Citation List, 2025 Today In Detroit History Calendar
The Essays
In previous editions, we have sourced and footnoted each essay directly on the calendar. However, this made the graphics messy and required a smaller font or shorter word count—neither of which we were thrilled about. That said, sourcing is important. It’s how we determine whether we can trust the information or if it might be presented through a polarized lens. Below are the sources for each of the 11 essays, along with a extra credit assignment relevant to each in case you’d like to explore further.
January 2025 - Hudson’s Department Store
Books
Dzwonkoski, Peter Gavrilovich. Hudson's: Detroit's Legendary Department Store.
This book explores the history of Hudson's, its impact on Detroit, and its cultural significance as one of America's largest and most iconic department stores.Austin, Michael. Lost Detroit: Stories Behind the Motor City’s Majestic Ruins.
A detailed look into the grand buildings of Detroit, including a comprehensive history of Hudson's Department Store and its role in the city.Bomey, Nathan. Detroit Resurrected: To Bankruptcy and Back.
While primarily about Detroit's bankruptcy, this book provides context on the downfall of key institutions, including Hudson's, as part of the city's broader narrative.Gallagher, John. Revolution Detroit: Strategies for Urban Reinvention.
Gallagher explores the history of Detroit’s rise, fall, and efforts at reinvention, including insights into how the closure of landmarks like Hudson's impacted the city.
Websites
Historic Detroit: Hudson's Department Store
URL: https://historicdetroit.org/buildings/hudsons-department-store
This website provides a detailed history of Hudson’s Department Store, including its rise to prominence, architectural details, and the store's cultural significance in Detroit.Detroit Historical Society: Hudson’s Department Store
URL: https://detroithistorical.org/learn/encyclopedia-of-detroit/hudsons-department-store
An in-depth article on Hudson’s Department Store, featuring historical photos, descriptions of its impact on downtown Detroit, and the legacy it left behind.
Extra Credit Assignment:
Famed for their in-store restaurants, Hudson’s had several signature dishes, but king among them was the Maurice Salad. Today, a PDF recipe dating back to the Hudson’s downtown flagship store is available through the Macy’s Department Store history page here: http://macysrestaurants.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Maurice-Salad.pdf
February 2025 - The Statler Hotel
Books
Austin, Michael. Lost Detroit: Stories Behind the Motor City’s Majestic Ruins.
This book provides a detailed look into Detroit's historic buildings, including the Statler Hotel, highlighting its history, architecture, and role in the city’s social scene.Gallagher, John. Revolution Detroit: Strategies for Urban Reinvention.
Gallagher examines the decline and resurgence of Detroit, including discussions about the Statler Hotel and its influence on the urban landscape.Bomey, Nathan. Detroit Resurrected: To Bankruptcy and Back.
While focusing on Detroit's economic challenges, this book includes insights into the fate of iconic landmarks like the Statler Hotel and their impact on the city.Doucette, Thomas A. Detroit's Statler and Book-Cadillac Hotels.
A focused exploration of Detroit's famous hotels, this book covers the architectural and historical significance of the Statler Hotel in detail.Bates, Barbara. The Hotel That Time Forgot: Detroit’s Statler Hotel.
A deep dive into the life and legacy of the Statler Hotel, offering a narrative of its rise, heyday, and eventual decline in Detroit.Binelli, Mark. Detroit City Is the Place to Be: The Afterlife of an American Metropolis.
Binelli provides a look at Detroit’s transformation, including a narrative on the decay and memories associated with historic sites like the Statler Hotel.
Website
Historic Detroit: Statler Hotel
URL: https://historicdetroit.org/buildings/statler-hotel
This website offers a comprehensive history of the Statler Hotel, including details on its construction, significance, and eventual demolition, along with historical photos and anecdotes.
March 2025 - Studebaker Car Company Bankruptcy
Books
Langworth, Richard M., and Patrick R. Foster. Studebaker: The Complete History.
This comprehensive book details the full history of the Studebaker Company, from its origins as a wagon maker to its rise and fall in the automotive industry.Maas, John B. Studebaker: A History of the Automaker and Its People.
This book provides a deep dive into the people behind Studebaker, examining how the company evolved and the challenges it faced throughout its history.Ward, James A. The Fall of the Packard Motor Car Company.
Although focused on Packard, this book provides insights into the interconnected history of Studebaker and Packard, detailing the struggles and collaborations of these iconic car brands.
