History of Detroit
Detroit was founded on July 24, 1701, by Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac, a French explorer. He established Fort Pontchartrain du Détroit along the Detroit River as a trading post and military fort. The area was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi. The British took control in 1760 after defeating the French in the French and Indian War.
After the American Revolution, Detroit was transferred to the U.S. in 1796 under the Jay Treaty. In 1805, a massive fire destroyed most of the city, but it was rebuilt in a modern grid system.Detroit became the capital of Michigan Territory in 1805 (until 1847, when Lansing became the state capital) The city played a key role in the War of 1812, briefly falling under British control before being reclaimed by the U.S.
By the mid-1800s, Detroit was a key industrial and shipping hub, especially with its location near the Great Lakes. It was also a major stop on the Underground Railroad, helping enslaved people escape to Canada.
In the late 19th century, Detroit became an industrial powerhouse, with manufacturing and shipping booming. The automobile industry revolutionized Detroit, especially after Henry Ford introduced the Model T and mass production with the moving assembly line in 1913.Companies like Ford, General Motors (GM), and Chrysler established Detroit as the global center of the auto industry.
The city’s population boomed, attracting immigrants from Europe and African Americans from the South during the Great Migration. During World War II, Detroit was called the “Arsenal of Democracy”, producing tanks, planes, and other military equipment. The auto industry thrived post-war, leading to the rise of the middle class and suburban expansion. The 1940s and 1950s saw the growth of Motown music, founded by Berry Gordy in 1959, giving rise to stars like Stevie Wonder, The Supremes, and Marvin Gaye.
Detroit’s Construction Development
Hudson’s Detroit Development
The $1.4 billion Hudson’s Detroit development, situated on the former site of the iconic J.L. Hudson’s department store, is nearing completion. Initiated in 2017, the project has faced delays but is anticipated to be finished by the end of this year. Recent observations highlight spacious and well-lit interiors on the first and second floors of the shorter block building.
Aiming to revitalize the area surrounding Little Caesars Arena, the $1.5 billion District Detroit project encompasses 10 new buildings and renovations. Developers plan to break ground in 2025, with initial phases focusing on residential and hotel constructions, while office buildings are scheduled for later stages.
Henry Ford Health Megaproject
In New Center, a $3 billion megaproject led by Henry Ford Health, in collaboration with Michigan State University and the Detroit Pistons, is underway. This expansive development includes a hospital expansion, residential units, retail spaces, and research facilities, with construction expected to continue through 2029.
Detroit City Football Club Stadium
The Detroit City Football Club plans to construct a new stadium on a 16-acre site in Corktown. The project, adhering to the city’s Community Benefits Ordinance, aims for completion in time for the 2027 season.
Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure
Under the Detroit Charge Ahead initiative, the city is enhancing its electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. Plans include installing public high-speed chargers at business properties to meet the growing demand for EV charging stations. City Council President Pro Tem James Tate has expressed support, emphasizing the need for evidence-backed assurance of sufficient utilization.
Joe Louis Greenway
The Joe Louis Greenway is a 27.5-mile path designed to connect 23 neighborhoods across Detroit. This $240 million project aims to transform industrial and abandoned lands into vibrant recreational areas, enhancing connectivity and promoting health benefits for residents
Residential Developments
Detroit’s housing market is also witnessing growth, with new construction homes and master-planned communities emerging throughout the city. Prospective homeowners can explore various options, including modern townhomes and single-family residences, in neighborhoods like Corktown and Lafayette Park.
These developments reflect Detroit’s ongoing commitment to urban renewal and economic revitalization, offering new opportunities for residents and businesses alike.
