Detroit is home to all sorts of famous and long-appreciated destinations, from the Detroit River to the Renaissance Center to historic locales like our storied Fort Wayne. One iconic locale here in the Motor City is simply overflowing with history – both exciting and sad – and its connection to the past has made it one of the most photographed spots in the state of Michigan.

Michigan Central Station is located at 2001 15th S in Detroit.
Google Maps
Whether you’re a Motor City native or a frequent visitor, you’re undoubtedly familiar with this structure.
Flickr/Jason Mrachina
After all, with its 13 stories and commanding presence, it’s difficult not to notice.
Situated within Detroit’s Corktown neighborhood, the building was opened in 1914 as transportation and infrastructure boomed in the area.
Flickr/dirtyblueshirt
In its heyday, the station was truly bustling.
At the height of its popularity, more than 200 trains departed from Michigan Central Station on a daily basis.
Flickr/Will McCulloch
The decline of train usage as cars grew in popularity ultimately devastated operations.

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While the station maintained service on a highly limited basis for decades to come, the final train departed in the late 1980s.
Flickr/Rick Harris
In the years to follow, multiple renovation plans failed to take off.
Luckily for those who want to see the structure maintained, Ford recently launched plans for wide-scale updates that should wrap up in 2022 - with an emphasis on maintaining original beauty.
Flickr/Will McCulloch
Today, Michigan Central Station remains one of the most photographed buildings in all of Michigan.
Flickr/Mike Bell
Despite its abandoned nature, it offers an eerie and beautiful reminder of days gone by.
While its history is full of ups and downs, the striking architecture and fascinating past of this Motor City gem make it worth gazing at and capturing via photo.
Flickr/Mumu Matryoshka
Have you checked it out for yourself?

Many Detroiters and Michiganders from out of town have snapped their own images of Michigan Central Station during previous visits to the area. If you’ve got a photo to share, drop it in the Facebook comments for us to check out. Or, to recommend another fascinating destination in Detroit, fill out our nomination form here.

Can’t get enough history? Check out these 11 amazing vintage photos from Detroit.

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Michigan Central Station, 15th Street, Detroit, MI, USA