Member of Metro Detroit Visitors and Convention Bureau (DMCVB) / Visit Detroit. We tell the many Detroit stories that beg to be told.
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City Tour Detroit offers many public walking tours including our signature "See The D" tour and occasional public bus tours. We're also group tour experts providing step-on guide service for local corporate requests and visiting tour groups. Member of Metro Detroit Visitors and Convention Bureau (MDVCB) / Visit Detroit.
The architectural event you’ve been waiting for is coming up soon. Don’t miss it!
The clock is ticking...
Only 9 days left to get your tickets for "Guardians of Art Deco" at the , part of More information and tickets at daads.org and Eventbrite
For a Monday Memories post on Labor Day we thought it only fitting to remember one of Detroit's most iconic labor organizers and advocates - Myra Wolfgang.
She was beloved by laborites for her tenacity, and debating, organizing, and negotiating skills on behalf of all workers, but especially women and people of color. Wolfgang was also a favorite of reporters because she "gave good quote" and was willing to unflinchingly face down both business leaders and government officials.
A Detroit resident from the age of two, she found her calling the day she walked into the offices of Hotel & Restaurant Employees and Bartenders International Union Local 705 looking for work. The phones were ringing and ringing- so she answered them! And kept answering them until by the end of the day, she had a job as the office manager!
She gained attention for her role in organizing the Woolworth employees sit-down strikes, which were followed by similar actions at the Book Cadillac and Statler Hotels. This earned her an appointment by sympathetic Governor Frank Murphy to a seat on the Michigan Unemployment Security Commission.
Wolfgang soon returned to full-time union work, becoming her union's International Vice-President. It was her work, starting in 1964, that organized the Pl***oy Bunnies and brought them into the union. Myra was instrumental in putting together the first Coalition of Labor Union Women conference in 1971.
She also helped get Michigan's first minimum wage law passed in 1966.
On August 27, 1818 the 132 foot Walk-In-The-Water became the first steam-powered vessel to visit Detroit. Over the next several years it made numerous round-trips to Detroit from its home port of Buffalo stopping en route at various places along the Ohio shore. In addition to ample storage space for cargo, it could accommodate over 100 passengers in cabins or berths. It traveled as far as Green Bay carrying goods and supplies for the American Fur Company. This color lithograph from the 1830s takes some liberties with the color and shape of the Walk-In-The-Water, but identified architectural elements of Detroit in the background are accurately placed and depicted They include These include Truax House, Merchant's Wharf, Campau house, Roby Wharf, Fort Shelby, Jas. A. Abbott's Warehouse, Wings Wharf, St Ann's Church, Gov. Hull's residence, French Chapel.
This 1871 lithograph by the Calvert Co. of Detroit was based on an 1820 sketch made by civil engineer George H. Whistler, whose son James became a famous artist, perhaps best known for his painting often mistitled "Whistler's Mother."
Our store will be closed Wednesday August 28. We’ll reopen at 12:30 pm on Thursday August 29.
For over a hundred years, a highlight of late summer for so many people was a visit to the Michigan State Fair in Detroit. These views of its early days at the former Fulton farm near 8 Mile are mostly from 1910 or thereabouts. The view of the Coliseum is newer, since it wasn't built until the 1920s. And the girls eating lunch on the grass is definitely older. It's the only photo in this group that the photographer is identified, and it's Jex Bardwell- who died in late 1902.
Once again, thanks to the Detroit Public Library for allowing us to share these photos.
Frederick James Stevenson was a British adventurer who spent most of the 1860s travelling in North and South America. The fabled British Museum has a drum he collected while in Peru. Detroit did better than that. Stevenson was also an accomplished amateur photographer. The Detroit Public Library's Burton Historical Collection holds this collection of images he made while camping on Belle Isle in 1866 as a guest of the island's owners Alexandrine Selden Campau Willis and her husband Richard Storrs Willis. It's hard not to notice that a number of these photos were taken from the water!
