1888 Detroit Map - with Hastings

[gnome]

Oops. Sorry for being a dumbass. Or since this is a French town, a Dumas.

While not being a anthropological geologist, I believe the reason for the fertile soil of Black Bootie is due to the Savoyard creek. I believe the source was somewhere around Eastern Market, headed towards Grand Circus, then down Washington Blvd.

there is an old thread around here with old maps and contemporary accounts about the Savoyard.

[marshamusic]

Oops. Sorry for being a dumbass. Or since this is a French town, a Dumas.

While not being a anthropological geologist, I believe the reason for the fertile soil of Black Bootie is due to the Savoyard creek. I believe the source was somewhere around Eastern Market, headed towards Grand Circus, then down Washington Blvd.

there is an old thread around here with old maps and contemporary accounts about the Savoyard.

I'll not refer to the area as Black Bootie; all of my family and virtually all of my Detroit-born friends, neighbors and acquaintances have their family roots therein; it would be disrespectful and unseemly for me to do so.


I appreciate your mention of the Savoyard. After eliminating the river as the source of Black Bottom's fertile soil, I thought it would be the Savoyard; however its origin seemed to be rather west and moving away from Black Bottom. Would this water permeate land as far east as Orleans or Chene, in the opposite direction from where it is moving?

I don't know about these things - I appreciate your link. That is a great thread.

Of course, I am no geologist either, perhaps the river and the Savoyard did contribute to the fertility of the land. Perhaps the riverfront was different in those days, maybe the drop after Jefferson was not so pronounced as it is today. Although, photos that I've seen of that area indicate that, at least at Hastings street, it was like it is now, with the slope past Jefferson, even at the turn of the 20th century.

Maybe the riverfront was closer; maybe it has been built up/out with construction over time?

Anyway, thanks Gnome, and thanks for the excellent link....