St. Clair Shores, Michigan

Detroit's sporting scene has deep roots, and this is where many of them began. The Detroit Boat Club, founded in 1839, was one of the city's earliest sporting organizations. It started as a simple rowing club on the…

Prepare to be transported to the heart of Detroit's maritime legacy! The Dossin Great Lakes Museum is your portal to the captivating stories of the Great Lakes. The museum opened on July 24, 1960. It was built to…

Step back in time at Elmwood Cemetery, the final resting place of Detroit's movers and shakers for over 175 years. Established in 1846, Elmwood was designed as a rural cemetery, a park-like setting intended to be a…

Prepare to witness a revolution! Right here, at the Highland Park Ford Plant, Henry Ford didn't just build cars, he built the future of manufacturing. In 1910, Ford opened this plant, his third, and the second to…

Right here, on Belle Isle, you're standing on the asphalt where motorsport history was made, and ultimately, closed. The 2001 Tenneco Automotive Grand Prix of Detroit was the last CART race ever held on this track. On…

Prepare to stand on the very ground where the world changed forever – this is where the Model T was born! The Ford Piquette Avenue Plant, built in 1904, was Ford's second factory. Before the Model T, other cars were…

Right here, on Piquette Avenue, history was made – automotive history, that is. This area was ground zero for Detroit's burgeoning car industry. In the early 1900s, companies like Ford, Studebaker, Cadillac, Dodge, and…

This impressive building tells a story of Detroit's evolving communities. Originally built as Temple Beth-El in 1921, it was a grand synagogue serving a large Jewish congregation. Over the decades, Detroit's…

Admire the Art Deco architecture of this commercial district, a testament to Detroit's booming automotive industry. This area, known as the New Center Commercial Historic District, really took shape in the early to…

Pull over here for a sec, you won't believe the story behind this church! St. Joseph Shrine has been a landmark in Detroit's Eastern Market area since before the Civil War. Founded in 1855 by German immigrants, St.…

Admire the architectural brilliance of Albert Kahn in this Detroit landmark, a testament to the city's industrial heyday. You're approaching the Albert Kahn Building, a stunning example of his genius. Completed in 1931,…

Ever wonder how the Smithsonian got one of its most impressive art collections? It started right here in Detroit. Charles Lang Freer, a railroad car manufacturer, built this home at 71 East Ferry Avenue. But he was more…

Prepare to be amazed – you're approaching one of the country's greatest art museums, the Detroit Institute of Arts. The DIA's story began in 1885, originally located on Jefferson Avenue. It quickly outgrew that space,…

The DIA houses Diego Rivera's Detroit Industry Murals, a 27-panel fresco cycle depicting life in the Ford Rouge Plant, completed in 1933.

This isn't just another pretty building; it's a symbol of Detroit's golden age as the Motor City.Completed in 1922, Cadillac Place originally served as the headquarters for General Motors. Designed by architect Albert…

Feast your eyes on Detroit's 'Cathedral of Commerce'! The Fisher Building stands as a testament to the city's roaring twenties and the automotive boom that fueled it. The Fisher brothers, flush with cash from selling…

Prepare to enter a time capsule of mid-century modern design! Lafayette Park isn't just a neighborhood; it's a vision of urban renewal brought to life by one of the 20th century's greatest architects. In the 1950s, much…

Prepare to be wowed! Standing here, you're surrounded by two masterpieces that shout Detroit's ambition: the Fisher Building and the New Center Building. These aren't just office blocks; they're symbols of a city on the…

This gorgeous building wasn't always condos, you know! Originally built as The Wardell hotel in 1926, it was *the* place to be in Detroit. The Wardell quickly became a popular destination for upscale travelers and…

Once a grand hotel, the Belcrest Apartments stand as a reminder of Detroit's glamorous past and architectural elegance. Built in 1926, the Belcrest originally opened as the Belcrest Hotel. Designed by architect Charles…

Think mid-century modern cool. The McGregor Memorial Conference Center on Wayne State's campus is a prime example of that style, designed by the renowned architect Minoru Yamasaki. Yamasaki, who later designed the World…

Once known as 'Little Paris,' Brush Park is experiencing a revival after decades of decline. For a while there, it was anything BUT little Paris. In the mid-1850s, entrepreneur Edmund Askin Brush began developing this…

Pull over for a second – you're practically parked in history! Right here at Wayne State University, you're surrounded by buildings that have witnessed Detroit's evolution. Let's talk about Old Main. It started as the…

Before Detroit was known for cars, it was a vital shipbuilding hub, and this spot was right in the heart of it. In 1892, the Detroit Dry Dock Company built a machine shop here. Over the next few decades, they expanded,…

For decades, this theater showcased the talents of graduate students in Detroit. The Hilberry Theatre, located right here on Cass Avenue, was home to Wayne State University's graduate theater program starting in 1963.…

This was the home of Albert Kahn, the architect who designed many of Detroit's iconic industrial buildings and revolutionized factory design. Albert Kahn, a prominent industrial architect, lived in this house in…

