Bridgewater Township, Michigan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bridgewater Township, Michigan
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Township Hall at Clinton and Braun Road
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Location within Washtenaw County
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 Bridgewater Township, Michigan
Location in Michigan
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| Country | United States |
| State | Michigan |
| County | Washtenaw |
| Established | 1833 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 36.58 sq mi (94.74 km2) |
| • Land | 36.16 sq mi (93.65 km2) |
| • Water | 0.42 sq mi (1.09 km2) |
| Elevation | 843 ft (257 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,615 |
| • Density | 44.150/sq mi (17.047/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code(s) | |
| Area code(s) | 734 |
| FIPS code | 26-10560 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1625979 |
| Bridgewater Town Hall | |
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| Location | 10990 Clinton Road Manchester, Michigan |
| Built | 1856 1882 (rebuilt) |
| Designated | January 21, 1988 |
Bridgewater Township is a special kind of local government area called a civil township in Washtenaw County, which is in the U.S. state of Michigan. In 2020, about 1,615 people lived here.
Contents
History of Bridgewater Township
Bridgewater Township was officially started in 1832. It was first called Hixon Township. This name came from Colonel Daniel Hixon, who was one of the first people to settle there.
In 1833, the township got its current name, Bridgewater Township. It was named after a place called Bridgewater, New York.
At first, the township covered a larger area. But in 1837, Manchester Township was created from its western part. The first building for the township government was built in 1856. The building you see today was rebuilt in 1882 on the same spot. It is now a special place called a Michigan State Historic Site. This means it's an important historical landmark.
By 1850, there were two small towns in the township: Bridgewater and River Raisin. River Raisin had mills, a train station, a post office, and some shops. However, the River Raisin community no longer exists today.
Communities in Bridgewater Township
- Bridgewater is a small community that is not officially a city or town. It is located within the township at 42°09′39″N 83°54′08″W / 42.16083°N 83.90222°W. Colonel Daniel Hixon first settled here in 1829. It had a post office called Columbia Lake starting in 1833. The post office was renamed Bridgewater in 1843, just like the township. It closed for a short time but reopened in 1871 and has been open ever since.
- River Raisin was another community located along the River Raisin at 42°07′05″N 83°58′45″W / 42.11806°N 83.97917°W. It got its name from the river, which means "grape" in French. This community had a post office from 1864 until 1902. Today, the River Raisin community is no longer there.
Geography and Nature
Bridgewater Township covers a total area of about 36.58 square miles (94.74 square kilometers). Most of this area, about 36.16 square miles (93.65 square kilometers), is land. The rest, about 0.42 square miles (1.09 square kilometers), is water.
The River Raisin flows through the western part of the township. The Saline River actually starts in Joslin Lake, which is in the northeast part of the township.
Main Roads
- The major road known as
US 12 (East Michigan Avenue) passes through a small part of the southeast corner of the township.
People of Bridgewater Township
In 2000, there were 1,646 people living in Bridgewater Township. There were 598 households, which means groups of people living together in homes. Most of these were families.
The people living in the township came from different backgrounds. Most residents were White. A small number of people were African American, Native American, or Asian. Some people were also from two or more racial backgrounds. A small percentage of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino.
About 25% of the people were under 18 years old. About 30% were between 25 and 44 years old. The average age of people in the township was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were about 103 males.
Schools in Bridgewater Township
Students in Bridgewater Township go to schools in three different public school districts. Most of the township is served by Clinton Community Schools, which is located south in Lenawee County.
The northwestern part of the township is served by Manchester Community Schools in Manchester. A small area in the northeast of the township is served by Saline Area Schools in Saline.
Images for kids
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Unincorporated community of Bridgewater -
Bridgewater Township Cemetery -
Cornfields along Clinton Road
