Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

Ever wonder what life was like for some of Oakland County's earliest settlers? You're driving near Waterford Village, one of the area's first communities. Settlers began arriving here around 1819, drawn by the area's…

Pull over for a minute and imagine the intense labor negotiations that were plotted right here. This modest house in Oakland Township was the home of Walter and May Reuther, leaders of the United Auto Workers. Walter…

Prepare to be transported to a different world, right here in Detroit! The Redford Theatre, opened in 1928, was designed to be more than just a movie house. It was an experience. John Kunsky envisioned it as Detroit's…

Imagine lavish parties and influential figures gracing the grounds of this very spot! This is the William E. Scripps Estate, once the private residence known as Moulton Manor. William E. Scripps, son of newspaper…

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…

Imagine standing here over 11,000 years ago! This unassuming spot near Sterling Heights, known as the Holcombe Site, holds secrets from Michigan's earliest inhabitants. Around 9000 BC, Paleo-Indians camped here, drawn…

Imagine life in rural Michigan in the 1840s. That's exactly what Greenmead Farms offers: a window into the past. Originally farmland, the property's centerpiece is the Simmons House, built in 1841 in the Greek Revival…

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…

Warren, Michigan, sits on slightly higher ground than Detroit, a subtle elevation that hints at its separate identity. Established as a township in 1837 and named for Revolutionary War hero General Joseph Warren, its…

Right here, at the Sojourner Truth Project, a battle over housing and race exploded in 1942, shaping Detroit's future. World War II created a housing shortage, and the Detroit Housing Commission planned 200 units here…

Ever wonder what life was like for early Michigan farmers? This is where the Jacob and Rebecca Fuerst Farmstead once stood, offering a window into that past. Jacob and Rebecca Fuerst established their farm here in Novi.…

Step back in time as you stroll through the charming Northville Historic District, filled with well-preserved 19th-century buildings and local shops. This area, right here in the heart of Northville, is a window into…

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…

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…

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…

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

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,…

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.

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 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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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 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…

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…

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.

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…

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.…

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…

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,…

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…

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…

Prepare to be transported to an era of automotive innovation and opulent living: you're approaching Fair Lane, the estate of Henry and Clara Ford. Construction on Fair Lane began in 1914 and wasn't fully completed until…

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,…

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…

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…

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…

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…

Pull over here for a second – this unassuming building has some serious history! It's the Commandant's Quarters, the oldest building in Dearborn still standing on its original site. Built in 1834, this was the residence…

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…

The bus Rosa Parks sat on. The chair Lincoln was shot in. JFK's limo. All here.

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…

The Henry Ford Museum preserves American innovation history, while the adjacent Rouge Plant was once the world's largest integrated factory.

At 20900 Oakwood Boulevard in Dearborn sprawls The Henry Ford, the indoor-outdoor history complex Henry Ford built to preserve the everyday American past. Its open-air half, Greenfield Village, is a town of real…

Get ready to step back in time and witness the spirit of American innovation! This is the Henry Ford, a museum complex dedicated to showcasing the ingenuity that shaped the nation. Henry Ford, the automotive pioneer,…

Henry Ford relocated and preserved over 80 historic buildings including Edison's Menlo Park lab and the Wright Brothers' cycle shop.

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…

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…

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…

When the Fox Theatre opened in 1928, it was the largest movie theater in the world, with 5,045 seats. The interior is a fever dream of design styles. Eve Leo Fox, wife of movie mogul William Fox, oversaw the decoration,…

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.…

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…

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 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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

Step back in time and wander through the final resting places of Detroit's movers and shakers. This is the Eastside Historic Cemetery District, a collection of three distinct cemeteries: Mount Elliott, Elmwood, and…

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…

Ever wonder what it's like to live in a work of art? Here's your chance to see one! This is the area where the Carlton D. Wall House, nicknamed Snowflake, stands, a unique Usonian home designed by the legendary Frank…