Detroit is the largest city in Michigan state. In the 20th century, Detroit boomed with an industrial powerhouse and automobile industry. Its population grew immensely, and in 1910 it became the 9th largest city in the United States. The “Great Migration brought large numbers of black Southerners into Detroit. The black population multiplied from 5700 in 1910 to 40,800 in the 1920s. Some other industries, including metal crafts, railcars, stove works, paints, iron, brass, and copper, progressed by leaps and bounds. Henry Ford built an assembly line at his Highland Park Plant in 1910. Later that decade, when World War I broke out, Detroiters fought valiantly.
Here below are some stunning historical photos that show Detroit city in the early 20th century from 1900 to 1910.
It was truly a magnificent city.
After experiencing record profits from military contracts, Ford and GM played a significant role in the construction of highways, which had a devastating impact on the state, country, and planet.
it’s true that corporate profits played a role in the construction of highways. But local housing policies were discriminatory, with suburban home loans being given exclusively to white families. As a result, many white suburbanites demanded easy access to other parts of the city, while simultaneously blocking out certain groups of people. Focusing solely on corporate profits ignores the systemic issues at play.
Some might say that the world fair was responsible for some of the issues we’re facing today.
Ford and GM certainly played a role in the construction of highways. However, they were not solely responsible for the damage caused. In fact, there are many other environmental hazards such as phthalates, PBB, asbestos, formaldehyde, PFAS, pesticide chemicals, glyphosate, sewage in waterways, and PCBs that have also contributed significantly to the destruction of the environment.
It was once referred to as the “Paris of the Midwest” 🙁
It seems that once you call a place the Paris of anything, that’s the end of it Saigon, the Paris of Southeast Asia, Beirut, the Paris of the Mediterranean, Detroit, the Paris of the Midwest etc. There is a lot to support this.
What happened to Detroit? I’m inquisitive. It has been said that manufacturing jobs have left the city, but that doesn’t explain the rapid ghettoization
If you’re looking for a single tipping point, it was the race riots of the late 1960s
Used to be bustling a beautiful, flint too. All of it was trashed by corrupt people in power, and I regret missing it all.
Now you’ll find Taco Bell & KFC with bulletproof glass…
When I was in Detroit, I visited the first fast food restaurant with bulletproof glass
These are also found in ghettos on the east coast. There were liquor stores everywhere, and all of them had a bulletproof glass.
Once, there were high schools with massive theatres and hand-painted ceilings. Now, there are abandoned mansions and violence. It’s sad to see what unchecked liberal policies lead to.
Seriously? Detroit was ruined by right wing dismantling of the social networks and harsh oppression of unions and minorities.
That’s such a weak statement. You used politics with zero facts. Detroits demise started from the very beginning with it being a one truck pony. Detroits biggest and most important industry IS and ALWAYS HAS BEEN the automotive industry. When the industry does well things are great and when it does bad everyone suffers. When the automotive industry started changing in the 1960’s-70’s Detroit started its decline.
Things like this make me wonder if progress is a good thing.