First Presbyterian Church, 200 E. Main St
First Presbyterian Church.Chartering Organization for Troop755, Crew755 and Pack755Northville's Presbyterian Church was founded in 1829 on land donated by Daniel Cady. The first wooden structure was erected in 1831. In 1838 there was a theological split in the Detroit Presbytery between the old-school conservatives and the new-school liberals. As a result the new-school liberals constructed a church “new school church” of their own in 1845 which is now in Mill Race (1972). The present building dedicated in 1846 and improvements made in 1875 dates from the 1870's. It has undergone extensive renovation throughout the years. The church house was built in 1929, with a fellowship hall added a few years later. The organ was donated by Andrew Carnegie and installed in 1922 the new sanctuary was built in 1970. The congregation is Northville's oldest religious assembly.
Northville Clock
Adopted as the symbol of NorthvilleTimeless with a Twist
Marquis Theater, 137 E. Main St
Marquis Theater The Penniman-Allen Theatre, or P & A Theatre, opened in 1925, built for Kate Penniman-Allen, who also constructed the theatre of the same name in Plymouth. The Renaissance-Revival-style theatre cost over $150,000 and it featured a $13,000 Wurlitzer pipe organ. The P & A also had a stage, orchestra pit, and dressing rooms. The theatre originally was originally a vaudeville/movie house. Charlie Chaplin and Mary Pickford appeared in person during the P & A’s early years. The Wurlitzer organ was removed in the early-1950.After Kate Penniman-Allen sold the theatre to Edward Hohler, the theatre was acquired in 1971 by the Zayti family. In 1972, the theatre’s name was changed to the Marquis. A restoration starting in 1978 brought the old theatre back to its former splendor. The Marquis moved from movies to live entertainment, going full circle to the theatre’s earliest days as an opera house. In addition to opera acts, the Marquis hosts various other live performances, including children’s theatre, concerts, and musicals.A fire at the theatre in 2003 caused some minor damage, mainly from smoke, but this has since been repaired, including new seating and curtains. It was closed in March 2021.
Masonic Lodge, 106, E. Main St
The Masonic Temple on Main Street's south side was built in 1880 on the second floor of a general store owned by Barton Wheeler. This double occupancy arrangement was Northville's first "condominium."
Crow's Nest at the Intersection of Main St & Center St
The Old Crow's Nest. This was located in the intersection of Main and Center Streets. Band concerts and speeches were given here.Interurban RR A little more than a century ago, southeast Michigan had a mass transit system in the interurban electric streetcar. For nearly 30 years, from 1899 to 1928, commuters throughout the region — from Ann Arbor to Detroit and all stops in between and beyond— enjoyed the efficient, economical and comfortable ride of the interurban.Replacing its predecessor, the steam engine streetcar, electric streetcars came into their own in the late 1890s with streetcar firms capitalizing on the advent of the new technology by building lines that fanned out of Detroit in all directions. Detroit was known as the "interurban capital of America."Northville eventually ended up partnering with Detroit and Plymouth in forming the Detroit, Plymouth & Northville Electric Railway (DP & N), later becoming the Detroit and Northwestern Railway Company.Northville's first electric streetcar arrived on Main Street from Plymouth on November 10, 1899. A photograph from the Northville Historical Society Archives (see accompanying image) shows the first streetcar's debut on East Main Street along with the private car of F. W. Brooks, president of the DP & N Electric Railway.Regular service began the following day, with complimentary rides given to residents. "The cars were crowded beyond even the standing room capacity with Northville, Plymouth, and Wayne people," reported The Northville Record in a November 17, 1899 article. "It seemed that all the Plymouth people were over here, and all of Northville certainly over at Plymouth. Up till Sunday night more than 1,000 passengers had been carried."The fare to Plymouth was 5 cents, Newburg 10 cents, Wayne 15 cents, Detroit and Ypsilanti 35 cents and Ann Arbor 45 cents.Not long after the original interurban arrived in Northville, another company added a second line. In his book "Northville . . . The First Hundred Years", Jack Hoffman noted, "With establishment of the 'north' line into town, Northville was served by two separate companies that, on Main Street, shared the streetcar tracks."The line from Plymouth traveled along what today is the northbound lane of Northville Road Boulevard. It rounded the curve on a bridge over what then was a pond of water and then headed directly east up the middle of Main to Center Street where the line ended." In the middle of the intersection was the raised bandstand known as the Crow's Nest.In 1907 two trains collided head on and 33 people were killed and over 100 injured
Methodist Church (Stampeddler)
Built in 1885-86 the tower of this church was rebuilt in 1960. The clock, a gift of John or Solomon Gardiner, was installed in 1893. The Northville Record records its dedication in July, 1893. The church was sold and turned into a restaurant in the early 1970’s known as the Drawbridge Inn.