Sunday marked 120 years since the doors first opened to the Belle Isle Aquarium. The aquarium at Belle Isle is the oldest in America and houses a collection which includes every species of fresh water fish found in Michigan's lakes and streams and species from other inland waters throughout the country. In addition there are tropical fish, alligators, turtles, sea lions, otter and South American beaver. An educational exhibit shows the hatching of fish eggs of different species. It is considered one of the finest aquariums in the United States exhibiting fresh water fish.
A popular attraction (and postcard subject) in Palmer Park 100+ years ago was a giant spruce log shipped in from Washington state. Its hollowed out interior was spacious enough for entertaining. One end contained benches and a writing desk. The other end held an animal cage. It is not known if any animals were ever entertained there.
photos courtesy of: digitalcollections.detroitpubliclibrary.org
What a perfect evening for a concert in the park! These postcards from the Detroit Public Library's digital collection harken back to the day when the city sponsored free afternoon and evening concerts on Belle Isle all summer long!
Here's how one of the postcards (postmarked 7/19/1913 described the scene:
"Canoes, band stand and bridge over canal, Belle Isle. Canoeing is a leading sport at Belle Isle, Detroit's largest playground. Its 702 acres are threaded by many miles of canals and lakes, affording an ideal spot in which the light little craft cruise about by thousands. Band concerts are given at the city's expense during the summer afternoons and evenings and on such occasions the canoeists are present in great numbers."
William E. Scripps, the son of Detroit News founder James E. Scripps was an early fan of aviation. In 1912 he purchased a 35 horsepower Curtiss "flying boat" to became the first aircraft owner and pilot in Michigan. These Detroit News photos from the Virtual Motor City Collection at Wayne State University show him at the controls of this early modification of the original Wright brothers design, accompanied by Walter Brookins or John Dodge as passenger. Although we have found no photos of the stunt, it is widely reported that in 1913 Scripps flew this plane under the old Belle Isle Bridge!
Not one of our tours, but you may nonetheless find this interesting and informative. Today only. Free.
The Lake Guardian, at 180 feet long, is the U.S. EPA's largest research vessel.
Whether it’s your next big idea or back-to-school, we’ve got you covered with our jumbo pencil, Joe Louis fist pens, and journals featuring records from various Berry Gordy labels.
The City Tour Detroit souvenir and gift store is located inside the beautiful Guardian Building.
Hours:
Sunday 11-4
Monday 10-5
Tuesday - closed
Wednesday 10-5
Thursday 10-6
Friday 10-5
Saturday 10-5
Detroit's first "milkmaid." Any of you remember home delivery of milk, bread, orange juice? Anyone still have a milk chute? For that matter, does anyone still get home delivery? There is at least one local dairy (Calder's) that offers home delivery.
Exciting news at the Guardian Building. 1) We have a new neighbor, Promenade Gallery. The gallery is open Tuesday thru Saturday. 2) James Oliver Coffee is now open on Saturdays from 9 am-3 pm! 3) An exhibit of art by local high school students is displayed throughout the Promenade for a limited time. Come check out all the exciting new developments.
In the early days of the automobile, before the invention of the automated signal, "stop & go traffic" was accomplished by policemen standing in the middle of the street holding a rotating post. But as more and more faster and heavier cars filled the streets, someone got the bright idea to build traffic towers for the policemen to stand in. Safer and easier to see; still in the middle of the street! Most of the tower scenes are Michigan Avenue near Griswold.
Photos courtesy of the Burton Historical Collection of the Detroit Public Library.
What better place for the Guardians of Art Deco: Celebrating Iconic Skyscrapers exhibit than the Guardian Building, Detroit’s own Art Deco masterpiece.
Detroit Month of Design reception on Thursday, September 12th, where you can meet the creators themselves.
Hazen Pingree, a successful businessman without political experience, four times elected mayor of Detroit, twice elected governor of Michigan. (When he was first elected Governor in 1896, he announced he planned to complete the last year of his mayoral term while also serving as governor. The State Supreme Court unanimously said, "NO!", so in March of 1897 he resigned as Mayor of Detroit.)
