In Detroit, where the Motown sound once echoed through the streets, there is a neighborhood that history nearly erased but whose musical legacy refuses to fade away. Black Bottom, Detroit’s lost neighborhood, is where rhythm and blues fueled the lives of its residents.
Back then, Black Bottom was a bustling neighborhood on the city’s east side. It earned its name due to the dark, fertile soil that made it an ideal place for farming. In the early 20th century, Black Bottom transformed from fields of crops into a prosperous urban community. It was populated mainly by African Americans who migrated north for better opportunities during the Great Migration.
Small Businesses Flourished
The neighborhood grew into an exciting epicenter of culture, business, and creativity. It was a place where small businesses thrived, and the entrepreneurial spirit of its residents could be seen on every street corner. Black Bottom boasted lively jazz clubs and soulful gospel choirs. There were also many rhythm and blues joints that pumped out electrifying tunes into the wee hours of the morning.