Recreation facilities
- Joseph Walker Williams Recreation Center
- Kemeny Recreation Center
- Northwest Activities Center
- Lasky Recreation Center
- Roberto Clemente Recreation Center
- Adams Butzel Complex
- Patton Recreation Center
- Outdoor Adventure Center
- Farwell Recreation Center
- Crowell Recreation Center
- Heilmann Recreation Center
- Butzel Family Recreation Center
- Tindal Activity Center
- U of D Jesuit Johnson Recreation Center
- Considine Little Rock Recreation Center
- Community Center at A.B. Ford
- Clark Park Coalition Recreation Center
- Detroit Parks and Recreation
- Multipurpose Indoor Facility
- William G. Milliken State Park and Harbor
Shopping Centers
- Twelve Oaks Mall
- Fairlane Town Center
- Tower Center Mall
- Oakland Mall
- The Mall at Partridge Creek
- Somerset Collection
- New Center One
- The Village of Rochester Hills
- Macomb Mall
- Shops on Top
- Tel-Twelve Mall
- Novi Town Center
- Parker’s Alley
- Royal Palace Mall
- The Mall of Monrose
- Devonshire Mall
- River Bend Properties
- Belmont Shopping Center
- Grand Meyer Plaza
Cultural Amenities
- Detroit Institute of Arts
- The Heidelberg Project
- Fisher Building
- Detroit Opera House
- The Carr Center Contemporary
- The BELT
- Library Street Collective
- Aretha’s Jazz Cafe
- N’Namdi Center for Contemporary Arts
- Music Hall Center for Performing Arts
- The Alley Project
- Saint Andrews Hall
- Guardian Building
- Detroit Foundation Hotel
- Michigan Science Center
- Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History
- Scarab Club
- Art Loft Midtown
- Mridha Bengali Cultural Center
Healthcare Facilities
- Henry Ford Hospital and Medical Center
- DMC Harper University Hospital
- Select Speciality Hospital
- Vibra Hospital of Southeastern Michigan
- Detroit Community Health Connection
- DMC Grand River Health Center
- DMC Detroit Receiving Hospital
- Corktown Health Center
- Beaconshire Nursing Center
- University Health Center
- Hartford Nursing and Rehabilitation
- Plum Health Direct Primary Care
- DMC Sina: Grace Hospital
- East Riverside Health Center
- Central City Health
Dining
- The Whitney
Parc - Central Kitchen
- The Apparatus Room
- Experience Zuzu
- London Chop House
- Sullivans Steakhouse
- Savannah Bleu
- Andiamo- Riverfront
- San Morello
- Table No. 2 Restaurants
- Caucus Club
- Sugar Factory
- Ostrea
Breweries
- Motor City Brewing Works
- Batch Brewing Company
- Detroit Beer Co
- The Royal Oak Brewery
- The Social Brews
- Atwater Brewery and Tap House
- Grand River Brewery Clawson
- Brewery Faisan
- Eastern Market Brewing Co.
- Kuhnhenn Brewing Company
- Jolly Pumpkin Pizzeria and Brewery
- Tenacity Craft
- Griffin Claw Brewing Company
- Hop Cat
- Downey Brewing Company
- Urbanrest Brewing Company
- Dragonmead Brewery
- Ferndale Project
- Elephant and Co. Detroit
- Dog and Pony Show Brewing
Festivals
- Michigan Renaissance Festival
- Backwoods Bonfires Music Festival
- Concert of Colors
- Michigan Fun Fest
- Island Fest
- Clawson Fest
- Livonia Spree
- Pig and Whiskey
- Soaring Eagle Arts Beats and Eats
- Hart Plaza
- Detroit Jazz Festival
- St. Anne’s Festival
- Flat Rock Riverfest
- Michigan State Fair
- Sterlingfest
- Michigan Jazz Festival
- The Fillmore Detroit
- Beacon Park
- Wyandotte Street Art Fair
- Pumpkin Festival
Coffee Shops
- Dessert Oasis Coffee Roasters
- Cafe Sous Terre
- The Congregation
- Madcap Coffee Company
- Qargo Coffee
- The Roost
- Kitab Cafe
- Roasting Plant Coffee
- Lucky Detroit
- Alba
- Detroit Brew-ti-ful Coffee House
- Coffee Down Under
- La Ventana Cafe
- Cred Cafe
- Cafe Prince
- Sepia Coffee
- Anthology Coffee
- Awake Cafe
- Detroit Perk Coffee House
- The Red Hook Greenway
Bakeries
- Cannelle
- Astoria Pastry Shop
- Warda Patisserie
- Mexican Town Bakery
- La Gloria Bakery
- Sheila’s Bakery
- For the Love of Sugar
- Good Cakes and Bakes
- Detroit Cookie Company
- East Detroit Bakery
- New Palace Bakery
- Jack’s Italian Bakery
- Louanna Bake Shoppe
- Shatila Bakery
- New Yasmeen Bakery
- National Bakery
- Bommarito Bakery
- Have Another Slice
- Sister Pie
- Give Thanks Bakery Detroit
Farmers Markets
- Eastern Market
- The Congregation Farmers Market
- CHASS Mercado
- Palmer Park Farmers Market
- HOPE Village Farmers Market
- Jefferson Chalmers Farmers Market
- Green Boots Veteran Community
- Warren Farmers Market
- Wayne State University Farmers Market
- Banglatown Farmers Market
- Brightmoor Artisans Farmers Market
- Oakland Avenue Farmers Market
- Islandview Farmers Market
- Sowing Seeds Growing Futures Farmers Market
- Eastern Market
- Northwest Detroit Farmers Market
Professional Sports:
- Detroit Lions (NFL)
- Detroit Pistons (NBA)
- Detroit Red Wings (NHL)
- Detroit Tigers (MLB)
