My name is Kate Levy. I’m currently the Padnos Distinguished Artist in Residence at Grand Valley State University. For the past several months, I have been researching sites across West Michigan that my family, industrial auctioneers, liquidated or appraised. In doing so, I came across many locations that were owned by the same company, called Gulf and Western Industries.
Time Magazine, 1969
In its short life as one of the largest multi-national conglomerates in the world, Gulf and Western acquired companies like Madison Square Garden, Sega, Consolidated Cigar, Puerto Rico Sugar Company, and most notably, Paramount Pictures and Desilu. The amazing thing is, Gulf and Western started right here, in Grand Rapids, as a chrome-plating bumper company at the site that now encompasses 740 Ann Street and 1860 Alpine. Movies like The Godfather, Love Story and Indiana Jones can all be traced back to this site.
As I’ve gone about my research, I’ve spoken with hundreds of people, but only a few remembered the name of the company, but none of them recalled the company’s purpose, nor its origins.
Why?
Gulf and Western Executives at Michigan Plating and Stamping, 1966, Courtesy Grand Rapids Public Library
Gulf and Western Executives at Michigan Plating and Stamping, 1860 Alpine,1966, Courtesy Grand Rapids Public Library
Workers at chrome plating line, Michigan Plating and Stamping, 1860 Alpine,1966, Courtesy Grand Rapids Public Library
Gulf and Western Executives at Michigan Plating and Stamping, 1860 Alpine,1966, Courtesy Grand Rapids Public Library
Workers at chrome plating line, Michigan Plating and Stamping, 1860 Alpine,1966, Courtesy Grand Rapids Public Library