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The 20th century brought significant industrial development to Northville. In 1919, Henry Ford purchased a factory in the village, which became known as the Northville Valve Plant. This factory operated until 1981 and was later repurposed for offices and a health club. The Penniman-Allen Theater, opened in 1925, continues to operate today as the Marquis Theater, specializing in children’s performances.
Northville also had a notable history of sports and recreation. Skiing tournaments were popular when the area was more rural, and in 1944, Northville Downs opened as Michigan’s first nighttime harness racing track. The Downs remained in continuous operation until 2024.
Northville transitioned from a village to a city in 1955, coinciding with a period of rapid growth fueled by white flight from Detroit. The city expanded its boundaries through annexation but faced limitations due to the charter township status of Northville Township. The most recent annexation involved expanding the city-owned Rural Hill Cemetery.
The local library system also evolved over time. The Ladies Library Association, organized by Mary Lapham in 1889, initially operated from the Young Men’s Hall. The library moved several times before settling into its current home in the Northville District Library building in 1996.
Today, Northville is a city that honors its historical roots while embracing growth and development, maintaining a balance between preserving its heritage and progressing into the future.
Northville, Michigan, has a rich history that dates back to its initial settlement by European Americans in 1825. The city was originally part of Plymouth Township, with Northville Township splitting off to form its own jurisdiction in 1898. Northville’s early settlers primarily hailed from central and western New York State, with some moving from the nearby Plymouth community.
The first land patent in the area was granted to Gideon Benton in 1823, and the first settlers, including Alanson Aldrich and Alvale Smith, arrived in 1825. John Miller, who acquired land from Smith, established the first mill in the township between 1825 and 1828, a site now preserved as the Mill Race Historical Village. Northville earned its name due to its location north of Plymouth.
By 1827, Northville had established a post office with Gideon Benton as the postmaster. That same year, the village saw its first resident doctor, J.F. Davis, along with various businesses such as a tailor, tavern, shoe shop, and blacksmiths. The surnames of many early settlers, like Thayer, Yerkes, Cady, and Dunlap, are now street names in Northville. The first church, constructed by a Methodist congregation, was built in 1836.
During the Victorian era, Northville continued to grow, which is reflected in the Queen Anne-style architecture still visible in the downtown area. The town celebrates this heritage annually in the Heritage Festival, formerly known as the Victorian Festival. The first schoolhouse opened in 1853, and Northville was incorporated as a village in 1867. By the end of the 19th century, the village had established a public school system.
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