History About Farmington Hills, MI

Early History

The area that is now Farmington Hills was originally inhabited by the Potawatomi Native American tribe prior to European settlement. In 1823, Arthur Power purchased 480 acres of land from the federal government for $1.25 per acre under the Land Act of 1804. This parcel encompassed much of what is now downtown Farmington.

In 1827, Power sold 120 acres of his land to Isaiah Webb, who built a tavern and became the first non-native settler in the area. Other settlers soon followed, establishing farms and homesteads. The primary industries were agriculture, lumbering and quarrying stone from the abundant glacial rocks deposited during the last ice age.

In 1834, Asa Smith purchased land from Webb and platted the Village of Farmington. A post office named Farmington was established in January 1834 with Webb as postmaster. The fledgling village grew slowly but steadily over the next few decades into a small farming community.

Founding of Farmington

In the 1870s, Arthur Power’s son, John A. Power, built a grist mill along the Rouge River, which attracted more commerce and residents to Farmington. In 1871, voters approved incorporation of the Village of Farmington.

Early 20th Century

In the early 20th century, the automobile began transforming Farmington. Henry Ford purchased land northeast of Farmington which would become the site of the Ford Motor Company Rouge Plant complex.

In 1925, the Dixie Highway was paved through Farmington, connecting it to Detroit and northern Michigan. The improved transportation access spurred the growth of the village into a small town.

Founding of Farmington Hills

After World War II, the Detroit metropolitan area experienced massive suburbanization. Farmington was in the path of this growth. Residential subdivisions and shopping centers sprouted up on the outskirts of town.

In 1956, area residents voted to incorporate as a new city to manage the growth. The name “Farmington Hills” was chosen, though the area was not particularly hilly. Farmington Hills was incorporated in 1957 as Michigan’s 150th city with a population of just over 5,000 residents.

Postwar Growth

In the 1950s and 60s, Farmington Hills experienced rapid suburban growth. The landscape was transformed from rural to suburban seemingly overnight through massive housing construction.

Major shopping centers were developed, most notably Northland Center which opened in 1954 as one of the nation’s first shopping malls. Automobile factories and suppliers also established operations in the city to serve the auto industry.

The population swelled from just over 5,000 in 1957 to over 30,000 by 1970. Farmington Hills was one of metro Detroit’s first major post-war suburbs.

Recent History

Growth slowed in the 1970s and 80s as the city became built out. Farmington Hills transitioned from a booming outer suburb into a mature middle class community. The population topped 80,000 in the 1990s.

While the city has become fully developed, redevelopment has taken place, notably the demolition and reconstruction of Northland Center into an open-air lifestyle center in the early 2000s.

Today, Farmington Hills is a major suburb with a population of over 82,000 residents. It features beautiful parks and nature areas, excellent public schools, a vibrant business community, and a diverse mix of housing for families, professionals and retirees.

The city has a rich history from its origins as a 19th century farming village to becoming a quintessential American suburb. While growth has slowed, Farmington Hills remains a desirable community in metro Detroit.

Timeline of Major Events

• 1823 – Arthur Power purchases 480 acres from the federal government that will become Farmington
• 1827 – Isaiah Webb becomes first non-native settler in the area
• 1834 – Village of Farmington platted by Asa Smith
• 1871 – Farmington incorporated as a village
• 1925 – Dixie Highway paved through Farmington
• 1954 – Northland Center opens as one of the nation’s first shopping malls
• 1957 – Farmington Hills incorporated as a city with about 5,000 residents
• 1970s-80s – Growth levels off as city becomes fully developed
• Early 2000s – Northland Center redeveloped into open-air lifestyle center
• Today – Farmington Hills has over 82,000 residents and remains a desirable suburb

Early Founding Families

• Arthur Power – Purchased original parcel of 480 acres from federal government in 1823 on which Farmington was established.
• Isaiah Webb – Bought 120 acres from Power in 1827 and built a tavern. Became first non-native settler.
• Asa Smith – Bought land from Webb in 1834 and platted the Village of Farmington.
• John A. Power – Son of Arthur Power, built a grist mill in 1870s which helped attract commerce.
• Henry Ford – Purchased land northeast of Farmington in early 20th century for site of Ford Rouge Plant complex.

Historic Businesses

• Webb’s Tavern – Built in 1827 by Isaiah Webb, first tavern and business in the settlement.
• Power’s Mill – Flour and grist mill built in 1870s by John A. Power along Rouge River.
• Farmington Hotel – Mid-19th century hotel that provided lodging for visitors.
• Cloverdale Dairy – Popular 20th century dairy business started by Carl Liepman.
• Northland Center – Opened in 1954 as one of America’s first shopping malls. Dominated local retail for decades.
• Sundquist Nursery – Farmington Hills’ last remaining commercial nursery, founded in 1922.

