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Hidden in Plain Sight

Hidden in Plain Sight

Written by: Cumulus Media Detroit
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About this listen

 Discover the hidden stories behind Southeast Michigan's most iconic landmarks with "Hidden in Plain Sight," hosted by Dr. Robert Livernois. Each episode uncovers fascinating backstories of places folks pass by every day, revealing the rich history and surprising tales that make these locations more than just part of the scenery. Subscribe today to learn the intriguing secrets that lie just beneath the surface of familiar sights!2025 ~ Cumulus Media Social Sciences World
Episodes
  • The Vanity Ballroom: Detroit’s Lost Temple of Rhythm

    The Vanity Ballroom: Detroit’s Lost Temple of Rhythm
    Apr 28 2026
    April 28, 2026 ~ In this episode of Hidden in Plain Sight, Dr. Robert Livernois takes us to Detroit’s east side to uncover the fading grandeur of the Vanity Ballroom, an Art Deco landmark along Jefferson Avenue whose quiet exterior still echoes with nearly a century of music and motion. Designed by renowned architect Charles N. Agree and opened in 1929, the Vanity rose as a beacon of optimism just before the Great Depression—its geometric façade and pastel details promising escape and celebration in uncertain times. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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    6 mins
  • The Quiet Mayor of Grand Circus Park

    The Quiet Mayor of Grand Circus Park
    Apr 14 2026
    April 14, 2026 ~ In this episode of Hidden in Plain Sight, Dr. Robert Livernois turns our attention to a quiet figure seated in bronze near the heart of downtown Detroit—the statue of William Cotter Maybury in Grand Circus Park. Just steps from Comerica Park and surrounded by the energy of Woodward Avenue, the monument depicts a composed, almost contemplative mayor whose legacy is easy to overlook amid the city’s larger‑than‑life history. Unveiled in 1912 and intentionally modest in design, Maybury’s statue sits directly across from Pingree’s, the two former rivals facing one another in silent dialogue. Today, Maybury remains a symbol of steady leadership, measured governance, and the kind of civic patience that helped shape Detroit’s industrial future. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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    7 mins
  • The Sacred Survivor of Greektown: Old St. Mary’s Church

    The Sacred Survivor of Greektown: Old St. Mary’s Church
    Mar 31 2026
    March 31, 2026 ~ In this episode of Hidden in Plain Sight, Dr. Robert Livernois journeys into the enduring presence of Old St. Mary’s Church, a red‑brick landmark standing at the edge of Detroit’s Greektown, where Monroe Street meets the I‑375 Expressway. Amid neon lights, casinos, and bustling restaurants, the church remains a quiet spiritual anchor—one that has watched the city transform for nearly two centuries. Still hosting daily Mass today, Old St. Mary’s stands as a rare constant in a rapidly changing neighborhood—a sacred survivor, rich with history. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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    5 mins
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