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

Detroit River Heritage

River History

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, October 18, 2022

1. Detroit River Heritage Marker

Inscription. For centuries, Native People used the Detroit River for travel, trade, and food. From 1701 to the mid-19th century, French, British, and American settlers used the River the same way. After 1870, companies that processed steel, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and manufactured ships and stoves located on the riverfront, and dumped industrial waste into it. The growing city of Detroit sent sewage into it. By 1930, pollution was a major problem. Clean-up efforts since the 1970s have restored the River. Today, the Detroit River is a recreational resource, and more greenways and habitat are being developed along its banks.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Natural Features • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1701.

Location. 42° 19.574′ N, 83° 2.671′ W. Marker is in Detroit, Michigan, in Wayne County. It is in Downtown Detroit. It can be reached from Steve Yzerman Drive. This marker is on the Detroit RiverWalk, southwest of Hart Plaza. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Detroit MI 48226, 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: The Gateway to Freedom (within shouting distance of this marker); Ford Motor Company (within shouting distance of this marker); The Cadillac Convoy / Le Convoi de Cadillac

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

(about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Veterans' Memorial Building (about 400 feet away); The Landing of Cadillac / Le débarquement de Cadillac (about 400 feet away); Monument to Joe Louis, 1986 (approx. 0.2 miles away); Sainte Anne's Catholic Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Fort Pontchartrain (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Detroit.

Photographed by Joel Seewald, July 10, 2010

2. Detroit River Heritage Marker

Detroit River Heritage Marker, Detroit River, and Detroit Princess image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Joel Seewald, July 10, 2010

3. Detroit River Heritage Marker, Detroit River, and Detroit Princess

Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 22, 2010, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 1,613 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 27, 2022, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. 2, 3. submitted on July 22, 2010, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.