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Greektown, located just northeast of downtown Detroit, is one of the oldest remaining Victorian-era neighborhoods in the city. Albeit only a few square blocks in size, it is one of the highlights of Detroit's entertainment scene, complete with their very own casino - the Greektown Casino. This vibrant district dates back to the 1880's and its rich history is visible wherever you look.

While the area was originally settled by Germans in the early 1800s, by the early 1880's most of them had moved farther out of the city. This left many of the homes vacant and available for the coming influx of Greek immigrants coming in from Peloponnesus area of southern Greece. As the growing industry in the area allowed them the funds for opening their own restaurants, coffee shops, and bakeries; the Greektown neighborhood thrived.

In 1903, the Greektown Merchants Association was created to by the area businessmen to enhance their adopted neighborhood. They have met several times a month since then to work together toward this single goal. And they have been quite successful. In the first part of the 20th century, it was a self-sufficient community with residential areas, business, entertainment venues, and worship choices all close enough to walk to. As the business areas grew, the residents moved to outlying areas of the city, but their shops remained in Greektown.

Early in the 1960s, Greektown was reduced to roughly a one block area due to the razing of the surrounding buildings, including the Greek Orthodox Church, in the name of progress. The Merchants Association stepped in. They had a plan to clean up the area and market it to the rest of southeast Michigan. They painted and improved the streets, added colorful awnings and barrels full of flowers, and saw to upgrading of the streets lighting quality. To celebrate and kick off the newly beautified neighborhood, they closed the streets and held the first annual Greektown Festival in 1966. The festival is no longer held as it quickly outgrew the area in which it was held.

Greektown is that in appearance, as well as name. Much of the architecture is fashioned to resemble great forms of Greek styling such as the Pegasus and the Parthenon. Walking the streets of Greektown is a memorable experience. The sights of the buildings and cultural differences, the Greek music filling the air that carries the scents and smells of traditional Greek cuisine all blend together to create an ambiance of true Grecian custom.

Learn more about this author, Wendy Lafond.
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