Take a look at that beautiful Victorian building! It's the Thompson Home, a reminder of Detroit's commitment to caring for its elderly. Elizabeth Thompson, a wealthy Detroiter, left money in her will to create a home…

Ever wonder what Detroit was like almost two centuries ago? This spot, where the Charles Trowbridge House still stands, offers a rare glimpse into that past. Charles Trowbridge, a prominent businessman and politician,…

Listen closely! The walls around you have stories to tell, because Orchestra Hall is renowned for its superior acoustics. It was built in 1919 for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, under the leadership of Ossip…

Before smartphones, before even dial phones were common, this unassuming building was at the heart of Detroit's connection to the world. The Detroit–Columbia Central Office Building, also known as the Michigan Bell…

Take a look around – this neighborhood tells the story of Detroit's incredible growth. The Warren–Prentis Historic District showcases the residential architecture of Detroit during its boom years. Between 1880 and 1930,…

Take a stroll down these streets and you're stepping back into Detroit's gilded age. The Willis–Selden Historic District offers a glimpse into the city's late 19th and early 20th century boom. This district,…

Behind a modest house at 2648 West Grand Boulevard, with 'Hitsville U.S.A.' painted across the front, sits the small room where a stunning share of American pop was made. Berry Gordy bought the place in 1959, moved his…

Pull over here for a second – this unassuming church played a huge role in the fight for freedom. This is Second Baptist Church, founded in 1836. But it wasn't just a place of worship; it was a vital station on the…

Imagine the echoes of laughter and applause bouncing off these walls; this spot has been a stage for legends since 1928! Originally known as the Wilson Theatre, the Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts opened its…

Hey there, RoadyGoat explorers! Get ready for a taste of the Mediterranean right here in Detroit. This is Greektown, and it's been a vital part of the city's cultural tapestry for over a century.In the early 1900s,…

Right here, where you're driving, stood a grand church, a landmark on Woodward Avenue. Now, only its memory remains, a story etched in Detroit's past. The Woodward Avenue Baptist Church was located at 2464 Woodward…

Berry Gordy founded Motown Records in this house on West Grand Boulevard in 1959, launching one of the most influential record labels in history.

The tiny house where Berry Gordy launched Motown. Studio A is exactly as it was.

The Detroit River was the final crossing point to freedom in Canada for thousands of enslaved people fleeing via the Underground Railroad.

The Fox Theatre, opened in 1928, is the largest surviving movie palace of the 1920s and anchored Detroit's theater district revival.

Get ready to be dazzled! You're approaching the Fox Theatre, once the largest movie palace in the entire world. It opened in 1928 as the flagship theater for the Fox Theatres chain. With over 5,000 seats, it was…

Step back in time and imagine the roar of the crowd at the Detroit Opera House, a cultural gem right here in the heart of the city. Designed by the renowned C. Howard Crane, the same architect behind the Fox Theater and…

Look up! That green-topped skyscraper is the Broderick Tower, a Detroit icon reborn. Construction started in 1926, and by 1928, it was the second tallest building in Michigan. For years, it stood as a proud symbol, but…

Ever wonder where rock legends like The Who and Stevie Wonder played back in the day? It's right here at The Fillmore Detroit. Originally known as the State Theatre, this beauty opened its doors in 1925. It quickly…

Right here, where you're driving, once stood the grand Park Avenue Hotel, a Detroit landmark that sadly no longer exists. It was built to serve travelers and locals alike. For many years, it provided lodging and a…

Admire the Beaux-Arts architecture of this monumental government building, a symbol of Wayne County's history. When it was completed in 1902, the Wayne County Building was considered one of the most impressive buildings…

From Formula One to CART racing, the streets of Detroit roared with the sound of engines for a decade. Between 1982 and 1991, the Detroit street circuit hosted Formula One and CART races. The course wound around the…

Prepare to be amazed, because you're approaching the world's largest Masonic Temple! This massive structure isn't just a building; it's a testament to architectural ambition and a hub for Freemasonry. Construction began…

Get ready to feel the rumble of engines, because you're near a spot that's heard the roar of the Detroit Grand Prix! This isn't just any race; it's a Motor City tradition. The Grand Prix started as a Formula One race in…

Ever wonder where Detroiters did their serious shopping back in the day? You're looking at it. This stretch of Woodward Avenue, once nicknamed Merchant's Row, was the heart of downtown retail. Beginning in the…

The 1967 Detroit Rebellion began on 12th Street after a police raid on an unlicensed bar, lasting five days and reshaping the city.

