The West Canfield Historic District, built on a cobblestone road in Detroit's budding Midtown neighborhood, has preserved much of its storied history through the ups and downs of the city.

It is rare for any of West Canfield’s restored houses to come up for sale, said Realtor Jason Hill, who specializes in historic Detroit. It’s just a handful of houses, and the owners stay put.

In Detroit’s Historic West Canfield, sleigh bells ring, and so do cash registers. “I come here all the time -- all times of the year,” said Sara Showers, another shopper. “This is like my ...