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Overview
Founded in 1701, the port city takes its name from its original French moniker, Ville d'Etroit, which means City of the Strait and refers to the Detroit River's role as connector of (or strait between) Lakes Huron and Erie. Throughout its history, Detroit has been heavily involved in transportation, from waterborne shipping in the 19th century to automobile production in the 20th. The wealth that came with such endeavors led to the building of ornate mansions by the town's upper class and to the beautification of the city itself.
While such structures and efforts can still be seen today, Detroit is also saddled with the psychic and physical aftermath of 1943 and 1967's race-related riots, which helped exacerbate a shift in residency from the city to the suburbs. Widespread destruction, looting, and fear diminished the city's reputation and standing, and outlying areas gained prominence, rendering Detroit something of a loose conglomeration of communities rather than a strong, centralized city. However, it's working faithfully to move beyond those dark periods.
These days, as Detroit is bouncing back, investment and growth are helping the city regain its footing. In turn, its reputation for grittiness and upheaval is being supplanted by a drive for prosperity and rebirth, evidenced by gracious riverfront revitalization, the renovation of the Renaissance Center, and the redevelopment of parks and greenspaces. Along with these initiatives, restaurants, shops, and clubs are adding to the texture of the city, nudging it towards a more respected role in the pantheon of major American cities.
Helping the cause are engaging neighborhoods, dramatic architecture, great cultural institutions, and popular sports teams. Greektown, for instance, is a city highlight, and its independent cafes and stores attract lots of folks to the district, day and night. The Henry Ford, a complex of museums and attractions, is a huge draw and a real crowd-pleaser as well, letting visitors absorb everything from the workings of an automobile plant to life in past centuries. Live music is an abundant prospect, and a handful of casinos lets risk-takers indulge their desire for imminent payoffs. Plus, the city's love affair with sports ensures that strong loyalties are nurtured and displayed on behalf of the NBA Pistons, NFL Lions, MLB Tigers, and NHL Red Wings.
As if that's not enough, Detroit lies just north (yes, north) of Windsor, Ontario, which means that the richness of Canada is easily accessible as well. With such convenient possibilities for business, play, and residency, it's easy to see that Detroit refuses to be crippled by decades-old incidents and episodes. Rather, it's a city making admirable strides to adapt to new situations and to flourish in the face of change. In fact, it's as if the city is maintaining that classic Motown verve and spirit, subtly coaxing visitors to "Come See About Me."
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