Detroit, Michigan has long been known as one of the Mid-west’s chief industrial centers. It was founded as a fort on the Detroit River in 1701 by Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac, a Frenchman who later became governor of Louisiana. Because of misbehavior, Cadillac was removed as Detroit’s leader within a few years; however, the new settlement continued to prosper. In 1796, with the signing of the Jay Treaty, Detroit became part of the United States.
It location on the river made it ideal for manufacturing and by the middle 1800s, Detroit was making many products, especially kitchen ranges. The burgeoning stove- making industrial was eclipsed by the auto industry in the early 1900s. Henry Ford built his first motorcar here in 1896 and in 1904 he began the Ford factory, which soon became renowned for its assembly line production of cars. Other famous makers, including Dodge, Olds, and Chevrolet soon also established plants in the city and Detroit rapidly became the world-renowned center of the United States automotive industry.
By the 1940s, Detroit was also becoming known for its music, especially jazz. Berry Gordy Jr., who had worked in the auto industry, founded Motown records in 1959 and the label quickly shot to fame, with the promotion of musical talents like Diana Ross, the Temptations, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, and many others. The name Motown comes from Detroit’s nickname “motor town.”
Today, downtown Detroit reaches to the sky with modern skyscrapers, while in the older neighborhoods you can still admire the city’s nineteenth century architecture. If you are interested in exploring middle-America you will enjoy Detroit.
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