You don’t have to be a history buff or photography enthusiast to appreciate photos of long-gone eras. After all, there’s something decidedly fascinating about gazing at images of familiar spaces during different time periods. When you’re ready to embark on a virtual journey back in time, take a look at these 13 amazing photos of Detroit from the early 1900s.
1. Our beloved Tigers have long played a role in the culture of Detroit, and it’s truly fascinating to enjoy a glimpse of the team’s previous eras. This photo from 1900 shows players from the team’s earliest days as part of the American League—we wonder how they would fare in a match against today’s Tigers.
2. While the exact date on this photo is unknown, it’s believed to have been captured near the turn of the century. It depicts a casino in Palmer Park and two unidentified Detroiters lingering just outside. While the park remains a fixture in the Motor City today, the casino shown here burned to the ground in 1945.
3. Detroiters are certainly no strangers to intense winters, and this has been true for generations. This capture, estimated to have been taken between 1900 and 1910, depicts a streetcar and pedestrians braving the snowy conditions on Woodward Avenue.
4. Do you recognize this building? When it was photographed here in 1906, it was known as the First Presbyterian Church and offered a religious home for many devout Detroiters. The building, originally constructed in 1889, now houses Detroit’s Ecumenical Theological Seminary at 29230 Woodward.
5. This image from 1904 depicts Detroit’s Central High School, which came to be known as Wayne State University’s Old Main building. Students and passersby make their way along the sidewalk and into the impressive flag-topped structure. Did any of your family members attend Central High?
6. It’s no secret that transportation has long played a role in the history and infrastructure of Metro Detroit. This 1904 photo shows a train station in Ypsilanti, less than an hour outside of Detroit. We can’t help but imagine the excitement that accompanied the development of newer, faster transport technology throughout the region.
7. In keeping with the transportation theme, here’s a 1917 photo of an early Detroit car production building known as Kessler-Detroit Motor Car Company. This now-defunct company couldn’t compete with neighboring automotive innovators and never achieved the fame and success enjoyed by Ford and others.
8. Lifelong Detroiters might recognize this building, originally known as Pardridge & Blackwell before shifting ownership and becoming Crowley’s Department Store. Shown here in 1910, the store once bustled with excited shoppers, but ultimately closed its doors in the late 1970s. The building has since been demolished.
9. Many Detroiters know that Belle Isle was once home to the original Detroit Zoo, which opened its doors in 1895. This capture from 1910 shows a pair of zebu (a cattle breed often found in India) within the zoo. Other early inhabitants of the zoo included bears and reptiles.
10. This 1912 photo shows fascinated onlookers gathering just down the river in Wyandotte as a Navy ship makes its first launch. Originally known as Seeandbee, the vessel was later used as an aircraft carrier. We can almost hear the splash of the water while gazing at this image.
11. Detroiters are no strangers to gorgeous architecture. This beautiful structure, photographed in 1910, was once the largest house still standing along Jefferson Avenue and originally served as a private residence for wealthy Detroiter Franklin H. Walker. It was later repurposed as a Doctor’s Hospital before facing demolition.
12. Detroit News employees and local engineers prepare for a radio broadcast in 1920. In the earliest days of radio, this new technology impressed listeners and opened an entirely new world of possibility in the realm of communication. It’s no surprise that Detroit eventually became a hub for music recording.
13. Does this scene look familiar to you? Traffic and bustling streets are a fixture in downtown Detroit, and this photo from the early 20th century proves that some things never change. Taken at the intersection of Michigan and Griswold, the image provides a fascinating look at daily life in the city.
Which of these historical images is your favorite? Do you have any unique family photos from Detroit’s earlier eras? We’d love to hear from you and learn more about your personal connections to the city, so drop us a line in the Facebook comments or recommend a history-rich destination near the Motor City by filling out our nomination form here.
