Ecorse, city in Wayne County, Michigan, United States of America
Ecorse is a small city in Wayne County on the edge of the Detroit River in Michigan, with a mix of older and newer buildings along its streets. The city has parks, a public library that opened in the 1920s, and sits along the river which is visible from many places and shapes the rhythm of community life.
The city was originally founded by French settlers who named it after the birch trees along the stream, then developed as an industrial hub after a steel mill opened in 1923. It became an official city in 1941 and served as a major center for steel and manufacturing for many years before economic shifts shaped its recent past.
The name comes from French settlers who called it the river of bark, noticing the birch trees along the stream. Today the city is home to residents from many nations and backgrounds who gather for festivals, music, and community events that celebrate both history and cultural diversity.
The best way to explore the city is to walk through the streets and visit the waterfront where you can feel the closeness to the Detroit River. Visit the library and parks, especially John D. Dingell Park along the shore, to get a good sense of the community.
The town's name comes from a natural feature: early French settlers observed that tribal communities like the Ottawa and Potawatomi gathered birch bark to make canoes and for ceremonial purposes, leading them to call it the river of bark. This story reveals how the city's founding was woven together with indigenous knowledge and practices.
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