Detroit was founded in 1701 as a French fur-trading center. The British period (1760–1796) is documented archaeologically by grave goods, military palisade and picket remains, military buttons, lead balls, Chinese export porcelain, and a handful of other sherds. During the first two American decades, Detroit remained a fur-trading center. From 1820 to 1850, Detroit served mainly as a farmer's center. By 1870, Detroit was becoming a manufacturing center; both locally and in adjacent Michigan and Ontario, Detroit-made goods are known archaeologically.
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