Detroit: Motown Mojo
from WorldWeb.com Travel Guide

	The Waterfront on Lake Michigan

The city of Detroit has a long, varied and often turbulent history. This remarkable city has been a French trading post, a headquarters for the British army, an international port and a major influence on both American and world culture. Detroit has seen many changes, but it wasn’t until the 20^th century that it would come into its own, carving a place for itself as a leading producer of many things, from office supplies to pharmaceuticals. Its biggest claim, however, is as an automotive and steel production epicentre. Today’s Detroit is not only one of the largest and most impressive cities in the USA, it is also one of the country’s busiest and most successful ports.

History

Founded in 1701, 70 years before the American Revolution, "la Ville d'Etroit", or the City At The Straights started life as a French trading post. Founder Antoine De Mothe Cadillac considered his new home to hold an ideal strategic position for the fur trade between the French and Chippewa. This is because it is found on the Detroit River, between Canada and the USA, connecting Lake Erie and St. Clair. The self-proclaimed renaissance city eventually grew out of the conflict between the French and the British. In fact, it was once used as a headquarters for the British army.

During the 1800s, Detroit played an important role in another kind of conflict. Its location made it ideal for African Americans seeking to escape the slave trade. The Underground Railroad brought countless families to safety across the Detroit River. With them came the roots of another global influence, the Motown Sound.

The city entered the 20^th century with less than 300,000 people, but its citizens had a plan for the future. Before the automotive revolution, Detroit had built a name for itself with production of bicycles and horse drawn carriages. Iron and copper were plentiful in the area, as were visionaries like Henry Ford and the Dodge brothers, founders of two of the most successful car manufacturers in the world.

Henry Ford also defined the assembly line method in Detroit, setting the stage for the mass production of American motorcars. This in turn led to the first affordable cars for the American middle class. Iron mines and the mass production of automobiles and steel earned the city the nickname of Motor City, and in time Detroit became known as the city that put the world on wheels. When the automotive industry boomed, so did Detroit. It was the first city to pave roads and to install traffic lights. It also gave the world the first appearance of the United Auto Workers. The rigors of such rapid growth became cumbersome, and automotive production demands became so great that Detroit had to turn to Europe for assistance.

The Great Depression also took its toll, and auto production dropped significantly, leaving many workers hungry. Times were tough and the economy suffered until WWII, when demands for steel put Detroit back on the map. Already set up for mass production of steel products, Detroit became an important influence on the American war effort. The high demand for work, the decidedly one-sided wealth of the city, and racial segregation unfortunately increased the racial tension, and violence was not uncommon. Tension came to a head in 1943 when rioting took 34 lives.

After the war, people sought to lift their spirits and get on with their lives. Consequently, Detroit nightlife rebounded with a vengeance. Racial tension, however, continued and big businesses, especially in the automotive industry, began moving from the city to the suburbs. In the 1950s the upper class white population began to follow and the population dropped from two million citizens to just over one million.

The civil rights movement of the 1960s brought about more change for the city, including the most violent riot the US had seen in more than 50 years. The riot of July 1967 took more than 40 lives and well over 1000 buildings. The 60s also spawned the popular recording label Motown. The hub of the African American music sound brought the world such influential artists as the temptations, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross and the always popular Jackson 5, making independent music financially viable. Interestingly enough, founder Berry Gordon once worked on the Ford assembly line.

Still reeling from the cultural conflicts of the 1960s, Detroit was ill prepared for the 1970s when the automotive industry dropped once again. Detroit struggled with its violent and conflicted history, war and recession until the early 1990s when the automotive industry again came to its rescue.

Unfortunately, Detroit doesn’t always bring a vital image to mind, even to the American public. It is often seen as a symbol of urban decline. Images of rampant crime and violence have been a common theme throughout its history, despite the fact that many US cities post higher crime statistics. Tourism has also fallen so much that in 1998 the city closed its visitor information center. Despite all this, financial resurgence has brought new life to the floundering city, the automotive industry is strong, and Detroit remains one of the largest cities in the US.

