The history of Detroit:
Detroit, founded in 1701 by Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac, was originally unified around ideals of community and courage. This city would one day become the capital of the newly created Michigan Territory and the largest city among the Mid-western states. Yet, just as the future had started to look promising, a catastrophic event known as “The Great Fire of 1805” occurred. This calamity initially began in a barn on the morning of June 11,1805 by a man named Baker John Harvey. Despite persistent efforts by citizens to minimize the damage, the fire spread entirely too quickly, and thus, by the end of the day, Detroit had burned to the ground. Though the residents were utterly grief-stricken, many stayed to rebuild their city.
Above: An Image form the Great Fire, Detroit 1805.
Detroit, founded in 1701 by Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac, was originally unified around ideals of community and courage. This city would one day become the capital of the newly created Michigan Territory and the largest city among the Mid-western states. Yet, just as the future had started to look promising, a catastrophic event known as “The Great Fire of 1805” occurred. This calamity initially began in a barn on the morning of June 11,1805 by a man named Baker John Harvey. Despite persistent efforts by citizens to minimize the damage, the fire spread entirely too quickly, and thus, by the end of the day, Detroit had burned to the ground. Though the residents were utterly grief-stricken, many stayed to rebuild their city.
Above: An Image form the Great Fire, Detroit 1805.
Who is Woodward:
Woodward was born Elias Brevoort Woodward in 1774 to an affluent family in Manhattan. A Columbia graduate, he served as a Washington city councilman, and Michigan’s Territory’s first Chief Justice. Later, he became one of the first judges appointed to the Michigan area in 1805. Historically, he became one of the most influential men of that era. Woodward arrived in Detroit shortly after the 1805, during the period when the city was in ruins from the devastating fire. At this time, few buildings were left standing. After careful consideration, Woodward chose to adopt the hub-and-spoke design in order to competently reconstruct the city of Detroit.
Above: Elias Brevoort Woodward
Woodward was born Elias Brevoort Woodward in 1774 to an affluent family in Manhattan. A Columbia graduate, he served as a Washington city councilman, and Michigan’s Territory’s first Chief Justice. Later, he became one of the first judges appointed to the Michigan area in 1805. Historically, he became one of the most influential men of that era. Woodward arrived in Detroit shortly after the 1805, during the period when the city was in ruins from the devastating fire. At this time, few buildings were left standing. After careful consideration, Woodward chose to adopt the hub-and-spoke design in order to competently reconstruct the city of Detroit.
Above: Elias Brevoort Woodward
Though he was born in France, Pierre Charles L’Enfant was an American architect and a skilled civil engineer. He is most well-known for the arrangement of Washington D.C, as well as the eminent contribution to the planning of Detroit. Originally, he had created the hub-and-spoke design in Washington, D.C., and correspondingly, Judge Augustus Brevoort Woodward applied this architectural model for what would be the new city of Detroit. The hub-and-spoke paradigm is a system of connections arranged like a chariot wheel, in which all traffic proceeds along spokes connected to the hub at the center of the city. The model is frequently used in industrial areas, in particular for transport, telecommunication and freight.
Above: A portrait of Pierre Charles L’ Enfant, an awe-inspiring influence to Elias Brevoort Woodward.
Above: A portrait of Pierre Charles L’ Enfant, an awe-inspiring influence to Elias Brevoort Woodward.
After the disaster, Judge Woodward prepared a city plan, which was then approved by Congress in April of 1806. Although the plan was heavily influenced by European models, including the Wren’s design for London and the L'Enfant plan for Washington, it employed the gridiron system rather than the Baroque European plan. By using the gridiron system, it would allow for future expansion without destroying the plan’s foundation. Woodward’s design closely resembled Wren’s plan, yet it primarily imitated the style of L’Enfant. Today, Pierre Charles L’Enfant is known as an imaginative and influential historical figure, who contributed significantly to the rebuilding of the city of Detroit.
The Theory Behind Detroit's Street Design:
The hub-and-spoke configuration, designed by Pierre Charles L’Enfant, was meant to create a hexagonal shape with a park in the middle. Additional hexagons were implemented, and as the city grew larger, the streets formed circuses. The city of Detroit has a very unique street layout, and because of it, visitors may frequently lose a sense of direction. Unlike the structure of any other major cities, the hexagonal street blocks and a Grand Circus at its center make the city of Detroit unique. This formation also facilitates traffic flow through the landscaped city blocks.
