A History of the Detroit Riverfront From 1760 though to the
Detroit attracts immigrant workers 176o-1800 AD 1805 AD A devastating fire sweeps through Detroit, destroying all 200 of its structures except a stone warehouse. This results in one of many new urban plans to be presented. 1812 AD The War of 1812 Establishes American rule. With the lessening threat of Indian attack, the development of the steamboat and the opening of the Erie Canal, Detroit s riverfront begins to experience dramatic growth. Warehouses and shipyards are built to store and process valuable iron ore and Copper from Michigan s Upper Peninsula. Detroit s location at the mouth of the Great Lakes system, offered strategic opportunity for those who claimed it. First the French, then the British, and ultimately, the Americans fought for the Forts of Detroit. The Detroit riverfront, which ended at the Foot of Woodward, is extended into the swampland of the Detroit river. Debris from the Fire and anything else found was dumped to form the current coastline. Dry Docks and Repair Yard of the Detroit Dry Dock Co. Foot of Orleans Street
The Industrial Revolution Changes Detroit s Riverfront 1815 AD Detroit is Incorporated as a City 1837 AD 1837 Michigan is admitted to the Union as the 26th state. Detroit becomes an important station on the Underground Railroad 1850 AD 1896 AD 1896 Henry Ford builds his first car in Detroit 1850 Stove and kitchen range manufacturing becomes Detroit s leading industry. Industrial Age Emergence of Vernors ginger ale, Stroh s beer, Sanders candy, cake and ice cream
The Industrial Revolution Changes Detroit s Riverfront 1891-1855 AD 1913-1940 s AD 1905 AD Uniroyal's Jefferson Avenue riverfront complex began in August 1905. Completed in October 1906, demolished in 1990 s. 1913 Henry Ford introduces the assembly line, revolutionizing the auto industry and Detroit enters it s greatest period of growth and its finest architecture. Detroit becomes known as the Paris of the Midwest The Parke Davis Pharmaceutical Company makes it s home along the Detroit Riverfront. The company first moved there in the 1870s to take advantage of convenient transportation provided by a rail line and by the Detroit River, and gradually expanded its holdings to 14 ½ acres. Between 1891 and 1955 the company erected the 26 buildings that still stand; they range from turnof-the-century brick mill buildings to reinforced concrete structures from after 1920 s.
Detroit s Riverfront Begins a Steady Decline 1940-1970 s AD 1959 AD Berry Gordy founds Motown Records. The era of Motown begins 1967 AD A period of dramatic population loss and rapid decline, as a vibrant city of 2 million shrinks to less than half its size, leaving a vast unsupportable infrastructure of abandonment and neglect. The Detroit Riots of 1967 began when police vice squad officers executed a raid on an after hours drinking club or blind pig in a predominantly black neighborhoods located at Twelfth Street and Clairmount Avenue. The Race Riots accelerated population flight from the City to the surrounding suburbs, ultimately leading to abandonment and neglect of the urban center and riverfront.
Detroit s Riverfront Continues a Steady Decline 1970 s-1980 s AD 1977 AD In 1971, a group of influential Detroit businessmen form Detroit Renaissance. They embark on an ambitious plan to revitalize Detroit s Urban core by building a $500 Million complex on Detroit s industrial riverfront. The Renaissance Center opens in 1977 to great fanfare. 1980 s AD Michigan s economy suffers through a major recession. The Renaissance Center is deemed unsuccessful. Its berms and closed inward focus fails to revitalize the surrounding area. The City s riverfront is an urban wasteland of abandoned buildings, warehouses, and Concrete Silos Detroit Comeback? During the seventies and early eighties, many plans are presented to revitalize and encourage city growth.
Detroit s Riverfront Has an Urban Renewal 1980 s-1990 s AD 1998 AD 1987 AD 1989-2000 AD The Detroit riverfront offers a hint of recovery, only to be dashed away by politics and indifference to its success. In 1979, Peter Stroh buys the historic Parke- Davis complex and in 1987 starts renovating it into an Urban Campus of shops, restaurants and residential lofts. The concept represents the latest in urban redevelopment principles of the era, and is an anchor for redevelopment of the rest of the historic riverfront. Spurred by the success of the Stroh River place development, the historic industrial riverfront sees a revival. The historic Soup Kitchen opens in a previous blind pig, which were prevalent in the area during Prohibition. In addition, the Rhinoceros Club, Franklin Street Brewery, BC s, Woodbridge Tavern, Andrews, Dunleavys, the Rattlesnake Club, Warehouse Club, Rivertown Saloon, Pete s River Place, and Taboo open and thrive. Mayor, Dennis Archer proposes the Ctiy s three casinos locate on Detroit s East Riverfront. The decision comes with much controversy, but ultimately, the City purchases or condemns 52 acres of the East Rivertown area.
Detroit s Riverfront Today 2001 AD 2002 >>>AD The Detroit Riverfront Conservancy is formed. Created to undertake the establishment, improvement, operation, maintenance, security and programming of the Detroit Riverfront After years of controversy, Archer gives up on Casinos on the east riverfront. Court battles and condemnation leaves the area abandoned and devastated. The historic Woodbridge tavern, soup kitchen and others are devastated and gone. The only remaining businesses are concrete facilities on the riverfront and a few scattered warehouses.