Detroit's Main Street, Then and Now

For a fascinating perspective on the history of American urbanism, check out these selections from an incredible photo gallery of Detroit's Woodward Avenue -- its central artery and veritable "main street" -- put together by the Detroit News.

For most of its 204 years, it's been the region's prime meeting place, shopping place, cruising place and gathering place. Woodward Avenue is where Detroiters sent off union troops in 1861, a month after the Civil War began, and where we celebrated the end of World Wars I and II. Where we visited Hudson's and Kern's and greeted FDR and Santa Claus. It's where we watch our fireworks and salute our heroes.