Detroit Wall, Concrete barrier in Eight Mile district, Detroit, United States
The Detroit Wall is a concrete barrier running along Birwood Avenue in the Eight Mile neighborhood, stretching roughly half a mile with a height of about 6 feet (1.8 m) and thickness of about 1 foot (0.3 m). It extends from near Pembroke Avenue southward toward Eight Mile Road, creating a physical dividing line through the residential district.
Real estate developer James T. McMillan built the wall in 1941 to separate Black and white residential neighborhoods during the era of enforced segregation. The structure became a physical symbol of government-backed racial division in urban areas.
The murals covering the wall depict civil rights struggles and local resistance to segregation that shaped the community. Walking along it, visitors encounter visual reminders of how people fought against racial division in their neighborhoods.
The structure sits near the intersection of Pembroke Avenue and Birwood Avenue and is straightforward to reach on foot. Daytime visits work best for viewing and photographing the artwork that covers its surface.
It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2021, receiving official recognition for its role in American civil rights history. This designation marked its status as a place of national historical importance within the country's story.
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