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The original catalog description provided by the Ford Motor Company reads as follows:
“Detroit began with a small French settlement on the west bank of the Detroit River early in the 18th century. This desirous site in 1763 passed into the hands of the English, during whose control Pontiac’s siege of 11 months took place. Americans took possession in 1783.”
Sun over harbor - skyline.
“What Cadillac saw in this location over two centuries ago has been heeded by thousands of followers and today Detroit stretches along 16.65 miles of river frontage.”
Excursion boat leaving dock - skyline and waterfront - excursion boat at dock.
“Its natural harbor makes Detroit the best port along the entire chain of Great Lakes, and has the opportunity of causing more tonnage to stop at Detroit than any other port in the world.”
Long ore freighters in harbor.
“On the threshold of the city, greeting a multitude of newcomers annually is one of the finest railroad terminals in the world. In 1920, five thousand immigrants journeyed to Detroit.”
Railroad station - automobile and pedestrian traffic.
“Within the bounds of this city, ‘Where Life is Worth Living,’ are 1,088,853 people, 20,000 places of business, 2,600 major manufacturing plants and 180,000 home owners.”
Views of city from above - workers building a house.
“The downtown district pulsates with business activity. Its traffic surpasses that of our largest city and requires an expenditure of $650,000 yearly for traffic regulation.”
Automobile, double-deck bus, streetcar, pedestrian traffic in business district.
“Magnificent municipal buildings, hotels, clubs, schools, libraries, etc., have been showered upon Detroit. $26,985,776.70 was spent by the city on improvements during 1920.”
Panoramic view of large buildings - parked cars around park - pedestrian traffic - buildings along river - beach - residential area - children on steps of large building - boys playing baseball - Detroit Public Library.
“Detroit’s gigantic industrial work has made all this possible. The value of its manufactured products for 1920 was $1,500,000,000.”
Double-deck bus and automobile traffic, water truck washing street, large buildings in background.
“The manufacturers are doing all in their power to lead the way to normal conditions. Its 37 automobile and 250 accessory plants are employing their share of Detroit’s 320,000 industrial workers.”
Plant - workers in plant yard - workers in street, Highland Park plant in background - truck and streetcar traffic - workers.
“Unbelievable tales of coming months of idleness and other propaganda are being ‘swallowed up’ and the strings on the money wallet have tightened -- business depends on our buying and spending reasonably to avoid boomeranging another depression on ourselves.”
People in open market - boy buying chicken - men receiving money.
“Detroit’s a ‘Billion Dollar Town’ and possesses many beautiful banks which last year went over the top with $100,000,000 assets.”
People in front of bank - bank interior - building under construction.
“But in its effort to lead the world with malleable iron, automobiles, fast motor boats, etc., Detroit has not forgotten to go to church and 350 churches and missions throw wide their doors each Sunday.”
Automobile traffic on street, people leaving church.
“Its boulevards, playgrounds and parks are always well occupied on Sundays and holidays.”
Heavy traffic on road - children playing in playground - people and pigeons in park - heavy traffic - large crowd on shore and others in canoe in water at Belle Isle.
“Nature lovers and pleasure seekers make Detroit their haven. Large steamers ply daily to many beautiful island parks and resorts.”
Crowd streaming through gate at dock - loaded excursion boat moving.
“‘And for those that still doubt that Detroit is dynamic further proof is recorded.”
‘The End.” “Ford Educational Library.” [1921]
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