This stunning Italian Renaissance-style skyscraper once symbolized Detroit's boom years. Designed by Louis Kamper, the Book Tower was built between 1925 and 1926 as an addition to the original Book Building. It quickly…

Detroit owes its existence to a narrow strip of water. The French called it "le détroit," the strait, a connector between the vast waters of the Great Lakes. This river, the Detroit River, isn’t just a waterway; it's a…

Check out that skyscraper! That's the David Stott Building, a Detroit icon with a fascinating past. It was completed in 1929, designed by Donaldson and Meier in the Art Deco style. The Stott Building was originally…

Ever wonder what church Herman Melville wrote about in Moby Dick? You're about to pass it! Mariners' Church of Detroit has served sailors of the Great Lakes since 1842. This isn't just any old church; it's the "Church…

Detroit's architectural scene wouldn't be the same without Albert Kahn, and this building is a prime example of why. Originally known as the Griswold Building, this beauty was later renamed 'The Albert' in his honor.…

Near Hart Plaza, at the intersection of Jefferson and Woodward Avenues in downtown Detroit, a giant bronze forearm and clenched fist hang suspended in midair. This is the Monument to Joe Louis, known simply as The Fist,…

Right here, tensions exploded in one of Detroit's most devastating race riots. The summer of 1943, a time of massive population growth due to wartime industries, saw simmering racial tensions boil over. It started with…

Marvel at the stunning Art Deco architecture of this Detroit skyscraper, once known as the Union Trust Building. This building is a powerful symbol of Detroit's ambition during the roaring twenties. Construction on what…

These walls stand as a tribute to the men who fought to preserve the Union. The Grand Army of the Republic, or GAR, was a fraternal organization composed of veterans who served in the Union Army, Navy, and Marine Corps…

Ever wonder where luxury cars like the Packard were put through their paces? This is it. Back in 1927, the Packard Motor Car Company established this proving ground to test new technologies. Engineers pushed prototypes…

Take a look at that incredible skyscraper – the Buhl Building! It's a masterpiece of Detroit architecture. Designed by Wirt C. Rowland, the Buhl Building opened in 1925. Its Neo-Gothic style, with those Romanesque…

Prepare to be transported back in time, because right here, in the heart of Detroit's Financial District, fortunes were made and the city's economic destiny was forged. From the 1850s to the 1970s, this area became the…

Look up! That towering Art Deco skyscraper is the Penobscot Building, once a symbol of Detroit's roaring success. Completed in 1928, the Greater Penobscot Building quickly became the tallest in Detroit and Michigan. For…

Right here, where you're driving, is where Detroit began. Back in 1701, Antoine Laumet de La Mothe, sieur de Cadillac landed on these shores. He came here from France, under orders from King Louis XIV, to establish a…

Standing tall, this building, now called The Qube, has been a fixture of Detroit's skyline for decades. Originally known as the National Bank of Detroit Building, it was designed by the renowned Albert Kahn Associates.…

Imagine standing where British soldiers once stood, handing over this very ground to the Americans! That's the story of the Savoyard Centre, or State Savings Bank, right here in Detroit. Before this impressive office…

Right here, you're near a ghost of Michigan's ambition: the Clinton–Kalamazoo Canal. Imagine a waterway stretching across the entire state! Back in the 1830s, after Michigan became a state, Governor Stevens Thomson…

Check out that limestone building! It was once the Detroit Free Press Building, a major player in Detroit's news scene. Construction on this Art Deco beauty began in 1924, and the Free Press moved in the next year.…

Step back in time in this neighborhood of Victorian homes, a testament to Detroit's rich architectural heritage. Woodbridge began to take shape in the mid-1800s, largely thanks to its namesake, William Woodbridge, a…

This unassuming building on Grand River isn't just another brick structure; it's a piece of Detroit law enforcement history. Built in 1900, this was the Eighth Precinct Police Station, serving the city for decades. It…

Opened in 1913 as one of the world's grandest train stations, abandoned in 1988, and restored by Ford Motor Company beginning in 2018.

This imposing structure isn't just a building; it's a silent witness to Detroit's triumphs and struggles. Michigan Central Station, dedicated on 1914, was once a bustling hub, connecting Detroit to the nation. Designed…

Forget CBGB's, this Detroit spot was ground zero for punk and hard rock! The Grande Ballroom hosted legendary acts like the MC5 and The Stooges, shaping the sound of a generation. Designed in 1928 by Charles Agree, the…

Prepare to be transported back to Detroit's golden age of cinema, even though the theater itself is gone.The Grand Riviera Theater, named for the very street we're on, opened its doors at 9222 Grand River Avenue. It was…

Step back in time to a vibrant corner of Detroit where Latinx culture has flourished for decades! This is the Bagley-West Vernor Historic District, the heart of Mexicantown. This area became a hub for the Latinx…

See that old fort over there? It's Fort Wayne, built to defend Detroit from… well, who exactly depended on when! The original fort was constructed in 1845 to protect the U.S. from a potential British invasion from…

Imagine living the high life as the owner of the Detroit Tigers! That's exactly what Walter O. Briggs did, and his former estate, Walbri Hall, is right here. Walter Briggs, a prominent Detroit industrialist, had this…

Dearborn, Michigan, a city forever linked to the rumble of the assembly line, has become a focal point in debates about identity and representation in recent years. The city's Arab American population, one of the…

Get ready to witness the birthplace of modern mass production! This is the Ford River Rouge complex, once the largest integrated factory in the world. Construction began in 1917, and by 1928 it was largely complete. The…