Joseph Campau Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Jos. Campau Historic District
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Joseph Campau at Norwalk
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 Location in Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Location | Along Joseph Campau Street, roughly bounded by Holbrook, Pulaski, Casmere, and Lehman Sts. in Hamtramck, Michigan |
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| NRHP reference No. | 12000870 |
| Added to NRHP | October 17, 2012 |
The Joseph Campau Historic District is a special area in Hamtramck, Michigan. It's a street filled with old shops and buildings. This district shows us what commercial areas looked like a long time ago. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2012. This means it's an important place to protect because of its history.
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A Look Back in Time
Hamtramck started as a small township in 1798. In 1901, the part of the township around Joseph Campau Street became a village. By 1910, about 3,500 people lived in Hamtramck.
The Dodge Main Factory
Around this time, the Dodge company decided to build a big new car factory. It was called Dodge Main. This factory was built in Hamtramck and finished in 1914. Many workers came to the area to work at the factory. A lot of these new residents were from Poland.
A Growing City
Because of the factory, Hamtramck grew very fast. By 1920, the population had jumped to 48,000 people! This was a huge increase in just ten years. More people meant a need for more homes and shops. So, in 1922, Hamtramck officially became a city.
Joseph Campau Street Shops
Most of the stores on Joseph Campau Street opened in the 1920s. The neighborhoods around the street were full of single-family homes. Soon, Joseph Campau Street became the second busiest shopping area in southeast Michigan. Only downtown Detroit had more shops and shoppers.
What Makes the District Special?
The Joseph Campau Historic District has 131 buildings. Eighty of these buildings are considered important to the district's history. These buildings show what commercial architecture looked like in the early 1900s.
A Unique Shopping Street
The Michigan State Housing Development Authority says that Joseph Campau Street is a unique collection of buildings. It's right next to a busy neighborhood with many homes. This connection helps the district stay active today. It still feels like a small town's main street, even though it's part of a city.
Images for kids
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Joseph Campau at Florian
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Joseph Campau at Poland
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Joseph Campau near Poland
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Joseph Campau at Edwin
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Joseph Campau near Norwalk
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Joseph Campau near Evaline
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Joseph Campau at Holmes
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Joseph Campau N of Caniff
