User:Starphi/sandbox

C. Don Davidson (Feb 04, 1929 – April 1, 1987) was an Architect, College Professor and Newspaper Owner/Publisher of 'The Times Newspapers' of Pontiac, MI. He was the brainchild and visionary of the Pontiac Plan (Urban Renewal) Project and the Pontiac Silverdome Stadium.

In his early years from 1957-1965, Davidson practiced as a designer with various firms in North Carolina, Florida and Georgia and was the architect of several government projects including designing the Jacksonville International Airport in Florida. In 1965, he returned to his hometown of Pontiac, MI where he taught architecture and urban planning at the University of Detroit under the Dean of School of Architecture, Bruno Leon, until 1972. Later in 1972, Davidson started and published a weekly newspaper in Pontiac which ran until 1983.

Early life
Charles Donald Davidson was born February 4, 1929, in Campbell, Missouri. At the age of 4 months, his father, Jonah O. Davidson (1895–1985), a former sharecropper, migrated with his young family to Southeastern Michigan to work at the Fisher Body auto factory of Pontiac, MI. His mother, Myrtle Crayne Davidson (1904–1981), was born in Missouri. Donald was the third son born to Jonah and Myrtle. His siblings are William Doyle, James Duane, Barbara Joan Freeman, Mattie Lou McVety and Robert Dwight. Davidson attended the Pontiac school system where he graduated in 1947 from Pontiac High School lettering in football, basketball and track & field. He was a State Champion in the High Jump in 1947. Upon graduation, Davidson was employed at Pontiac Motor Division. He joined the U.S. Marines where he served honorably from 1948-1952. Upon leaving the marines, Davidson enlisted at North Carolina State University where he was among one percent of the 200 who started in the Professional School of Design of which only 14 would graduate.

Career
To be continued........

Below you can find links to a blog I have built over the years to honor C. Don Davidson and his accomplishments. I intend to continue writing here more as I find the time.

The Pontiac Plan Project
Find newspaper articles about the Pontiac Plan Urban Renewal Project of 1966-1980. http://dondavidson.blogspot.com/

A Stadium for Pontiac
Find newspaper articles about the inception and history of the Pontiac Silverdome Stadium. http://silverdome-architect.blogspot.com/p/httpmmqb.html

How the Silverdome was born. Article published in the Super Bowl Pontiac Host Committee Brochure - 'PONTIAC SUPER BLAST' -  page 5, January 1982

https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dNDSdKpWWLk/Wqhl3-hXtKI/AAAAAAAADf4/9-WD2Ax4wGYPeCY_2D8JCkh0a9wY7Gy5QCLcBGAs/s1600/2018-3-13_75439%2B-%2BEdited.jpg

The Pontiac Times Newspapers
Find newspaper articles about the 11 year history of the Pontiac Times Newspaper/s. http://silverdome-architect.blogspot.com/2009/03/pontiac-times-newspaper-april-4-1974.html

Accolades
Honors, Awards, Local and State Resolutions


 * Key to the City of Pontiac by Mayor Robert Jackson, May 21, 1971
 * State of Michigan, House of Concurrent Resolution No. 295, July 13, 1979
 * State of Michigan, House of Concurrent Resolution No. 335, July 13, 1979
 * City of Pontiac Proclamation, January 15, 1980
 * Pontiac City Commission Tribute, Pontiac's Most Loyal Supporter
 * Letter of Commendation, Phil Mastin,State senator
 * Letter of Commendation, Robert Jackson, Mayor of Pontiac, MI
 * Letter of Commendation, State of MI, 50th District Court, Judge Robert Cunningham
 * Letter of Commendation, School of Architecture, University of Detroit, Bruno Leon
 * Letter of Commendation, MI State House of Representatives, Charlie Harrison

His Death/Obituary
https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1yUgpsqN6WY/WqQ-e1nbfnI/AAAAAAAADcI/H66nDzCv2FIpGIplGdPtMq8QyLGugIJYgCLcBGAs/s1600/2%2B-%2BEdited.jpg