Brewster Homes in Detroit in Wayne County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Brewster Homes

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, May 5, 2021

1. Brewster Homes Marker

Inscription. Between 1910 and 1940 Detroit’s African American population increased dramatically. Faced with restrictions on where they could live, many African Americans were forced into substandard housing. In 1935 First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt broke ground for the Brewster Homes, the nation’s first federally funded public housing development for African Americans. The homes opened in 1938 with 701 units. When completed in 1941 there were 941 units bounded by Beaubien, Hastings, Mack, and Wilkins Streets. Residents were required to be employed and there were limits on what they could earn. Former residents described Brewster as “a community filled with families that displayed love, respect and concern for everyone” in a “beautiful, clean and secure neighborhood.” The original Brewster Homes were demolished in 1991 and replaced by 250 townhouses.

Erected 1995 by Michigan Historical Center, Michigan Department of State. (Marker Number S650.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: African Americans. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1938.

Location. 42° 20.965′ N, 83° 3.006′ W. Marker is in Detroit, Michigan, in Wayne County. It is in Brewster Homes. It is at the intersection of Eliot Street and St. Antoine, on the right when traveling east on Eliot Street. Inside the Brewster Home project of townhouses near the sidewalk. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 600 Eliot St, Detroit MI 48201, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Michigan.

It is also in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Greater Shiloh Baptist Church (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Alpha House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Friendship Baptist Church (approx. ¼ mile away); Sacred Heart Parish (approx. ¼ mile away); Recreation Park (approx. ¼ mile away); Detroit Urban League

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, May 5, 2021

2. Brewster Homes Marker

(approx. 0.3 miles away); American Academy of Pediatrics (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Detroit Medical College (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Detroit.

Also see . . . Brewster-Douglass Projects - Old photos. (Submitted on May 6, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan.)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 6, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 1,282 times since then and 83 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 6, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.