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112 years later: First train leaves Michigan Central Station in Detroit

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112 years later: First train leaves Michigan Central Station in Detroit


DETROIT – The first train rolled out of Michigan Central Station on Dec. 26, 1913.

The locomotive was headed to Saginaw Bay, and a train from Chicago arrived at the new station later that evening.

Michigan Central Station was originally scheduled to open in 1914, but a fire at the old depot at Third and Jefferson avenues forced the station to open early.

“The new station stood last night, lights shining from windows high above the building line in the neighborhood, a sentinel of progress,” the Detroit Tribune published after the station’s rushed opening.

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A newspaper quote from when Michigan Central Station first opened in 1913 is projected on the front of the building on June 15, 2018. (WDIV)

The rise and fall

The large building in Corktown became a symbol known around the world, as travelers came and left Detroit. However, the station would eventually fall victim to decreased train traffic and become a less desirable symbol of decay in the city.

The main waiting room closed in April 1967. Amtrak took over in 1971, reopened the waiting room, and invested over $1 million in renovations, including a new bus terminal.

The station was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.

Despite these efforts, use continued to decline. Amtrak moved to a smaller station, and in 1985, the building was sold to Kaybee Corp., a New York-based company.

MCS ceased to serve as a transportation hub when the last Chicago-bound train departed the station on Jan. 5, 1988.

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For decades, plans for the building consistently fell through, and it became a place for vandals, the unhoused and urban explorers.

Scrappers had stolen anything they could reach, and the open roof allowed weather to impact the inside of the building.

Rise again

Ford Motor Co. announced it had purchased the train station in the summer of 2018.

The automaker poured significant money into the iconic building and gave tours as it renovated the structure.

More than three thousand workers spent 1.7 million hours of labor on the station. Millions of gallons of water were pumped from the basement.

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—> See before and after photos of restoration at Detroit’s Michigan Central Station

The building celebrated its reopening with a massive, sold-out concert on June 6, 2024. Diana Ross, Jack White and Eminem performed.

After years of renovations, the historic train station was given new life and has become a hub for tech and innovation, housing multiple businesses, retail space and more.

But that’s not all. A Literary Lounge is scheduled to open in 2026. A luxury hotel expected to open in 2027 will be located on the top five floors.

A new transit hub, including Amtrak service, is also set to bring new passenger rail and bus connections.

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A clock stolen from Michigan Central Station was returned to Ford shortly after it was announced that the automaker purchased the building. (Photo: Ford)

Copyright 2019 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit – All rights reserved.



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Detroit, MI

Metro Detroit church hosts community event to support youth: “We’re here for you”

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Metro Detroit church hosts community event to support youth: “We’re here for you”



A Metro Detroit church is giving back to the youth. In an age of heightened peer pressures, such as teen takeovers, leaders tell CBS News Detroit that good old-fashioned fun is the way to bring all ages together.

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“It’s been a vision of mine and my late husband forever,” said Divine Restoration Ministries Pastor Dr. Tenisia Evans.

Divine Restoration Ministries hosted a Legacy in Action Day on Saturday in the gym of Eastpointe High School in Eastpointe, Michigan. The church says its focus is showing up for communities, especially the future generation.

“So many things going on in the world right now and the youth has been the center of our focus,” said Evans.

Evans says with the help of other church leaders and businesses, including AT&T, they were able to secure food, games and experiences for kids of all ages.

And when it comes to creating an event kids would actually like, Detroit teen Martrail Mullen says they were spot on.

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“Kids, we like to move around and still have cardio, and while still having fun at my age, most churches don’t do that,” said Mullen.

Mullen says he has been invited to teen takeovers in the past. While he says he’s never gone to one, he wishes kids would use their time more wisely.

“Kids my age, they are doing a lot of things,” said Mullen.

That’s why Evans says now is the time they open their arms to anyone in need of support.

“We’re here. We’re here for you and we want to pour back and let you know that if you need anything, come to us and we will be here as a resource,” said Evans.

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Tigers top Chicago White Sox 4-1; Detroit pitcher Troy Melton allows 1 hit in 6 innings

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Tigers top Chicago White Sox 4-1; Detroit pitcher Troy Melton allows 1 hit in 6 innings



Troy Melton allowed one hit in six innings and the Detroit Tigers’ offense came alive late in a 4-1 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Saturday.

Dillon Dingler had two hits, including a home run, and drove in two runs as Detroit won its second straight game after losing four of five.

Melton (4-0) gave up a homer to Sam Antonacci on his second pitch of the game but allowed only four more baserunners — on three walks and a hit batter. He struck out five while allowing two or fewer runs for the fourth time in five starts this season.

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Two Tigers relievers finished, with Kenley Jansen pitching the ninth for his ninth save.

Sean Newcomb started Chicago’s bullpen game with three perfect innings, but Tyler Davis walked the bases loaded with two out in the fourth. Joe Rock came out of the White Sox bullpen and struck out pinch-hitter Jahmai Jones to loud boos from the Comerica Park crowd.

With a runner on first and two out in the fifth, Kevin McGonigle got Detroit’s first hit of the game — the first hit for either team since Antonacci’s leadoff homer.

Dillon Dingler followed with an RBI single off Rock (0-1) to tie the game.

Detroit took the lead in the sixth when Spencer Torkelson doubled and scored on James Outman’s single. Jake Rogers made it 3-1 later in the inning with an RBI single.

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Chicago didn’t get its second hit until Braden Montgomery doubled off Tyler Holton with one out in the seventh.

Dingler hit his 17th homer in the seventh, giving Detroit a 4-1 lead.

Up next

The teams finish the series Sunday in what was originally scheduled to be Justin Verlander’s first start as a Tigers player in Detroit since 2017. His hamstring strain means RHP Keider Montero (3-5, 3.67) will come back from the bullpen to face RHP Davis Martin (9-3, 3.31).



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Today in History: June 20, race-related rioting erupts in Detroit

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Today in History: June 20, race-related rioting erupts in Detroit


Today is Saturday, June 20, the 171st day of 2026. There are 194 days left in the year.

Today in history:

On June 20, 1943, race-related rioting erupted in Detroit; federal troops were sent in by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to quell the violence that resulted in more than 30 deaths.

Also on this date:

In 1782, the Continental Congress approved the Great Seal of the United States, featuring the emblem of the bald eagle.



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