In spite of its infrastructure and landmarks, a city is not immortal. These vintage Detroit photos serve as a reminder of that.
In spite of its infrastructure , landmarks , and ethnic significance , the city is not immortal . Detroit is no elision . While bound in some areas , for the most part , 21st - C Detroit remains a simple apparition of its former self .
Once know for powering most of the commonwealth , Detroit lose its steam and 70 % of its population in the last 60 years and had to declare bankruptcy in 2013 to remain awash .
A will to globalisation ’s encroachment , it ’s hard to ideate that this overpowering mass of abandoned buildings andempty streetswas once consideredthe Silicon Valley of America .
But for now , forget about the slum , high crime rate andurban graveyardsand recollect back to the day when Detroit symbolized the indomitable power of American industry and labour .
Detroit’s Belle Isle back in 1905. Source:Coleman Family
When Detroit’s Michigan Central Station was built in 1913, it was one of the largest rail stations in the country. Source:Wikipedia
Detroit circa 1915. Source: The Woodward Spine
Ford’s Highland Park plant back in 1914. Source:Hemmings Daily
Detroit in 1917. Source:Coleman Family
A Liberty Bond rally in Detroit that took place around 1918. Source:Bentley
A glimpse of the interior of Detroit’s First Congregational Church in 1918. Source:Organ Society
Detroit’s bustling city streets back in 1920. Source: Source:Wikipedia
A quaint Polish-American grocery store in 1922. Source:Wikipedia
The Ford River Rouge Complex. Source:Tropics of Meta
Olympia Stadium (eventually known as the home of the Detroit Red Wings) was built in 1927. Source:Wikipedia
Boats float along the water outside of Detroit in 1930. Source:Coleman Family
After World War I, Detroit was home to some of the most innovative and cutting-edge industries. Source:Permanent Crisis
Circa 1936. Source:NY Daily News
Men walk in a Labor Day parade in 1938. Source:Rivet Head
Deep snow makes driving in Detroit impossible. Source:Metro Times
An aerial view of Detroit in the 1940s. Source:The Detroit News Archivist
Children run through Pingree Park. Hazen S. Pingree was a local politician who expanded public welfare programs and created many new parks and schools. Source:Detroit Metro Times
During World War II, many wartime factories were located in Detroit. Source:Slate
28-ton tanks called “General Grants” were mass produced by the Chrysler Corporation’s tank arsenal in 1942. Source:Vintage Everyday
In 1945, gasoline in Detroit cost just 17 cents per gallon. Source:Vintage Everyday
Employees work on cars at Detroit’s Packard Motor Car Company. Source:PennLive
A peek at the 1960 National Auto Show held at Cobo Hall. Source:Huffington Post
