Fish Hatchery

NORTHVILLIANS,

 This week’s events have been described by CNN as significant as “NASA’s landing on the moon or the logistics of WWII’s D-Day”, referring to the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine.  This is truly a monumental week, with millions of citizens preparing to receive the vaccination soon. The Gerald R. Ford Airport in Grand Rapids has been busy flying out the Pfizer vaccine produced in the Kalamazoo area.
   Also this week, the Northville business district is transitioning to “Heat in the Street” for the winter. Protective awning structures and heated/lit “Winter Pods” have been assembled in the business district. Clearly, we are seeing the light at the end of this pandemic tunnel, but we must continue to stay diligent in these coming months. The nation is prioritizing inoculations this week to our First Responders, Health Care Workers and Seniors. I continue to thank all Northvillians who have helped our community through this long journey.
   In this week’s letter, I’ll highlight yet another “Gateway” – the Fish Hatchery Park in the Orchard Heights area of town.

GATEWAYS TO THE COMMUNITY

This week I will talk about yet another gateway to the community, the Fish Hatchery Park where I spent much of my youth. Today, sports, recreational & nature activities take place within its greenspace. Originally, it was a pottery site (which I learned from my father’s history lectures). The 1973 Michigan Fisheries Centennial report stated that in 1867 Mr. N. W. Clark started a small brook trout hatchery in Clarkston. In 1874, he was the architect of our Fish Hatchery with its 17 ponds, raceways & buildings where many patents were registered.  It was the first National Fish Hatchery and was in operation for close to 100 years, until the 1950s.
   From the early 1900’s through much of last century, one of its ponds was used as a local swimming pool in the summer and then a community ice rink in the winter.
   In its heyday, fish & fish eggs from this site were shipped throughout the world to places like Mexico, Britain, France, Germany, South America and New Zealand via trains, trucks & planes.
   The stately Victorian Superintendent’s home on the North side of Seven Mile was built in 1896 and is the only remaining structure from the Northville fish hatchery industry.
   This year, $900K of grant money has been spent on restoration, refurbishment and terracing of the Johnson Creek area of the park. The final product is truly outstanding! Take a look some time, as this could be a precursor to a connected Northville River walk in the future.
   In conclusion, I ask all of you to please stay vigilant and take precautions over the ensuing weeks & months. Let’s continue to generously share our Time & Talents with those in need on a daily basis.  

Keep that Northville Faith and Mask up, Practice social distancing, Wash up often and be Safe!

Brian Turnbull
Mayor – Northville
BTurnbull@ci.northville.mi.us / 248.505.6849

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