About Us

The Historic North End

The Historic North End is a community with rich foundational roots. It is a historical industrial district that is a sub-district within the larger historic North End neighborhood. Milwaukee Junction was the heart of the early automobile industry in Detroit. It is the home of the original hand-made automobile, The Model-T Ford. Although most industrial uses have left the area, it has metamorphosed to now include new lofts, restaurants, design firms, art galleries, and offices.

The North End business district also has a deep musical legacy and cultural heritage. The North End is the birthplace of the Techno music genre and home to the first Techno Museum in the United States. Oakland Avenue was the North End’s main commercial avenue. World renowned musicians performed here in famous bars/night clubs, including musical icons such as Etta James, George Clinton, James Brown, and The Temptations. Today, the district is still attracting artists and musicians. These roots are still present in the form of the Tangent Gallery, Electric Studio, murals and other art, music, spoken word, and cultural organizations.

North End/Milwaukee Junction has stood the test of time with over 1000 jobs in our business community. We are still rich in manufacturing, construction, healthcare industries along with various technical services, and non-for-profit businesses.

North End/Milwaukee Junction is close to several large employers and institutions, including Wayne State University, Henry Ford Health System, the State of Michigan, College for Creative Studies and Tech Town. It is a historic industrial neighborhood in Detroit, nested between the North End, New Center, and Midtown.

Main Street Advisory Board Members:

Nicole Piach, Chenita Gary, Drusilla Fanning, Ette Garth, Quincy Jones, Lynette Roberson

As a Main Street America Affiliate™, North End/Milwaukee Junction is part of a national network of more than 1,200 neighborhoods and communities who share both a commitment to creating high-quality places and to building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development.

HISTORIC NORTH END MAIN STREET MARKET SNAPSHOT

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE 2023 IMPACT REPORT

Population and home statistics are based on the Historic North End 5-mile Drive Time Market

0 37

MILLION
IN INVESTMENT

0 60

POPULATION

0 345

LOCAL
BUSINESSES

0 16385

HOMES

VISIT

Many significant historical and cultural landmarks can be found in our neighborhood. For decades the North End housed many Jewish immigrants coming to America to work in the automotive factories. One example of their influence on the neighborhood still standing is the Oakland Heath Club (currently referred to as the Schvitz Health Club) on Oakland Avenue. As more African Americans from the south moved into the neighborhood in the 40s and 50s, the North End saw another cultural shift. The sounds of Blues and Jazz became prominent along Hastings Street; rivaling the music scenes of New Orleans, Harlem and South Chicago. Though many of the jazz and blues clubs have since shut down, the buildings can still be seen all up and down Oakland Ave. Examples include the Apex Bar where the then unknown John Lee Hooker played and the Phelps Lounge, frequented by famous music acts such as Parliament, the Temptations and Bettye Lovette at the beginning of their careers.

Further community highlights include a number of beautiful art installations and murals along Oakland Ave., Dolores Bennett Park, the Michigan Humane Society Headquarters on 7887 Chrysler Service Dr., the Oakland Avenue Urban Farm on 9227 Goodwin St., the Tangent Art Gallery on 715 East Milwaukee Avenue, and the Jam Handy on 2900 E Grand Blvd.

LIVE

Are you looking for a 10,000 square foot mansion? How about a Victorian home with turrets and gables? Perhaps a spacious turn of the century apartment is better suited to you? The North End has them all! Our community has some of the most diverse housing options in Detroit!

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