Four O'Clock Shift, Ford Motor Company: 1920
Detroit's economy has been historically driven by industry, and brought a lot of jobs to the detroit area around the turn of the 20th century. This particular picture depicts the shift changing at the Ford Motor Company plant in Highland Park, a suburb of Detroit.
Similar scenes to this one would occur at General Motors, also headed in Detroit by the 1900's. Even before the automobile industry had its start, industry was shaping the lives of the people of Detroit. In the 1820's and 30's, the flour milling industry drove Detroit's economy. In the 1840's it was shipbuilding, which lead to the steam engine industry and finally the internal combustion engine, setting the stage for the automobile industry to take over. The scene on the left depicts a typical scene in the lives of the hundreds of thousands of Detroit citizens employed by the Ford Motor Company. The Blue-Collar Class is largely a creation of Detroit, Michigan.
Note the clean, broad side street that sidles along the plant. Detroit was very deliberately designed and crafted, and thus, there is very little disruption in the streets. The people in this photograph seem to wear the aura of the industrial city like clothing; everyone looks similar and pragmatic. People go about their business with downcast faces, creating a uniformity atypical of most chaotic city scenes in the early 20th century.
Similar scenes to this one would occur at General Motors, also headed in Detroit by the 1900's. Even before the automobile industry had its start, industry was shaping the lives of the people of Detroit. In the 1820's and 30's, the flour milling industry drove Detroit's economy. In the 1840's it was shipbuilding, which lead to the steam engine industry and finally the internal combustion engine, setting the stage for the automobile industry to take over. The scene on the left depicts a typical scene in the lives of the hundreds of thousands of Detroit citizens employed by the Ford Motor Company. The Blue-Collar Class is largely a creation of Detroit, Michigan.
Note the clean, broad side street that sidles along the plant. Detroit was very deliberately designed and crafted, and thus, there is very little disruption in the streets. The people in this photograph seem to wear the aura of the industrial city like clothing; everyone looks similar and pragmatic. People go about their business with downcast faces, creating a uniformity atypical of most chaotic city scenes in the early 20th century.
S.W. Corner of Fort and Griswold Street: 1870
Griswold Avenue is named after a Connecticut governor.Fort and Shelby streets were named after Fort Shelby, which was located there. The western point of Fort Street was opened and named in 1827 when the remains of Fort Shelby were razed. The fort was named after Gov. Isaac Shelby of Kentucky, who aided Michigan in the War of 1812 with troops from his home state.
In 1870, Detroit was still on the rise. The intersection of Fort and Griswold Street can be located on historic maps, close to the heart of the city. Note the contrast between the wide spacing of these buildings with the cramped activity of Monroe Avenue, a street adjacent to Griswold street, across the Campus Martius.
In 1870, Detroit was still on the rise. The intersection of Fort and Griswold Street can be located on historic maps, close to the heart of the city. Note the contrast between the wide spacing of these buildings with the cramped activity of Monroe Avenue, a street adjacent to Griswold street, across the Campus Martius.
Monroe Avenue: 1917
Monroe Avenue and the intersection of Fort and Shelby Street are located relatively near each other, between the Grand Circus and the River.
Monroe avenue is close to the heart of the city, adjacent to the Grand Circus. In 1917, Detroit had established itself as the industrial center of the Midwest. Populous and bustling, this photo reflects the mood of the city during this time.
Monroe avenue is close to the heart of the city, adjacent to the Grand Circus. In 1917, Detroit had established itself as the industrial center of the Midwest. Populous and bustling, this photo reflects the mood of the city during this time.
Eastern Farmer's Market
This picture, taken in 1910, reflects the cultural dynamic of the Detroit.
Different ethnic groups visited the market on different days of the week. If you look inside the stall, you can see the Star of David hanging from a shelf. Below the counter, there is an advertisement for Turkish cigarettes.
Different ethnic groups visited the market on different days of the week. If you look inside the stall, you can see the Star of David hanging from a shelf. Below the counter, there is an advertisement for Turkish cigarettes.