We used to have a regional rail network. Detroit and the world were wildly difference places then and its too easy to fantasize about the past when a lot of things were not great. But … there was a regional rail network. This map from the Detroit Historical Society shows the reach and extent of the system. The map shows the interurban connections, but even within the City of Detroit streets were served by numerous trolley companies connecting different parts of the city.

HT: Dave Gifford for reminding me I have never posted this map.