Detroit, the largest city in the state of Michigan, was settled in 1701 by French colonists. It is the first European settlement above tidewater in North America. [1] Founded as a New France fur …

Detroit was incorporated as a city in 1815 and spent the decades leading up to the Civil War as the final U.S. stop on the Underground Railroad. The area also was earning a reputation for, …

Discover the rich history, culture, and maritime heritage of Detroit. Engaging exhibitions bring to life the people, places, and events that shaped and continue to shape Detroit.

Oct 21, 2025 · Soon after the outbreak of the War of 1812, Detroit was again surrendered to the British, but the Americans recaptured it in September 1813. In 1815 Detroit was incorporated …

Detroit’s history reflects both the triumphs and struggles of industrial America, and its story continues to unfold as the city seeks to reinvent itself in the 21st century. Despite its …

Samuel de Champlain is believed by some to have been in the Detroit area. If true, he is the first known non-Native American to see the site of Detroit. French missionaries establish the Huron …

Oct 18, 2025 · We did a lengthy history on the Alger Theatre, once among more than 100 neighborhood movie houses across Detroit in the 1940s. Today, it is one of only a handful of …

Explore the rich history of Detroit through a detailed timeline that highlights the key events and milestones that have shaped the Motor City. From its founding in 1701 to its rise as a major …

This essay reviews the history of that settlement from its founding until Michigan was admitted into the Union as a state in 1837.

Detroit was founded in 1701 when Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac established a fort and settlement on the site. The name means "strait" in French, and is derived from the narrow river …