Document Type

Project

Creation and/or Acquisition Date

3-31-2023

Institutional Repository Publication Date

2025

Description

This collection examines the Robert X House at 18827 Keystone Street in Detroit, Michigan, a significant site in the history of the Nation of Islam and the broader narrative of Black empowerment and civil rights in mid-20th century America. Originally built in 1951 as a modest Federal Housing Administration (FHA) minimum ranch-style home, the property was purchased by Robert Davenport (later known as Robert X), an influential leader in the Nation of Islam. The house became a hub for religious instruction, community-building, and activism.

Robert X, a former boxer and musician, became a prominent figure in Detroit’s Nation of Islam Temple No. 1, mentoring many, including Malcolm X. In 1953, Malcolm X lived briefly at the residence, receiving training in Nation of Islam practices. Together, Robert and Malcolm X recruited members from Detroit’s Black community, fostering unity and promoting self-sufficiency amidst the racial discrimination of the era. Robert X later expanded his influence by establishing a Nation of Islam temple in Pittsburgh.

The property bears witness to the cultural and political dynamics of the time, with its physical features and history reflecting broader struggles for racial equality and empowerment. The modest six-room structure, with its brick exterior and hipped roof, remains largely intact despite fire damage. The house’s design, emblematic of postwar FHA standards, speaks to the socio-economic constraints and opportunities afforded to Black homeowners in segregated Detroit.

The collection documents the Robert X House through various media and analyses, including 3D digital models of the house’s interior and exterior, field sketches, photography, and a LiDAR scan conducted during on-site fieldwork. Offering detailed insights into the home's architectural features, historical significance, and its role within the broader movements of Black empowerment and civil rights.

Format

3D Models: Created and stored as SketchUp (.SKP) files.

Period of Significance

1951-1956

Instructions

To access the Matterport LiDar Scans, use the following URLs: Interior of house: https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=qd92svrQtCG Exterior of house: https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=FvqeHXaVUbH SketchUp 3D Models (.skp files) can be viewed in SketchUp Pro (desktop application) or SketchUp Free (cloud-based). Ensure that you are using the latest version for optimal compatibility. Accessing Models in SketchUp Pro: 1. Download and install SketchUp Pro, or use computers at EMU that already have the software installed. 2. Download the .skp file to your device. 3. Upload the .skp file into SketchUp. 4. For guidance on using SketchUp, refer to the official instructions: https://help.sketchup.com/en/sketchup/getting-started-sketchup Accessing Models in SketchUp Online: 1. Visit the SketchUp for Web page: https://www.sketchup.com/en/products/sketchup-for-web 2. Click the “Start Modeling” button. 3. Create a SketchUp account or log in with your existing account. 4. Once logged in, click “Open,” then select “From Device.” 5. Upload the .skp file to view the model.

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License

External URL

Matter Lidar Scan can be accessed through a web browser using the following URLs: Interior of house: https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=qd92svrQtCG Exterior of house: https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=FvqeHXaVUbH

Institution of Origin

These projects were developed by undergraduate and graduate students at Eastern Michigan University in the Digital Heritage Preservation Lab (DHPL) and as part of the Documenting and Recording Historic Places course. The DHPL is directed by Dan Bonenberger in the Department of Geography and Geology in 114 Strong Hall.

Source

BSA Online Database: Provided detailed property records, including structural dimensions, building materials, floor configurations, construction dates, and ownership history. City of Detroit Department of Buildings and Safety Engineering – Building Permits: Reviewed to verify original construction materials, structural dimensions, and build dates. Historical Newspapers: Used to contextualize the neighborhood’s social and historical development, offering insights into community events, policies, and key historical moments. National Archives and Records Administration: U.S. Census records and property deeds provided historical context for the demographics of the Robert X neighborhood. Photographs, Field Sketches, and LiDAR Scans: Documented architectural details of both exterior and interior elements, offering precise measurements and supplementary visual data for analysis. Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps: Sourced from the Library of Congress, these maps were used to verify property dimensions and served as a foundational base map for constructing the neighborhood study model.

Paradata

The processes, decisions, methods, and limitations of the project are documented in the reports associated with the products.

Provenance

The 3D digital models of the Robert X House and neighborhood were created using Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps from the Library of Congress as the primary source for the neighborhood’s layout and foundations. Supplemental historical data, including U.S. Census records and property deeds, were sourced from the National Archives and Records Administration to provide demographic and contextual information. Detailed property information, including structural dimensions, building materials, floor configurations, and ownership history, was obtained from the City of Detroit Department of Buildings and Safety Engineering and the BSA Online Database. Additional documentation, including photographs, field sketches, and LiDAR scans, collected during fieldwork for the Documenting and Recording Historic Places course at Eastern Michigan University, were used to ensure the accuracy and detail of the digital models.

Digital File Type

.docx, .pdf, .pptx, .skp, .tiff, URL.

Sponsors

Eastern Michigan University, Digital Heritage Preservation Lab, Historic Preservation Program, Preservation Studies Program.

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