Casterline, 122 Dunlap St
Casterline Funeral HomeIn 1937 Ray J. Casterline broke away from working with his cousin at a storefront funeral establishment and furniture store to begin his own journey as a licensed funeral director at 122 West Dunlap Street in downtown Northville. A Victorian home served the community as the first funeral parlor in Northville. The home next door was the residence to the Casterline family, with the garage between housing the ambulance service until the late 1960’s. In 1949 Ray’s son Fred A. Casterline, who married Emily Saner, became a licensed funeral director. Freddy, as many called him, was very well liked by the Northville community; and you could always find his wife Emily greeting people at the door of the funeral home. Their son Ray J. Casterline II began working with his father at an early age, and became a licensed funeral director in 1970. He was united in marriage to Roxanne Atchison on August 10, 1968, daughter of the local doctor, Dr. Russell M. Atchison, whom many in the community adored
American Legion, 100 W. Dunlap St
American Legion HallThis was the original home of William Dunlap. The American Legion building, originally the William Dunlap home, the original portion of which was built in 1831. The building was lifted and rotated 90 degrees for the entrance to face Dunlap. A basement was also dug out and new foundation added. At the southeast corner of Dunlap and Center the old Opera House once stood. It was torn down in 1950. ln 1989 a flower shop marks the spot where it stood. In the 1930s Detroit Edison headquarters were located in the building on the Northeast corner of Dunlap and Center.
Original Scout Hall, 143 E. Dunlap St (Comerica Bank)
Original Scout HallLocated at 143 E. Dunlap Street. The original Scout Hall was built with WPA funds in the late 1930’s. It was used by the Boy Scouts until 1962 when the city wanted the land for redevelopment. In that same year the new Scout Hall was built on Cady Street (now the Art House). The land was the old Northville DPW yard prior to that.
Baptist Church, 217 Wing St
First Baptist Church The first church built in 1837 this building dates from 1858, when it was remodeled. Since then it has undergone many changes. The bell was added in 1879, the baptistery in 1887, and major reconstruction took place in 1928. It was again remodeled in the 1950's. Later additions occurred in the 1960's and 70's.
B.Ames House, 204 Randolph
Randolph A.B. Ames house built 1843, School-Northville AcademyThis Greek Revival-style house was built in 1843, so it's one of the older buildings in Northville, and it's very well-preserved. The land was part of the original land grant received by Alvah Smith in 1825 and was later sold to early settlers John and Betsey Miller, William Dunlap and eventually A. B. Ames, who erected the building to house the Northville Academy, a private school.The school later came under the leadership of Sylvester Cochrane and was quite successful until it closed in the late 1860s. At that time, the building became the residence of Asa Randolph, who removed the iconic cupola.The building's symmetry, columns and entryway with sidelights are all characteristics of Greek revival architecture.