He championed progressive policies to fight corruption and monopolies, improve working conditions, and lower the cost of public services. When the Depression of 1893-1894 left many of Detroit's residents unable to afford to buy food, Pingree sought and obtained permission to use hundreds of acres of vacant land in the city as community gardens. Private donations were raised for seeds and tools. Training for these early urban gardeners came from none other than Captain Cornelius Gardener at Fort Wayne. Famine was avoided and tons of food were put up for the next winter. These gardens were a great success and put both Pingree and Detroit in the national spotlight.
Despite this and being placed at #4 on a 1999 scholars' list of "All-time Greatest American Mayors", this statue in West Grand Circus Park is the only public acknowledgement of his service.
Pingree was also one of the pioneers of the self-promotional photo op! Here he is (in his three-piece suit) on August 10, 1891- throwing the first (ceremonial) shovelful of dirt on the wagon to begin construction of Grand Boulevard! This photo shown courtesy of the Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Public Library
Along this lonely stretch of pavement in southeast Michigan sits this lonely building. Anyone know where this building is and what it was used for? (Hint: It was not built for military or law enforcement purposes.) Both may have recently undergone renovation and may now appear more like they did in their heyday than in this picture from 2005.
p.s. photo credits have been omitted for the time being as they would kind of give both answers away.
🎈Happy Birthday Detroit! 🎂
A “See The D” walking tour sounds like a great way to celebrate. Use promo code * BookDirect * & get 10% off tonight’s 6 pm tour led by Davy.
Tix @ citytourdetroit.com
The Detroit River is one of the busiest shipping channels in the world, with thousands of freighters coming and going every year. And by an amazing coincidence, that also makes the Detroit River one of the best places for ship-watching and picture-taking! Our sometime social media poster Jim takes a lot of those pictures. He says having Detroit's iconic skyline in the background enhances the shot, and "acts kinda like a built-in GPS."
Happy Sunday! Melissa is here and ready to lead our morning “See The D” walking tour. This tour is offered Wednesday-Sunday.
We have a few spots open for today’s 1:30 & 2:30 pm Guardian Building tours. “Insider Guardian Building Tours” are offered Thursdays at 6 pm and Saturday/Sunday afternoons.
Next Saturday, Michael leads a new tour called “Detroit Comes Out.”
Details on all tours can be found at www.citytourdetroit.com
Our souvenir and gift shop, located in the beautiful Guardian Building, is open today from 11 am - 4 pm.
It's the weekend! Are you ready? We have a few tours going on this weekend for those who haven't made plans yet, and we're including next week's listings for those of you who like to plan ahead.
Saturday & Sunday
10 AM - See The D walking tour
12:30, 1:30, 2:30 PM - Guardian Building tour
Sunday
2 PM - Becoming the Motor City: A Timeline of Detroit's Auto History Tour (offered monthly thru September)
Week ahead
Wednesday - Sunday
10 AM - See The D Walking Tour
Wednesday
6 PM - See The D Walking Tour
Thursday
6 PM - Guardian Building tour
Saturday
11 AM - Detroit Comes Out: Celebrating Detroit's Gay History
Saturday & Sunday
10 AM - See The D walking tour
12:30, 1:30, 2:30 PM - Guardian Building tour
Details and tix @ citytourdetroit.com
Want to learn more about Detroit's auto history? "Becoming the Motor City" runs this Sunday afternoon. Tour is led by author Paul Vachon. Details at www.citytourdetroit.com
This tour is offered in partnership with MotorCities National Heritage Area.
Join us for a captivating tour of Detroit with author and historian Paul Vachon and discover the city’s rich automotive history.
Ah, summertime! Sultry, sweltering,, but bringing to mind the cool idea of a picnic with family and friends. This collection of old photos from the Detroit Public Library digital collections shows people doing just that! Four of the groups are gathered on Belle Isle, one took their launch up the River Rouge to find a pleasant spot on the bank for lunch, while "Ben & me" paused for lunch on Grosse Ile after a successful morning mushrooming! What are YOUR picnicking plans this summer?
We had to close the gift store early today. Sorry for any inconvenience. We’re open this weekend so please stop in then. @
EVACUATION DAY
At 12:00 noon on July 11,1796 the British occupation of American soil finally ended as the American flag was raised over Fort Lernoult for the first time.
