The Motor City has officially run out of gas. And as evidenced by these photos, it was not just industry that abandoned Detroit; it was its livelihood.
As of July 18, 2013, the Motor City officially ran out of gas. Filing for Chapter 9 bankruptcy, Detroit’s debts–a whopping $18 to $20 billion–represent the largest municipal filing for bankruptcy in United States history. And as its solvency has gone down the drain, so too has its population.
In 1950, the burgeoning industrial city was home to nearly two million Americans. But today, as Detroit’s population has dwindled to a mere 700,000, the only boom Detroit has seen rests in the number of abandoned buildings popping up within city limits.
As evidenced by the following photos of abandoned Detroit, those remaining might have a hard time forging optimism about the future when constantly surrounded by brick laid ghosts:
If you enjoyed this fascinating tour of abandoned Detroit, be sure to see our galleries on 1960s Afghanistan and beautiful abandoned photographs!