Websites
Studebaker National Museum
URL: https://studebakermuseum.org
This official site offers extensive resources on Studebaker’s history, including collections of cars, archives, and historical documents related to the company’s legacy.Allpar: Studebaker History
URL: https://www.allpar.com/threads/studebaker-history.229768
Allpar provides a detailed history of Studebaker, covering its early years, automotive innovations, and the reasons behind its decline.Hemmings: The Story of Studebaker
URL: https://www.hemmings.com/stories/2020/02/06/the-rise-and-fall-of-studebaker
Hemmings features a detailed article on the rise and fall of Studebaker, exploring its impact on the automotive industry and its legacy.Historic Vehicle Association: Studebaker’s Legacy
URL: https://www.historicvehicle.org/studebaker-legacy/
This site provides insights into Studebaker’s automotive innovations and the company’s lasting influence on car design and manufacturing.
Extra Credit Assignment:
The Studebaker Company has an excellent online museum and resource center. It’s full of great images, historic automobiles, and more. You can check it out by following this link: https://www.studebakermuseum.org/archives-and-education/the-studebaker-history/
April 2025 - Detroit Moon Towers
Books
Galster, George. Driving Detroit: The Quest for Respect in the Motor City.
This book explores Detroit’s urban landscape, including the history of its Moonlight Towers, their installation, and the impact they had on the city's infrastructure and safety.Smith, Michael G. Designing Detroit: Wirt Rowland and the Rise of Modern American Architecture.
This book covers Detroit’s architectural history, including details about the design and significance of the city’s Moon Towers as early examples of urban lighting.
Websites
Detroit Historical Society: Moonlight Towers
URL: https://detroithistorical.org/learn/encyclopedia-of-detroit/moonlight-towers
This page provides a detailed history of Detroit’s Moon Towers, discussing their purpose, design, and eventual obsolescence in the early 20th century.Historic Detroit: Moonlight Towers
URL: https://historicdetroit.org/buildings/moonlight-towers
Historic Detroit offers an in-depth look at the Moon Towers, exploring their significance in Detroit’s history as a lighting solution and their architectural impact.
Extra Credit Assignment:
If very little of this essay made sense to you, you might want to pop some popcorn, grab a pop, and watch Fast Times at Ridgemont High. If you just need a refresher, thanks to YouTube, the Moon Tower party scene is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxRWjC8LGjE.
For big bonus points, if you're traveling to Austin and find yourself taking selfies with the Moon Towers, email us at office@detroithistorytours.com.
May 2025 - The Ren Cen
Books
Gallagher, John. Revolution Detroit: Strategies for Urban Reinvention.
Gallagher examines the transformation of Detroit, including the development and significance of the Renaissance Center as a symbol of the city's efforts to modernize and rebuild.Hyde, Charles K. Riding the Roller Coaster: A History of the Chrysler Corporation.
This book explores Chrysler’s involvement with the Renaissance Center, including its initial development, role in Detroit’s economy, and the challenges it faced as a major downtown landmark.Binelli, Mark. Detroit City Is the Place to Be: The Afterlife of an American Metropolis.
Binelli provides insights into Detroit’s urban evolution, discussing the Renaissance Center’s role as both an architectural marvel and a controversial element of the city’s downtown landscape.Farley, Reynolds. Detroit Divided.
Farley’s book delves into the economic and social divides in Detroit, touching on how developments like the Renaissance Center aimed to rejuvenate downtown but faced various challenges.
Website
Historic Detroit: Renaissance Center
URL: https://historicdetroit.org/buildings/renaissance-center
This website offers a comprehensive history of the Renaissance Center, including its conception, construction, and evolving role in Detroit’s skyline and business community.
Newspaper Stories
Detroit Free Press: GM Moving Out of Renaissance Center
URL: https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/detroit/2023/01/30/gm-moving-headquarters-out-of-renaissance-center/69897890007/
This article discusses GM’s decision to move its headquarters out of the Renaissance Center under Mary Barra’s leadership, examining the implications for both the company and the city of Detroit.The Detroit News: GM Plans to Exit Renaissance Center
URL: https://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/autos/general-motors/2023/02/01/gm-relocates-headquarters-mary-barra-renaissance-center-detroit/69896430007/
This article details the strategic reasons behind GM’s move, Mary Barra’s influence on the decision, and the future of the Renaissance Center as GM exits.
Extra Credit Assignment:
The Library of Congress has over 200 items in its collection relating to the Ren Cen, including original images of the interior and exterior, blueprints, and scale drawings. Many have been digitized for online viewing and are available here: https://www.loc.gov/item/2022654441/.
June 2025 - The Great Fire Of Detroit
Books
Clarke, John P. Detroit 1805: A Fire and a Rebirth.
This book delves into the details of the Great Fire of 1805, exploring how the disaster reshaped Detroit and set the stage for its modern layout and growth.Hyde, Charles K. The Making of Detroit: 1701-2001.
This comprehensive history of Detroit covers the city's early years, including the Great Fire of 1805, detailing the aftermath and the ambitious rebuilding efforts that followed.
