- published: 31 Aug 2009
- views: 1953360
Downriver is the unofficial name for a collection of 18 suburban cities and townships in Wayne County, Michigan south of Detroit along the western shore of the Detroit River.
The name derives from the fact that the Detroit River, after running more or less west along the banks of Detroit and Windsor, Ontario, then bends to flow largely south before emptying into Lake Erie. Communities to the south of the city can thus be accessed by traveling downriver (as opposed to upriver) along the waterway.
In the 20th Century, the urban communities in the northern and middle parts of Downriver were mainly populated with workers who were employed by the dozens of auto factories, manufacturing suppliers, ship builders, steel mills and chemical plants that called the area home, including the Ford Rouge Plant Complex, Great Lakes Steel, McLouth Steel, and BASF.
While heavy industry is still an important source of jobs, these communities became home to more white collar workers in the late 20th and early 21st centuries as the economy of Metropolitan Detroit diversified, larger single-family houses were developed and improved freeways made commuting longer distances feasible.
I will not wear the willow
Though my love is gone
There’s a cool corner of the pillow
I will lay my head on
I will lay my head on
I will not grieve in sorrow
For what has come to pass
Turn my thoughts to tomorrow
I will not cast the glass
Will not cast the glass
I will not tremble
With the women in black
He’s gone to the devil
He won’t be coming back
Some say he took the shilling
Some say he took to the sea
Some said there was a killing
And the killer was he
The killer was he
I will not wear the willow
Will not lower my eyes
Though it’s not on my pillow
I know where he lies
I know where he lies
I will not tremble
With the women in black
He’s gone to the devil
He won’t be coming back