Above: A copy of Augustus Woodward's original plan for Detroit, and most of its streets remain in the city center today.
This is the original plan for Detroit after the fires
The Theory Behind Detroit's Street Design:
The hub-and-spoke configuration, designed by Pierre Charles L’Enfant, was meant to create a hexagonal shape with a park in the middle. Additional hexagons were implemented, and as the city grew larger, the streets formed circuses. The city of Detroit has a very unique street layout, and because of it, visitors may frequently lose a sense of direction. Unlike the structure of any other major cities, the hexagonal street blocks and a Grand Circus at its center make the city of Detroit unique. This formation also facilitates traffic flow through the landscaped city blocks.
Above: A copy of Augustus Woodward's original plan for Detroit, and most of its streets remain in the city center today.
This is the original plan for Detroit after the fires
A Deviation From Plan:
The plan was abandoned after only 11 years, but not before some of its most significant elements had already been implemented. The most prominent of these are the six main "spokes" of Woodward, Michigan, Grand River, Gratiot and Jefferson avenues together with Fort Street. Because Woodward had been thoroughly impressed by Pierre L'Enfant's elegant plan for the streets of Washington, he comparatively sketched a similar plan for Detroit. The remnants of this blueprint are still visible in the city's six great spoke-like avenues—Jefferson (named for Woodward's hero), Gratiot, Grand River, Michigan, Fort, and—that's right—Woodward Avenue.
Above: A blueprint design for the city of Detroit after the 1805 fire.
This plan was based on L'Enfant's plan for Washington DC with a series of plazas and wide boulevards radiating outwards. The shaded area represents the construction that was actually implemented to the city’s structure.
As it often happens in city politics, Woodward’s plan was not carried out in its entirety, and a traditional grid pattern was overlaid on top of the existing streets. In fact, just a fragment of the Woodward plan was carried out, largely because it was extremely unpopular and furthermore because it called for the expansion of the commons. Many of the folks at the time were anti Urban and rejected the innovative model. A layout similar to the nation’s capital “spokes of the wheel” plan, based on Washington DC’s street grid had been planned but was not fully executed; conspicuously, the beginnings of this layout are evident in the diagonal streets that extend from the Detroit River, including: Fort Street, Michigan Avenue, Grand River Avenue, Woodward Avenue, Gratiot Avenue, and Jefferson Avenue. The original spokes of Woodward’s chosen design continue to exist today, stretching from the downtown hub and serving as links to the surrounding suburbs. As often happens with urban sprawl, and especially in the Motor City, freeways developed to add yet another overlay to the street pattern. While the freeways provided an easier commute to and from the suburbs, they resulted in the decline of the “spoke” avenues that had originally served a definitive purpose.
The plan was abandoned after only 11 years, but not before some of its most significant elements had already been implemented. The most prominent of these are the six main "spokes" of Woodward, Michigan, Grand River, Gratiot and Jefferson avenues together with Fort Street. Because Woodward had been thoroughly impressed by Pierre L'Enfant's elegant plan for the streets of Washington, he comparatively sketched a similar plan for Detroit. The remnants of this blueprint are still visible in the city's six great spoke-like avenues—Jefferson (named for Woodward's hero), Gratiot, Grand River, Michigan, Fort, and—that's right—Woodward Avenue.
Above: A blueprint design for the city of Detroit after the 1805 fire.
This plan was based on L'Enfant's plan for Washington DC with a series of plazas and wide boulevards radiating outwards. The shaded area represents the construction that was actually implemented to the city’s structure.
As it often happens in city politics, Woodward’s plan was not carried out in its entirety, and a traditional grid pattern was overlaid on top of the existing streets. In fact, just a fragment of the Woodward plan was carried out, largely because it was extremely unpopular and furthermore because it called for the expansion of the commons. Many of the folks at the time were anti Urban and rejected the innovative model. A layout similar to the nation’s capital “spokes of the wheel” plan, based on Washington DC’s street grid had been planned but was not fully executed; conspicuously, the beginnings of this layout are evident in the diagonal streets that extend from the Detroit River, including: Fort Street, Michigan Avenue, Grand River Avenue, Woodward Avenue, Gratiot Avenue, and Jefferson Avenue. The original spokes of Woodward’s chosen design continue to exist today, stretching from the downtown hub and serving as links to the surrounding suburbs. As often happens with urban sprawl, and especially in the Motor City, freeways developed to add yet another overlay to the street pattern. While the freeways provided an easier commute to and from the suburbs, they resulted in the decline of the “spoke” avenues that had originally served a definitive purpose.
