By 1897, the commercial district extended along both sides of Michigan Avenue, with buildings occupying all lots available.

[2] By 1900, the rise of Detroit manufacturing had made the area around the district substantially industrial, and the residential neighborhoods attractive to factory workers.

By 1950, many of the local automotive factories had moved to larger, more modern plants, and the surrounding neighborhood was in decline.

A city planning project demolished many of the houses south of Michigan Avenue to make room for more industry, and the area became less desirable to live in.

[2] The two-block section of Michigan Avenue defining the district contains 18 buildings, 13 of which are historically significant.