Western Wayne County, Michigan

Cities: Canton Twp || Livonia || Northville || Plymouth

Neighbor Counties: Southern 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.

Canton Township || Map || Wayne County

Located in southwest Wayne County, Canton Township has been rapidly developing with planned unit developments consisting of a combination of single-family and multiple-family dwellings. Canton Township is metropolitan Detroit's fastest growing residential community. Ford Road (M-153) bisects the township in an east-west direction and is lined with strip and shopping center commercial development.  Agriculture, which was the predominant use throughout the township several decades ago, is now confined to the western side along the county's border. Most of the townships industrial development is located along Michigan Avenue (US-12), which crosses at the south and in the northeast industrial district. A Conrail line parallels US-12.  Interstate 275 Freeway runs north-south along the eastern edge of Canton with office and light industrial uses scattered along its periphery.  Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport is only 7-1/2 miles to the southeast. Willow Run Airport, a predominately freight oriented airport, is only one mile to the south.

Livonia || Map || Wayne County

Livonia is a city that has it all--housing to accommodate all income levels, several regional shopping centers, strip business development on nearly all north-south, east-west mile roads, and an industrial corridor combining major railroad and highway access to all parts of the Detroit metropolitan region.  Livonia began as a rural farm community and has evolved into the eighth largest city in Michigan. However, Livonia has preserved much of its heritage through historical preservation, and the acquisition and development of over 1800 acres of park land and open space.  New development is taking place down the Interstate 275 Freeway corridor spilling over from southern Oakland County. This unique combination of factors has resulted in growth which has been without equal in other parts of the county. However, the city is at the point where the remaining developable land is rapidly diminishing.  The Interstate 96 freeway and C&O Railroad form the spine of Livonia's industrial corridor running east and west. The I-275 Freeway provides excellent north-south transportation access.

Northville || Map || Wayne County

Northville began in 1829 and derives its name from its location in the northwest part of Wayne County.  Half of the city is located in Oakland County and the other half in Wayne County. Northville Downs, a harness racing facility attracts thousands of visitors each year. The city of Northville began as a small trading center in the early 1800's when farming and lumbering were the main occupations in the area.  Today, Northville remains a commercial center serving a large residential community of about 2,000 within the city limits. A small number of auto related industries are discreetly located around the city.  The Edward Hines Parkway begins here and travels southeast to near Dearborn. Seven Mile Road and Base Line Road (Eight Mile) are the major east-west routes. Trackage of the CSX Railroad runs north-south on the eastern flank of Northville.

Northville Township || Map || Wayne County

Northville Township is distinguished by rolling topography, characteristics of its glacial origin.  The City of Northville is located in the township and most of the local commercial activity is concentrated in the City.  The State of Michigan owns and operates a 900 acre recreation facility located in the northwest portion of the township, and the county of Wayne owns an additional several hundred acres of recreation land.  Wayne County has entered into an agreement for the development of about 1,000 acres of prime county-owned land situated near 5 mile and Sheldon Road.

Plymouth || Map || Wayne County

Plymouth was built where three Potawatomi Indian trails converged at the Rouge River. The first settlers arrive in 1825, and named the township in honor of the first American settlement at Plymouth Rock where some of them had lived. The Plymouth area, which includes both the City of Plymouth and the Township of Plymouth is reminiscent of a New England village. Kellogg Park with its shade trees and beautiful fountain in the center of downtown Plymouth even doubles as the town common. Plymouth sees itself as "fun, but not stuffy", both classic and contemporary, as it provides the feeling of living in a small town with diverse cultural and recreational activities, shopping, business and industry.

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