Hidden in Plain Sight

Montcalm Street: A Link to Detroit's French Past

Episode Summary

Oct. 6, 2026 ~ In this episode of Hidden in Plain Sight, Dr. Robert Livernois uncovers the fascinating history behind Montcalm Street, a familiar downtown Detroit roadway that many pass on their way to Comerica Park without ever considering its origins. What appears to be just another street sign actually connects Detroit to the dramatic struggle between France and Great Britain for control of North America more than 250 years ago. Named for Louis-Joseph de Montcalm, the famed French military commander known as the Marquis de Montcalm, the street serves as a reminder of Detroit’s deep French roots and its strategic importance during the colonial era.