1961 Map of Detroit

About this map

Detroit and Windsor stand as the industrial and cultural anchors of this international border region, separated by the vital Detroit River and connected by the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel. In the early 1960s, the metropolitan landscape shows a dense network of expanding suburbs like Warren, Livonia, and Sterling Heights, transitioning into the state recreation areas of Oakland County to the north. This survey illustrates the era's heavy reliance on both massive rail systems like the Grand Trunk Western Railroad and a burgeoning interstate highway system, including Interstate 94 and Interstate 75. Beyond the urban core, the map details the maritime geography of Lake St. Clair, featuring Walpole Island and the military presence at Selfridge Air Force Base. The reach of the Great Lakes economy is evident in the inclusion of satellite cities like Ann Arbor, Flint, and Port Huron.