by Kelly Szymanski

Created on: November 26, 2009   Last Updated: November 27, 2009

The City of Detroit, though besieged in recent years by riots, scandals and financial woes, has a rich history over 300 years in the making. Established as Fort Ponchartrain in 1701 by Frenchman Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac on le Detroit, or the straits, the one day city began its life with a goal of stopping the western spread of the British.

A mere 192.75 square feet ,the fort consisted of St. Anne's Church, a stockade, a warehouse/trade store, a barn, an icehouse, and residential lots about that were about 25 square feet each.

From this modest beginning with a lofty goal, a major metropolis sprung. It has obviously undergone many changes in its 300 year history. It has gone from a French military post to a city known for building cars and creating music. There is much history to be discovered in the great city of Detroit.

Pewabic Pottery

Founded in 1903, by ceramic artist Mary Chase Perry, Pewabic Pottery became nationally known for its iridescent glazed tiles. Pewabic Pottery tiles can be found around the nation in such places as Rice University in Houston, the Nebraska State Capitol, the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D. C., and Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. Around the state of Michigan, Pewabic Pottery can be found in many churches, public buildings and private residences.

Mary Chase Perry, who later became Mary Stratton, was one of the founding members of the Detroit Arts and Crafts Society, established the University of Michigan's Ceramic's Department, taught ceramics at Wayne State University and served as a trustee on what would later become the Detroit Institute of Arts.

The Pottery is still in operation, creating architectural tiles and commemorative tiles as well as garden ware, vessels and ornaments. Pewabic Pottery is located at 10125 E. Jefferson in Detroit. The museum is open Monday thru Saturday from 10 am until 6 pm and Sunday from 12 pm until 4 pm.

Belle Isle

A 600 acre island park in the Detroit River, Belle Isle was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted to emulate the parks and boulevards of Paris. Belle Isle, or Beautiful Island, is a popular spot for family picnics, reunions, fishing trips and just hanging out for the day.

Families gather for the annual International Freedom Festival Fireworks over the Detroit River, a joint effort between Windsor, Canada and Detroit, Michigan.

Visit the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory, the oldest operating conservatory in the country. It sits on three acres of gardens and ponds

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