Saturday, October 17, 2015
The October 17, 1968 issue of the Daily Tribune included a special section announcing Troy’s new Oakland Mall. The regional shopping center followed the model established by Northland and Eastland– two major department stores or anchors surrounded by smaller specialty shops all under one roof. What made the new mall especially attractive was its location immediately adjacent to the 14 Mile Road exit off the brand new I-75.
Originally Oakland Mall included a four-story J.L. Hudson’s, a two- story Sears and Roebuck, and 62 smaller shops. A Wrigley Supermarket was also in the mall. It had conveyor belts which transported shoppers’ grocery bags to a convenient “package pick-up” center.
The mall’s center court featured a domed ceiling, a fountain, and landscaping from Florida. The entire complex, built on a centennial farm site previously owned by Robert and Mary Mageehan, was surrounded by 60 acres asphalt where 8,000 cars could be parked.
Oakland Mall was expanded in 1979. The new wing featured 52 additional stores and restaurants and a third anchor store, J.C. Penney. A five-theater complex, known as The Movies, was also constructed.
Allied Holding Co. and Jay M. Kogan developed Oakland Mall. The original architect was Charles N. Agree, Inc. and Hank Gluckman Associates, Inc. served as the interior design consultants.
Photos:
Mr. and Mrs. Mageehan in 1962
The 100-foot Oakland Mall sign is hoisted into place in 1968
Sources
The Daily Tribune, October 17, 1968
The Daily Tribune, November 6, 1979
To commemorate the City of Troy’s 60th Anniversary in 2015, we will publish a different story each day that highlights a person, discovery, or event that occurred locally, regionally, nationally, or even globally between 1955 and 2015 and that helped shape our lives and our community. We will try to post stories on important anniversary dates, but we also realize that dates are less critical than content and context. We will include the facts related to controversial stories, allowing our readers to form their own opinions. We invite you to read and comment on the stories. Your suggestions for topics are also welcome and can be posted on our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/TroyHistoricVillage. You can also email stories or ideas to the 365 Story Editor at ed@thvmail.org.
