NORTHVILLIANS,
Happy Pre-Fourth of July Weekend – we are now officially into Summer after the solstice last week. As we get ready for the holiday festivities, I thought it would be interesting to look back at yesteryear’s Fourth of July celebrations in town. We’ll also look at Patriotism as we talk about our 4th of July parades and memories of the past.
Independence Day is a federal holiday in the US, commemorating the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, 1776. The Continental Congress declared that the thirteen American colonies were no longer under King George III & Britain, and they were now united, free, and independent.
Now let’s take a look at Fourth of July happenings through the years:
1876 – The City celebrated the nation’s Centennial in grand fashion with patriotic Red, White, and Blue banners adorning most of the businesses and homes (the majority of these structures are still in town today). The parade route was similar to today’s and concluded with a fabulous fireworks display that night.
Stay tuned – both myself and Northville Township Supervisor Mark Abbo are exploring the opportunity to once again have community fireworks at the new Parks and Recreation Legacy Park location.
- 1895 – Over 5,000 visitors enjoyed activities from dawn-to-dusk, starting off with a sunrise 21-gun salute, a parade, a three-ring circus and of course, FIREWORKS! People came from all over southeast Michigan via train, trolley, and stagecoach to participate.
- 1927 – Northville’s Centennial: The grandiose 3-day event included concerts, activities, ball games, square dancing, fireworks, and the largest parade in Michigan (up to that time), with floats from Henry Ford himself, who loved this town.
- 1932 – Horse Races: The Fourth of July races at the Downs included thoroughbreds that year. In addition to the racing, the town carried on with the traditional Fireworks and Street Dancing along with Music on Center (from Main to Dunlap) … very reminiscent of today’s downtown social district with its music & festivities.
- 1948 – Fourth of July Water Hose Fire Department Battle: Northville vs. Plymouth, exciting & humorous (hundreds watched on either side … Northville won)!
- 1953 – Pony Rides and Speed Boat Rides! Ford Motor Company provided pony rides for more than 1,000 children and free “Speed Boat” rides on the Mill Pond… can you imagine speed boat rides on the Mill Race pond today?
- Street Dancing & Concerts – Traditionally over 100 years ago, the summer concert series with dancing on Center St. kicked off on July 4th each year and finished up on Labor Day.
- Local Amusement Park & Big Band Venue – Back in the day, people would catch the trolley after the parade in Northville to head to nearby Walled Lake to enjoy the amusement park & participate in speed boat rides on the big lake. In the 1940’s the Casino there hosted big bands including Tommy Dorsey, Glenn Miller, Louie Armstrong and even Guy Lombardo, among others.
In the 1960’s, artists such as Dionne Warwick, Stevie Wonder, Chuck Berry, and Fabian performed on the Lake over the Fourth of July. Many of the performers were spotted around Northville grabbing some ice cream or attending the parade. Bob Seger even performed here other times of the year in the late sixties (but not on the Fourth).
Northville has always been a Fourth of July destination. Enjoy the town’s beauty, stroll through Ford Field and the Mill Race Village and soak in that Fourth of July history. AND BE SURE to make your way to the parade on July 4th at 10:00 AM and watch the jets fly over to salute the town’s patriotism!
Keep that Northville 4th of July Faith & Happy Birthday, America!
Brian Turnbull
Mayor – Northville
BTurnbull@ci.northville.mi.us / 248.505.6849
(Reach out to me anytime or forward this communication to others interested.)
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