From 1870 to 1900, Detroit goes from 80,000 to 200,000 residents. From 1900 to 1920, it jumps to 900,000. Even before the city's notorious industrial boom begins, the city goes through drastic changes in a short amount of time.
Source:
http://quod.lib.umich.edu/d/dpa1ic?page=index
Lafayette and Michigan 1873. Oh man...wood sidewalks.
Same intersection in 1900.
Neighborhood behind the above intersection in similar respective decades. That courthouse looking building is actually a church. Check out the new additions in the later photo.
1872 Cadillac Square
Somewhere between 1880 and 1907. Starting to look a little "modern" doesn't it?
And finally 1915. Not too many years later, Detroit's population then booms past 1 million.
By mid-century,
this is what the site finally turns into.