Grosse Ile Township, Michigan
Location in Wayne County and the state of Michigan
Coordinates: 42°7′48″N 83°9′37″W / 42.13, -83.16028
Country	United States
State	Michigan
County	Wayne
Government
- Supervisor	Kurt Kobiljak
Area
- Total	18.3 sq mi (47.5 km²)
- Land	9.6 sq mi (24.9 km²)
- Water	8.7 sq mi (22.6 km²)
Elevation	594 ft (181 m)
Population (2000)
- Total	10,894
- Density	1,134/sq mi (437.8/km²)
Time zone	EST (UTC-5)
- Summer (DST)	EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP code	48138
Area code(s)	734
FIPS code	26-35420GR2
GNIS feature ID	1626407GR3

Grosse Ile Township is a township in Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The township is coterminous with the island in the Detroit River called Grosse Ile. The name comes from French, meaning "Big Island". The population was 10,894 at the 2000 census. It is part of the collection of communities known as Downriver. It has been suggested that Grosse Isle, Quebec be merged into this article or section. ... Image File history File links Wayne_County_Michigan_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Grosse_Ile_highlighted. ... Wayne County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. ... Official language(s) None (English, de-facto) Capital Lansing Largest city Detroit Largest metro area Metro Detroit Area  Ranked 11th  - Total 97,990 sq mi (253,793 km²)  - Width 239 miles (385 km)  - Length 491 miles (790 km)  - % water 41. ... This list of countries, arranged alphabetically, gives an overview of countries of the world. ... Federal courts Supreme Court Circuit Courts of Appeal District Courts Elections Presidential elections Midterm elections Political Parties Democratic Republican Third parties State & Local government Governors Legislatures (List) State Courts Local Government Other countries Atlas  US Government Portal      The political units and divisions of the United States include: The 50 states... Official language(s) None (English, de-facto) Capital Lansing Largest city Detroit Largest metro area Metro Detroit Area  Ranked 11th  - Total 97,990 sq mi (253,793 km²)  - Width 239 miles (385 km)  - Length 491 miles (790 km)  - % water 41. ... Map of Michigans counties The boundaries of counties in the U.S. state of Michigan have not changed since 1897. ... Wayne County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. ... This article is about the physical quantity. ... A square mile is an English unit of area equal to that of a square with sides each 1 statute mile (≈1,609 m) in length. ... Square kilometre (US spelling: Square kilometer), symbol km², is an SI unit of surface area. ... Elevation histogram of the surface of the Earth – approximately 71% of the Earths surface is covered with water. ... A foot (plural: feet or foot;[1] symbol or abbreviation: ft or, sometimes, ′ – a prime) is a unit of length, in a number of different systems, including English units, Imperial units, and United States customary units. ... This article is about the unit of length. ... Population density per square kilometre by country, 2006 Population density map of the world in 1994. ... Timezone and TimeZone redirect here. ... The Eastern Standard Time Zone is a geographic region that keeps time by subtracting five hours from Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). ... -12 | -11 | -10 | -9:30 | -9 | -8 | -7 | -6 | -5 | -4 | -3:30 | -3 | -2:30 | -2 | -1 | -0:25 | UTC (0) | +0:20 | +0:30 | +1 | +2 | +3 | +3:30 | +4 | +4:30 | +4:51 | +5 | +5:30 | +5:40 | +5:45 | +6 | +6:30 | +7 | +7:20 | +7... Although DST is common in Europe and North America, most of the worlds people do not use it. ... −12 | −11 | −10 | −9:30 | −9 | −8 | −7 | −6 | −5 | −4 | −3:30 | −3 | −2:30 | −2 | −1 | −0:25 | UTC (0) | +0:20 | +0:30 | +1 | +2 | +3 | +3:30 | +4 | +4:30 | +4:51 | +5 | +5:30 | +5:40 | +5:45 | +6 | +6:30 | +7 | +7:20 | +7... Mr. ... U.S. area code 734 includes the south and west Detroit Metro Area, including Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Downriver, and Monroe areas. ... Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) are publicly announced standards developed by the U.S. Federal government for use by all (non-military) government agencies and by government contractors. ... GNIS (The Geographic Names Information System) contains name and locative information about almost two million physical and cultural features located throughout the United States of America and its Territories. ... A civil township is a widely-used unit of local government in the United States, subordinate to a county. ... Wayne County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. ... Federal courts Supreme Court Circuit Courts of Appeal District Courts Elections Presidential elections Midterm elections Political Parties Democratic Republican Third parties State & Local government Governors Legislatures (List) State Courts Local Government Other countries Atlas  US Government Portal      A U.S. state is any one of the fifty subnational entities of... Official language(s) None (English, de-facto) Capital Lansing Largest city Detroit Largest metro area Metro Detroit Area  Ranked 11th  - Total 97,990 sq mi (253,793 km²)  - Width 239 miles (385 km)  - Length 491 miles (790 km)  - % water 41. ... Landsat satellite photo, showing Lake Saint Clair, as well as St. ... Downriver is the unofficial, but commonly used, name for a collection of nearly 20 suburban cities and townships in southeastern Michigan south of Detroit along the western shore of the Detroit River[1]. The name derives from the fact that the Detroit River, after running nearly east-west along the...

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 18.3 square miles (47.5 km²), of which 9.6 square miles (24.9 km²) of it (52.6%) is land and 8.7 square miles (22.6 km²) of it (47.4%) is water. The United States Census Bureau (officially Bureau of the Census as defined in Title ) is a part of the United States Department of Commerce. ... A square mile is an English unit of area equal to that of a square with sides each 1 statute mile (≈1,609 m) in length. ... A square metre (US spelling: square meter) is by definition the area enclosed by a square with sides each 1 metre long. ...

