncle was a mortician keep them coming.

@don1857 5 ай бұрын

This building probably started out as a private home and the tiled room in the basement would have been the kitchen. The small stairway would have been for the servants to deliver the food to the dining room on the main floor. Great video!

@Freaktography 5 ай бұрын

Thanks for the info

@TreborRobinson Ай бұрын

What a wast of these Beautiful pianos. Very sad 😔 Natural decay & no graffiti great place great video! 👍🏽

@BBQNBLUES 5 ай бұрын

Was once a Classy Joint ! Regarding the stairwell buried under old records? My 1st thought: "The Day the Music Died" !

@garymorris1856 Ай бұрын

Very interesting, I love history such as this. In its day, this must have been a beautiful building.

@lindaloe 2 ай бұрын

Fabulous! I Loved 😍 ♥️ The First Piano 🎹 The Best With The Designs On The Sides!

@charlestimothy4345 5 ай бұрын

Read that auto pioneer Henry Ford and his son Edsel were embalmed there also.

@garymorris1856 Ай бұрын

Very fascinating, and your tour is very interesting and well presented, this place is huge!

@rachelgervais1971 5 ай бұрын

This place was awesome. Thanks for taking us along. 😊

@Freaktography 5 ай бұрын

Thanks for coming

@maryhirsch2909 5 ай бұрын

awesome place. Than You for taking me.

@Jerry-ok8gj Ай бұрын

Thank you for posting this great video! Liked and subscribed.😊

@Freaktography Ай бұрын

Thanks for subscribing!

@HoudiniWild 5 ай бұрын

Wild. Thank you for doing this. Unfortunately, I don't know which of those rooms Houdini was embalmed in. I do have a recording of a 1988 interview with one of his embalmers. (I've posted it to my Patreon.) There were five of them. Interestingly, he said they all lived in a dormitory on the top floor. At one point he does mention a drain for the water to run off after washing the body. You did capture a drain like that on the second floor room. But other than that, no clues. BTW, you should wear a hard hat or a bicycle helmet when doing these videos. Those ceilings look like they could have collapsed on you at any time! Wonder how much longer this building will stand? Anyway, thanks again!

@HoudiniWild 5 ай бұрын

Oh, and yes, this did become a music school, as you suspected.

@EvilscooterKitty Ай бұрын

My grandfather was Julius Tannen. He was a vaudeville headliner that was friends with Harry. He signed a book that he had written called, "A Magician Among the Spirits." Harry wrote on the first page, "My mind is the key that sets me free." Very interesting man that died way too young.

@Michael-p2i Ай бұрын

That place was also a part of the underground railroad.

@kathleen726 5 ай бұрын

Wow! What a place! Lots of rooms! Thank you for showing us!

@verav9318 5 ай бұрын

Awesome video!! As always, thanks for sharing!

@verav9318 5 ай бұрын

The greenery in the skylight is beautiful! Such a nice room! Beautiful architecture!!

@Freaktography 5 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching!

@RangerRickTV 5 ай бұрын

This is fantastic 😍

@helenawarsinnak Ай бұрын

I would probably guess if anything Harry Houdini was embombed in the basement area the second floor being with the pink tiles would have been probably done in the 50s.... Houdini died in 1926.... Stunningly Gorgeous building.... Hopefully it can still be saved instead of just rotting away😢

@Freaktography Ай бұрын

You're right, the second floor is probably from a later renovation.

@paulademarco1585 5 ай бұрын

Awesome, thank you for sharing with us. Well done! ❤🎉

@aliciacruz5957 Ай бұрын

Great great video. I love all the big grand rooms. I would like to have seen this place from the outside just to get an idea. Great video and i subscribed.😊

@Freaktography Ай бұрын

thanks so much

@rezahassani1923 2 ай бұрын

@ 9:37 there is an orb seen in mirror,top right, as you say “what’s up guys” Cool video! Thanks! Liked and subscribed

@roberth7387 5 ай бұрын

@ 7:57 of the video really creepy album cover ( it looks like a album cover ) That would defiantly make me turn right around and get out of there as quickly as possible. Great work as usual.

@Freaktography 5 ай бұрын

My thoughts exactly

@thekraemer1757 2 ай бұрын

It is. Chadwick Symphonic Sketches from around 1958. Modern classical from early 20th century. The cover art is a lttile off putting.

