Remains
of Detroit's once extensive interurban street rail system
occasionally appear through decaying streets. They
are a reminder of the brick street days of the first half
of the 20th Century when a celebrated mass transit system
moved Detroiters throughout the rapidly growing city.
How
Can This Happen?
The
destruction of a mass transit system of interlinked street railway
cars was effected in the 1950's when the remaining cars were
sold to Mexico City. Why did the city need them when nearly
everybody could drive cars to their increasingly rural homes?
The
consequent dispersal of the population of Detroit in the years
following World War II triggered a chain of downward spiraling
dominoes. Less people of less means remained. Less
taxes collected resulted in less services and a diminished quality
of life and security.
Neighborhood
libraries closed. Fire stations and schools were consolidated,
then closed. Small businesses failed and none took their place.
Roads and walkways fell into disrepair.
More
people moved away and a new line of dominoes begin to tumble.