Grosse Ile is the largest island on the Detroit River. Grosse Ile is actually composed of twelve islands although the community is most often identified with the "main island" (which residents simply refer to as "The Island"). Grosse Ile's "main island" is technically composed of two islands. Landsat satellite photo, showing Lake Saint Clair, as well as St. ...

The tip of the "main island's" northern section is named Hennepen Point in honor of the 17th Century French explorer Father Louis Hennepin. It is uninhabited and separated from the remainder of the northern section by an unnamed canal that cannot be navigated in a power boat. A painting of Father Louis Hennepin discovering Saint Anthony Falls. ...

The southern section of the "main island" is separated from the northern section by the Thorofare Canal which runs on a diagonal course from east to west connecting the main channel of the Detroit River with the Trenton Channel of the river. The southern section of the "main island" is connected by bridges to Elba Island, Upper Hickory Island (also know as Meso), Hickory Island, and Swan Island which are all inhabited.

In addition, not far from the shoreline of the "main island" in the river lie Calf Island, Celeron Island (charted as Tawas Island), Dynamite (also known as Powder House Island), Fox Island, Stony Island, and Sugar Island which are all uninhabited. Stony and Celeron are owned by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Calf Island is owned by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as a part of the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge. The other islands are privately owned. The USFWS logo The United States Fish and Wildlife Service is a unit of the United States Department of the Interior that is dedicated to managing and preserving wildlife. ...

Two bridges connect the "main island" to the mainland of Michigan. The bridge on the north end of the island is called the Grosse Ile Toll Bridge (off-white color). The bridge on the south end of the island is officially named the Wayne County Bridge (light green in color), but is commonly called the "Free Bridge" by island residents. The Grosse Ile Toll Bridge is a swing bridge that crosses the Trenton Channel of the Detroit River connecting Grosse Ile Township, Michigan to the mainland in Riverview, Michigan which is located in Wayne County, Michigan. ...

Currently, the Wayne County Bridge has been closed for renovation, beginning May 2, 2007 and is due to remain closed until mid-December of 2007. While the "free bridge" is closed, all traffic must pass over the Toll Bridge. The Wayne County Bridge is a swing bridge that crosses the Trenton Channel of the Detroit River connecting Grosse Ile Township, Michigan to the mainland in Trenton, Michigan which is located in Wayne County, Michigan. ...

History

Founding and early times

Grosse Ile historians consider the beginning of ownership and governance of the community by residents of European heritage to have begun on July 6, 1776 when the Potawatomi Indians deedede the island to prominent Detroit merchants William and Alexander Macomb who were brothers. Although the Potawatomi Indians, like most Native Americans, did not believe in the European legal concept of land ownership, they did consider the island to be part of their ancestral lands. The Potawatomi Indians called the island Kitcheminishen. For other uses, see 1776 (disambiguation). ... Rain dance, Kansas, c. ... Detroit redirects here. ... This article is about the people indigenous to the United States. ...

Historians assume that the Macomb brothers believed that by purchasing this deed through the transfer of items of value, they had in fact obtained full ownership rights. In any case, the Macomb brotheres are considered to be the founders, and first legal owners, of Grosse Ile because the Potawatomis, and later the United States government, respected the Macombs' perceived rights to take possession of the island.

Today, recognitieon of the Macomb brothers' historical importance is found in numerous places in the community. The central business district of Grosse Ile is located along Macomb Street which was named in their honor. A monument commemorating the day that the tribal chiefs and elders signed the deed to the Macomb brothers is located near the shoreline of the Detroit River at the foot of Gray's Drive. The original deed, which was written on parchment, is currently stored in the Burton Historical Collection within the Detroit Public Library. Landsat satellite photo, showing Lake Saint Clair, as well as St. ... German parchmenter, 1568 Parchment is a material for the pages of a book or codex, made from fine calf skin, sheep skin or goat skin. ...

There are at least two homes still standing on the island that were built during the 19th Century by a descendant or relative of the Macomb brothers. The Rucker-Stanton House on West River Road was built in 1848 by the great-grandson of William Macomb. The Wendell House on East River Road was built in the late 1860s by the John Wendell whom married the granddaughter of William Macomb.

Westcroft Gardens, a Michigan Centennial Farm located on West River Road, is operated to this day by descendants of the Macombs. Westcroft, which is open to the public, features a nursery well-known for growing and selling hybrid azaleas and rhododendrons.During the Halloween season they have haunted hay rides in the back of the farm called "Phantom Forsest". In the winter and around the Christmas season they have Christmas hayrides which take you through the woods full of lights. Westcroft is one of the oldest farms in Michigan still owned by the same family. Most of the oringinal buildings at Westcroft Gardens are still standing to this day and well preserved.

The flags of three nations - France, England, and the United States -- have flown over Grosse Ile since the first Europeans, French explorers, visited the island during the late 17th Century. The early French explorers named the island as la grosse ile -- the "big island" in French. The British, whose control of Michigan was established in 1763 after their victory in the French and Indian War, anglicized the spelling to Grosse Isle. This form was commonly used until early during the 20th Century when local residents succeeded in an effort to re-establish the French version as the official name of the community. To the dismay of historic preservationists and long-time residents, it is still common for the uninformed to mispronounce the name of the community. For other uses, see England (disambiguation). ... Official language(s) None (English, de-facto) Capital Lansing Largest city Detroit Largest metro area Metro Detroit Area  Ranked 11th  - Total 97,990 sq mi (253,793 km²)  - Width 239 miles (385 km)  - Length 491 miles (790 km)  - % water 41. ... Combatants France First Nations allies: Algonquin Lenape Wyandot Ojibwa Ottawa Shawnee Great Britain American Colonies Iroquois Confederacy Strength 3,900 regulars 7,900 militia 2,200 natives (1759) 50,000 regulars and militia (1759) Casualties 3,000 killed, wounded or captured 10,040 killed, wounded or captured The French and...

