Grosse Ile in Wayne County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The Livingstone Channel
A Deeper Detroit River at Grosse Ile
Photographed By Joel Seewald, July 9, 2020
1. The Livingstone Channel: A Deeper Detroit River at Grosse Ile Marker
Great Lakes shipping and waterways had to be ready
for industry in the early 20th Century. Like roadways on land, the development of harbors and channels were critical to the growth of the economy. By 1906, the Detroit River was the busiest commercial waterway in the world. Industries like the exploding automotive industry in Detroit were demanding heavy ores and metals but the river near Grosse Ile was too shallow for the large steel-hulled freighters to carry them. Work began in 1908 to cut 22 feet deeper into the bedrock there, creating the Livingstone Channel and unleashing Great Lakes industry.
You Auto Know
William Livingstone is honored by the Livingstone Memorial Lighthouse on the east end of Belle Isle.
Erected by MotorCities National Heritage Area, National Park Service.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the MotorCities National Heritage Area series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1906.
Location. 42° 7.56′ N, 83° 8.48′ W. Marker is in Grosse Ile, Michigan, in Wayne County. Marker is at the intersection of East River Road and Grosse Ile Parkway, on the right when traveling south on East River
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Across the Water (here, next to this marker); Michigan Central Railroad (within shouting distance of this marker); The End of the Line (within shouting distance of this marker); Rails Through Grosse Ile (within shouting distance of this marker); Recording Movements (within shouting distance of this marker); St. James Episcopal Chapel (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Military Outpost (approx. 0.4 miles away); Grosse Ile Treaty Tree (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Grosse Ile.
Also see . . . Meet The Man Who Shaped The Detroit River. Article about William Livingstone on Daily Detroit. (Submitted on July 14, 2020, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)
Photo courtesy of the Grosse Ile Historical Society.
2. The Livingstone Channel: A Deeper Detroit River at Grosse Ile marker — upper left image
Workers at the Livingstone Channel site, aobut 1910, with tools to break up the river bedrock. In the background can be seen the 22-foot depth that has been cut into the floor of the Detroit River.
Photo courtesy of the Grosse Ile Historical Society.
3. The Livingstone Channel: A Deeper Detroit River at Grosse Ile marker — middle far left image
Soil and rock were unloaded from barges to create a dam around the work site, about 1910.
Photo courtesy of the Grosse Ile Historical Society.
4. The Livingstone Channel: A Deeper Detroit River at Grosse Ile Marker — middle near left image
The ore freigher Benson Ford passing through the Livingstone Channel in the Detroit River, about 1930.
Photo courtesy of the Grosse Ile Historical Society.
5. The Livingstone Channel: A Deeper Detroit River at Grosse Ile Marker - lower middle image
Boatloads of people visited the channel work, about 1910.
Image courtesy of the Bentley Library, University of Michigan.
6. The Livingstone Channel: A Deeper Detroit River at Grosse Ile Marker — middle near right image
A cartoon honoring William Livingstone's wisdom and leadership in the channel project, about 1920. His entire career was devoted to the development of Great Lakes shipping and infrastructure, especially around Detroit.
7. The Livingstone Channel: A Deeper Detroit River at Grosse Ile Marker — lower right image
William Livingstone's home overlooking the Detroit River, now part of Grosse Ile's East River Road Historic District.
8. The Livingstone Channel: A Deeper Detroit River at Grosse Ile Marker — middle far right image
One of the sounding buoys placed at either end of the Livingstone Channel, now on the grounds of the Grosse Ile Historical Museum.
Photographed By Joel Seewald, July 9, 2020
9. The Livingstone Channel: A Deeper Detroit River at Grosse Ile Marker
Marker seen from East River Drive. This marker is the one on the right.
Photographed By Joel Seewald, July 9, 2020
10. Sounding buoy
The sounding buoy is on the west end of the Grosse Ile Historical Society grounds, behind the Customs House building.
Photographed By Detroit Publishing Co.
11. Livingstone Channel, from lower level
Credits. This page was last revised on April 6, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 14, 2020, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 956 times since then and 195 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on July 14, 2020, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. 8. submitted on July 14, 2020. 9, 10, 11. submitted on July 14, 2020, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.