Buchner Hill and Sanitarium, Randolph/HighSt intersection
Buchner Hill and Sanitarium As you stand at the Randolph/High St intersection, imagine it’s winter 1910 and you have just sledded down the steep hill to the north. The police have even closed the road so you won’t get hurt as you fly across the road!Northville's elevation is the highest in Wayne County – and it earned it's bragging rights as one of the best sledding and tobogganing venues in southeastern Michigan.For Northville boys and girls (and any adult crazed enough to take a go at it) in the late 19th century and first part of the 20th century, Buchner Hill was the ultimate thrill ride. The hill was located above High Street and south of what is today Hillside Middle School. It took its name from John C. Buchner, who owned a livery on West Main Street and built a palatial High Street mansion in the 1870s on the site now occupied by Allen Terrace.According to a February 26, 1910 article in The Detroit News, Buchner "conceived an idea that the big hill, then covered with shrubbery and trees which he owned, would be a great place for people seeking slightly homes or fresh air elevations."Standing 6-foot-4 in height and known as "The Giant of the Hills," Buchner platted the hillside from top to bottom. At the summit was his two and a half story mansion with its slate Mansard roof and observation tower. From the tower, Detroit could be easily seen to the east.Buchner's development plans never materialized. A few homes were built on the two streets leading to his mansion, but they never got further than halfway up the hill.Nevertheless, cleared of trees and shrubbery, the bare hillside became the ultimate "coasting" run. The 1910 Detroit News article noted that "a full half-mile ride can be had in just 20 seconds, although the lighter loads usually consume 10 seconds more in the downward trip."The article went on to note that "often as many as a hundred youngsters will be in the game at one time." It further stated that "recently a damper was put on the sport for a few days and one road was closed up, because of accidents resulting in the breaking of legs."Broken bones did little to deter coasters from taking on Buchner Hill, but local officials were mindful of the dangers to "life and limb." A December 1915 article in The Northville Record reported that the village council "in an endeavor to give the boys and girls the limit of fun and excitement pursued a 'Safety First' initiative."The 'Safety First' initiative involved stationing traffic officers on duty at the Randolph Street crossing and other streets where necessary, all day Saturday and all other days from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. At other times, coasters were advised to take their own precautions.The same article noted, "The long distance record last year for the big hill was way down on South Center Street beyond Mill Street." Mill Street today is Fairbrook. The street beyond Fairbrook is Seven Mile Road. That would make the 1914 coasting run record close to a mile!The Buchner mansion eventually was sold to Dr. A.B. Wickham, a specialist in the treatment of tuberculosis. Wickham remodeled the house and it served both as his home and part of the TB sanatorium he founded known as Eastlawn. It remained a sanatorium until 1955, when it was turned into a convalescent home. It was razed in 1976 to make way for Allen Terrace.High and East streets are now dotted with homes and condos. A few historic houses still stand on the hillside, reminders of the days when snow meant coasting down Buchner Hill.
318 Randolph
31. 318 RandolphThis may well be the oldest house in Northville. It was once a wing of the William Dunlap home which faced Center St. Dunlap, one of the community's earliest settlers, is said to have built Northville's first frame structure in 1831. This may have been it, or a part of it. This structure was moved to this location when the Dunlap home was turned to face Dunlap Street. Dunlap, along with Daniel Cady, filed Northville's first plat map in 1840 and is a city founding father. He purchased his land from John Miller in 1831.
Edward H. Lapham House, 239 High St
239 High StreetThe Edward H. Lapham House was built around 1835-40. Originally 1 ½ stories high, it now stands a full three stories on the south side. The central core chimney served fireplaces in the basement, dining room and kitchen, with a bake oven behind the kitchen chimney. Pottery was fired in the basement kiln. Hand hewn beams and a typical barn frame with mortise and tenon construction, and wooden pins are further evidence of early handiwork.
T.G. Richardson House, 223 High St
223 High StreetKnown as the T.G. Richardson House, this was built in 1912 in the bungalow style popular at that time. The exterior white glazed brick, or tile, makes the home particularly unique.
Fish Hatchery Supervisor, 218 Dunlap
218 Dunlap Frank Clark, Fish Hatchery Supervisor This residence was built between 1884 and 1890 for Frank Clark, the son of Nelson Clark, who moved his fish hatchery from Clarkston to Northville in 1874. The fish hatchery eventually became the only federal fish hatchery in Michigan. The house, which had two families living in it at one time in the 1930s, is a good example of a shingle-style house, with slate shingles and asymmetrical facades. While the garage looks like a contemporary construction, it was actually built in 1975 to look like a carriage house and match the home's original.Currently owned by the local ScoutsBSA District Commissioner and one of the leaders for the Girl Scouts for Troop 7901 who run the superb Mackinac Island Honor Guard Troop (who maintain the flags and tourist information) every year. Each week alternates between Girl Scouts and ScoutsBSA Troops, so if you'd like to have an amazing and fun experience, search the internet for how to apply!
