Campus Martius Park Live Cam

A re-established park in Downtown Detroit




Campus Martius Park History

Campus Martius Park is a public park located in the heart of downtown Detroit, Michigan. The park's name is derived from the Latin term "Campus Martius," which translates to "Field of Mars," the Roman god of war. The park's name references the original Roman Campus Martius, which was a large public gathering space in ancient Rome.

In Detroit, the area that is now Campus Martius Park was originally used as a military training ground by French and British soldiers in the 1700s. After the American Revolutionary War, the land was transferred to the United States government and used as a parade ground for the Michigan militia. The land was eventually sold to the city of Detroit in 1828, and it was used as a public square.

Throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, the area around Campus Martius Park became a hub of commercial activity, with many important buildings and businesses located nearby. However, as the city of Detroit experienced economic decline and urban decay in the mid-20th century, the park fell into disrepair and became a neglected space.