Share All sharing options for: Tour the grandeur of Michigan Central Station in 17 historic photos

For years, Michigan Central Station was a symbol of decline, ruin, and frustration in Detroit.

Since the last train left in 1988, it went through a lengthy period of deterioration. Notorious speculator Matty Moroun bought the depot in 1995 and did little with it. Open to the elements until windows were installed in 2015, it was looted, vandalized, scrapped, and threatened with demo.

Now that Ford is redeveloping the iconic station, many are hopeful it will be restored to its former glory. By all appearances, the automaker seems to be trying to faithfully recreate the historic features, especially its grand lobby.

In its heyday, Michigan Central Station would see thousands of people coming in and out of the bustling station or working in the offices above. Let’s take a step back in time to see what Michigan Central Station once was through these historic photos.