Washtenaw County SE Michigan Cities

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Washtenaw County, Michigan

Cities: Ann Arbor || Chelsea || Dexter || Manchester || Milan || Saline || Ypsilanti

Neighbor Counties: Lenawee || Livingston || Jackson || Oakland || Wayne

Washtenaw County is situated in southeastern Michigan approximately 30 miles west of Detroit: Ann Arbor is the County Seat. Four cities: Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Saline and Milan; and four incorporated villages: Chelsea, Manchester, Dexter and Barton Hills are located within the County. The County spans a distance of 30 miles east-west and extends 24 miles in the north-south direction. In 1990 the population was nearly 283,000 persons. By the year 2000 the population is expected to reach 350,000. It is one of the few Michigan counties which continues to grow at a moderate rate. The Washtenaw County boundary lines were established on September 10, 1822 but the land area was attached to Wayne County for administration. About a mile southeast of Ypsilanti, Benjamin Woodruff began the first permanent European settlement. In 1824 the first cabin in what is now Ann Arbor was built near Allen Creek by Elisha W. Rumsey and John Allen during Spring of the year. Later, Ann Arbor was selected as the seat for County government. It is reported that there were 15-30 settlers in the county at that time.

Ann Arbor || Map and metro area info || Washtenaw County

Ann Arbor is about 40 miles west of Detroit and 40 miles north of Toledo. Norman D. Ford, in The 50 Healthiest Places to Live and Retire in the United States, said: "Ann Arbor's quality of life has repeatedly won it awards as a safe, clean and family-oriented place to live...and drawn a sophisticated, younger-than-average population of highly-educated, moderately-affluent baby boomers and younger retirees, almost all of whom are exceptionally health-conscious and into physical fitness and other health-enhancing activities". Ann Arbor is the home of one of the country's top Universities. The University of Michigan shapes the composition of Ann Arbor's economy, population and culture. A drive along country roads in any direction will lead to one historic town after another -- Bridgewater, Chelsea, Dexter, Manchester, Milan, Saline and Ypsilanti are all within 30 minutes of downtown Ann Arbor.

Chelsea || Map and metro area info || Washtenaw County

Chelsea has some of the richest farmland in the area, which first drew Yankee settlers from New York and New England in the 1820s and 1830s...then German immigrants forty years later. The glacial stones cleared from the fields were used to build many of the structures that you will see in area around Chelsea.

Dexter || Map and metro area info || Washtenaw County

Lake living and recreation top the list of why people move here. This village of sixteen hundred persons lies at the entrance to the "lakes area" -- thirty lakes within a fifteen mile radius. The Huron River flows through the edge of town. The area is the center for both summer and winter fishing and hunting. Dexter is about one hour from Detroit, Toledo, Lansing and Flint. It is ten minutes to Ann Arbor (University of Michigan) and only fifteen minutes to Chelsea Community Hospital. There are beautifiul farms and many small research and development parks within and near Dexter. There are three beautiful parks in or near the Village, the Huron-Clinton Golf Course is just a few miles out of the Village.

Manchester || Map and metro area info || Washtenaw County

Located between Ann Arbor and Jackson, the Village of Manchester sits at the hub of four townships: Manchester, Sharon, Freedom and Bridgewater. The Village and the townships are closely bound by both traditional and official ties. Throughout Manchester you will notice a commitment to preserving the best of what the Village’s 19th-century history brought about. That includes an architecturally notable central business district, several outstanding residential and public buildings in distinct architectural styles, and a large number of well-preserved examples of Midwestern vernacular architecture of the last century. Four state historic markers have been placed in one four-block area of the Village's Main Street. Manchester has several things it is famous for. The Manchester Library is the oldest township library in Michigan. A community-wide activity on the third Thursday of July brings some 14,000 people to enjoy a broiled chicken dinner at this oldest and largest single-day chicken broil in the world.

Milan || Map and metro area info || Washtenaw County

South of Ann Arbor along US 23 is Milan, Michigan. There's a charming downtown, beautiful historic neighborhoods, modern subdivisions, a central business district, Dexter Street and W. Main Street Businesses, prosperous local industries, and wonderful schools. The Milan Dragway and several prisons are also located in this area.

Saline || Map and metro area info || Washtenaw County

The name Saline came from the early salt mines which were located south of the city. Many areas in Saline today retain the "look" of the early days. Many residents are related to the early pioneers who take a direct interest in preservation. They are supported today in that effort by new residents, businesses, government, the Historic Commission and Historical Society. The landscape in and around Saline is composed of centennial buildings and structures still in active use -- homes, farms, barns, churches. Traveling the roads around Saline or following the Saline River takes you by dairy farms, woods, corn and wheat fields, sheep farms and even a one room country school. The Saline area is also popular today because of it's proximity to Ann Arbor, and because it has homes in all price ranges readily available.

Ypsilanti || Map and metro area info || Washtenaw County

Eastern Michigan University...Charlie Batch (winning Detroit Lions quarterback) and Willow Run Airport are synonomous with "Ypsi". Willow Run was the home of Henry Ford's B-24 bomber plant during World War II. The Yankee Air Force is headquartered there today. Ypsilanti is 4.19 square miles and located east of Ann Arbor in the east central part of Washtenaw county. Established in 1823, Ypsilanti is the second oldest city in the State of Michigan. The Huron River flows through the east side of town and many of the houses were built in the 1800’s. There are seven parks consisting of 85 acres, many sports events, and home tours during the Heritage Festival week, which is held during the third week in August.