Historic Detroit

Every building in Detroit has a story — we're here to share it

Brewster-Douglass Projects - Old photos

The first phase of the Brewster Homes in 1939

First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt attends the ground-breaking ceremony for the Brewster Homes on Sept. 7, 1935, as one of the old homes sits razed behind her.

The first phase of the Brewster Homes in 1939

The first phase of the Brewster Homes in 1939

The first phase of the Brewster Homes in 1939

The first phase of the Brewster Homes in 1939

When first lady Eleanor Roosevelt visited for the ground-breaking ceremony on Sept. 7, 1935, some of the projects' future residents threw her a party.

The ground-breaking ceremony on Sept. 7, 1935.

When first lady Eleanor Roosevelt visited for the ground-breaking ceremony on Sept. 7, 1935, some of the projects' future residents threw her a party.

Protesters try to stop the demolition of one of the original Brewster Homes in 1990.

Some of the abandoned row homes in 1992.

The Brewster-Douglass townhouses in 1990.

In 1988, Brewster-Douglass residents protest that the city was leveling houses in the city while they were stuck in squalor in the projects.

The Brewster-Douglass Towers in 1979

One of the original Brewster Homes, seen here in 1978, which were torn down in 1991 and replaced with new townhouses.

By 1976, the Brewster-Douglass Projects had become rather rundown, but would continue to house families for another 30 years.

The projects and its towers in 1955

The site of the projects in the 1930s

The projects in 1937

The projects in 1936

The projects in 1936

Detroiters line up to apply for space in the Brewster projects in the 1930s

Officials at a press event in the projects in 1938

A family in the projects in 1938

The projects in 1941

Construction in the mid-1930s

Construction of the projects in 1937

The Brewster rec center in 1965

Motown stars The Supremes visit their old neighborhood at Brewster-Douglass.