Explore Detroit’s Castle Rouge, uncover a scandalous past, and taste the city’s best sourdough at The Mother Loaf.

Back in 2017, we took our first Detroit History Tour, and it was a hit. Why it took us nearly eight years to do another one is a mystery. That first time around, we joined the Haunted Detroit Tour, a fabulously spooky way to soak up the city’s past.

Detroit History Tours

Since then, Detroit History Tours has earned accolades, including the 2019 Michigan State History Award for Business of the Year and the 2022 Person of the Year award for Executive Director Bailey Sisoy-Moore.

Bailey was our guide on that haunted adventure, and she was everything you’d want in a storyteller: wickedly funny, incredibly knowledgeable, and full of Detroit spirit. More than once, she had the whole bus laughing out loud. Her 2022 Person of the Year award came as no surprise.

If you haven’t already, I highly recommend joining their mailing list. New tours pop up regularly, and they tend to sell out fast. So, if you’ve got friends visiting, do yourself a favor—book early.

Which brings me to this summer. When the February Detroit History Tour newsletter landed in my inbox, I immediately forwarded it to my sister, who was planning a visit with her husband, Greg. I asked if any of the tours caught their eye. The Castle Rouge Tour did.

Honestly, it didn’t matter what they chose—I knew that if Detroit History Tours was behind it, it would be good. And I was right.

Castle Rouge Tour

Davey and Carrie were our Castle Rouge tour guides and are also skilled storytellers. They met us on the steps of the chapel. Before getting into the nitty-gritty details of the building’s history, they handed out hard hats and provided us with safety instructions.

Think Castle Rouge is named for the nearby Rouge River? Think again.

The neighborhood’s roots trace back to real estate magnate John H. Castle and his partnership with John Ford, the brother of Henry Ford. “It was originally called Castleford, just a merger of their last two names,” Davey shared. 

The Love Quadrangle and the Scandal of the Century

We learned John Castle wasn’t just a real estate swindler—he had a flair for the dramatic. After ghosting one fiancée, marrying another (already pregnant), and allegedly making promises to a third woman, he found himself at the center of a jaw-dropping lawsuit. As our Davey put it: “He’s not in a love triangle. He’s in a love quadrangle.”

That was just a teaser for what you’ll learn on the tour. 

Davey and Carrie guided us from the chapel to the attic and back again to the chapel, sharing details about the building and the Passionist Order members who had lived there. The Passionists eventually sold the building to the St. Raphael Brooklyn Orthodox Church. 

Detroit Training Center 

Castle Rouge is adding another chapter to its history. It is now a hub for hands-on education, thanks to the Detroit Training Center. The instructors are Master craftsmen, each an expert in their trade.

The Center isn’t just for those seeking a career change or skipping the college path; it also offers practical, everyday classes for homeowners and DIYers. From replacing outlets and fixing plumbing to the fine art of repairing historic plaster walls (a must for Detroit’s pre-1950 homes), the offerings are refreshingly accessible.

Additional Detroit Stops

Since we’re in Detroit and close to Eastern Market, we had to stop by. The prices are shockingly low, people-watching is always fun, and the murals themselves are worth making a stop for. 

The Mother Loaf Bread

We had lunch at Mudgie’s and a beer at Batch Brewing before we remembered “The Mother Loaf Bread” over on Grand River – a place I’ve been eyeing on Instagram for years. We got there just as they were closing for the day and snagged what was left on their shelf. Seriously, it is the best sourdough bread I’ve ever tasted. 

Baker Jeremiah Kouhia is redefining Detroit’s Bread scene. His naturally leavened, long-fermented loaves have earned him a cult following in the city’s food scene. His dedication to the craft shows in every slice. 

They are located in Core City and can be a bit tricky to find, as they only open to the public on weekends. They sell out quickly, so arrive well in advance of closing to ensure you walk away with bread. 

Old Buildings, New Chapters, and the Best Bread Ever

I won’t let another eight years pass before booking my next Detroit History Tour. This city has a way of revealing its stories to anyone willing to look and listen. If it’s been a while since you explored Detroit with fresh eyes, take this as your invitation. Whether it’s through a guided tour, a perfect loaf of bread, or a stroll through Eastern Market, the city’s past and present are ready to be rediscovered.

More Pictures

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