Catholic priest and missionary Father Louis Hennepin accompanied fellow French explorer René Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle on the ship Le Griffon in exploring the Great Lakes in 1679. The Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church on Grosse Ile maintains that Father Hennepin came ashore and said mass at a location on the east shore of the island near the present site of St. Anne's Chapel. While there apparently is not written proof of this specific event, Father Hennepin did write in his journals about the fruit orchards and wild animals on Grosse Ile, so historians assume that, at the very least, he explored the island first-hand. The north end of Grosse Ile is named Hennepin Point in his honor. A painting of Father Louis Hennepin discovering Saint Anthony Falls. ... Engraving of La Salle René Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle (November 22, 1643 – March 19, 1687) was a French cleric and explorer. ... Built by René Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, Le Griffon is considered to have been the first actual ship on the Upper Great Lakes. ... The Great Lakes from space The Laurentian Great Lakes are a group of five large lakes in North America on or near the Canada-United States border. ... Catholic Church redirects here. ...

Grosse Ile played a minor role in the founding of the City of Detroit by the French explorer Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac. Cadillac and his convoy of 25 canoes sailed down the Detroit River and camped on the shore of Grosse Ile during the evening of July 23, 1701. On the morning of July 24, Cadillac returned upriver and reached a spot on the shore near the present intersection of West Jefferson and Shelby streets in Detroit where he claimed French possession of the territory under the authority of King Louis XIV. Statue of Cadillac commemorating his landing in Detroit Antoine Laumet, dit de La Mothe, sieur de Cadillac (March 5, 1658-October 15, 1730), a French explorer, was a colourful figure in the history of New France. ... Louis XIV King of France and Navarre By Hyacinthe Rigaud (1701) Louis XIV (Louis-Dieudonné) (September 5, 1638–September 1, 1715) reigned as King of France and King of Navarre from May 14, 1643 until his death. ...

Although Grosse Ile maintained its own name and identity as a community beginning in the 1700s, it did not obtain status as an independent unit of government until October 27, 1914 when the Wayne County Board of Supervisors agreed to separate the island from Monguagon Township. The first supervisor of Grosse Ile Township was Leonard H. Wilton. Wayne County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. ...

Detroit River and boating

As an island, boating has been both a means of transportation and recreation since the first residents lived in thee community. Native Americans used canoes, to travel between Grosse Ile's islands and the mainland in Michigan and Canada. Early residents of European heritage primarily used sail powered vessels to travel to and from the islands. By the late 1800s Grosse Ile was known as a popular destination for recreational boaters. During this time period Sugar Island, which is one of the twelve islands commonly considered to comprise Grosse Ile, featured an amusement park, dance pavilion and bathing beach. Paddle steamers regularly carried people seeking recreation from Detroit and other points along the Michigan side of the Detroit River to Sugar Island. A paddle steamer, paddleboat, or paddlewheeler is a ship driven by one or more paddle wheels driven by a steam engine. ...

During this era and into the early 20th Century, a number of wealthy residents from Detroit and other nearby towns built summer homes along the shoreline (mainly on the southern end) of Grosse Ile in order to enjoy views of the Detroit River or Lake Erie. The interior section of the island was sparsely populated as most of the land was undeveloped woodlands or part of farms. The residential population of Grosse Ile only totaled 802 during the 1920 U.S. Census. The majority of homes were located around the perimeter of the island and a number of main roads that crossed the community in either a north-south or east-west direction. Lake Erie (pronounced ) is the tenth largest lake on Earth[2] and, of the five Great Lakes of North America, is the fourth largest by surface area, the southernmost, shallowest, and smallest by volume. ... The U.S. Census is mandated by the United States Constitution. ...

In 1894, the federal government funded and constructed a series of channel range lights to assist ships to avoid shallow areas in the Detroit River and its shoreline. The northernmost of the channel range lights was the Grosse Ile Light which is presently the only lighthouse remaining on the island. The original 1894 Grosse Ile lighthouse resembled a water tower on stilts as it was constructed on wooden pilings along with a 170 foot (52 me) walkway to shore. It was rebuilt in 1906 to become the classic white structure which today is one of the most iconic landmarks on the island. A foot (plural: feet or foot;[1] symbol or abbreviation: ft or, sometimes, ′ – a prime) is a unit of length, in a number of different systems, including English units, Imperial units, and United States customary units. ... This article is about the unit of length. ...

The image of the lighthouse is considered a symbol of Grosse Ile and can be found on the masthead of the Ile Camera community newspaper and many other places. The lighthouse's beacon was turned off in the 1940s and the structure is no longer an important navigation aid for lake freighters although small boaters still refer to the location. The ill-fated SS Edmund Fitzgerald, built in the classic dual superstructure style with her wheelhouse up near the bow. ...

In 1965, the Grosse Ile Township purchased the lighthouse from the U.S. Department of the Interior for $350 with funds provided by the Grosse Ile Historical Society (GIHS). The GIHS was given the responsibility to preserve and maintain the lighthouse. The GIHS annually holds a tour of the lighthouse during a weekend each fall which is the only time of the year that it is open to the public. The United States Department of the Interior (DOI) is a Cabinet department of the United States government that manages and conserves most federally-owned land. ...

Island resident Cameron Waterman invented the outboard motor and successfully tested his invention in the ice-filled Detroit River off the shore of Grosse Ile during February of 1905. Following the successful testing of his invention, he established the Waterman Marine Motor Company in Detroit. The company eventually manufactured and sold up to 1,000 outboard motors per year until Waterman sold the business in 1917. During the fall of 2005, the GIHS celebrated the 100th anniversary of Waterman's invention by hosting a public exhibition featuring fully restored Waterman outboard motors which are highly collectible and very rare. Bolinders two cylinder Trim outboard engine. ...