Wedding Cake House, 404 Dunlap
404 DunlapBuilt in 1880, this is one of the few buildings in Northville with Italinate architecture, so it goes straight up, instead of having the Victorian porches, etc. Check out the gables (the supports to the overhanging roof and the "eyebrows" over the windows. Something you can't see is that the house is "balloon construction", which means it has double-walls for additional strength. To learn more about Italinate construction, see the link attached to the photograph.Locals often call it The Wedding Cake house (look at it again and you will say "Oh yes, it does look like...").
552/548/542 Dunlap
552/548/542 Dunlap StreetThese houses, if examined closely, can be seen to resemble each other. Built by Frank Beal in 1880, they are typical of many homes seen in the downtown area. They were designed in the Carpenter Gothic Style. Original owners included Charles Filkins, Frank Beal and Mr. Johnson. The Johnson House, 548, had a front porch added in 1915-20. It was also the home of Thad J. Knapp, one of Northville's Superintendents of Schools.
Atchison House, 501 Dunlap
501 Dunlap Known as the Atchison House, this home was built in 1882, with Darius Knapp as the first owner. Dr. R. E. Atchison purchased it in 1926. The. Second floor acted as a hospital until 1960; the building continued in use as a medical clinic until 1987. A number of local residents were born here. It was restored to its Victorian grandeur, as Northville's first bed and breakfast inn.
Dr.Snow Medical Center, 502-520 W. Main St
502-520 Main StreetThe houses along this block were all part of a small medical center including this house that was the residence of Dr. Linwood Snow. No. 508 was his office, with the nurses' residence next to that at 514. The nursing home at 520 was the original site of Sessions Hospital, later Northville Community Hospital. Dr. Snow's house is in the Italianate style, and has been remodeled. The property was sold ·to Alva Smith in 1831, the house and its remodeling date 1860. It was owned by John Blackwood earlier. Black walnut woodwork and hard carved doors distinguish the interior.
Old Village School, 401 W. Main St
Art House, 215 W. Cady St
Art House/Comerica Scout connectionThe building at 215 W. Cady Street is designed in the Colonial Revival style similar to the nearby U.S. Post Office and City Hall. Owned by the city, the structure was erected in 1963 to house the Northville Boy and Girl Scouts. The Scout Building eventually became a Senior Center before housing the Commission as the community-based Northville Art House in 1984
Oakwood/Cady St. Cemetary
Northville's earliest cemetery, once known as Oakwood Cemetery dating back to 1808, has today taken the street name. Graves here date back to the early 19th century. Many of the community's early settlers are buried here. Ancestors say the property was donated to the village for a cemetery by Daniel Cady. He is buried here with one of his wives and some of his children
Jet Crash, 508 W. Cady St
508 West Cady Street Training jet crash 1959 at the home of Ms. Ada Rose in her vegetable garden. It was a RF-84F Thunderflash military jet. The pilot was preparing his approach to Detroit Metro Airport when he experienced a “frozen Stick” and he lost all hydraulics. The pilot was forced to eject and helpless watched as the plane turned and headed back towards the downtown business district when it suddenly shot up vertically and then plunging straight down and crashing.A young girl was saved by her brother, a scout. His training saved his sisters life.