Railways: Michigan’s first railroad was the horse-drawn Erie & Kalamazoo.
As railroads evolved into a dominant force in Michigan during the Mid 1800’s, the state tied the north and west, transforming it into a massive economy for its time. Michigan in itself was instantaneously operating 35 miles of railroad. It stretched to Lake Michigan, making it possible to commute from Detroit to Chicago. Railroad was an integral part of the building of the city of Detroit, and it was chosen as the large smelting company. Because of its proximity to other cities, and especially the newly discovered copper deposits in the Upper Peninsula, it became a great rail transportation system. As business continued to prosper, Ford Motor Company was created. This cutting-edge invention revolutionized the auto industry and gave America its wheels. Later, city engineers would construction freeway expansion, which only further nurtured Detroit’s pervasive industry.
As railroads evolved into a dominant force in Michigan during the Mid 1800’s, the state tied the north and west, transforming it into a massive economy for its time. Michigan in itself was instantaneously operating 35 miles of railroad. It stretched to Lake Michigan, making it possible to commute from Detroit to Chicago. Railroad was an integral part of the building of the city of Detroit, and it was chosen as the large smelting company. Because of its proximity to other cities, and especially the newly discovered copper deposits in the Upper Peninsula, it became a great rail transportation system. As business continued to prosper, Ford Motor Company was created. This cutting-edge invention revolutionized the auto industry and gave America its wheels. Later, city engineers would construction freeway expansion, which only further nurtured Detroit’s pervasive industry.
Above: The first steam locomotive arrived in Michigan on the E&K in 1837.
The Erie Canal and the construction of Michigan Road:
Detroit was heavily influenced around the early 1800’s by the construction of both the Erie Canal and Michigan Road. The construction of the Erie Canal cut travel between New York and Buffalo from approximately 20 days to approximately 6 days, therefore promoting expedient commerce and notably saving on the total cost of doing business between the two. Moreover, the development of Michigan Road opened Indians to settlements. Detroit was officially incorporated as a city in 1815, and shortly after, in 1837, Michigan was initiated into the Union as the twenty-sixth state.
Above: The Erie Canal; It runs from Albany, New York on the Hudson River to Buffalo, New York, at Lake Erie, therefore completing routes from the Atlantic Ocean to the Great lakes.
Detroit was heavily influenced around the early 1800’s by the construction of both the Erie Canal and Michigan Road. The construction of the Erie Canal cut travel between New York and Buffalo from approximately 20 days to approximately 6 days, therefore promoting expedient commerce and notably saving on the total cost of doing business between the two. Moreover, the development of Michigan Road opened Indians to settlements. Detroit was officially incorporated as a city in 1815, and shortly after, in 1837, Michigan was initiated into the Union as the twenty-sixth state.
Above: The Erie Canal; It runs from Albany, New York on the Hudson River to Buffalo, New York, at Lake Erie, therefore completing routes from the Atlantic Ocean to the Great lakes.
Detroit's most Important Time Lines:
Early American Detroit (1806-1820)
- 1806: First post office opens in the city of Detroit.
- 1806: On September 13 the city of Detroit becomes incorporated
- 1807: The United States purchases most of southeastern Michigan for $10,000.
- 1810: Detroit’s grows to 770, Michigan, grows to 4,762 residents.
- 1812: August 16. Detroit is surrendered to British with the support of local Native Americans.
- 1813: September 10. British is defeated during the Battle of Lake Erie. The British leave Detroit within two weeks.
- 1815: Detroit, population, 850, It becomes an incorporated city. Homes, churches, businesses, and schools are built thereafter. In addition to a university - the Catholepistemiad, which becomes the University of Michigan.
- 1816: Construction of one of it's fa road It becomes today’s Woodward Avenue.
- 1817: August 13. President James Monroe visits Detroit, and is the first U.S. President to do so. Monroe city and county are named in his honor.
- 1818: July 6. The first public land auction in Michigan takes place in Detroit. The average price for land is $4 an acre.
- 1819: Detroit’s population grows to 1,100.
Boomtown Detroit (1820-1860)
- 1820: The first brick building is built in the city of Detroit.
