19th Century Detroit

From the years 1805 to 1847, Detroit was the capitol of Michigan. In June of 1805, a fire broke out that nearly devastated the entire city. All that remained standing was a warehouse by the river and brick chimneys that were atop wooden houses. The government in Detroit proposed an Act to the U.S. Congress to rebuild Detroit which would expand it by an extra 10,000 acres and in 1806 the Act was passed. During the War of 1812, the Governor surrendered the city of Detroit to the British only to have it returned to the United States in 1813 and in 1815, Detroit became an official city

Since Detroit was located close to the Canadian Boarder, it was often a stop on the Underground Railroad. Zachariah Chandler, who was was anti-slavery and a former Whig, founded the Republican Party in Jackson, Michigan. Ulysses S. Grant was also stationed in Jackson. Many people from Detroit volunteered to fight during the Civil War. Many residents from Detroit started with the Iron Brigade, which helped to defend our Nations Capital early on in the War. Abraham Lincoln has even been quoted saying “Thank God for Michigan!”

Detroit was often referred to as the “Paris of the West” during the Gilded Age as many mansions and buildings were built after the Civil War. Thomas Edison even electrified Washington Boulevard.
Being close to the Great Lakes also helped Detroit become a major place of transportation. The City continued to grow from the 1830’s to the late 1900’s with help due to the rise of shipping, shipbuilding, and manufacturing.