Fish Hatchery Park, 45801 W. Seven Mile Rd
Fish HatcheryImagine looking out from 7 mile and seeing fish-ponds the size of 4 football fields, and they were part of an estate the size of 13 football fields. This place was huge! In fact, the Northville Fish Hatchery was the first federal fish hatchery in the nation and one of the largest.In 1874 prominent fish breeder Nelson Clark settled in Northville to start a fish hatchery along Johnson Creek. Artificial fish propagation was a new idea. The hatchery’s modern ichnology bred salmon, trout, and whitefish and shipped to Mexico, Europe and New Zealand. After his death in 1876, his son Frank assumed control of the fish hatchery, turning it into an industry leader, one of the finest hatcheries in the country. In1880 the U.S. Government purchased the buildings, making Frank Clark the superintendent of the new U.S. Fish Hatchery, the first federal fish hatchery in the nation.By 1935, it was the last federal fish hatchery in Michigan. It covered 17 acres, five of which were under water. The federal government operated the fish hatchery until 1960. Later, the hatchery served on a cooperative basis with the University of Michigan. The majority of the buildings were destroyed and a park along Fairbrook Avenue was opened. The original house and pond still stand. Fish Hatchery Park stands as a fitting monument to one Northville’s most important industries.
Northville Labs, 100 Rural Hill St
Northville LabsNorthville Laboratories was established in Northville in 1910 and is one of the few businesses to be still here. It quickly gained a reputation as a premier vanilla extract supplier to the dairy, beverage and bakery industries. It continues to be a major producer of food flavoring. Northville labs are world renowned for their vanilla flavoring.
Rural Hill Cemetery, 215 W. Seven Mile Rd
Rural Hill CemeteryIra Rice claimed the southwest corner of the cemetery property in 1826 by a land patent issued by President John Quincy Adams in October of that year. The land was sold to Hiram Robinson in July of 1830. He subsequently died and left the land to William H. Robinson. The property went through several owners after that. Eventually the land the cemetery sits on was originally part of the farm of M.D. Gorton, who was one of the organizers of the cemetery.The Rural Hill Cemetery Association was formed on Dec. 17, 1885 and it purchased the land from Major Gorton and his wife for $1,286.25. The first board of directors included F.R. Beal, J.M. Swift, C.M. Thornton, M.A. Porter, M.D. Gorton, L.W. Simmons, L.W. Hutton, A. D. Kendrick and F.W. Clark. Their names all appear on cemetery memorials in Rural Hill. The organization was established as a non-profit civic enterprise with each member paying $125.The first lots in the cemetery were sold for $15 to $40 each. On July 8, 1908, the association was reorganized and the corporation was chartered for an additional 30 years. Over the years, the association found the upkeep and record-keeping to be difficult. Thus, on May 25, 1948, they sold the cemetery to the Village of Northville for one dollar. No records were found for burials made prior to the 1930s. Former Sen. Robert Geake and former Northville Record Editor Jack Hoffman worked to re-create records from the marked graves in the cemetery and completed their project in 1977.Visit Scout graves:Dawson Compo June 1, 2002 – Jan 2, 2021 Airplane crash 19 yoDominic Duhn Jan 28, 2000 – Sept 3, 2020 Skateboard/traffic accident 20 yoAlec Raymond April 15, 1992 – April 12, 2014 MS almost 22 yoKarl Stockhausen Apr 8, 1981 - Sept 13, 2009 Cancer 28 yoTodd Schoenheide February 28, 1988 - April 10, 2005 Bike/traffic accident 17 yoMickey Swancutt Jan 12, 1981 – July 11, 1998 Leukemia 19 yo
Northville [Horse] Driving Club and Fairgrounds, 301 Center St
Northville [Horse] Driving Club and FairgroundsLong before Northville Downs became a reality (1947), Northville boasted a race track. At the turn of the century the property was purchased at Center and Seven Mile Road for a private nine whole golf course. A few years later a group of men, led by the late Ed Starkweather, started an "Athletic Park" on the site where harness racing occurred. Later, it was here that the Wayne County Fairgrounds were located. Harness racing has been popular in Northville since the late 1800’s, when horse owners used to race their animals through the dirt on Dunlap Street. Organized racing at Seven Mile Road and Center Street began more than a century ago in 1902, when a group of local residents collaborated to buy a plot of land and mark a racetrack. This group formed the Northville Driving Club in 1907, and built the half-mile track through a series of “building bees” and free labor.In 1916, a county fair was organized at what was to become Northville Downs. The fair operation grew, and the first grandstand was built in 1926- a wooden structure which could hold 2000 people. The fair and horse racing were closely affiliated for decades; the two functions shared the interest and involvement of community eiders, spectator bases and location. The relationship thrived until World War II, when wartime thrift slowed interest in fairs.The close of World War II brought harness racing to Northville. A group of Buffalo investors approached the Northville Driving Club with the risky proposition of holding evening races. The Driving Club finally agreed, but first had to convince horse owners and trainers to race at night, under lights, something unheard of in the Midwest. Michigan’s first evening races were held on September 1, 1944. Racing was an immediate success. Thousands of racing fans made the 30 mile trek from Detroit to Northville via public transportation
Log Cabin, 318 River Street
Log Cabin, 318 River Street Probably built in the 1930’s this is of original log construction. Log Cabins came to the United States with the Swedes in the middle colonies. They squared the sides and corners as cabins moved west the squares were omitted and joints were mud and moss filled. This created the American style. The revival of this style in the late 1800’s was and extension of the overlapping end logs, to create a romanticized look which did not exist in earlier years.
