Misplaced Pages

Greektown, Detroit: Difference between revisions

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Browse history interactively← Previous editContent deleted Content addedVisualWikitext
Revision as of 06:05, 3 September 2016 editYobot (talk | contribs)Bots4,733,870 editsm →External links: WP:CHECKWIKI error fixes using AWB← Previous edit Latest revision as of 22:48, 5 January 2025 edit undoPanamitsu (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Extended confirmed users78,888 editsm add {{Use American English}} templateTag: AWB 
(32 intermediate revisions by 26 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{about|a district in Detroit|other uses|Greektown}} {{about|a district in Detroit|other uses|Greektown}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}


{{Infobox NRHP {{Infobox NRHP
| name =Greektown Historic District | name = Greektown Historic District
| nrhp_type = hd | nocat = yes | nrhp_type = hd
| nocat = yes
| image = Greektownnew2.jpg | image = Greektownnew2.jpg
| caption = Greektown at night | caption = Greektown at night
| location= ], ]<br>{{USA}} | location = ], ], U.S.
| lat_degrees = 42
| coordinates = {{coord|42|20|6|N|83|2|32|W|display=inline,title}}
| lat_minutes = 20
⚫ | area =
| lat_seconds = 6
⚫ | architect = Multiple
| lat_direction = N
⚫ | architecture = Late ], Renaissance, Romanesque
| long_degrees = 83
⚫ | added = May 06, 1982
| long_minutes = 2
⚫ | refnum = 82002902<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|2008a}}</ref>
| long_seconds = 32
| long_direction = W
⚫ | area =
⚫ | architect= Multiple
⚫ | architecture= Late ], Renaissance, Romanesque
⚫ | added = May 06, 1982
| governing_body = Private
⚫ | refnum=82002902<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|2008a}}</ref>
}} }}


'''Greektown''' is a historic commercial and entertainment district in ], ], located just northeast of the heart of downtown, along Monroe Avenue between Brush and St. Antoine Streets with a station on the city's elevated downtown elevated transit system known as the ]. Greektown is also situated between the ], ], and ]. The district is dominated by Greek-themed restaurants and includes ], ], the Athenium Suite Hotel, and the ] within its boundaries. The district was listed on the ] in 1982.<ref name="nris"/> The district is often the site of the Greek parade in March.<ref>http://www.greekparades.com/</ref> '''Greektown''' is a ] in ], located just northeast of the heart of downtown, along Monroe Avenue between Brush and St. Antoine streets. It has a station by that name on the city's elevated downtown transit system known as the ]. Greektown is situated between the ], ], and ].

Named for the historic Greek immigrant community of the early 20th century, the district still has Greek-themed restaurants. Notable buildings include Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral, ] (originally built for the former ethnic German congregation of the parish), ], the Atheneum Suite Hotel, and the contemporary ] (formerly Trapper's Alley, opened in 1972 by Frances and David Sonne) within its boundaries. The district was listed on the ] in 1982.<ref name="nris"/> The district is the site of the annual Detroit Greek Independence Day Parade.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Detroit Greek Independence Day Parade|url=http://www.greekparades.com/|access-date=2021-05-19|website=www.greekparades.com}}</ref>


==History== ==History==
] with ] in the foreground]] ] with ] in the foreground]]
The area known today as Greektown was first settled in the 1830s by German immigrants, who created a primarily residential neighborhood in the area.<ref name="nps"> from the National Park Service</ref> However, in the earliest years of the 20th century, most of the German residents began moving from the neighborhood into areas further from downtown.<ref name="nps"/> As the Germans left the area, new Greek immigrants moved in, spurred by Theodore Gerasimos, the first documented Greek immigrant in Detroit.<ref name="nps"/> The newly arrived Greeks established businesses in the neighborhood. The area known today as Greektown was first settled in the 1830s by German immigrants, who created a primarily residential neighborhood in the area.<ref name="nps">{{Cite web | url = https://www.nps.gov/subjects/traveldetroit/index.htm | title = Greektown Historic District | publisher = National Park Service}}</ref> However, in the earliest years of the 20th century, most of the ethnic German residents, who had gotten established in the city, began moving from the neighborhood into newer residential areas farther from downtown.<ref name="nps"/> As they left, a new wave of Greek immigrants moved into this older housing. Theodore Gerasimos was the first documented Greek immigrant in Detroit.<ref name="nps"/> The newly arrived Greeks soon established their own businesses in the neighborhood.


