Dan Austin’s Legacy

Every city has its storytellers—the people who listen closely, dig deeply and remind us that the past not only shaped who we were but who we are. For Detroit, one of its most dedicated storytellers has been Dan Austin.

For more than two decades, Dan has dedicated himself to documenting Detroit’s history, whether it be the buildings, the music or the people who have called it home. He has profiled more than a thousand buildings, published three books on Detroit architecture and history, started a vinyl DJ collective dedicated to introducing forgotten slabs of Motor City soul to new audiences, and telling the stories of the Detroiters who changed not only the city but the world. Through words and photographs, Dan has sought to capture not just the story of Detroit, but its spirit—the beauty of its forgotten and celebrated spaces, the resilience of its neighborhoods and the tales of those who brought those places to life.

His work has always been about more than just brick and mortar. It has been about memory, identity and belonging. Through his writing, speaking and tireless research, Dan has helped Detroiters connect with their history and see themselves as part of a larger, living story.

He has always believed that a city’s past should play a part in its future. That is not to say it should live in the past, but with it. A city’s buildings and stories shape who we are, who we must - or must not - be, and honor those who walked its streets before us.

Dan also served his city in various roles in Mayor Mike Duggan’s administration, worked on two Pulitzer Prize-winning series at the Detroit Free Press, fought as a champion for the preservation of historic city buildings in Detroit and across the state, and chronicled the stories of Motor City soul legends.

Today, as Dan battles stage IV cancer, ensuring his decades of work are not lost feels more urgent than ever. But this page is not about endings—it’s about continuing our city’s story. His life’s work continues in every building profile, every story preserved, every student inspired to care about history. This nonprofit was created to honor that legacy while he is still with us, and to ensure that it carries forward for generations to come by giving Detroit youth the same opportunities afforded him.