Silver Spring Well, 195 S. Main St
Silver Spring WellIt has been a Northville landmark for generations.As far back as 1913, city residents enjoyed cold spring water from the artesian well here, and visitors traveled here to fill their bottles. On the other side of the nearby railroad tracks, the Silver Springs Water Company bottled water from the same source in the 1920s and sold it throughout the region and on trains passing through. When the water mysteriously stopped running in the 1960s, Northville's Rotary Club sunk a well to renew the sparkling flow. Rotary has supported the site ever since, even as the water has been switched to the Detroit water system.
Stinson Aircraft Corporation
Stinson Aircraft Corporation (no longer here)The Stinson Aircraft Company was founded in Dayton, Ohio, in 1920 by aviator Edward “Eddie” Stinson, the brother of aviator Katherine Stinson. After five years of business ventures, Eddie made Detroit, Michigan the focus of his future flying endeavors while still flying as a stunt pilot, earning $100,000 a year for his efforts — a huge sum in those days.Stinson found Detroit's business community receptive to his plans to develop his own airplane. Alfred V. Verville and a group of local businessmen — the Detroit Board of Commerce's Aviation Committee — supported Stinson's plans to establish the Stinson Aircraft Syndicate in 1925 and provided $25,000 to design and build a prototype, an enclosed cockpit, 4-place biplane, powered by a Wright Whirlwind J-4 air-cooled radial engine test flighted at Packard Field in Roseville, Michigan, a northeast suburb of Detroit. Packard Field was the first commercial air field in Michigan, opened in 1919, site of Packard Aviation and the Michigan State School of Aviation, making it a natural location for Stinson to launch his business in the Detroit area.The Stinson Detroiter SB-1 (for "Stinson Biplane model 1") made its maiden flight from Packard Field on January 25, 1926. The plane not only had a rare (for the period) enclosed cabin, it also had heat (which was a big plus given the cold Michigan winter), upholstered seats and side panels, and even an electric cigar lighter. It became an overnight success, and flights were offered in February to 70 riders thus enabling Stinson to raise $150,000 in public stock capital to go into production. Stinson incorporated in Michigan as the Stinson Aircraft Corporation. On May 4, 1926 Eddie acquired the Stimson (no connection to Stinson and no typo error) Scale Mfg. building in Northville, Michigan, just across the pond from the locally famous Ford Valve Plant, and the first production model SB-1 rolled out just three months later in August 1926. Stinson employed over 250 workers at the Northville factory in 1926. [1])The planes were too large to be completely assembled in the Northville plant, so the wings were attached to the fuselage just west of town at the new, local Northville Airfield, a land project owned by a group of village entrepreneurs established to support the Stinson factory. Aircraft were then flown and delivered from here to buyers. Stinson Aircraft Corp. sold a remarkable 18 SB-1 Detroiters by the end of 1926, completing manufacture of 10 aircraft, while the prototype SB-1 was sold to Horace Dodge, son of one of the Dodge Motor Cars founders.
