Woodward Avenue has a long history as a hub of activity in Detroit. In 1861, a significant event took place on the avenue at Campus Martius. The First Michigan Infantry was presented with colors before departing to fight in the Civil War.

The infantry's arrival in Washington a month later reportedly caught the attention of President Abraham Lincoln. Further details about this event and Woodward Avenue's history are available from local news sources. For those interested in learning more about Woodward Avenue's past, additional information can be found through local news outlets, such as FOX 2 Detroit.