By the 1920s, the area was becoming primarily commercial rather than residential, and the Greek residents began moving out; however, the restaurants, stores, and coffeehouses they established remained.<ref name="nps"/> The next thirty years brought a melange of immigrants to the few residential spaces left in the neighborhood. Redevelopment in the 1960s led to the neighborhood becoming more commercialized to provide space for municipal buildings and parking.<ref name="nps"/> By the 1920s, the area was developing more commercial structures, and the Greek residents began moving out in turn to newer housing. But the restaurants, stores, and coffeehouses they established remained.<ref name="nps"/> The next thirty years brought a melange of immigrants to the few residential spaces left in the neighborhood. Redevelopment in the 1960s led to the neighborhood becoming the site of new municipal buildings and parking.<ref name="nps"/>


Realizing the culturally significant neighborhood was at risk, Detroit's Greek leaders banded together. With the help of the Mayor's office, the streetscape and building exteriors were improved, and additional street lighting was installed.<ref name="cas"> from Greektown casino</ref> The neighborhood threw a Greek festival in 1966, timed to coincide with Fourth of July celebrations.<ref name="cas"/> The festival was a success, and was continued for years until turnout grew too large.<ref name="cas"/> By that time, Greektown was firmly established in Detroit. The Greektown Historic District was listed on the ] in 1982. Realizing the culturally significant neighborhood was at risk, Detroit's ethnic Greek leaders banded together. With the help of the Mayor's office, the streetscape and building exteriors were improved, and additional street lighting was installed.<ref name="cas">{{Cite web | url = http://www.greektowncasino.com/Dining/Greektown/ | title = Greektown history | publisher = Greektown casino}}</ref> The neighborhood threw a Greek festival in 1966, timed to coincide with Fourth of July celebrations.<ref name="cas"/> The festival was a success, and was continued for years until turnout grew too large.<ref name="cas"/> By that time, Greektown was firmly established in Detroit. The Greektown Historic District was listed on the ] in 1982.


] ]


{{As of|2012|6}} only three full-fledged Greek restaurants remain in Greektown.<ref></ref> The neighborhood is a popular restaurant and entertainment district, having many restaurants that serve authentic ] cuisine, as well as one of the city's three casinos, ]. Certain buildings on Monroe Street are themed to resemble the ], ], and other forms of ]. ] is also played on Monroe Street throughout the day. Well known restaurants include The New Parthenon, The Golden Fleece, Laikon Cafe, Cyprus Taverna, Pegasus Taverna, Pizza Papalis, and Fishbone's Rhythm Kitchen Cafe. The ] has a station at the Greektown Casino on Beaubien Street between Monroe Street and Lafayette Boulevard. Changes continue, and as of June 2012 only three full-fledged Greek restaurants remain in Greektown.<ref>{{Cite news | url = http://www.deadlinedetroit.com/articles/929/the_greektown_we_knew_is_gone | title = The Greektown We Knew is Gone | date = June 24, 2012 | author = Allan Lengel | newspaper = Deadline Detroit}}</ref> The neighborhood is a popular restaurant and entertainment district, having many restaurants that serve authentic ] cuisine, and one of the city's three casinos, ]. Certain buildings on Monroe Street feature themes related to the mythical ], and such historic Greek structures as the ], and other ]. ] is played on Monroe Street throughout the day. Well-known restaurants include The Golden Fleece, Bakaliko Cafe, Pegasus Taverna, and Fishbone's Rhythm Kitchen Cafe. The ] has ] at the Hollywood Casino on Beaubien Street between Monroe Street and Lafayette Boulevard.


==In popular culture== ==In popular culture==
Greektown is featured in the video game '']'' (2005). Greektown is featured in the video game '']'' (2005).


In the American cable TV series '']'' (2013), the Detroit Police precinct is located four blocks from Greektown (this is reiterated thrice in season 1, episode 4), and Maya and Damon "kick up" tributes from her bar and from their drug and prostitution earnings to Skelos, Greektown's main crime lord. Seeking to gain independence from Skelos, Damon opens a blind pig outside of Greektown, where he kicks up to Reverend Lowdown (season 1, episodes 3 and 4). In the American cable TV series '']'' (2013), the Detroit Police precinct is located four blocks from Greektown. Maya and Damon "kick up" tributes from her bar and from their drug and prostitution earnings to Skelos, Greektown's main crime lord. Seeking to gain independence from Skelos, Damon opens a blind pig outside of Greektown, where he kicks up to Reverend Lowdown (season 1, episodes 3 and 4).


==See also== ==See also==
{{Portal|Metro Detroit|Greece}} {{Portal|Michigan|Greece}}
* ] * ]
* ]


==References== ==References==
Line 52: Line 50:
{{Commons category|Greektown, Detroit}} {{Commons category|Greektown, Detroit}}
* *
*


{{Downtown Detroit}} {{Downtown Detroit}}
Line 60: Line 57:
{{Architecture of metropolitan Detroit}} {{Architecture of metropolitan Detroit}}
{{Ethnic enclaves}} {{Ethnic enclaves}}
{{Greektowns}}


] ]
] ]
] ]
] ]
] ]
] ]
] ]
] ]
] ]

Latest revision as of 22:48, 5 January 2025

This article is about a district in Detroit. For other uses, see Greektown.

United States historic place
Greektown Historic District
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. Historic district
Greektown at night
LocationDetroit, Michigan, U.S.
Coordinates42°20′6″N 83°2′32″W / 42.33500°N 83.04222°W / 42.33500; -83.04222
ArchitectMultiple
Architectural styleLate Victorian, Renaissance, Romanesque
NRHP reference No.82002902
Added to NRHPMay 06, 1982

Greektown is a commercial and entertainment district in Detroit, Michigan, located just northeast of the heart of downtown, along Monroe Avenue between Brush and St. Antoine streets. It has a station by that name on the city's elevated downtown transit system known as the Detroit People Mover. Greektown is situated between the Renaissance Center, Comerica Park, and Ford Field.