William Pitt Hungerford, 342 E. Main St
342 E. Main Street Yarnell Gold CareIf you read the description of the Wedding Cake House, what do you notice about this new house? Yes, it's another made with Italinate style architecture, with 10-foot ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows and cube-shaped cupola (on the roof).This is known as the William Pitt Hungerford House, c. 1860. The building served as a center for the Yarnall Gold Cure and Ebert and the Schrader Funeral Homes before being returned to a private residence. Hungerford was born on his parent's farm in Novi in 1829. His parents were early settlers in this area, having arrived in 1825. He established a dry goods store at the corner of Main and Center in 1857. He died in 1874 and is buried in Rural Hill Cemetery.
Dubuar House, 371 E. Main St
371 E. Main StreetThis house was built by James A. Dubuar in 1875. Dubuar owned the J. A. Dubuar Lumber Company just across Griswold. Dubuar constructed the home for his daughter and son-in-law when they were married. When Dubuar died in 1919 the company and house were sold to Henry Ford. Ford used the house as a residence for his plant manager, Harry Marburger. In 1941 ford sold the home to Mike Allen who lived in the main portion and ran Allen Monuments from the ground level basement. Although the interior has been extensively remodeled throughout the years, it retains many original features
Ford Valve Plant, 235 E. Main St
Ford Valve Plant (now: Planet Fitness)Originally named the Union Manufacturing and lumber company built in 1882. Company was purchased by J.A. Dubuar and named the J.A. Dubuar Mfg. Company. It was then purchased from the J.A. Dubaur estate by Henry Ford in 1917Northville's Valve Plant was the first of Henry Ford's "Village Industries" factories. The Village industries were designed to bring the economic advantages of industrial jobs to rural communities through the establishment of decentralized, non-disruptive manufacturing plants. In particular, Ford intended the Village Industries to stabilize the income of farmers who would otherwise have little winter income, and he gave his workers leaves of absence to work their farms.Over the span of the 1920s and 1930s, Ford established over thirty more Village Industries factories, making everything from copper welding rods to lamp assemblies to wheels. The plants tended to be small, employing around 100 workers. As in Northville, all of the factories were built on a riverbank (many at the former site of gristmills), and utilized hydroelectric power.HistoryHenry Ford purchased the property this building sits on in 1919. The lot contained an old gristmill which was reconfigured into a valve manufacturing facility by moving machinery in from the Fordson and Highland Park plants. Between 1919 and 1936, the plant manufactured over 180 million valves, at a cost of less than half what it would be in the larger Highland Park plant.In 1936, Ford replaced the mill with an Albert Kahn-designed factory building. The building reflects the then-current industrial architecture, as well as hints of Art Deco in the brickwork and entryway styling but still incorporated a water wheel.The Village Industries program was discontinued in 1947, but the factory continued to produce valves. The building was enlarged in 1956, and in 1969 over 150,000 valves were produced every day. The plant continued operations until 1978, the longest lived of any former Village Industries factory, and was later sold. The building has been renovated into office space for use by design firms.
Mill Race Village, 215 Griswold St
Mill Race Village (Northville Historical Society)The site was originally was the Northville Mills grist mill built by John Miller and Grant Nash in the fall of 1828. The mill ran until it was bought and torn down in 1847 by Captain William Dunlap who created the Northville Company in its place. Today History is preserved at Mill Race Historical Village, a gem of the Northville community. Created in 1972 by the Northville Historical Society, Mill Race Village serves as a focal point for the Northville community.A living museum, the Village was built on land donated to the City of Northville by the Ford Motor Company. Once the site of a grist mill, the Village is home to a church, gazebo, school, rustic wooden bridge, blacksmith shop, general store, interurban train station and several homes reminiscent of an era gone by. The New School Church was built in 1845 by a splinter group of the First Presbyterian Church of Northville. The Church exhibits a Greek revival architectural style with a columned entrance portico.Moved to the Village in 1972, the Church is currently used for meetings, classes, weddings and Troop755 Eagle Courts of Honor.Overlooking the ramblings of the Rouge River which flows through the Village, is a large gazebo. Modeled after a turn of the century version, the gazebo was built in 1979 by high school students. Many couples seek out the pleasant shelter of the gazebo to exchange vows on their wedding day. Couples also choose to say their "I Do's" overlooking the water, in the front yard of the homes or on the steps of the Church.
