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.
Detroit River Heritage. River History. 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.
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.
Location. 42° 19.574′ N, 83° 2.671′ W. Marker is in Detroit, Michigan, in Wayne County. It is in Downtown Detroit. Marker 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.
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 1,293 times since then and 22 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.