General Wayne was officially in command of American troops, but he was ill, and sent Colonel Hamtramck to be in charge at Detroit until his recovery. Hamtramck was delayed for some reason (he would not arrive until July 13) so Captain Moses Porter led the group who actually arrived to do the honors that day. These historic photos from the Burton Historical Collection of the Detroit Public Library are of the 100th Anniversary Evacuation Day festivities in 1896. This is what is written on the plaque placed on the unfinished Federal Building on Fort Street: Inscription reads: "1796-1896, this tablet designates the site of an English fort erected in 1778 by Major R.B. Lernoult as a defense against the Americans. It was subsequently called Fort Shelby, in honor of Gov. Isaac Shelby, of Kentucky, and was demolished in 1826. The evacuation of this fort by the British at 12 o'clock noon, July 11th, 1796, was the closing act of the War of Independence. On that day, the American flag was for the first time raised over this soil, all of what was then known as the Western Territory becoming at that time part of the Federal Union."
Which noted Detroit raconteur once celebrated their birthday by trying to pat the paw of the lion in the Scott Fountain? Was it:
A. Gene Hackman
B. City Tour Detroit founder Karin Risko
C. Soupy Sales
Happy 4th of July! Enjoy the day & these vintage postcard images of the floral flag that once graced the lawn of Waterworks/ Gladwin Park on East Jefferson. Images courtesy of the Detroit Public Library online archives.
Happy 4th of July! Hope you have great plans for today.
The City Tour Detroit souvenir & gift shop located inside the Guardian Building is open from 10 am - 3 pm. See The D walking tours and Guardian Building tours offered today and throughout the weekend. Details @ citytourdetroit.com
500 Griswold Street
Detroit, MI
48226
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Jack White is on.
Have we got Detroit & Michigan-themed ornaments? Yes we do! Most made in Michigan or USA. Store open 10-4 daily. Until 6 on Wednesdays. Closed Tuesdays. Located in the beautiful Guardian Building.
It’s getting rather fancy in our souvenir and gift store located inside the beautiful Guardian Building thanks to our amazing tour guide Melissa who just happens to be a professional decorator. A few more hours tomorrow, and our cute store will be beautiful. Thanks @adayinthelife_mrw
More bridge construction photos from this morning. Photos taken from Detroit side.
Gordie Howe International Bridge progress
So this is why the glass kites are always crystal clear.
More race views. Great free viewing areas
It’s practice time
Thought it was going to be a quiet morning. We have a See The D walking tour going out. German cruise ship Hanseatic Inspiration is in town.
moving day
Guardian Building office and retail store check in
Mortifying Moment at the Henry Ford
Tonight at 7pm, we will be hosting an event where we discuss significant women in Detroit herstory (Fannie Richards, Merrie Hoover Abbott, Grace Lee Boggs, Myra Wolfgang, Agatha Biddle and Ruth Ellis) and interview three women who are making a difference in Detroit today.
For the month of March, we are telling the stories of some of Detroit's iconic women. In our HERstory series, we will be highlighting these Motor City trailblazers and interviewing women who are making Detroit history today
Underground Railroad read thru
Gordie Howe Bridge Construction from Delray Park with colleague and friend Pat of Show Me Detroit Tours.
#MondayMemories #MCSWinterFest #FordWinterFest In January of 2019 Ford held a ten day "WinterFest" at the old Michigan Central Station in Corktown, celebrating its long history and promoting the company's plans for renovating the newly-acquired building and its surrounding 30 acre campus. For everyone except those whose only interest was S'mores and swag, a highlight of the event was a computer-generated light show projected onto the side of the 14 story building. This video made by City Tour Detroit founder Karin Risko captures this part of the magic of WinterFest 2019!
We tell the many Detroit stories that beg to be told. City Tour Detroit offers many public walking tours including See The D, Notorious 313, Incredible Journey to Midnight, Detroit Dine Around. City Tour Detroit also provides step-on guide service for group tours visiting the city. Member of Metro Detroit Visitors and Convention Bureau (MDVCB) / Visit Detroit and Global Ties.
Notorious 313 Sinister History Tours
Griswold
Rickshaw Detroit Pedicab Service
Brush Street
Notorious 313 Sinister History Tours
Griswold