Historic Homes

• Governor Warner Mansion – Historic 27-room mansion built in 1896 for Governor Fred M. Warner.
• Matilda Dodge Wilson Mansion – Tudor revival style mansion built in 1928 for widow of auto magnate John F. Dodge.
• Longacre House – 19th century Victorian home listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
• Orchard Crest Farm and Museum – Pre-Civil War era homestead and living history museum.
• Quakertown House – 1856 Italianate home that was originally part of Quakertown settlement.

Cultural Institutions

• Farmington Players – Longstanding community theater troupe founded in 1934 who perform at Farmington Players Barn.
• Farmington Community Library – Public library first established in 1916 at the Masonic Temple.
• Founders Festival – Annual festival celebrating Farmington’s history since 1964.
• Farmington Historical Museum – Museum chronicling the city’s history operated by the Farmington Historical Society.
• Governor Warner Mansion – Historic 27-room 1896 mansion that hosts community events.
• Farmington Hills Symphony – Local symphony orchestra founded in 1988.

Historic Districts

Farmington Hills has two historic districts recognized by the National Register of Historic Places:

• Farmington Historic District: Comprising commercial buildings along Grand River Ave and adjacent streets in downtown Farmington. Includes many 19th and early 20th century buildings that made up the historic business district.
• Warner’s Subdivision Historic District: Residential area located west of downtown containing homes mostly built 1910-1930. Named after Governor Fred Warner who platted the subdivision in the late 1800s.

These districts help preserve Farmington Hills’ rich architectural heritage. The city has strict ordinances governing changes to homes and buildings within the historic districts.

Education History

The first schoolhouse in Farmington opened in 1856 near the intersection of Oakland and Shiawassee Streets. In the late 1800s, the Hawthorne and Longacre schoolhouses opened.

In the 1920s, the Farmington Agricultural School was built for students in the surrounding rural region. It became Farmington High School which graduated its first class in 1925.

As the population boomed in the 1950s and 60s, many new public and parochial schools opened across Farmington Hills:

• Farmington Elementary (1954)
• East Elementary (1958)
• Lanigan Elementary (1959)
• Our Lady of Sorrows (1959)
• Farmington Junior High (1960)
• Power Junior High (1960)
• Harrison High School (1961)
• Lutheran High School Westland (1961)
• Middlebelt Elementary (1963)
• St. Alexander (1965)
• Farmington Senior High (1967)

Today, Farmington Public Schools operates 14 elementary schools, 4 middle schools, 3 high schools, and a special education center in the district. There are also several parochial schools.

Mayors of Farmington Hills

Farmington Hills has had 12 mayors in its history:

• Robert Bates (1957–1959)
• Orville Loveland (1959–1961)
• George Wilcox (1961–1965)
• Robert Deadman (1965–1971)
• James Reid (1971–1981)
• Vicki Barnett (1981-1992)
• Jerry Ellis (1992–1999)
• Michael McGee (1999–2000)
• Jerry Ellis (2000–2007)
• Jerry Ellis (2007 – February 2008)**
• Jerry Ellis (March 2008 – November 2009)**
• Barry Brickner (2009–present)

**Note: Jerry Ellis was elected to a third term as mayor in Nov. 2007 but resigned in Feb. 2008. He was appointed mayor again in March 2008 after the elected successor resigned after just one day in office. Ellis served the remainder of that term until November 2009.

Significant Events Timeline

• 1823 – Arthur Power purchases 480 acres that become Farmington
• 1827 – First settler Isaiah Webb establishes tavern
• 1834 – Asa Smith plats Village of Farmington
• 1871 – Farmington incorporates as a village
• 1925 – Dixie Highway paved through Farmington
• 1954 – Northland Center mall opens
• 1957 – Farmington Hills incorporates as a city
• 1970s-80s – Growth levels off as city becomes developed
• Early 2000s – Northland Center redeveloped
• Today – Population of over 82,000 residents

Conclusion

Farmington Hills has a long, rich history from its origins as a 19th century farming settlement to developing into a major suburb of Detroit. From the founding pioneer families to the postwar growth spurt to recent redevelopment, the city has seen many changes while maintaining its sense of community. Farmington Hills’ past shaped its present as a desirable, stable middle-class city in metro Detroit.