During the Prohibition era, Grosse Ile became a crossing point for bootleggers illegally importing alcoholic beverages from Canada. They typically arrived to the island via small speed boats. During the winter months, some daring smugglers drove cars across the frozen river. The term Prohibition, also known as A Dry Law, refers to a law in a certain country by which the manufacture, transportation, import, export, and sale of alcoholic beverages is restricted or illegal. ...

Aviation and military

During the 1920s and 1930s, a small airport on the southern end of Grosse Ile was the location of historic early aviation activities. The Curtiss-Wright Flying Service operated a flying school at the airport. The Aircraft Development Corporation built the world's first all-metal airship, the ZMC-2, for the Navy in a large hangar. Amelia Earhart is rumored to have stopped at the airfield on occasion. The Curtiss-Wright Corporation was once a leading aircraft manufacturer of the United States, but has since become a component manufacturer, specializing in actuators, controls, valves, and metal treatment. ... USS Akron (ZRS-4) in flight, November 2, 1931 An airship or dirigible is a buoyant lighter-than-air aircraft that can be steered and propelled through the air. ... The ZMC-2 was one of the few metal-clad airships ever built The Aircraft Development Corporation ZMC-2 was the only successfully-operated metal-skinned airship ever built. ... Amelia Mary Earhart (24 July 1897 – missing 2 July 1937, declared deceased 5 January 1939) was a noted American aviation pioneer, author and womens rights advocate. ...

Grosse Ile was the home of a U.S. Navy base for forty years. The Grosse Ile U.S. Naval Air Station opened in 1929 after three years of construction of seaplane and dirigible facilities. During World War II, the naval base developed into an important center for military flight training. The base was expanded considerably to accommodate large numbers of American and British fliers who trained on the island. Former President George H. W. Bush was stationed at the base for training during 1945 for about two months. The United States Navy (USN) is the branch of the United States armed forces responsible for naval operations. ... George Herbert Walker Bush (born June 12, 1924) was the 41st President of the United States, serving from 1989 to 1993. ...

During the height of the Cold War, in 1954, the U.S. Army installed a Ajax-Nike missile base at the airfield which was functional until it was decommissioned in 1963. The Navy closed the base during 1969 and it was deeded in 1971 by the federal government to the township government for civilian use as a municipal airport. For other uses, see Cold War (disambiguation). ... The Army is the branch of the United States armed forces which has primary responsibility for land-based military operations. ... Launch of a Nike Zeus missile Project Nike was a US Army project, proposed in May 1945 by Bell Labs, to develop a line-of-sight anti-aircraft missile system. ...

Today, the Grosse Ile Municipal Airport is primarily used for general aviation, and occasionally, is a temporary docking area for blimps that visit Southeastern Michigan to fly over major sporting events. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Large Lakes Research Station also occupies one of the buildings on the airport grounds. The airport campus is the home of Grosse Ile Township Hall, which was moved to this location from Macomb Street in 2000, and a number of private businesses. In addition, the airport has been the site of public airshows. Grosse Ile Municipal Airport (IATA: ONZ, ICAO: KONZ) is a general aviation airport located on Grosse Ile in Wayne County, Michigan, USA. // In 1929, the U.S. Navy Air Station opened as a training school, seaplane base and dirigible hangar. ... Blimp can refer to: a non-rigid airship as opposed to a rigid airship (e. ... EPA redirects here. ...

Pioneers, inventors and prominent residents

A number of pioneers, inventors and influential executives in the automotive industry have made Grosse Ile their residence over the years. Ransom E. Olds, the founder and head of the Olds Motor Vehicle Company that was the foundation for the later establishment of Oldsmobile by General Motors Corporation, built a grand summer estate on Elba Island in 1916. John Kelsey, founder and president of the Kelsey Wheel Company, was a summer resident of Grosse Ile and one of the key organizers of the Grosse Ile Golf and Country Club which was established in 1919. Ransom E. Olds Ransom Eli Olds (June 3, 1864–August 26, 1950) was a pioneer of the American automobile industry, for whom both the Oldsmobile and Reo brands were named. ... Oldsmobile was a brand of automobile produced for most of its existence by General Motors. ... Oldsmobile was a brand of automobile produced for most of its existence by General Motors. ... General Motors Corporation (NYSE: GM), also known as GM, is an American automobile maker with worldwide operations and brands including Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Holden, Hummer, Opel, Pontiac, Saturn, Saab and Vauxhall. ...

Charles and William Fisher, co-founders of the Fisher Body Company that later became a division of General Motors, built large summer homes at the north end of Parke Lane (one remains today). General William S. Knudsen, president of General Motors Corporation from 1937 to 1940, lived during the summer in an old remodeled farm home that later became the clubhouse for Water's Edge Country Club. Knudsen Drive and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Hall on Macomb Street were named in his honor. Fisher Body is an automobile coachbuilder now part of General Motors. ... General Motors Corporation, also known as GM or The General, an American multinational conglomerate corporation, is the worlds largest auto company by annual production volume for 2006, and the second largest by sales volume as of the first half of 2007, behind Toyota Motor Corporation. ... William S. Knudsen, March 25, 1879-April, 27, 1948, was a leading automobile industry executive and a general in the U.S. Army. ... The Veterans of Foreign Wars, or VFW, is an American organization whose members are current or former members of the U.S. armed forces. ...