Named for the historic Greek immigrant community of the early 20th century, the district still has Greek-themed restaurants. Notable buildings include Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral, St. Mary Roman Catholic Church (originally built for the former ethnic German congregation of the parish), Second Baptist Church, the Atheneum Suite Hotel, and the contemporary Hollywood Casino at Greektown (formerly Trapper's Alley, opened in 1972 by Frances and David Sonne) within its boundaries. The district was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. The district is the site of the annual Detroit Greek Independence Day Parade.

History

Greektown Casino Hotel with St. Mary's Church in the foreground

The area known today as Greektown was first settled in the 1830s by German immigrants, who created a primarily residential neighborhood in the area. However, in the earliest years of the 20th century, most of the ethnic German residents, who had gotten established in the city, began moving from the neighborhood into newer residential areas farther from downtown. As they left, a new wave of Greek immigrants moved into this older housing. Theodore Gerasimos was the first documented Greek immigrant in Detroit. The newly arrived Greeks soon established their own businesses in the neighborhood.

By the 1920s, the area was developing more commercial structures, and the Greek residents began moving out in turn to newer housing. But the restaurants, stores, and coffeehouses they established remained. The next thirty years brought a melange of immigrants to the few residential spaces left in the neighborhood. Redevelopment in the 1960s led to the neighborhood becoming the site of new municipal buildings and parking.

Realizing the culturally significant neighborhood was at risk, Detroit's ethnic Greek leaders banded together. With the help of the Mayor's office, the streetscape and building exteriors were improved, and additional street lighting was installed. The neighborhood threw a Greek festival in 1966, timed to coincide with Fourth of July celebrations. The festival was a success, and was continued for years until turnout grew too large. By that time, Greektown was firmly established in Detroit. The Greektown Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.

Monroe Street in Greektown

Changes continue, and as of June 2012 only three full-fledged Greek restaurants remain in Greektown. The neighborhood is a popular restaurant and entertainment district, having many restaurants that serve authentic Greek cuisine, and one of the city's three casinos, Hollywood Casino at Greektown. Certain buildings on Monroe Street feature themes related to the mythical Pegasus, and such historic Greek structures as the Parthenon, and other ancient architecture. Greek music is played on Monroe Street throughout the day. Well-known restaurants include The Golden Fleece, Bakaliko Cafe, Pegasus Taverna, and Fishbone's Rhythm Kitchen Cafe. The Detroit People Mover has a station at the Hollywood Casino on Beaubien Street between Monroe Street and Lafayette Boulevard.

In popular culture

Greektown is featured in the video game Midnight Club 3: DUB Edition (2005).

In the American cable TV series Low Winter Sun (2013), the Detroit Police precinct is located four blocks from Greektown. Maya and Damon "kick up" tributes from her bar and from their drug and prostitution earnings to Skelos, Greektown's main crime lord. Seeking to gain independence from Skelos, Damon opens a blind pig outside of Greektown, where he kicks up to Reverend Lowdown (season 1, episodes 3 and 4).

See also

References

  1. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. April 15, 2008.
  2. "Detroit Greek Independence Day Parade". www.greekparades.com. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  3. ^ "Greektown Historic District". National Park Service.
  4. ^ "Greektown history". Greektown casino.
  5. Allan Lengel (June 24, 2012). "The Greektown We Knew is Gone". Deadline Detroit.

External links

Downtown Detroit
Areas
Education
Primary and
secondary schools
Other education
Skyscrapers
and complexes
Parks
Public art
Other landmarks
Detroit People Mover
stations
This list is incomplete.
The Michigan State University College of Law was in Downtown Detroit prior to 1997 and was known as the "Detroit College of Law."
Neighborhoods in Detroit
Downtown
Wayne State University
Midtown
New Center
University of Detroit Mercy
North
East
Upper
Central
Lower
West
Upper
Central
Lower
Historic Districts
Residential
Mixed-use
See also: Historic homes in metropolitan Detroit
National Register of Historic Places in Wayne County, Michigan
Historic districts Wayne County map
Historic properties
National Historic Landmarks
Former listings
See also: National Register of Historic Places listings in Wayne County, Michigan and List of National Historic Landmarks in Michigan
Shopping malls and districts in metropolitan Detroit
Enclosed
shopping malls
Open-air
centers
Street-side
shopping districts
Strip and power centers
Defunct
Cancelled
See also: Tourism in metropolitan Detroit
Architecture of metropolitan Detroit
Skyscrapers
10 tallest
20 tallest
30 tallest
40 tallest
50 tallest
60 tallest
70–195 tallest
New Center
East side
Suburban
Low rise
under 10 stories
selected
Downtown
Midtown
North
East side
Suburban
Parks and gardens
Museums and libraries
Religious landmarks
Performance centers
Neighborhood
Historic Districts
Residential
Mixed-use
See also: List of tallest buildings in Detroit
Ethnic enclaves
Greektowns in the United States
Categories: