Southern Wayne County, Michigan

Cities: Gibraltar || Grosse Ile || Riverview || Southgate || Taylor || Trenton || Wyandotte

Neighbor Counties: Western Wayne || Oakland || Macomb || Monroe || Washtenaw

Click here for the Wayne County web site

Wayne County was established as a key unit of the Northwest Territories. At founding in 1796, the County's borders stretched from the County seat in Detroit, to encompass almost all of Michigan, as well as northern Indiana, the eastern edge of Illinois (including what is now the city of Chicago), and a small wedge of Wisconsin. As more of these areas were settled, the County was whittled down to it?s present size of 622 square miles, situated along Lake St. Clair and the Detroit River in southeast Michigan. The County was named for Major General Anthony Wayne.  "Mad Anthony" was a Revolutionary War hero, who in the 1790s, led an expedition of American soldiers to victory over Native American tribes and British troops at the Battle of Fallen Timbers. His victory established a lasting peace in the region. As a result, numerous locations in Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana are named in his honor. There had been settlers in the area since Detroit was founded by French explorers in 1701. It?s position along the Detroit River, which is actually a narrow strait in the Great Lakes chain, made it a key point for military and commercial use. By 1796, settlers had branched out into surrounding territory to establish farms in what we call today, the Wayne County suburbs. Farming, lumber and small industry dominated the local economy until the end of the 19th century. Wayne County saw it's period of greatest growth in the first half of the 20th Century, when the automobile industry roared to life. Each of the "Big Three" American car companies was born in Wayne County; General Motors in Detroit, Ford Motor Company in Dearborn, and Chrysler Corporation in Highland Park. From the factories lining the Rouge River and the Detroit River, to the baronial lakefront estates of automobile executives in the Grosse Pointe communities, the growth of the auto industry fueled the growth of Wayne County. Today, the auto industry continues to play a key role in Wayne County, but the economy has diversified to include world-class companies devoted to engineering, banking, health care, even plumbing fixtures and pizza.

Gibraltar || Map || Southern Wayne County

The City of Gibraltar, located at the mouth of the Detroit River and Lake Erie, is composed of four islands and a mainland portion. Jefferson Avenue, a north-south thoroughfare, divides the city with residential to the east, and industrial to the west. The islands and the adjacent shore of the mainland, are all separated by waterways and connected by bridges and are developed principally in residential use.

Grosse Ile || Map || Southern Wayne County

Located in the Detroit River in the southern part of Wayne County, Grosse Ile Township is comprised of 14 Islands. It takes its name from the largest island which is about 10 miles long and two miles wide.  Grosse Ile is considered a residential community of beautiful homes and large estates.

Riverview || Map || Southern Wayne County

The City of Riverview is a high quality residential community which has been recognized for its innovation and progressive public policy. McLouth Steel and ATOCHEM are the major private employers in this area. Most of the City's commercial activity is along Fort Street (M-85). Interstate 75 is only 1-1/2 miles west, with Detroit Metropolitan Airport 8 miles to the northwest. Riverview is the owner and operator of a large regional sanitary landfill which has developed a landfill gas-to-electricity plant and has reclaimed the closed section as a ski facility.

Southgate || Map || Southern Wayne County

The City of Southgate is located among the downriver communities of Wayne County. It is bounded by Fort Road (M-85) on the east and Allen Road on the west. The City is principally a residential community with some industrial development mainly in the vicinity of I-75 and Northline Road. Many of the residents are employed in nearby auto manufacturing, steel making, and chemical processing industries.

Taylor || Map || Southern Wayne County

The community was named in honor of General Zachary Taylor, a Mexican War hero who would later become President of the United States. It wasn't until 1968 that Taylor Township became the City of Taylor. A major regional shopping center is located in the City's southeast corner. Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport is located one mile west of the City, and three major railroads, Conrail, G.T.& W, and Norfolk Southern provide rail service. Commercial development is generally located along the major roads, convenient to residential neighborhoods. Recent improvements include the construction of a new Department of Public Works complex, the renovation of the Municipal Offices and completion of a flood control/golf course project.

Trenton || Map || Southern Wayne County

Trenton maintains a pleasant balance between industry and residential development. Wide, shaded streets and fine homes dominate the older parts of the city while new, well-designed residences are found in the outlying sections. A beautiful county-owned park,  Elizabeth Park, is located toward the southern end of Trenton adjacent the bridge to Grosse Ile. The first A & W Root Beer stand in Michigan was built in Trenton in 1935 and today operates at the same location.

Wyandotte || Map || Southern Wayne County

Wyandotte means islander, a logical name because the Indian tribe members were the earliest inhabitants of Fighting Island, located across from Wyandotte on the Detroit River. The residential areas in Wyandotte have recently experienced a revitalization with the building of new homes in neighborhoods alongside the older, well-maintained homes. Progress also continues on the construction of condominiums along the waterfront. The land now called Wyandotte has been home to many peoples, but before it was populated by Irish, Polish, Italian and German immigrants it was home to the Wyandot Indian Tribe.

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