In addition, Detroit is one of the busiest inland ports and the busiest on the Great Lakes. The Detroit River brings more than 40 countries to one of the most diverse harbours in the USA, looking for more than cars and car parts. The city has become a leading

Lake Michigan

producer of many more common things, from office supplies to pharmaceuticals, salt and more than half the garden seed the USA consumes annually.

Climate:

Detroit’s waterfront location, so close to Lake Huron, lends itself to the city’s climate as much as its green space. On average, summer temperatures rest in the low to mid 90s Fahrenheit (30s Celsius). The Great Lakes and the Detroit River bring with them high humidity.

Winters can be cold, and the high humidity creates a colder feeling than weather reports imply. Temperatures often drop to between mid and high 20s Fahrenheit (between 0 and –5º Celsius).

Transportation:

Detroit is growing in popularity with both business travellers and tourists. The Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport sees more than 34 million passengers every year, with daily non-stop flights to many destinations around the world including Canada, the United Kingdom, destinations throughout Europe and Asia. Greyhound Lines and Amtrak also offer daily trips throughout North America, including regular stops at Chicago, IL, St Paul, MN and Pittsburgh, PA

Once there, a great place to start discovering Detroit is Hart Plaza on Woodward Avenue. Woodward Avenue is Detroit's main strip, and runs north through the city. It has been said that the best way to see Detroit is by car. Keep in mind that in this city everyone drives, and the roads can become very crowded. In addition, many of the streets in downtown Detroit are one-way, making map reading skills an advantage. Some visitors choose to avoid the hassles of traffic jams and take the People Mover, an elevated monorail running seven days a week through downtown Detroit. The People Mover covers 3 miles in 15 minutes.

The Ambassador Bridge and the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel both connect Detroit with Windsor, Ontario on the opposite bank of the river. The tunnel is the fastest connection between the cities, and is 75 feet (22.8 meters) beneath the river and nearly one mile (1,600 meters) long.

Buses run from the metropolitan airport to most major hotels in the downtown area, as well as crossing the river into the centre of Windsor.

Attractions:

There is a lot to do in Detroit, and despite its reputation and tumultuous history, of the more popular draws are the many scenic parks. Lush and green, the parks gained prominence in the mid-19th century and because of them the city was often compared to Paris. The park system is well planned out and includes extensive recreational facilities. The 1,000-acre Belle Isle Park, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the designer of the famous Central Park in New York City, features both The Anna Whitcomb Conservatory and the former Belle Isle Zoo. Tennis and the driving range are also popular during the summer months.

	Music of the Soul

Summer is also the time for festivals. The International Freedom Festival celebrates the birthday of both the USA and Canada, and is a great opportunity to experience the unique culture of Detroit. There are also many riverfront festivals, combining a love of good music with a love of being outdoors.

Detroit is also home to many world-class museums, theatres, and galleries, including the Detroit Institute of Art, one of the nations biggest art galleries. The Ann Arbour Hands On Museum, for example, provides an interactive science and discovery experience. And of course, there is the Automotive Hall of Fame, where visitors not only learn the history of the automobile, but can also design their own car.

The Motor City is also known for stunning architecture. From the Guardian Building to the Gabriel Richard Building, Detroit has more skyscrapers than any city outside New York, most of which date from the early 1920s. More than 150 skyscrapers grace the Detroit skyline. The tallest building in Detroit, the Marriott Renaissance Center, is 725 Feet (221 Metres) and 73 stories tall and is the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere and one of the tallest hotels in the world.

Detroit is the proud home to an entertaining and influential performing arts scene. Some of the largest music festivals in the United States can be found here, with entertainment for all tastes, from country and jazz to the famous Motown. With all this gong on, it is not surprising that there is a thriving nightlife in Detroit. Rivertown, Detroit’s former warehouse district, is sure to be a hit as it is now home to some of the best clubs in town. And there is always the Northwest Side, the cultural heart of the city, where visitors can find some of the best dining in town.