Monday, May 14, 2012
Volunteers sought for Rouge Rescue '12 at Mill Race Historical Village on June 2
Northville’s beginnings can be traced to one of its greatest natural resources: water. It was the millrace, a tributary of the Rouge River, which provided the water source needed for early settler John Miller to open this area’s first gristmill sometime between 1825 and 1825 on the site now occupied by Mill Race Historical Village. The gristmill was the catalyst for much of the community’s growth in its early years. David Clarkson, an early settler who worked at the mill and later wrote a series of “Pioneer Sketches” in The Northville Record, stated that the gristmill was “the beginning of Northville, and John Miller was the pioneer.” The mill was among the first in the territory, providing area farmers with a more convenient location to …
42.432514
-83.478848
Mill Race Village
215 Griswold St, Northville, MI
/articles/historical-society-begins-riverbank-restoration
1780002
/locations/7002339
Monday, April 2, 2012
Northville still maintains some of its earliest trades.
Two downtown businesses that always make me feel as though I have stepped back in time are the Northville Watch & Clock Shop at the corner of North Wing and West Dunlap, and the Cobbler’s Corner on West Main Street. Both businesses have been in operation in Northville for more than 40 years and exemplify skilled craftsmanship sorely waning today. I have worn a watch since elementary school when my parents bought me my first Timex. Though my iPhone, now an omnipresent accessory, provides precision timing, my wristwatch is my go-to timepiece. I do not feel dressed without it. I am grateful that I can walk down the street to replace my watch battery, or have an antique schoolhouse clocked overhauled. The same holds true for shoe and other …
42.43211
-83.48446
Northville Watch & Clock Shop
132 W Dunlap St, Northville, MI
/articles/cobblers-and-clock-makers-make-history
714701
/locations/6708418
42.4202
-83.4984
Cobbler's Corner of Northville
104 N. Main St, Northville, MI
/articles/cobblers-and-clock-makers-make-history
714491
/locations/6708419
Monday, January 31, 2011
History, baseball and genealogy found home under retired librarian's stewardship.
Librarians, historians, vintage baseball enthusiasts and genealogists gathered together last Friday at the Northville District Library to say farewell to longtime librarian Al Smitley, who retired after nearly 25 years of service. Anyone who has ever sought historical or genealogical information at the library has more than likely encountered Al . . . or at least the collection of local history he has nurtured during his tenure. In addition to local history, Al also has been the library’s resident baseball expert. He managed the library’s Fantasy Baseball Program for 20 years – a popular pastime for the community’s baseball enthusiasts. He also is a founding member and team historian of the Northville Eclipse Base Ball Club, our community…
42.42992
-83.48552
Northville District Library
212 W Cady St, Northville, MI
/articles/al-smitley-leaves-behind-historic-legacy
1785136
/locations/3217191
42.432514
-83.478848
Mill Race Village
215 Griswold St, Northville, MI
/articles/al-smitley-leaves-behind-historic-legacy
1780002
/locations/3217192
42.432011
-83.478814
Ford Field
151 Griswold St, Northville, MI
/articles/al-smitley-leaves-behind-historic-legacy
1732757
/locations/3217193
Dave Kirkpatrick
9:13 pm on Monday, April 2, 2012
Great story. Thanks for these interesting articles about Northville history! more ›