@jamesluke6603 5 ай бұрын

Enjoyed watching your video. Thank you for sharing this

@TMariePR 3 ай бұрын

After the property was sold by the funeral home, it was purchase by Arts Center Music School who provided music instruction to the children of low and moderate-income families.

@suzannewojtkowiak4329 5 ай бұрын

Love the window seat and book case on the 2nd floor, so many musical instruments and I hate to see all those records just thrown around. Embalming room with a piano - different. Sure are lots of rooms!! Always thought it would be nice to have a room with a skylight. Super video.

@jerroldmcley4347 5 ай бұрын

Very cool 😎👍 place beautiful architecture love it nice find

@IsabelGomez-b8s 4 ай бұрын

Beautiful pianos and fireplaces❤

@joangravel2436 5 ай бұрын

Thanks for awesome video I enjoyed watching

@Freaktography 5 ай бұрын

Thanks for the visit

@mxdr65 5 ай бұрын

Awesome one Dave!!!

@jamieblumenthal-s5i 26 күн бұрын

I worked there as a piano teacher in the middle of 1990th. It is heartbreaking to see Art Center Music school abandoned with all of the beautiful pianos, records, music sheets. The building has been in a horrible condition for at least twenty years.

@Freaktography 26 күн бұрын

Wow! What a cool piece of history, thanks for sharing

@lindatheheathen 5 ай бұрын

Great vid! Fascinating tour! All that old vinyl though 😩

@stevegoering 2 ай бұрын

great video...thanks for sharing...

@Freaktography 2 ай бұрын

You're very welcome

@beachside1 Ай бұрын

That would creep me out squatters in a funeral home

@KayeSears 3 ай бұрын

Even with the decay this is still a beautiful place.

@thepozfromoz5166 2 ай бұрын

Very fascinating old place! I wondering where the "lay out" room was? This place has a lot of history behind it...should be restored back to the funeral home.

@rosalenarose1391 5 ай бұрын

Very unique to see. Probably turned into an art and music school after. Very cool. Thanks for sharing

@Freaktography 5 ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it

@detroitfunk313 3 ай бұрын

It was home to the Art Centre Music School for decades, all the way into the 2000's.

@cherryspiker4426 5 ай бұрын

wow that is amazing. I would love to have been there to see that . stayed to the end . ❤❤❤ stay safe love ya

@renesagahon4477 2 ай бұрын

That place has got to be haunted … you couldn’t pay me to go there …perfect for Halloween

@richarddonahue3565 3 ай бұрын

Very interesting video. Most states require the prep room to be at street level or higher, so the drainage does not rely on a pump to dispose of it.

@JWalterYooper3661 3 ай бұрын

That’s actually not correct. An embalming room can be on any level of the funeral home. But each state & OSHA have requirements as to plumbing, ventilation , sanitation, etc. Location can be anywhere that is private & away from the public.

@TimEBBERS-te6ve 2 ай бұрын

As a retired embalmer, the year houdini died my guess is the old room in the basement is it ! At that time most were in the basement and had elevators later we're moved main floor for ease and moderation of prep rooms at the time. Ours did and it was over 150 yo.

@Freaktography 2 ай бұрын

Thanks for that!!

@kevinhodge1221 2 ай бұрын

Very beautiful windows in there when this place was built, this was a pretty booming town

@optimistinmyprime 5 ай бұрын

Creepy. the records in the doorway/stairway... so weird. (The beautiful room really is beautiful)

@judyaimel7293 Ай бұрын

Wow that's great to see. Thanks

@Freaktography Ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it

@mariesmith599 3 ай бұрын

Just kills me to see all these piano's and organs in the building. Wish they had been donated to children's homes or children's hospital

@charliea3363 5 ай бұрын

Nice abandoned building and kind of you to be respectful towards the homeless

@stevesantini5754 3 ай бұрын

I find it unusual that Houdini was embalmed. The Jewish funeral consists of a burial, also known as an interment. Cremation is forbidden. Burial is considered to allow the body to decompose naturally, therefore embalming is forbidden. Burial is intended to take place in as short an interval of time after death as possible. Mind you, he had to be shipped to New York so embalming was likely needed.

@theundertaker7447 Ай бұрын

In old Funeral Homes the prep room was in the basement, I’m an old Undertaker from the early 70s

@danell5202 3 ай бұрын

Those square windows pains with wood god is that beautiful

@Steve-i9t 3 ай бұрын

Very cool -- glad you're doing this -- but how do you not get popped for B&E, since your videos are public? I will say, you seem very respectful of the properties, so maybe that makes the difference.