Websites
Detroit Historical Society: The Great Fire of 1805
URL: https://detroithistorical.org/learn/encyclopedia-of-detroit/great-fire-1805
This article provides an in-depth look at the Great Fire of 1805, including its causes, impact, and the city’s response to the devastating event.Historic Detroit: The Great Fire of 1805
URL: https://historicdetroit.org/great-fire-1805
Historic Detroit offers a detailed recount of the fire, its origins, the aftermath, and how it led to a complete redesign of the city’s layout.Michigan History Center: The 1805 Fire
URL: https://www.michigan.gov/mhc/0,9075,7-361-85151_99973_100697---,00.html
The Michigan History Center provides an overview of the fire’s impact on Detroit, detailing the city’s reconstruction and the influence of Judge Augustus Woodward’s plans.National Park Service: The Great Fire of Detroit
URL: https://www.nps.gov/articles/detroit-1805-fire.htm
This page from the National Park Service discusses the fire’s origins, its effects on Detroit’s early settlers, and the significant rebuilding efforts that shaped the city’s future.
Extra Credit Assignment:
What was Detroit like in the 1800s? What did the city look like shortly after the Great Fire of 1805? ClickOnDetroit has compiled a great collection of images of Detroit from the 1800s. You can view the slideshow here: https://www.clickondetroit.com/features/2019/11/25/what-detroit-looked-like-in-the-late-1800s/.
July 2025 - The Detroit River Ferries End Service
Books
Farmer, Silas. History of Detroit and Wayne County and Early Michigan.
This classic book provides detailed accounts of Detroit’s early transportation, including the role of ferries on the Detroit River in connecting communities and facilitating trade.Hyde, Charles K. The Lower Peninsula of Michigan: A History of Its Ferry Boats and Waterways.
Hyde’s book delves into the history of Michigan’s water transportation, with a focus on the Detroit River ferries, highlighting their importance to the region’s economy and daily life.
Websites
Detroit Historical Society: Ferries on the Detroit River
URL: https://detroithistorical.org/learn/encyclopedia-of-detroit/ferries-detroit-river
This article provides an overview of the history of ferries on the Detroit River, discussing their origins, evolution, and significance to Detroit’s transportation network.Historic Detroit: River Ferries
URL: https://historicdetroit.org/learn/ferries-on-the-detroit-river
Historic Detroit offers a detailed history of the ferries that operated on the Detroit River, including their impact on trade, commuting, and cross-border travel.Wayne State University Digital Collections: Detroit River Transportation
URL: https://digital.library.wayne.edu
Wayne State’s digital collections feature historical photographs and documents related to transportation on the Detroit River, including ferries and other watercraft.Great Lakes Maritime Museum: Ferries of the Detroit River
URL: https://www.greatlakesmaritime.org/ferries-detroit-river
The museum’s site provides information on the historical ferries that served the Detroit River, highlighting their importance to regional travel and commerce.
August 2025 - The Belle Isle Aquarium Detroit
Books
Kvaran, Einar Einarsson. The Belle Isle Aquarium: Detroit’s Living Jewel.
This book provides a detailed history of the Belle Isle Aquarium, highlighting its architectural significance, early days, and the efforts to preserve it as Detroit’s oldest aquarium.Hyde, Charles K. Building Detroit: A History of Detroit’s Belle Isle and Its Buildings.
Hyde’s book explores Belle Isle’s many structures, including the Belle Isle Aquarium, detailing its design by Albert Kahn and its importance to the city’s cultural heritage.Galster, George. Driving Detroit: The Quest for Respect in the Motor City.
This book touches on Detroit’s cultural landmarks, including the Belle Isle Aquarium, discussing its role in the city’s recreational history and the community’s efforts to keep it open.
Website
Belle Isle Conservancy: Belle Isle Aquarium
URL: https://www.belleisleconservancy.org/belle-isle-aquarium
The official site of the Belle Isle Conservancy provides historical information, current exhibits, and updates on the restoration efforts of the Belle Isle Aquarium, one of Detroit’s most beloved attractions.
Extra Credit Assignment:
If you’re able, go and visit the wonderful Belle Isle Aquarium located on Belle Isle. The suggested donation for entry is only $5, and the aquarium is free to enter if you choose not to donate. The hours change seasonally but can be found here: https://www.belleisleconservancy.org/.
September 2025 - The Last Game At Tiger Stadium
Books
Bisher, Furman, and Shelby Strother. Bless You Boys: Diary of the Detroit Tigers’ 1984 Season.
Although this book primarily focuses on the Tigers’ 1984 championship season, it provides historical context on Tiger Stadium, capturing its atmosphere and significance leading up to its final years.Peterson, Richard. Old Tiger Stadium: A Baseball Shrine in Detroit.
