Jun 26, 2009 1:15 pm US/Central
Jackson's Boyhood Home Becomes Fan Memorial
Some Mourners Camp Out Overnight
GARY, Ind. (CBS) ―
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A swelling sea of stuffed animals and other memorials has been set up on the doorstep of the Jackson family home, at 2300 Jackson St. in Gary, Ind.
CBS
Mourners have been gathering at Michael Jackson's childhood home in Gary, Ind., ever since the shocking news of his death broke on Thursday afternoon.
As CBS 2's Susan Carlson reports, a swelling sea of stuffed animals, signs of tribute and memorials adorn the front step of the house, which coincidentally is located at 2300 Jackson Street.
Michael Jackson's Music, Video
Santrina Nichols camped out at the house on Thursday night, and was still there as the midday sun shined on Friday.
"This is where my heart was," Nichols said. "My heart was with the family, and this is where it all began."
Gary Mayor Rudy Clay says he expects mourners to keep pouring in.
"This turnout was expected, and it's going to get bigger and bigger and bigger," he said.
The police presence has been growing along with the crowds, which have remained peaceful and reverent.
The crowd started amassing at the house on Thursday afternoon. Mabel Moore, who lived across from the Jackson family decades ago, spoke to CBS 2's Suzanne Le Mignot.
She held in her hands a picture given to her by the Jackson family more than 20 years ago. It was signed, "I will always love you."
"He was just a normal child (and) had a lot of energy," she said.
Jo Ann Sams, who came to the house on Thursday, witnessed young Michael Jackson's energy firsthand at a talent show at Roosevelt High School.
The audience went "crazy, because he was so young and so talented," she said.
"He was the star of the talent show," agreed Vickie Horton, who knew the Jackson family. "And they did win the talent show that night. And it's a wonderful thing to remember."
On Friday, other neighbors remembered Michael Jackson as a shy kid in their neighborhood.
"He was a loving person. A very loving person," said Arthmus Odie. "He would give you the shirt off his back."
Others who made the pilgrimage to Gary are simply admiring fans, mourning the loss of a cultural and musical legend.
"I walked up there and said a prayer," said Andrew Godawa. "You know, Like I said, he revolutionized music, entertainment and whatnot. He was an icon."
One group of young people made the hour-and-a-half trek all the way in from west suburban Elmhurst.
"All these people here are like so many different people can relate to it; like, everybody," said Maureen Ohler. "Who doesn't know Michael Jackson?"
The home is still owned by the Jackson family, and Mayor Clay has been in discussions with the family to turn it into a museum. It has always been an attraction, but now more than ever.
"The best days are yet to come as it relates to the house and museum, for the Jackson family and for Michael," Clay said.
Clay said he met with the Jacksons as recently as three weeks ago to discuss plans for a museum. He said he plans to relocate the home to a more visible site along the Borman Expressway (I-80/94), and build a separate museum around it.
The hope is that the complex would become a tourist attraction similar to Graceland, Elvis Presley's home in Memphis, Tenn.
Gary city officials have been talking about turning the Jackson house into a museum for decades. As long ago as November 1995, preliminary plans for a museum were drawn up, similar to those Clay is outlining now.
The plans back then called for moving the house to an area about three miles away near the Borman Expressway, and turning it into a museum, surrounded by a multi-billion dollar musical amusement park. But the plans never went ahead.
Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels also released a statement Friday on Jackson's passing.
"The Daniels house was full of Michael Jackson's music for all the years our girls were growing up, and I think (my wife) Cheri may have been a bigger fan than any of our daughters," Daniels said. "His music will live a long time, and Indiana will always be proud of the Jackson family."
Meanwhile, a Chicago church plans to host a public memorial for Michael Jackson this weekend.
The service will be held on Sunday at 11:30 a.m. at the Sweet Holy Spirit Church, 8621 S. South Chicago Ave. Gospel artists, public officials and fans will pay tribute to Jackson in song. A choir of 100 voices will also be on hand to perform various Jackson hits.
CBS 2's Susan Carlson and Suzanne Le Mignot contributed to this report.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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