Detroit’s Black Bottom: What They Destroyed to Build the Freeway

Begin with the community.

Before a highway became the familiar landmark, this part of Detroit held homes, businesses, churches, and everyday relationships. The film opens a conversation about the people behind the redevelopment map.

Continue with our written companions for the geography, sources, and chronology. Black Bottom and Paradise Valley were connected places, with distinct identities. Housing clearance and freeway construction happened in stages.

• Black Bottom was a community before it became a freeway
• Follow the history of Hastings Street
• Explore Black Bottom Street View’s archival photographs
• Continue listening with Black Bottom Archives

For the video transcript, open the film on YouTube, expand its description, and select “Show transcript.”