The historical geography of Detroit . of Michigan and the ease andcheapness of transportation brought an influx of set-tlers that completely changed the aspect of things andmade Southern Michigan a part of Greater NewEngland. Every addition to the population of South-ern Michigan had its effect in swelling the size andincreasing the importance of the growing metropolison the eastern border. In 1820 the American frontier (density six to eight-een persons per square mile) bordered the southernshores of Lake Ontario and Lake Erie as far west as 8. Ibid., XXXVIII, 543 (Fuller). CENTURY OF GROWTH 1
The historical geography of Detroit . of Michigan and the ease andcheapness of transportation brought an influx of set-tlers that completely changed the aspect of things andmade Southern Michigan a part of Greater NewEngland. Every addition to the population of South-ern Michigan had its effect in swelling the size andincreasing the importance of the growing metropolison the eastern border. In 1820 the American frontier (density six to eight-een persons per square mile) bordered the southernshores of Lake Ontario and Lake Erie as far west as 8. Ibid., XXXVIII, 543 (Fuller). CENTURY OF GROWTH 175 Cleveland, and thence followed an irregular line to-ward the mouth of the Missouri River. An area ofsimilar density was located in southeastern Michigan,with the nucleus at Detroit. Connecting the Detroitsettlement and the settlements in Ohio was a thinly-settled area (two to six persons per square mile)bordering Lake Erie. By 1830 the frontier had en-veloped the settlements in southeastern Michigan.^ 1820 CT?=* ?2^ / f r. -ij-. Distribution of Population in the Lakes Region in 1820{F)-flin S/a//s//rii/ yU/cis, Ninth Census, AJV.) Behind the economic conditions and the improve-ments in transportation already noted, another factor,inherent in the habits of the people, w^as very impor-tant in furthering emigration. Nothing, says DanielBlowe in 1820,^ has tended so much towards therapid progress of the Western Country as the strong 9. Twelfth Census, Statistical Atlas, Population Maps of 1820 and Blowe, Emigrants Directory, 63. 176 HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY OF DETROIT disposition to emigration the Americans them-selves. Even when doing well in the southern oreastern States they will break up their move westward with an alacrity and vigor noother people would do unless compelled by . In this way it is that the Western States haveadvanced in population and prosperity with rapidityunparalled in the history of mankind. In 1825, the year of
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