@jason08131973 Ай бұрын

This is very cool love it

@BeemWeeks 5 ай бұрын

Pianos and organs in a funeral home are not uncommon. Music is often played during services for the deceased. Those rooms appear to be where individual viewing services would have been held. Cool video.

@detroitfunk313 3 ай бұрын

Those are from the music school, not the funeral home. However, the funeral home did have a few badass old Leslie organ speaker systems in the chapel.

@michaelgoolman918 Ай бұрын

Wow 😮

@bighoss8793 3 ай бұрын

That place is huge.

@richardrice5065 3 ай бұрын

Not sure I'd want to sleep there! It would be creepy for sure!

@DanaZ-c1j 3 ай бұрын

I believe it was the one in the basement. My uncle is a mortician, and this looks to be about right. My gut says the basement

@donnarouse9432 Ай бұрын

I saw the orb! Thanks for not using music!

@tianalombardo4517 Ай бұрын

Great video thanks

@KarenRFlanagan Ай бұрын

I read a biography of Harry Houdini very detailed and large book it mentions how he died but no details about the autopsy or in blaming the remains of Mr.Houdini

@donaldhendrix3718 2 ай бұрын

Is there any records lefted behind that would be a way to find out more about him

@josephesposito7818 2 ай бұрын

Those records were moved to the new location in a suburb north of Detroit. Having worked for that firm I know they were in storage there.

@clairefunnell8481 5 ай бұрын

What a find Dave. If the walls could talk, what would they tell us. Kinda creepy here knowing that it is occupied. ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

@Nofilterhere Ай бұрын

Is this home for sale?

@donnarouse9432 Ай бұрын

Is there a septic system to receive the bodily fluids?

@ddoggvlogs 5 ай бұрын

🎵 Abra abracadabra 🎵

@Freaktography 5 ай бұрын

AND it's in Detroit too!

@ddoggvlogs 5 ай бұрын

@@Freaktography that's actually amazing!

@beachside1 Ай бұрын

I wanna each out and grab ya

@lynnb-TruckCastreauJr 5 ай бұрын

Back when this funeral home was built it would have had pianos and organs to play music for the visitors. Today we have sound systems instead.

@tiffanyrose8810 5 ай бұрын

Thus funeral home would make a lovely bed and breakfast or hotel great video.

@CuZn7030 Ай бұрын

lol if it was in a demilitarized zone

@jeremyholst1972 Ай бұрын

Phenomenal funeral home

@badexter1 5 ай бұрын

I am a musician. It drives me nuts that the pianos and organs were just abandoned. They could have auctioned those off. They were good instruments.

@CuZn7030 Ай бұрын

Unless they were Steinways or Baldwins they’re probably not worth moving. Pianos are practically given away because they’re a nightmare to move.

@CraigMack-k6o Ай бұрын

Hit subscribed. This dude is right on .

@SaraFranklin-z5z 5 ай бұрын

And very historic

@mrbill3576 5 ай бұрын

Great work sir and thank you for zero music it was great

@Freaktography 5 ай бұрын

You are welcome

@MelitaWilliams-x3h Ай бұрын

Yes still here from Detroit

@bgreen2856 5 ай бұрын

From stinkers to goldmines All your videos are Special or I wouldn’t be a subscriber!❤

@Traderic Ай бұрын

Houdini was embalmed in the first room.. 100% …first you walked through the dressing and cosmetics area with all the cabinets on the walls then into the actual embalming room. what looks like a cross between a toilet and a very low sink in the corner is referred to a slop sink..bodily fluids and water drains there. ..it would be located at the foot of the embalming table…hoses would have been connected to the plumbing on the wall. I didn’t see any of that in the second room down stairs. the drain on the floor was just for mopping the floor and general cleaning. IMHO..licensed embalmer for 35 years. Great video

@Traderic Ай бұрын

Originally embalming room were in the basement or very near the garage entrance remodeling could been done and the embalming room was moved old funeral homes were often expanded and remodeled

@Freaktography Ай бұрын

Thanks for the insight, it's great to hear from a professional!

@errittsmith4536 2 ай бұрын

I would take the pianos and organs and restore them and put them in a history museum

@CuZn7030 Ай бұрын

Great idea and a spectacular waste of money!

@garymorris1856 Ай бұрын

Just as you say, sir. I also would have "no idea" which of the two rooms that Houdin was embalmed in. I am guessing the one in the basement, but I have no way to know, what do you think?