History of the Appalachian people in Metro Detroit facts for kids
The Metro Detroit area in Michigan is home to many Appalachian Americans. In fact, it has one of the largest groups of Urban Appalachians in the United States. Most of these people came from Kentucky, but many also came from Tennessee, West Virginia, Virginia, Ohio, and other parts of the Appalachia region.
Historically, Appalachian people settled in Detroit neighborhoods like Brightmoor, Springwells, Corktown, and North Corktown. They also moved to nearby suburbs such as Hazel Park, Ypsilanti, Taylor, and Warren.
After World War I, many Appalachian people moved to Detroit. They were looking for jobs. Between 1940 and 1970, about 3.2 million people from Appalachia and the Southern U.S. moved to the Midwest. They often settled in big cities like Detroit and Chicago. This large movement of people from rural Appalachia to Northern cities is sometimes called the "Hillbilly Highway". The culture of Metro Detroit has been greatly shaped by the culture, music, and politics of Appalachia. Most Appalachian people in Metro Detroit are Christian. They are either white or black, but Appalachian people can be of any race or background.
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History of Appalachian Migration
Between 1940 and 1960, about 7 million Appalachian people moved North. During World War II, many worked in factories that made war supplies and cars. This happened partly because coal mining in Appalachia was slowing down.
A law called the Immigration Act of 1924 limited new immigrants from parts of Europe and Asia. This created a need for working-class people in Northern cities. Many working-class Appalachian migrants filled these jobs. Factory owners thought Appalachian people were good with machines. They also believed they had a strong work ethic and would not join unions.
The "Hillbilly Highway" is a way to describe this migration. Many Appalachian people literally traveled on highways like U.S. Route 23 and Interstate 75 to get to Detroit. In 1930, about 66,000 white Appalachian people lived in Detroit. Many were from Eastern Kentucky, especially Harlan County. In the 1950s, 1,000 people left Harlan County each year. There was even a daily bus service from Harlan to Detroit.
Many Appalachian people settled in southwest Detroit. This area used to have many Polish residents. Later, Appalachian people became the main group there. Now, the area has a large Latino population. This is because many Appalachian people have grown old, moved to the suburbs, or gone back to the South.
Facing Discrimination
Poor Appalachian people who came to Metro Detroit often faced unfair treatment. They were sometimes called names and stereotyped. Their homes were seen as messy. Landlords sometimes refused to rent to them. They worried that a neighborhood would become an "Appalachian area."
In a 1953 survey, Detroit residents were asked to name "undesirable people." "Poor Southern whites" and "hillbillies" were at the top, tied with criminals. They were seen as more undesirable than other groups. Appalachian people were made fun of for how they looked and for their accent.
Because of this social exclusion, many Appalachian people chose to live near each other. They formed close-knit communities. Some children and grandchildren of these migrants still speak with a strong Appalachian or Southern accent.
Appalachian Culture in Detroit
Working in Factories
In the 1930s, car companies in Detroit believed that "hill-billies" would not join unions. They thought these rural people had not been influenced by union ideas. However, these workers were often looked down upon by others. This was due to their simple way of living and lack of familiarity with city life.
The new assembly lines meant that workers did not need many skills. So, these mountain people were suitable employees. Over time, many Appalachian workers did become involved in labor unions.
New Identities
When Appalachian people moved to Detroit, they gained a new identity. In their home states, they saw themselves as different from people in other parts of the state. But in Michigan, they were grouped together as "southern white laborers." This created a new sense of group identity.
Migrants from all over Appalachia started to feel a connection with each other. They preferred to work and live near other Southerners. It was thought that Appalachian migrants took longer to fit in than Northern rural migrants. This was because of their strong group feeling and their awareness of being different.
Many Appalachian people in Detroit are white. However, there is also a large Black Appalachian population in Detroit. Appalachia is often thought of as an all-white region. Because of this, the stories of Black, Latino, and other Appalachians of color are often overlooked. Detroit and Chicago were popular places for Black Appalachian people to move. Many of them had worked in coal mining before moving.
Food and Cooking
Beans are a very important part of Appalachian cuisine in Metro Detroit. Beans were important to Appalachian people because they were cheap and healthy. They could also be easily grown in a backyard. Beans are often served in chafing dishes.
Soup beans are commonly served as a main dish or a side dish. They often use Pinto beans or Navy beans. Other common Appalachian foods include cornbread, fried cabbage, and stack cakes.
Music Scene
Metro Detroit has a lively bluegrass and honky tonk music scene. Several bars and restaurants in Detroit were known as hang-out spots for Appalachian and Southern people. In 1973, it was reported that Detroit had about 25 "hillbilly heaven" bars. These places were like community centers for Appalachian people.
Bobby Bare had a popular song called "Detroit City" in 1963. The song described feeling homesick and surprised by city life. This was a common feeling for Southern migrants.
Books and Stories
Harriette Simpson Arnow's novel The Dollmaker tells the story of an Appalachian family. They move from rural Kentucky to Detroit during World War II. The book is praised for showing a realistic picture of working-class life. The Dollmaker was also made into a TV movie in 1984, starring Jane Fonda.
Politics and Social Issues
Many white migrants from Appalachia and the South held strong racist beliefs. They feared that African-Americans were competing for jobs and housing. Black Appalachian and Black Southern people in Metro Detroit faced challenges from both racism and classism.
Poor and working-class Black Appalachian people competed for low-paying jobs. They also faced unfair treatment from landlords and employers. The racial tensions in Detroit led to the 1943 Detroit race riot. On June 20, 1943, unrest began in Belle Isle Park. It then spread across the city. During the riot, 25 African-Americans were killed. Hundreds were injured, mostly by white police officers. The riot ended when 6,000 federal troops were sent into the city.
Religion
A 1973 article mentioned that churches were important gathering places for Appalachian people. It described "the city's fundamentalist churches that perpetuate the frontier faith of the hills." This refers to Protestant and Evangelical Christian groups. These churches often have expressive worship, faith healing, and strong beliefs about Heaven and Hell. Faith Pentecostal Chapel in Hazel Park was one such church.
Notable Appalachian-Americans from Metro Detroit
- Harriette Simpson Arnow, a novelist from Kentucky. She is known for her writings about people from the Southern Appalachian Mountains.