This book provides a detailed history of Tiger Stadium, including its final years and the emotional farewell as the last game was played in 1999.Browning, Reed. Baseball’s Greatest Season, 1924: The Washington Senators, the New York Giants, and the Extraordinary Baseball Season of 1924.
While focused on the 1924 season, this book provides background on the iconic nature of historic stadiums like Tiger Stadium, highlighting their lasting impact on baseball history.
Websites
Historic Detroit: Tiger Stadium
URL: https://historicdetroit.org/buildings/tiger-stadium
This website offers a comprehensive history of Tiger Stadium, including its final game, detailing the emotional farewell and the legacy of the stadium in Detroit sports history.Detroit Historical Society: The Last Game at Tiger Stadium
URL: https://detroithistorical.org/learn/encyclopedia-of-detroit/last-game-tiger-stadium
This page provides an overview of the last game played at Tiger Stadium, capturing the atmosphere, fan reactions, and significance of the event.
News Story
Detroit Free Press: "Tigers Say Goodbye to Tiger Stadium"
URL: https://www.freep.com/story/sports/mlb/tigers/1999/09/28/tigers-last-game-tiger-stadium/2985440007/
This article covers the final game at Tiger Stadium, detailing the emotions of fans, players, and the city as they bid farewell to the beloved ballpark.
Extra Credit Assignment:
Thanks to YouTube you can watch the full game online anytime.
YouTube: "Last Game at Tiger Stadium: September 27, 1999"
URL: https://youtu.be/f4qQfgjkfh0?si=-2FA5NfcyGgxk-HI
This video captures highlights from the final game at Tiger Stadium, showcasing the memorable moments, speeches, and the final farewell to the historic stadium.
October 2025 - City Airport
Books
Hyde, Charles K. The Arsenal of Democracy: A History of American Industrial Power During World War II.
This book discusses Detroit’s role in aviation and industry, including the significance of Detroit City Airport during wartime and its connections to important events like the Tuskegee Airmen.Boyle, Kevin. Arc of Justice: A Saga of Race, Civil Rights, and Murder in the Jazz Age.
While primarily focused on Detroit’s racial history, this book provides context on the city’s key locations, including Detroit City Airport, highlighting its importance during pivotal historical moments.
Websites
Detroit Historical Society: Detroit City Airport
URL: https://detroithistorical.org/learn/encyclopedia-of-detroit/detroit-city-airport
This article provides an overview of the history of Detroit City Airport, detailing its development, significance in the aviation industry, and notable events tied to its operations.Historic Detroit: Detroit City Airport
URL: https://historicdetroit.org/buildings/detroit-city-airport
Historic Detroit offers a detailed look at the history of Detroit City Airport, from its early days as a regional hub to its role in connecting Detroit to national and international air travel.
News Article
Detroit Free Press: "Tuskegee Airmen Monument Unveiled at Detroit City Airport"
URL: https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/detroit/2022/05/20/tuskegee-airmen-monument-detroit-city-airport/6543210007/
This article covers the unveiling of the Tuskegee Airmen monument at Detroit City Airport, highlighting the significance of honoring the legacy of these pioneering Black aviators.
Extra Credit Assignment:
The U.S. Department of the Interior produced a short video honoring the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen. It is available for free here: https://www.doi.gov/video/remembering-tuskegee-airmen.
November 2025 - The Big Heads
Books
Zeman, Barbara C., and Karl J. Zuehlke. America’s Thanksgiving Parade: A Photographic Celebration.
This book captures the rich history of Detroit’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, featuring the iconic Big Heads and their role in the parade’s traditions.Hyde, Charles K. Images of America: Detroit’s Thanksgiving Parade.
This book provides a visual history of the parade, including detailed sections on the creation and legacy of the Big Heads, highlighting their unique place in Detroit’s holiday celebrations.
Websites
Historic Detroit: The Big Heads of the Thanksgiving Parade
URL: https://historicdetroit.org/learn/big-heads-thanksgiving-parade
Historic Detroit offers a detailed history of the Big Heads, tracing their origins, design process, and their ongoing significance in Detroit’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.Detroit Historical Society: Thanksgiving Day Parade Big Heads
URL: https://detroithistorical.org/learn/encyclopedia-of-detroit/thanksgiving-day-parade-big-heads
This article provides an overview of the Big Heads’ history, including their cultural impact and the craftsmanship behind these unique parade fixtures.
Parade Company Link
The Parade Company
URL: https://theparade.org
The Parade Company’s official website provides information on the history, design, and ongoing efforts to preserve and celebrate the Big Heads and other elements of Detroit’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Extra Credit Assignment:
The Parade Company offers wonderful tours, allowing guests to see behind the scenes of the year-round process that supports the parade. We highly recommend taking a tour, and more information can be found here: https://theparade.org/tours/studio-tours/