During the 1920's Henry Ford, founder and president of the Ford Motor Company, bought a sizeable tract of land between West River Road and the Thorofare Canal. Although he never built a home, he did sell pieces of his property to Ford employees. Ford's controversial Personnel Director, Harry Bennett, built the famous "Pagoda House" on West River in 1939. Grosse Ile resident John Karmazin, Sr., who lived on the island from 1926 and until his death in 1977, invented the automotive radiator pressure cap, obtained more than fifty automotive-related patents, and founded the Karmazin Products Corporation which produced automotive and heavy construction equipment components in the City of Wyandotte from 1946 until 2000. Jack Telnack, former Global Vice President of Design at the Ford Motor Company, lived on the island during the 1980s when he was credited with designing the very popular Taurus model. Henry Ford (1919) Henry Ford (July 30, 1863 – April 7, 1947) was the founder of the Ford Motor Company and father of modern assembly lines used in mass production. ... “Ford” redirects here. ... The Karmazin Products Corporation was founded in Wyandotte, Michigan during 1946 by John Karmazin, Sr. ... Wyandotte is a city in Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. ... Jack Telnack (born as John J. Telnack in 1937) was the former global Vice President of Design of the Ford Motor Company from 1987 to 1997. ... The Ford Taurus is a mid-size, front wheel drive car manufactured by the Ford Motor Company in North America. ...

Heinz Prechter, the German-born, but American-spirited inventor of the automobile sunroof, made the island his residence from the 1970s until his suicide in 2001. During the late 1960s, Prechter founded the American Sunroof Company (ASC) headquartered in the City of Southgate. ASC became one of the largest private sector employers headquartered in Downriver Detroit. At the time of his death, Prechter was widely regarded to be the most successful and influential businessmen in Downriver as he was a friend of many prominent leaders in industry and government including President George W. Bush. Heinz Prechter (1942 – July 6, 2001) a German born entrepreneur who founded the American Sunroof Company (ASC) was a quintessential entrepreneur, legendary visionary, community leader, and philanthropist. ... Year 2001 (MMI) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 2001 Gregorian calendar). ... American Specialty Cars (commonly known as ASC) is an automobile design, engineering, and conversion company headquartered in Southgate, Michigan. ... Southgate is a city in Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. ... Downriver is the unofficial, but commonly used, name for a collection of nearly 20 suburban cities and townships in southeastern Michigan south of Detroit along the western shore of the Detroit River[1]. The name derives from the fact that the Detroit River, after running nearly east-west along the... George Walker Bush (born July 6, 1946) is the forty-third and current President of the United States of America, originally inaugurated on January 20, 2001. ...

Grosse Ile has also been the home of Michiganders with distinguished service in civilian government and the military. Colonel Thornton Fleming Brodhead (1822-1862) was one of the island's most prominent residents in these fields of endeavor. Colonel Brodhead and his wife, Archange Macomb Abbott, lived on East River Road. Colonel Brodhead was, at various times, editor and part owner of the Detroit Free Press, a Michigan State Senator and postmaster at Detroit. He served in the Mexican-American War and led the First Michigan Cavalry in the American Civil War. The colonel was mortally wounded at the Second Battle of Bull Run in 1862. Along with The Detroit News, the Detroit Free Press is one of the two major metro Detroit newspapers. ... Combatants United States Mexico Commanders Zachary Taylor Winfield Scott Stephen W. Kearney Antonio López de Santa Anna Mariano Arista Pedro de Ampudia José Mariá Flores Strength 78,790 soldiers 25,000–40,000 soldiers Casualties KIA: 1733 Total dead: 13,271 Wounded: 4,152 AWOL: 9,200+ 25,000... Combatants United States of America (Union) Confederate States of America (Confederacy) Commanders Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee Strength 2,200,000 1,064,000 Casualties 110,000 killed in action, 360,000 total dead, 275,200 wounded 93,000 killed in action, 258,000 total... Combatants United States of America Confederate States of America Commanders John Pope Robert E. Lee James Longstreet Stonewall Jackson Strength 63,000 54,000 Casualties 1,747 killed 8,452 wounded 4,263 captured/missing 1,553 killed 7,812 wounded 109 captured/missing For other uses, see Bull Run...

Railroads and bridges

Grosse Ile was directly connected to the mainland of Michigan during 1873 when the Canada Southern Bridge Company, a subsidiary of the Canada Southern Railroad Company, established a railroad to the island which carried both passengers and freight. The company laid tracks across Grosse Ile and built bridges over the Detroit River that enabled trains to be transferred to a ferryboat on Stony Island (one of the islands near the east shoreline of Grosse Ile's "main island"). Once on the ferryboat, the train cars were taken to Gordon, Ontario where they were put back on a rail track so they could travel to Buffalo and other points east. Canada Southern operated trains on this route for about ten years before ceasing service due to financial difficulties. The Canada Southern Railway (AAR reporting marks CASO) was a railroad in southern Ontario, Canada, founded on February 28, 1868 as the Erie and Niagara Extension Railway and later adopted the Canada Southern Railway name on December 24, 1869. ... The Township of Gordon is a township in the Canadian province of Ontario, in the Manitoulin District. ... Motto: Ut Incepit Fidelis Sic Permanet (Latin: Loyal she began, loyal she remains) Capital Toronto Largest city Toronto Official languages English (de facto) Government - Lieutenant-Governor David C. Onley - Premier Dalton McGuinty (Liberal) Federal representation in Canadian Parliament - House seats 106 - Senate seats 24 Confederation July 1, 1867 (1st) Area...

After Canada Southern ended its operations, the Michigan Central Railroad operated a train that enabled Grosse Ile residents and visitors to travel between the island and Trenton. Train service in Trenton provided people a means of regularly traveling to Detroit and other cities in the region. In 1904, the Michigan Central Railroad built a small brick and stone depot along the tracks near East River Road on the east side of the island. Michigan Central Railroad operated in the states of Michigan, Indiana, Ontario, and Illinois in the United Statesand Canada. ... Coordinates: , Settled 1816 Incorporation 1855 Government  - Mayor Gerald R. Brown Area  - City 18. ...

