This intersection, and this general area, pops up many times if one searches Detroit archives and Detroit photographic and videographic history. This is indeed Grand River Avenue at 14th Street (with Forest Avenue also converging here). The cryptic wooden sign in Dave's closeup says FOREST AVE W.

This general area was ground zero for much of the looting and burning of retail businesses during the 1967 riots, and some famous photos exist of National Guard tanks taking up positions near this very corner. The church in the background of Mike G.'s street view is a great landmark for identifying the location.

Pop's favorite!

Not surprisingly, the northwest corner of a widened Grand River Avenue and 14th Street where the Central Savings Bank building once stood is now vacant. However, the fire hydrant occupies the same spot as it did 109 years ago.

View Larger Map

It's hard to place exactly. This book shows some locations of the Central Savings Bank in Detroit in 1917.

[One clue would be the street sign on the utility pole. - Dave]

Added: I saw the street sign but could not make it out. My post was moderated, I had decided based on other evidence that it was Grand River and 14th street and posted a link to the Google Streetview location above.