French control of the settlement came to an end in 1760 when the area was given to the British as a concession of the French and Indian War. English traders began arriving in the spring of 1761. During the Revolutionary War, Detroit served as the base from which the British sent Native Americans to raid on American settlements to the east south. But even after the war ended, the British were slow to give Detroit up. It wasn't until July 1796 that Detroit finally became an American town.

Detroit was incorporated as a town by the legislature of the Northwest Territory on January 18, 1802. Several years later, on January 11, 1805, the Michigan Territory was established as a separate territory with Detroit as the capital.

On June 11, 1805, fire raged through Detroit, destroying most of the city, except for an old warehouse by the river and the brick chimneys of the wooden homes.

Detroit fell to British troops during the War of 1812 in the Siege of Detroit, but was recaptured by the United States in 1813 and incorporated as a city in 1815.

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