I got fascinated with Detroit after seeing the beautiful ruins of the city in Eminem’s videos and a TV series Detroit 187. Detroit went from being the fourth largest city in US in 1930s to the eleventh in 2009. It went from being known as the Paris of the West to being called the beautiful ruins of Detroit. Will it rise again to its glory time?
Detroit is a major port city on the Detroit River. It was founded on July 24, 1701 by the Frenchman Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac. Strategically located by the Great Lakes, Detroit emerged as a transportation hub. The city has grown steadily from 1830s till 1960s. In 1896 Henry Ford built his first automobile. In 1903 Ford founded the Ford Motor Company. Ford with the other automotive pioneers such as William Durant, the Dodge brothers, Packard, and Walter Chrysler earned Detroit the status of the automotive capital, therefore nicknamed as the Motor City. In 1930s with the growth of auto industry, Detroit became the fourth largest city in US. In the 1950s, it was the fifth largest city in US. However, the gasoline crises of 1973 and 1979 impacted the US auto industry as small foreign cars made into the US roads. In 1970s the developments slowed and eventually began to reverse. During the 1980s, vacant structures were demolished to make way for new developments. In the 1990s, the city began to receive a revival rising with new centers, casinos, stadiums, and hotels. In 2009, it was the eleventh most populous city in US.
The late 19th and early 20th century was a period of beautiful architecture shaping the skyline of Detroit. The Gilded Age, the era of rapid economic and population growth, created mansions and buildings that earned Detroit the name - the Paris of the West. The city has a variety of architectural styles. The Art Deco style, which originated in Paris in the first part of the 20th century, is a mixed style of different historical influences seen in such buildings as the Guardian Building, Penobscot Building, Fisher Building, and the Cadillac Place. The last two are among the city’s National Historic Landmarks. Prominent structures include Fox Theatre, Detroit Opera House, and Detroit Institute of Arts. Historic neighborhoods include Palmer Woods, Sherwood Forest, and the University District.
Ste. Anne de Detroit was founded in 1701 and is the second oldest continuously operating Roman Catholic parish in the US. It displays French influence of Gothic Revival with flying buttresses. St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1873, is an example of Detroit’s ecclesial architecture, a mixed style of different historical influences.
Wayne County Building is an example of Roman Baroque architecture built from copper, granite, and stone. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.
Fort Shelby Hotel is one of the successful attempts to restore the glory of Detroit. The hotel was renovated and reopened after standing empty for 30 years. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.
The Michigan Theater, on the other hand, is a sad part of Detroit. It is a former theater with richly decorated ceilings, now used as a parking garage. It was featured in two movies 8 Mile and The Island.
The Belle Isle Park with a view of the city is the largest island park in the US. A highlight of Belle Isle is a botanical garden and the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory.
The Financial District is a historic district in downtown Detroit located along the International Riverfront. It includes 33 buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2009.
The Renaissance Center, also, located on the International Riverfront is a complex of seven interconnected skyscrapers in downtown Detroit. It is owned by General Motors as its world’s headquarters and it is one of the world’s largest office complexes. The central tower, the Marriott hotel, is the tallest all-hotel skyscraper in the Western Hemisphere.
The International Riverfront is an area that borders Detroit River. It stretches from the Ambassador Bridge in the west to Belle Isle in the east, covering 5 1/2 miles and encompassing many parks, restaurants, retail shops, skyscrapers, and high rise residential areas. The development marks a step forward for Detroit’s potential for the 2020 Summer Olympics.
