Motown City In Ruins, A Dying Civilization

Without going too much into the whys and wherefores of it, I'd like to bring your attention to 'a dying civilization' and point you to some resources to view its ruins. The Civilization is the American Auto Worker's Homeland; Motor City, Motown, or properly - Detroit, Michigan. After you have seen the ruins and abandoned places you will probably agree with this assessment.

I first ran across a video on YouTube in 2007 or 2008 entitled 'The Ghettos of Detroit' and was amazed at the abandoned neighborhoods with boats and cars in the driveways of dilapidated houses. Later I ran across the great architecture such as Michigan Central Station. The massive structure with marble lined interiors and 18 floors above ground was officially abandoned on January 5th 1988. It remained open to 'urban miners' and other vandalism through much of the 1990's but is supposedly closed and protected now. Another amazing artifact is the United Artists Theater at 150 Bagley Street...

Its opulent interior still impresses the eye and imagination even in its state of more than 30 years of ruin. Its one of those places where just looking at a photo of it inspires the mind to imagine the goings on from its high-class beginnings to the end days porn shows and grind house exploitation films.

The Atrium or light court of the Farwell Building as well as its extensive iron work is another amazing ruin. It has been completely vacant since 1984 but may be purchased by the state as a part of a neighborhood stabilization program. A smaller, rectangular building it is still an amazing site even in photographs.

The grandeur of the Lee Plaza Hotel Ballroom will leave you breathless evoking a feeling of 'end of the world' in the heights of its glory; something that must have happened all of a sudden. It reminds me of feelings I had as a child watching Charlton Heston movies like "Planet of the Apes" and "Omega Man". The 1920 era Art Deco styling is simply amazing… viewing it in demise is simply devastating.

There are many more instances of grand architecture abandoned in Detroit and there are uncountable abandoned homes and neighborhoods. I have personally investigated several homes in foreclosure and otherwise for sale for less than a thousand dollars, fee simple. Some of these homes are quite decent abodes for somebody and I've seen 3 bedroom homes in former excellent neighborhoods that just happen to be sparsely populated for well under ten thousand dollars.

*This series of images titled; 'The Ruins Of Detroit' by Yves Marchand and Romain Meffre at their website show how Civilization has declined in the City of Detroit. Image Source: Yves Marchand & Romain Meffre Photography

I'll leave you to make of it what you will as far as a demised civilization, or one of the formerly most important cities in the country in ruins. But one thing is sure; it gives one pause and sometimes chills to imagine that decay creeping through the landscape of America as an economy that sees the middle class disappearing, the poor getting poorer and the wealthiest two percent getting richer and now controlling fully half the wealth stays the course.

I might consider buying an American made car. And I might consider checking the label for made in the good old USA when I buy clothes. If I want to look my Grand-kids in the eye, I just might. It's a free country, so by all means do as you please and I'll see you at Wal-Mart (or not).

Another good read; Detroit: America's War Torn City by Thomas Heffner