Paris of the Midwest
While Detroit is widely known today as "Motor City," thanks to its links to the founding of the automotive industry in the US, there is a lesser-known nickname for Detroit.
Once called the "Paris of the West," Detroit has a surprisingly hidden history as one of the country's most historic cultural hubs, the likes of which would make even Paris proud.
Ready to find out more about Detroit's deep connection to France? Buckle up; there is more to Detroit than music and automobiles.
Detroit's French Legacy
Detroit has a deep connection to France. In 1701, the French explorer Antoine Laumet dit de Lamothe Cadillac founded the city as a fur-trading fort. In his letters to his superior, Louis Phelypeaux, in 1705, Antoine famously predicted that the fort would become an international hub.
Interestingly, the city's name, "Detroit," comes from the French phrase "le Detroit du Lac Erie," which translates into "the strait of Lake Erie." The name refers to the narrow waterways connecting two of America's great lakes, Huron and Erie.
Not only is the city's name French, but many streets, including Lafayette, Chene, and Beaubien, have French names, and remain inside the city limits to this day.
Planned & Designed Like Paris
In the early 1800s, Parisian urban design highly influenced Detroit city planner Augustus Woodward.
The city planner laid out his grand plan for the city with healthy, tree-lined boulevards radiating from a central hub, similar to Paris' iconic boulevards.
This unique design was created to make transportation more accessible and evoke a grandeur and order design flow.
Another way that the city looks like Paris is in the architectural design of its buildings. One of the architects responsible for this was Louis Kamper. Kamper was a Bavaria-born, German-trained architect who came to Detroit in 1882 at 26.
Kamper was not only responsible for some of Detroit's most gorgeous office buildings, fabulous homes, bridges, hotels, police stations, and even the bathhouse on Belle Isle.
His first design was the 21,000-square-foot house for Frank Hecker, the owner of the Peninsular Car Company in Detroit. Kamper swapped out the stone look so prominent in his previous designs and built a French Château to showcase Detroit's French roots.
Additional French Architectural Influences
Detroit began to boom in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, primarily energized by the auto industry. As this occurred, the city's architecture began to embody Parisian influences. The Beaux-Arts movement was marked by symmetry and grandeur in buildings such as the Detroit Public Library and Michigan State Capitol.
Another artistic Parisian design influence that made its way to Detroit was Art Deco, which is marked by its geometric patterns and sleek lines and is seen in the Fox Theatre and the Guardian Building.
These designs further reminded the city and its residents of its heavily French influence, eventually contributing to its nickname, "The Paris of the Midwest."
A Cultural Hub
During this same period, as Detroit boomed and earned its place amongst America's greatest cities, its cultural experiences also expanded.
The city's world-class opera houses, theaters, and museums enticed more people to come and experience all that Detroit had to offer.
Much like Paris, Detroit was earning a reputation as a place for cultural vibrancy and experiences, which added further weight to its nickname.
While many cities are compared to Paris, Detroit's comparison is well deserved and earned. Between its gorgeous architecture and cultural and societal influences, Detroit remains a cultural hub for the Midwest.
Why We're Proud to Live in the Paris of the Midwest
At Ink Detroit, we are proud to live in Detroit. This city is resilient and full of dynamic people who have endured much yet still stand.
In general, we recognize Paris and France's design and cultural influences on our great city. Whether you're a fan of French culture or love Detroit like us, we are launching a new line of Detroit apparel inspired by the city's nickname, "Paris of the Midwest."
Our Paris of the Midwest collection has, in the past, included everything from postcards to baseball shirts.
Our latest lineup of Paris-inspired gear will include various other apparel items for Detroit lovers to look forward to.
Some of our items include toddler tees, new baseball tees, and standard t-shirts.
Shop our collection to learn more about what's available for you, and show the world you know about Detroit’s French roots.