Today, the depot is well-preserved and serves as a community museum operated by the GIHS. The depot and the nearby old U.S. Customs House (moved in 1980 from Macomb Street to its present location), also owned and maintained by the GIHS, are the only structures in the National Historic District along East River Road that are regularly open to the public. In addition, the district features Saint James Episcopal Church, the oldest church building on island constructed during 1867 in part with funds provided by a freed slave named Elizabeth Denison. The district also includes as six homes, built during the 1840s to 1860s period, that provide outstanding examples of architecture, particularly Gothic Revival and Jacobethan Revival, from this era. This article is about the Episcopal Church in the United States. ... Year 1867 (MDCCCLXVII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Sunday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Victoria Tower at the Palace of Westminster, London: Gothic details provided by A.W.N. Pugin The Gothic revival was a European architectural movement with origins in mid-18th century England. ... Anthony Salvins Harlaxton Manor, 1837 – 1855, defines the Jacobethan taste. ...

Train service peaked during the early 1900s, but rapidly declined after Edward W. Voigt's Grosse Ile Bridge Company opened the Grosse Ile Toll Bridge on November 27, 1913 (Thanksgiving Day). The Toll Bridge, which is privately owned, is on the west side of the island and connects to the City of Riverview. After automobile traffic crossing the bridge became the most popular means of traveling to and from the island, the Michigan Central Railroad ceased daily passenger service during early 1924 and stopped occasional freight train service to the island in 1929. The Grosse Ile Toll Bridge is a swing bridge that crosses the Trenton Channel of the Detroit River connecting Grosse Ile Township, Michigan to the mainland in Riverview, Michigan which is located in Wayne County, Michigan. ... This article is about the city in Wayne County. ... For the rap album, see 1924 (album). ... Year 1929 (MCMXXIX) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

During 1931, the county government converted the Michigan Central Railroad's defunct rail bridge crossing the Trenton Channel into the Wayne County Bridge for use by vehicular, bike and pedestrian traffic. The rail tracks across the island were replaced by a roadway that is now known as Grosse Ile Parkway. The Wayne County Bridge is commonly referred to as the "Free Bridge" by residents because of the absence of a toll for crossing. Year 1931 (MCMXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1931 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Today, about three-quarters of the vehicle traffic going to and from Grosse Ile travels over the Free Bridge, while one-quarter crosses the Toll Bridge. The Toll Bridge has been hit twice by lake freighters, causing it to close temporarily (first in 1965, then again in 1992). The Free Bridge will undergo major renovations starting in May 2007.

Modern times, growth and preservation

Grosse Ile is considered to be one of the best locations along the Detroit River to observe commercial shipping and pleasure boat traffic. Lake freighters and ocean going ships traveling to destinations around the Great Lakes regularly pass near the east side of the island where the main channel of the Detroit River separates Grosse Ile from Canada.

While the shoreline areas of Grosse Ile feature the majority of historically significant places and structures, approximately a dozen 1920s era homes in the Jewell Colony subdivision, located in the middle of the island, are listed on the Michigan Register of Historic Places. Jewell Colony was the first planned subdivision on the island.

As a result of its unique natural setting, strong community values, historic preservation, highly-rated schools and close proximity to major employers in Metro Detroit, Grosse Ile experienced a significant increase in the rate of residential development during the last half of the 20th Century. In the 1960s Krauss Builders,Inc. invested in the development of the island. Krauss is credited to building the majority of the island homes and subdivisions. By the 1980 Census, the population of Grosse Ile had rocketed to approximately 9,300 -- an increase of about 106% from the 1960 Census. The Detroit metropolitan area, often referred to as Metro Detroit, is the metropolitan area located in southeastern Michigan, centered on the city of Detroit. ...

Fearing that the natural character and small town charm of the community was being forever destroyed by this housing boom, during the early 1990s the Grosse Ile Township established the "Open Space Program" funded by a voter-approved dedicated local property tax to buy undeveloped land. The township's Open Space program succeeded in acquiring large tracts of environmentally sensitive land which helped to slow the pace of development, preserve the environment and protect housing values. Grosse Ile's Open Space program is considered to be a national model for market-based growth management in a small town.

In 1993, a group of community-minded citizens established a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization named the Grosse Ile Land & Nature Conservancy to aid in the protection and stewardship of the diverse natural resources on the island. The Conservancy soon acquired by donation a number of environmentally important woodland and wetland areas. A non-profit organization (abbreviated NPO, or non-profit or not-for-profit) is an organization whose primary objective is to support an issue or matter of private interest or public concern for non-commercial purposes, without concern for monetary profit. ...

The U.S. EPA granted stewardship responsibilities to the Conservancy for a 40.5-acre (16.4 ha) marsh and upland area on the federal government-owned section of the Grosse Ile Municipal Airport. This tract of land, which at one time was the location of the Navy's seaplane base and later the Army's Nike missile base, has been restored to its natural state featuring rich biodiversity and rare coastal wetlands. Named the Nature Area by the Conservancy, this land is periodically used by local teachers and Boy Scout groups to teach children about nature and the importance of conservation. An acre is the name of a unit of area in a number of different systems, including Imperial units and United States customary units. ... A hectare (symbol ha) is a unit of area, equal to 10 000 square metres, commonly used for measuring land area. ... It has been suggested that D-Bar-A Scout Ranch be merged into this article or section. ...

Presently, Grosse Ile is a community of about 12,500 residents (10,894 in the 2000 Census). Many seek to balance environmental conservation, historic preservation, small town suburban living, and new development in a manner that makes it a very desirable place to live.

