Michigan.gov Home     DNR Home                                                                           MI Time Traveler | MI Historical Museum | MI Historical Center

Detroit—Before the Motor Car:

• Introduction

• French Carts

• Water Travel

• Streetcars

• Some Dates in Early Detroit Transportation History

• At the Michigan Historical Museum

Teacher's Guide [PDF]

An 1830 Map of Detroit

 

This is the Plat of the City of Detroit as laid out by the Govr. and Judges.

After Detroit burned in 1805, the city developed plans for rebuilding. The maps disappeared when the British occupied the city during the War of 1812. John Farmer, surveyor and mapmaker, drew this official map at the city's request in 1830. Can you imagine a French cart slogging down one of these streets? (Map: Archives of Michigan)