1968 Map of Birmingham

About this map

The northern suburbs of Detroit, including Birmingham, Troy, and Royal Oak, are shown here during a period of rapid post-war expansion. The map highlights the transition from traditional residential grids to extensive highway-oriented developments, particularly along the Interstate 75 corridor. Significant institutional landmarks dominate the landscape, from the sprawling Beaumont Hospital complex to the renowned Cranbrook Sch campus. The Grand Trunk Western railroad cuts diagonally through the terrain, serving as a reminder of the earlier industrial and commuter infrastructure that initially shaped these communities. Large-scale recreational and memorial spaces are prominent, including the Sylvan Glen Golf Course and the massive grounds of White Chapel Cemetery, reflecting the area's development into a major metropolitan residential hub. Urban growth is specifically tracked through purple-tinted revisions, illustrating the encroaching residential density near the Troy-Oakland Airport and the historic settlement of Big Beaver.