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Health & Fitness

Group Works to Restore a Northville Gem

Oakwood Cemetery was the first cemetery in Northville. It is, unfortunately, in a state of disrepair. A group has begun a long-term project to restore this historic site.

Northville residents who have lived here for any length of time have probably noticed the cemetery located on Cady Street across from the Northville Library and Community Center.  They may also have noticed that this cemetery is in a concerning state of disrepair.  I am part of a dedicated group of professionals who have come together to restore this cemetery and, hopefully, make this location part of Northville’s collection of historic gems.

The history of Oakwood Cemetery goes back to the earliest days of Northville.  According to research done by a Northville village commissioner, Earl Reed, and published in the Northville Record on June 3, 1954, the land that makes up what is now Oakwood Cemetery was deeded to the village in 6 separate parcels during a time period from 1835 to 1879.  On March 10, 1835, the first parcel of “165 feet east and west and 297 feet north and south” was deeded by Julia Robinson “to Daniel L. Cady, William Dunlap, and Elisha Morse, School Directors of District No. 2, “To be used as a Public, free burying ground”.”  At that time, the town of Northville was part of Plymouth Township along with, what is now, Plymouth and Canton.  This would make Oakwood Cemetery one of the oldest cemeteries in this area and the first in Northville.  The graves of the Dunlap Family and the Cady family including William Dunlap and Daniel Cady are just inside of the gate.  Both of these families played a prominent role in the early days of Northville as evidenced by the naming of streets after them.  There are many other “founding families” interred there.

This historical significance is why our committee believes we need to pursue this project of mapping, inventorying, restoring and maintaining this cemetery.  The committee consists of an archaeologist, an anthropologist, a preservationist, a member of the genealogical society and citizens who are interested in maintaining the history of this Northville.  Our work is going to be guided by the best practices for historic cemetery preservation as documented in a manual published under the auspices of the Michigan State Historic Preservation Office.

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As we move forward with this project, I will be publishing our progress in this blog.  It is my belief that many residents of this city and township have an interest in the history of Northville and in maintaining the historical buildings and locations for future generations.  I will let you know when we are in need of your help.

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