If you’re a history buff, there’s nothing more fascinating than checking out vintage photographs. After all, photos offer a unique opportunity to examine what life was like during eras past, whether we’re gazing at portraits or perusing landscape shots. Luckily for those of us who care about the history of the Motor City and its surrounding areas, there’s plenty of historical documentation regarding Metro Detroit. Here are some of the oldest available photographs of Detroit and its neighboring communities.
1. Many Metro Detroiters are passionate about college football, and there’s no better place to enjoy a game than in Ann Arbor.
This capture from 1924 shows sports fans waiting for a University of Michigan football game at Ferry Field, which was used prior to the opening of Michigan Stadium.
2. It’s so fascinating to see photographs from distinct moments in history, and this shot captures the realities of WWI.
Here we see crowds of onlookers checking out a scoreboard as the Tigers defeated Chicago to claim their second American League Championship. Can’t you just feel the excitement?
7. This photo, taken in the mid-1920s, shows schoolchildren posing obediently for a photo at Hamtramck Schoolhouse.
While it’s now known as the Old Main Building, it once served as Detroit’s Central High School. This image from 1904 shows students making their way to and from class at the Cass Avenue institution.
10. We couldn’t help but throw in one more college football photograph from 1923.
After all, no matter which team you might be partial to, there’s one thing we can all agree on: Ohio State has always been the worst, and they’ve always had equally strong opinions about us.
Do you recognize any spots in these photographs? Are you holding onto any family photographs that offer insight into Metro Detroit life through the years? Be sure to share your favorites with us in the comment section below. To recommend a historical story we should cover, fill out our nomination form here.