- 1825: April 4. The first mayor of Detroit is elected, mayor, John R. Williams.
- 1825: October 25. The completion of the Erie Canal takes place. It connects Lake Erie with the Hudson River, making the transportation of people and goods across New York State a lot easier, faster and less expensive.
- 1827: The County of Wayne is divided into townships: Brownstown, Bucklin, Detroit, Ecorse, Hamtramck, Huron, Manguagon, Plymouth and Springwells.
- 1827: The adoption of the city of Detroit's seal and motto: Speramus Meliora; Resurget Cineribus. It means, “We hope for better days; it shall rise from the ashes.” It commemorates the Fire of 1805.
- 1828: Detroit’s population grows to 1,517.
- 1830: Detroit’s population grows to 2,222. Michigan’s population is 31,639.
- 1835: November 18. The city of Detroit's builds its first City Hall.
- 1835: The Michigan area reaches 85,000, which qualifies it for statehood. The U.S. Congress refuses to grant statehood to Michigan until 1837.
- 1836: The first street sign is installed in the city of Detroit, most of the streets are wooden plank, but downtown streets are cobblestone.
- 1836: Stagecoaches begin running between the city of Detroit and Chicago.
- 1836: The Second Baptist Church is created, by thirteen former slaves. The first African American Baptist congregation, and it plays a major role in Detroit’s Underground Railroad operations.
- 1837: January 26. Michigan becomes the 26th state of the United States of America. Detroit becomes its first capital.
- 1837: April 26. The Detroit Anti-Slavery Society is created. It played a big role in Detroit’s Underground Railroad operations.
- 1838: The Detroit-Pontiac railway is complete. The first cars are horse-drawn.
- 1840: The U.S census reports that 9,192 live in Detroit and 212,267 live in Michigan.
- 1842: February 18, The first public school system is organized.
- 1845: Detroit’s population grows to 13,065.
- 1848: The capital is moved from Detroit to Lansing.
- 1850: The Shipping industry becomes Detroit's biggest industry.
- 1850: The U.S census reports that Detroit's population is 21,000.
- 1851: Detroit's population grows to 26,000, with 600 brick and 4,000 wooden buildings.
- 1853: Detroit begins to build railroad cars under the business name Detroit Car and Manufacturing Co.
- 1854: The first rail connection between Detroit and New York City is completed.
- 1855: The Locks at Sault Ste. Marie is constructed, enables Detroit to bring iron and copper ore to Detroit entirely by ship.
- 1860: Detroit’s population grows to 45,619.
Industrial Detroit ( 1860-1900)
- 1860 : Detroit’s population grows to 45,619.
- 1863: August 3, streetcars are pulled by horses and are first used on Jefferson and also on Woodward Avenue.
- 1870: Detroit’s population grows to 79,577.
- 1884: The largest island park ( The Belle Isle Park) in the nation is opened to the public.
- 1889: Detroit's first skyscraper, the 10-story Hammond Building, is completed.
- 1890: Detroit’s population reaches 205,876. It ranks 15th in size among American cities.
- 1892: Four Detroit streets are created – Jefferson, Lafayette, Cass and Second - are paved with asphalt. The rest are cobblestone, cedar block or unpaved.
- 1894: Mayor Pingree establishes vegetable gardens for the poor, which are now known as Pingree's Potato Patches.
- 1895: Detroit’s municipal power station begins to supply power for streetlights and public buildings.
- 1896: March 6. Charles Brady King drives Detroit’s first gasoline powered car down Woodward Avenue.
- 1896: June 4. Henry Ford test-drives his first car, using engine parts borrowed from Charles Brady King.
- 1896: The last horse-drawn street cars are replaced by electric trolleys.
- 1898: Bob-Lo Park is established as a recreational destination.
- 1900: Detroit’s population is 285,704. It is the 13th largest city in the United States.
In the late 19th and early 20th century, the city of Detroit continued to develop its architectural shape. Following the Civil War, many gilded age buildings were added to the city, and for a time, it became known as the “Paris of the West”. After the Second World War, Detroit’s industry began to thrive, transforming the once broken city into a productive metropolitan region. Through the admission of immigrants, the population rose and the economy began to boom. By the mid 20th century, Detroit had become a monumental presence in the industrial world. Today, the suburbs continue to grow, and the city of Detroit has several historical landmarks, which resemble the cultural significance of accomplishing a new beginning to a city that once seemed irreparable.