Culture

Originally held on Macomb Street, the annual "Islandfest" (formerly "Azalea Festival") takes place around Grosse Ile Municipal Airport. On the same site as Islandfest, the Grosse Ile Youth Recreational Association (GIYRA)which is a 501c3 charity runs a haunted house every Halloween. When not dressing up as chainsaw-wielding maniacs, GIYRA coordinates the youth sporting events for the island children. The sports currently offered by GIYRA are Football, Basketball, and Baseball. Species see text Source: The Rhododendron page, and some research. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... This article is about the holiday. ...

In addition to sporting events sponsored by GIYRA, the Island houses an indoor Tennis facility. The 6 courts are inside of an old hangar at the city's municipal airport. Recently, the Tennis Center was taken under new ownership. The courts have been refinished, and there are other extensive renovations taking place.

Grosse Ile's community theatre, The Islanders, is Downriver’s oldest theatre club and one of the oldest civic theatre groups in the state of Michigan. The club has been active on Grosse Ile since 1925, when friends and neighbors needed an outlet for wholesome entertainment during the long Michigan winters. The first major play was produced on May 21, 1926 by a group of 40 founding members.

Grosse Ile social clubs include the Grosse Ile Yacht Club, the Ford Yacht Club, The Grosse Ile Golf and Country Club, West Shore Golf Course and Water's Edge Golf Course.

Education

On the island, there are two elementary schools: Parke Lane Elementary, and Meridian Elementary, serving grades K-5. The Grosse Ile Middle School enrolls students in 6-8, and Grosse Ile High School (GIHS) provides some college preparatory education for grades 9-12. Their mascot is the Red Devil. In 1999 the former middle school was demolished in favor of a new and more up-to-date building. In the process, the historic adjacent school built in 1911, was demolished amid much controversy. The controversy centered around the desire of many township residents to preserve a historic structure in which many life long residents had received their education in, and had been the original school building for the island as well.

In 2001, Grosse Ile was ranked the highest out of 88 school districts in Metro Detroit by the Detroit News. [1] Along with The Detroit Free Press, The Detroit News (owned by Gannett) is one of the two major Metro Detroit newspapers. ...

Demographics

The U.S. Census Bureau has also defined Grosse Ile Township as a census-designated place (CDP) in the 2000 Census so that the community would appear on the list of places (like cities and villages) as well on the list of county subdivisions (like other townships). The final statistics for the township and the CDP are identical. The United States Census Bureau (officially Bureau of the Census) is a part of the United States Department of Commerce. ... A census-designated place (CDP) is an area identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical reporting. ...

As of the census² of 2000, there were 10,894 people, 4,122 households, and 3,293 families residing in the township. The population density was 1,133.9 persons per square mile (437.7/km²). There were 4,335 housing units at an average density of 451.2 per square mile (174.2/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 95.23% White, 0.36% African American, 0.34% Native American, 2.74% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.29% from other races, and 1.00% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.61% of the population. Image:1870 census Lindauer Weber 01. ... The following is a list of sources used in the creation of encyclopedia articles on various geographic topics and locations, such as cities, counties, states, and countries. ... The United States Census Bureau uses the federal governments definitions of race when performing a census. ... The United States Census Bureau uses the federal governments definitions of race when performing a census. ... The United States Census Bureau uses the federal governments definitions of race when performing a census. ... The United States Census Bureau uses the federal governments definitions of race when performing a census. ... The United States Census Bureau uses the federal governments definitions of race when performing a census. ... It has been suggested that Ethnicity (United States Census) be merged into this article or section. ... The United States Census Bureau uses the federal governments definitions of race when performing a census. ... The United States Census Bureau uses the federal governments definitions of race when performing a census. ...

There were 4,122 households out of which 34.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 72.8% were married couples living together, 5.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.1% were non-families. 17.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 2.99. Marriage is an interpersonal relationship with governmental, social, or religious recognition, usually intimate and sexual, and often created as a contract, or through civil process. ...

In the township the population was spread out with 24.9% under the age of 18, 5.1% from 18 to 24, 23.4% from 25 to 44, 34.8% from 45 to 64, and 11.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 99.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.0 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $87,062, and the median income for a family was $96,226. Males had a median income of $71,777 versus $42,430 for females. The per capita income for the township was $42,150. About 1.9% of families and 2.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.4% of those under age 18 and 2.6% of those age 65 or over. The per capita income for a group of people may be defined as their total personal income, divided by the total population. ... Map of countries showing percentage of population who have an income below the national poverty line The poverty line is the level of income below which one cannot afford to purchase all the resources one requires to live. ...

The township is also considered to be the safest community in Michigan [2], due in part to its uniqueness as an island community, surrounded by water, with only two bridges connecting it to the mainland.

2007 Long-term Closure of the Wayne County Bridge for Renovations

On May 2nd 2007, the Wayne County Bridge was closed for renovations that are expected to be completed by mid-December of this year. As a result, the Grosse Ile Toll Bridge provides the only way for vehicles to travel to and from the island.

On the first day of the county bridge closure period, drivers experienced long waits to cross east bound over the Toll Bridge during the afternoon rush hour and early evening for a variety of reasons. The next day there were no major delays and traffic has flowed smoothly ever since May 2. Widespread use of the Grosse Ile Bridge Company's Bridge Pass is credited with eliminating traffic flow problems as this device allows drivers to cross the span without stopping to interact with toll attendants. Normally, about 75% of Grosse Ile residents use the Wayne County Bridge to travel to and from the island.

