9 things to know about Detroit

The Boston Red Sox are in Detroit for the American League Championship Series at Comerica Park. Here are some facts you may not know about the Motor City.

Pictured: Prince Fielder of the Detroit Tigers hit a two-run home run in the third inning against the Boston Red Sox on Sept. 4.

Loyal fans

Detroit loves its sports! In 2012, The Detroit Tigers were among nine Major League Baseball teams with attendance of 3 million or greater. This year , the Detroit Red Wings ranked third in NHL attendance, selling out all 24 games during the shortened 2012-2013 season.

First concrete highway

Detroit was the first city in the world to build a concrete highway. In 1909, Wayne County in Detroit experimented with paved roads in order to see just how well concrete can cope with the traffic. The experiment’s success led to more developments on the transportation front.

Oldest Midwest city

Detroit is the oldest city in the Midwest. It’s also the only Midwest city from which one can look south to Canada, according to Detroit’s official website.

A declining population

Detroit’s population peaked at 1.86 million in 1950 and has declined to around 700,000 residents in the last decade, according to the Wall Street Journal .

New rapid transit

Detroit is one of the few major American cities without a light rail system. The federal government has committed $25 million to a proposed 3.3-mile streetcar line along Woodward Avenue in Detroit, stretching from downtown to the New Center area.

Home of the original ice cream soda

The ice cream soda was invented in Detroit in 1876 by the Pavilion of Sweets proprietor, according to Detroit’s website. The story goes that a man named Fred Sanders decided to mix ice cream with a popular carbonated drink after the ice truck failed to show, giving birth to the popular confection.

One of the world’s longest bridges

The Ambassador Bridge, linking Detroit with Windsor, Ontario, is one of the longest international suspension bridges in the world.

Salt mines

About 1,400 acres below the city is a salt mine which when harvested could supply enough salt for 70 million years.

Celebrity birthplace

Eminem is a celebrity often associated with Detroit, but it’s also the home of other celebrities such as Tim Allen, Tom Selleck, Marth Reeves, James Lipton and more.