Chase Mansion, 801 Griswold St
31. Chase MansionThe estate has a rich history near two newer communities: Northville and Novi.1830s: Known as the Beal Family Farm.1899: Original home built.1916: George B. Yerkes, relative of William Yerkes of Chase Farms, bought the property. The home burned down while being redecorated.1922: Yerkes, now the Wayne Co. prosecutor, bought the existing structure. After his death in 1932, the property went to his son.1937: William Chase, inventor of shatterproof glass, and his wife purchased the estate.1939: Joe Louis stayed at the estate while training at the Wayne Co. Fairground, now Northville Downs, for a World Championship fight.1989: Larry Bennett, president of the Livonia-based Premier Video, a video duplication firm, bought the house.1997: Don Massey purchased the estate. He died in 2011.2020: Northville Living and Learning Enrichment Center
Baseline Meridian Marker, 720 Baseline Rd
8 Mile Meridan MarkerOn April 18, 1815 surveyor Alexander Holmes entered into a contract with Edward Tiffin, Surveyor General of the Northwest Territory, to establish the Baseline. He was also to survey a portion of the 96 townships that had been set aside to be divided and used as payment to soldiers and officers who had served in the Revolutionary War. Holmes received permission to give half the contract to his surveyor brother, Samuel. The contract stipulated a payment of $2.50 per mile of township and section line surveyed, and $3.00 per mile of baseline surveyed. Each surveyor had to pay his own crew out of these funds. They measured their path with a Gunter's chain, cut down trees that were in their line of sight, and planted posts every half mile along their path.At the time the area which is now Northville was a heavily wooded forest and vey swampy. When Michigan was part of the Northwest Territory, the Federal government desired to sell and settle as much land as possible. This necessitated a systematic, economical method of parceling out the land, which we now call the United States Public Land Survey System. Land was divided into townships measuring six miles by six miles, then townships were later subdivided into square mile sections. The first step was establishing vertical and horizontal axes.
Parmenter's Cider Mill, 714 Baseline Rd
Parmenter Cider MillBenijah Aldrich Parmenter (nicknamed “Madge”) was born in Novi, Michigan on May 7, 1842. Originally from New York State, his parents were early settlers to the area. Benijah received his early education in a log schoolhouse and helped on his family’s farm. He enlisted in the US Navy in March of 1862 and served on board the USS Elfin until it was destroyed in battle on the Tennessee River. He then served on board the USS Cincinnati until the close of the Civil War. After the war, he returned to farming in the Northville/Novi area and married Anna F. Guthrie in December 1867. Using his mustering out pay, he established Parmenter’s Mill on Baseline Road in 1873. Originally, the mill was powered by a team of horses and produced vinegar. In 1880, the mill was powered by a threshing machine engine and ground up to 10,000 bushels of apples annually. Two years later, the mill began using a steam engine, which remained in use until 1910, when power was switched over to an electric motor. Parmenter’s produced mainly apple cider vinegar until 1953, but they also produced apple butter and apple cider. The Mill was run by five generations of Parmenter’s until it was sold.
Northville Lumber, 615 Baseline Rd
31. Northville LumberOriginally established as a flour mill by John Miller in 1827 in what was then known as the “northernmost village of Plymouth Township,” (later to become Northville), history buffs may be interested to learn that records on file with Oakland County validate Northville Lumber’s claim to fame as the oldest business in Michigan. In addition to our acclaimed longevity, Northville Lumber has been owned by the same family since the 1860s – now operated by and employing the sixth generation of the Yerkes family.
Baseline/8Mile Obelisk, 776 N. Center St
Group Campsite, Maybury State Park
Set up your tents and camp hereCook dinnerHaving fun with your friendsSleep overnightMake a cooked breakfastGo homeWrite a 500 word essay on the history of Northville and a report of your hike (what you like most, etc.)