References

• Swan, Isabella E., THE DEEP ROOTS, A History of Grosse Ile, Michigan, to July 6, 1876,: 1976, 445 pages.
• Webb, W.J., "Cameron Waterman and his Waterman Marine Motor Co.", The Antique Outboarder, January 1970.
• Karmazin, Nancy G., "Quick History of Grosse Ile", 1999.
• Michigan State Historic Preservation Office's State Register of Historic Sites and Michigan Historical Markers.

External links

• Grosse Ile Township
• Grosse Ile Township Schools
• Grosse Ile Local Newspaper (Ile Camera)
• The Grosse Ile Bridge Company
• About the Bridge Closure
• [3]

Coordinates: 42°7′31″N, 83°9′29″W Map of Earth showing lines of latitude (horizontally) and longitude (vertically), Eckert VI projection; large version (pdf, 1. ...

v • d • e Municipalities and communities of Wayne County, Michigan
County seat: Detroit
Cities	Allen Park | Belleville | Dearborn | Dearborn Heights | Detroit | Ecorse | Flat Rock | Garden City | Gibraltar | Grosse Pointe | Grosse Pointe Farms | Grosse Pointe Park | Grosse Pointe Woods | Hamtramck | Harper Woods | Highland Park | Inkster | Lincoln Park | Livonia | Melvindale | Northville | Plymouth | River Rouge | Riverview | Rockwood | Romulus | Southgate | Taylor | Trenton | Wayne | Westland | Woodhaven | Wyandotte Downriver is the unofficial, but commonly used, name for a collection of nearly 20 suburban cities and townships in southeastern Michigan south of Detroit along the western shore of the Detroit River[1]. The name derives from the fact that the Detroit River, after running nearly east-west along the... Allen Park is a city in Wayne County of the U.S. state of Michigan. ... Brownstown Township is a civil township of Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. ... Detroit redirects here. ... Ecorse is a city in Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. ... Flat Rock is a city located in Wayne County, Michigan. ... There is also a Huron Township in Huron County, Michigan. ... Lincoln Park is a city in Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. ... Melvindale is a city in Wayne County of the U.S. state of Michigan. ... Industrial area along the riverfront of River Rouge River Rouge is a city in Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. ... This article is about the city in Wayne County. ... Rockwood is a city located in Wayne County, Michigan. ... Romulus is a city in Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. ... Southgate is a city in Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. ... Taylor is a city located in Wayne County, Michigan. ... Coordinates: , Settled 1816 Incorporation 1855 Government  - Mayor Gerald R. Brown Area  - City 18. ... Woodhaven is a city in Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. ... Wyandotte is a city in Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. ... Wayne County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. ... Official language(s) None (English, de-facto) Capital Lansing Largest city Detroit Largest metro area Metro Detroit Area  Ranked 11th  - Total 97,990 sq mi (253,793 km²)  - Width 239 miles (385 km)  - Length 491 miles (790 km)  - % water 41. ... A county seat is a term for an administrative center for a county, primarily used in the United States. ... Detroit redirects here. ... For other uses, see City (disambiguation). ... Allen Park is a city in Wayne County of the U.S. state of Michigan. ... Belleville is a city in Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. ... Location in Michigan Coordinates: , Country United States State Michigan County Wayne County Government  - Mayor John B. O’Reilly, Jr. ... Dearborn Heights is a city in Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. ... Detroit redirects here. ... Ecorse is a city in Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. ... Flat Rock is a city located in Wayne County, Michigan. ... Garden City is a city in Wayne County of the U.S. state of Michigan. ... This article is about the incorporated city of Grosse Pointe. ... Grosse Pointe Farms is a city located in Wayne County, Michigan. ... Grosse Pointe Park is a city located in Wayne County, Michigan. ... Alternate use: There are several neighboring places in Michigan that begin with Grosse Pointe. ... Hamtramck is a city in Wayne County of the U.S. state of Michigan. ... Harper Woods is a city in Wayne County of the U.S. state of Michigan. ... Highland Park is a city located in Wayne County, Michigan. ... Inkster is a city in Wayne County of the U.S. state of Michigan. ... Lincoln Park is a city in Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. ... Livonia is a city located in the northwest part of Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. ... Melvindale is a city in Wayne County of the U.S. state of Michigan. ... Northville is a city located in the U.S. state of Michigan and a suburb in Metro Detroit. ... Plymouth is a city in Wayne County of the U.S. state of Michigan. ... Industrial area along the riverfront of River Rouge River Rouge is a city in Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. ... This article is about the city in Wayne County. ... Rockwood is a city located in Wayne County, Michigan. ... Romulus is a city in Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. ... Southgate is a city in Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. ... Taylor is a city located in Wayne County, Michigan. ... Coordinates: , Settled 1816 Incorporation 1855 Government  - Mayor Gerald R. Brown Area  - City 18. ... Wayne is a city in Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. ... Westland is a city located in Wayne County, Michigan. ... Woodhaven is a city in Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. ... Wyandotte is a city in Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. ...
Villages	Grosse Pointe Shores Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Masouleh village, Gilan Province, Iran. ... The Grosse Pointe Yacht Club Grosse Pointe Shores is a village located in the U.S. state of Michigan. ...
Civil Townships	Brownstown | Canton | Grosse Ile | Grosse Pointe | Huron | Northville | Plymouth | Sumpter | Redford | Van Buren A civil township is a widely-used unit of local government in the United States, subordinate to a county. ... Brownstown Township is a civil township of Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. ... The Charter Township of Canton, usually referred to as Canton, is a charter township of Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. ... Grosse Pointe Township is a township located in Wayne County, Michigan. ... There is also a Huron Township in Huron County, Michigan. ... Northville Charter Township is a charter township in Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan and a suburb in Metro Detroit. ... Plymouth Township is a township located in Wayne County, Michigan. ... Sumpter Township is a township located in Wayne County, Michigan. ... Redford is a charter township in Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. ... Van Buren Charter Township is a charter township located in Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. ...