Detroit, Michigan


Detroit is located in the southeastern part and is the largest city in the U.S. State of Michigan. The Motor City, Motown, The D. Rock City, Hockeytown. Detroit has many nicknames and is famous for its Motown music and as the automobile capital of the world. The city offers many things to see and do. It is the hometown of such world-famous artists as Diana Ross, Aretha Franklin, and Eminem. The city has sports teams in all four major sports leagues.



To See And To Do In Detroit


  • Belle Isle
  • Detroit International Riverfront
  • Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit
  • Hitsville U.S.A. (Motown Records)
  • Detroit Institute of Arts
  • Renaissance Center
  • Fisher Building
  • Woodbridge Historic Neighborhood
  • Corktown Historic Neighborhood
  • Campus Martius Park
  • Casinos
  • Sports
  • Music
  • Theatre
  • Pure Detroit Souvenir Shop
  • Detroit Historical Museum
  • Detroit Science Center
  • Cadillac Place
  • Fisher Building
  • Eastern Market
  • Ambassador Bridge
  • Michigan Central Station
  • Palmer Park
  • Hart Plaza Park


History Of Detroit - Timeline


In 1669, French explorers camped at present-day Detriot. In 1670, French missionaries visited the area. The Civic Center in downtown started as a fur trading post.

In 1701, the French officer Cadillac founded a settlement called Fort Ponchartrain du Détroit. France offered free land to attract families to the area. In 1704, the first European child was born in Detroit. In 1707, Cadillac gave land to French settlers if they paid him a percentage of their crops. In 1712, Fox Indians attacked Fort Ponchartrain but retreated after 19 days. In 1720, 200 people lived at the fort.

In 1740, the first home outside the Fort Ponchartrain stockade was built. In 1750, about 400 people now lived in the growing village. The British gained control of the area in 1760 and shortened the name to Detroit.

In 1763, Chief Pontiac and a group of North American Indians did an unsuccessful attempt to capture Detroit. In 1765, 800 people lived in Detriot. In 1793, Jacob Young became the first black landowner in the village when a French settler sold land to him. In 1796, George Washington forced the British out of Detroit. Detroit and all other British posts in Michigan were turned over to the United States.

In 1802, Detroit was incorporated as a town. In 1805, a fire destroyed all but one of the town's 300 buildings. The buildings were rebuilt again and in 1815, Detroit was incorporated as a city. In 1817, the Detroit Gazette newspaper was published in both French and English, and President James Monroe visited the city. Also in 1817, the University of Michigan was established in the city. In 1818, the first steam boat arrived. In 1820, the first brick building was completed. In 1831, a mail service was established.

In 1835, the first City Hall building was completed. In 1836, the city had street signs. In 1838, the city had a horse-drawn railway. In 1848, the city had a telegraph line. In 1861, a fire department with paid firemen was established. In 1863, the city had horse-drawn street cars. In 1865, the first police department was organized. In 1876, the Detroit Opera House Opened. In 1877, the city had telephones. In 1883, the city had electric street lights. In 1889, the first skyscraper, the 10-story Hammond building, was completed.

In 1892, the streets were paved with asphalt. In 1893, Marie Owen became the first police woman in the city and in the United States. In 1894, the Hurlbut Memorial Gate was built. In 1899, Henry Ford built the first automobile factory in Highland Park, an independent city that is now surrounded by Detroit. Four years later, in 1903, Ford founded the Ford Motor Company. The automobile industry led to rising demands for labor and large waves of immigrants came from Europe to work.

In 1914, Detroit served as one of the primary wartime manufacturing centers in the United States. And during the World War II, Detroit had around 35% of the nation's total war production. In 1939 to 1945 over 250,000 migrant workers came to the city to work in the factories and Detroit was now transforming into a megalopolis.

In 1959, Smokey Robinson encourages Berry Gordy, Jr. to start the R&B label, Tamla Records. Later that year Berry Gordy, Jr. also founded a second label, Motown Records. In 1967 one of the worst riots in United States history took place in Detroit on 12th Street, in the predominantly African American inner city. The result... 43 dead, 467 injured, over 7,200 arrests, and more than 2,000 buildings destroyed. In June 1997, the hockey team Detroit Red Wings won their first Stanley Cup in 42 years.