Stepping Into Michigan Central Station

Attending a Belle Isle event shortly after I started caching, everyone was talking about a new geocache at Michigan Central Station. Heading to Detroit's Corktown neighborhood, I was excited but anxious that I might miss whatever this ruin was. Little did I know that, well, you really can't miss it.

Michigan Central Station opened in 1913.  At 18 stories, it was the tallest train station in the world at the time. The station boasted a majestic Beaux-Arts facade and an interior lobby with soaring ceilings. [Source: Michigan Radio]

Once upon a time, it was beautiful, but, as the city declined, so did the station. For the last 30 years, Michigan Central Station has been one of the most photographed ruins in the city. Until now.

The announcement hit the major news circuit a little over a week ago. Ford Motor Company has purchased the building (and several other historic buildings nearby). Soon they will begin a 4 year renovation, but, first, a party! And the common folk were invited. TaGeez and I submitted our deets into an online form and shortly received confirmation that we would get the opportunity to tour the station with 25,000+ of our closest friends.

Our reservation was for Saturday morning, so we hoofed it down there to line-up at 8am for the 10am opening. We figured we could kill time by caching in the neighborhood, but, when we arrived, we saw the line forming. I would guess we lined up with the first 100 people.

Lucky us! They checked us in, stamped our hands, searched our bags and let us in a bit early! As that process took time and our early entrance, a handful of us had the station to ourselves for the first hour.

Souvenir sticker handed out at the front door

AMAZING! Ford cleared out the rubble, making it a safe environment. Most of the original glamour is gone, but they filled the emptiness with an industrial-vibe exhibit featuring Detroit history on one end and a large screen displaying their vision on the other.

This is so cool! Words of empowerment and hope streamed around the vaulted ceilings. Walk up to the iPad kiosk, and you will see your words scrolling along the ceiling medallions. 

Here is a long view of the room and a historic photo floating around the internet. Can you see the glory?

In one alcove, we saw these scenic images on the wall. Wallpaper? Paint on plaster? Can you imaging the grandeur?

I hope this video works. It's me standing in the center of the station lobby, panning the room. 

And now to turn to the self-guided tour....

We started heading back to the concourse.

Now here's a fascinating, unexpected turn of events. Someone returned the frame of the MCS clock! And others have been calling and offering to return other original artifacts, too!

TaGeez, are you waiting on a train?

Ticket window

In addition to the Detroit history exhibit, Ford invited several performers to entertain during the Open House included several noted urban artists.

Opposite the history exhibit was a large screen including bits of Detroit history documentaries, empowering words from the locals, and...

The Ford visit for the future. Not only did they purchase the Central Station, they also bought several historic buildings nearby. At least one is already occupied by a science/research team. Videos showed their mock-ups of the completed renovations and the campus at large.

After touring for two hours and now weaving through crowds of gawkers, TaGeez and I moseyed out the door to explore the surroundings (ever vigilant for new cache hide locations).

Luck held out for us. Not only did we earn one of the coveted registrations (there were waiting lists), park practically at the Station's front door, be one of the first 100 in, but we were also one of the first inside the nearby Mercury Bar when they opened their doors for lunch. IT WAS FABULOUS!

With both heart and bellies brimming with goodness, we decided to leave the crowds and head to Belle Isle, grabbing caches along the way, of course! I'm excited to witness the MCS and Detroit undergoing a rebirth!