News Summary
Local officials in Detroit are proposing the Bagley-West Vernor Historic District for the National Register of Historic Places to honor the area’s rich Latino heritage. This initiative aims to protect the cultural significance of West Vernor Highway and Bagley Street, home to many celebrated Latino businesses. A public meeting is scheduled for community input, and if approved, the nomination will be submitted to the National Park Service. The district reflects the history of the Latino community and aims to preserve its contributions to Detroit’s cultural identity.
Detroit – Local officials in Detroit are taking significant steps to recognize and preserve the area’s rich Latino heritage by proposing the Bagley-West Vernor Historic District for the National Register of Historic Places. This effort, which aims to protect the cultural significance of West Vernor Highway and Bagley Street, has been in development for over two years and is spearheaded by Detroit’s Historic Designation Advisory Board.
The official nomination for the historic district is scheduled to be submitted to the National Park Service this fall if it receives local approval. A public meeting for community input is set to take place at 4 p.m. on Thursday at the Mexicantown Community Development Corporation’s offices, located at 2835 Bagley St. Residents and stakeholders are encouraged to attend and share their thoughts regarding this vital initiative.
The proposed district encompasses both sides of Bagley Street and West Vernor Highway between 16th Street to the east and Ferdinand Street to the west, an area commonly known as Mexicantown. It is home to many celebrated Latino businesses and restaurants, including Mexican Village, Xochimilco, Los Galanes, and Tamaleria Nuevo Leon, among others. Some local favorites are Taqueria Lupita’s, Armando’s, and multiple grocery stores and bakeries that cater to the community’s heritage, including Honey Bee/La Colmena and La Michoacana tortilla makers.
The establishment of a Latino community along the West Vernor Highway and Bagley Street dates back to the early 1920s, with a significant increase in population by 1929. Its history is enriched by the influence of various European immigrant populations that resided in Southwest Detroit over the years, including groups from Germany, Hungary, Poland, and Romania. The area has evolved significantly, becoming a vibrant hub for Latino culture, food, and commerce.
One of the oldest establishments in the area, Tamaleria Nuevo Leon, was founded in 1957. It is currently managed by Suzy Garza-Villarreal, who continues the family tradition of creating authentic tamales, a mainstay of the community’s culinary offerings.
The National Register of Historic Places is an official list categorizing historic sites worthy of preservation across the United States. Being listed provides property owners with access to valuable state and federal tax credits and preservation grants, facilitating potential renovations and restorations. Importantly, this designation does not limit property owners’ freedom to alter their properties but instead can provide financial assistance for historical refurbishments.
A meeting in Lansing on September 22 will see the Michigan State Historic Preservation Review discussing the proposed historic district. If the expert committee approves the nomination, it will be forwarded to the National Parks Service for final review, with ambitions of completing the review process within six months.
Lisa DiChiera, who serves as the deputy director of the Historic Designation Advisory Board, has expressed that the nomination process will focus on the area’s history as viewed from the Latinx community’s perspective. This approach contrasts with previous historic districts that have primarily emphasized the Eastern European narratives prevalent in the region’s history.
This initiative stands to not only honor the Latino heritage of Detroit but also to educate future generations about the cultural significance and contributions made by the Latino community to the city’s identity. The nomination process represents a pivotal moment in recognizing the historical tapestry of the area and ensuring its stories are preserved for years to come.
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HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Detroit News: Mexicantown Federal Historic District Proposal
- Wikipedia: Mexicantown
- Detroit Free Press: Insider’s Guide to Detroit Restaurants
- Google Search: Mexican restaurants in Detroit
- Metropolis Magazine: The Detroit Divide
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Detroit
- Visit Detroit: Southwest Detroit Neighborhood
- Google News: Detroit history
Author: STAFF HERE DETROITMI WRITER
DETROIT STAFF WRITER The DETROIT STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREDetroitMI.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Detroit, Wayne County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Movement Electronic Music Festival, Detroit Grand Prix, and America's Thanksgiving Parade. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Detroit Regional Chamber and Focus HOPE, plus leading businesses in automotive and healthcare that power the local economy such as General Motors, Ford Motor Company, and Henry Ford Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREGrandRapids.com, HERENorthville.com, HERENovi.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
