What do baseball, bank robbers, and booze all have in common? All three are integral to the story of the enclave city of Hamtramck. 

Hamtramck once stretched all the way down to the Detroit River. Named for the Revolutionary War hero Col. Jean Francois Hamtramck; the township, turned village, turned city, was parceled out and gobbled up, until Detroit surrounded it fully by 1916. As a city, ‘Ham-town’ became known as a place to have a stiff drink, see a ball game, and bend the rules of law; Sometimes all at once.

Join Detroit History Tours as we explore the historic underbelly of the 2.1 square mile, city within a city: on Baseball, Bank Robbers, and Booze: A Hamtramck Bus Tour. 

We’ll dig into the history of Detroit’s Negro League baseball teams, trodding the same field as the great Turkey Sterns and Satchel Paige once did. You’ll explore the story of ''The King of Hamtramck '' Chester La Mare, don of a ‘La Cosa Nostra’ family who seized power over the Detroit rackets during Prohibition. And, learn the thrilling tale of a bank robber bank robbery crew  so ruthlessly cunning so their legacy reverberates through the ages.

The 3 hour tour includes a Polish snack at a historic Hamtramck watering hole. Substitutions are not available. Your tour ticket includes the full snack price plus server gratuity. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are available for purchase at the guests own expense. 

Snack Menu:

Cheese and Potato Pierogi 

Kielbasa

Served with Sauerkraut , Horseradish, and Sour Cream

Meet your tour guide: Jeff Pollock

Jeff Pollock is a public historian, event organizer, and advocate for the ‘Vernor’s Cure.’ Prior to coming to Detroit History Tours, Jeff had stints at museums in Monroe, Sanilac County, and Detroit.  He has a passion for history, but is especially drawn to the history of crime in Detroit, the Civil War, sports history and the W.P.A. (Works Progress Administration). He is an advocate for all things East Side, and relishes a good trivia question.  Pollock’s only regrets in life are being born too late to watch Norm Cash bat with a table leg or see a Goodfellow Game.  

Tickets are $58.00 per person. This price includes the tour onboard our luxury motor- coach, bottled water, and a Hamtramck Snack. All taxes and fees, as well as service tips on your meal are included in the ticket price. Zero booking charges apply at check out.

To best enjoy the tour, guests should be prepared to walk up to 100 yards at a leisurely pace over uneven terrain which may include city sidewalks, barroom floors, grassy areas, and baseball diamonds. We highly recommend comfortable, flat, walking or athletic shoes.

Photography is permitted (encouraged) on this tour.

The tour departs from: The Detroit History Club, 3103 Commor, Hamtramck, MI 48212. Parking is on the street and may require guests to walk a short distance. Doors to the club open 30 minutes before the ticketed start time of their tour. At which time guests are invited to come inside, check into the tour, and relax until the departure time. Late arrivals will not be admitted, all Detroit History Tours start on time and depart without a grace period.

Your order confirmation email will serve as your only ticket- nothing will ship to your address. Please save your email and be prepared to show it on your phone or printed to board the bus. (We do this to avoid the ticketing fees that come along with ticketing systems. The price of your ticket will remain the same throughout checkout with no added fees or service charges.)

Transportation is provided via luxury motor-coach outfitted with leather captains chairs for each guest. The motor-coach is equipped with an on board bathroom.

If you have a large group consider booking any of our fabulous tours as a private charter. We can arrange to pick your group up from any location, on any day and any time. Check out our Private Tours link for more information.

Tour guide tips are always appreciated but never expected. The very best tip is always a positive review!