This photo narrative showcases the presence and proximity of material-producing plants to residential areas in River Rouge, MI. Residents are directly impacted by pollutants from such plants yet they have a strong sense of community and a connection to the land as shown through these images.
This is the United States Steel customer/public entrance on Jefferson Avenue in River Rouge. USS is a steel manufacturing company that produces various steel-based, flat-rolled and tubular products made from many materials. Their steel plants extend across the Rouge River and the Detroit River. Many USS plants are directly adjacent to residential areas.
Bouquets of smoke from the USS plant located on Zug Island get deposited into the air of River Rouge multiple times a day. Smoke from the burning of various materials contain a variety of contaminants that get deposited into the air and nearby bodies of water.
In the outskirts of River Rouge, there are many residential blocks with a single house . This house borders the USS plant on Zug Island with the Rouge River flowing between them. On the intersecting streets of West End and Barnes, this house is in the same location as the previous photo.
The Rouge River allows for the transportation of materials from nearby plants. Facing in the direction of the Detroit River, this photo features boats that pass through the river frequently. Depending on which plant the boat is coming from, it can pass through 2 or more drawbridges in order to make it to it’s destination.
This is one of many River Rouge’s welcome signs. It is visible when entering the city after passing a drawbridge heading southwest on Jefferson Avenue. Immediately behind the welcome sign is the main entrance to the United States Gypsum Company which is a building materials supplier that utilizes the Rouge River to transport their supplies.
Mariner’s Memorial Lighthouse is located in Belanger Park which is the flagship park of the City of River Rouge. Visitors can launch their boats into the Detroit River from the small dock at the end of the park, go fishing, walk along the boardwalk and children can play in the nearby jungle gyms. Located to the left of the lighthouse is the DTE Energy River Rouge power plant.
A Virgin Mary statue is placed on a vacant lot between two houses in River Rouge. Directly behind the vacant lot, you can see buildings for Carmeuse River Rouge Operations, which is a local manufacturer company.
River Rouge residents and visitors from nearby areas partake in activities like fishing in the Rouge River between the city and Zug Island which houses a USS plant.
This is one of many murals that span a 7 block-long wall separating a River Rouge residential area and a DTE power plant. This part features four prominent Disney characters (from left to right): Minnie Mouse, Mickey Mouse, Goofy, and Pluto. The fencing on top of the wall feature signs that say “Notice Private Property,” and ” Warning Petroleum Pipeline.” The murals lead to John Jakubowski Park which was closed temporarily in 2023 due to lead contaminants. Mural credits go to Heather Willow Acaysia.
River Rouge City Hall has a large display of photographs from community events across the city. This photo features one of many community posting boards that can be seen immediately when entering the building.
This photo features two women fishing in the Detroit River at Belanger Park, a River Rouge flagship park. The building on the other side of the river belongs to Morterm Limited, which is a materials handling and equipment supplier in Ontario, Canada.
