Conners Creek, Michigan facts for kids

Conner's Creek was once a small, independent community located in Wayne County, Michigan. It was a place where people lived and worked, much like a small town, before it became part of the larger city of Detroit.

Conner's Creek: A Look Back

Conner's Creek has a long history, starting even before the year 1800. It began as a small settlement and grew over time, seeing many changes and different names.

Early Days and First Settlers

The area was first known as Trembly's Creek. This name came from Joseph Trembly, who was one of the very first settlers. He received a large piece of land, about 640 acres, where Fort Gratiot Road crossed the creek. Joseph Trembly was an important figure, building a mill and other buildings that helped the community grow.

Later, Joseph Trembly's daughter, Teresa, married a man named Richard Conner. Through this marriage, Richard Conner came to own the land. Because of him, the area's name changed from Trembly's Creek to Conner Creek.

A Growing Community

In 1832, many German families moved to the Conner Creek area. They were trying to avoid a serious illness called cholera that was spreading in Detroit at the time. Their arrival helped the community grow even more.

Conner Creek was officially recognized as a village in 1853. This meant it had a more organized structure. A few years later, in 1855, a post office was opened. This made it easier for people to send and receive mail, connecting the village to other places.

Name Changes and Growth

The name of the community changed again in 1893. It was renamed Greiner, after Michael Greiner, who owned a lot of land there. However, the name Greiner didn't stick for long. In 1899, the community went back to being called Conner Creek.

Some historical records suggest that Conner Creek was located near Gratiot Road and 7 Mile Road. This gives us an idea of where this historic community once stood.

Becoming Part of Detroit

As the city of Detroit grew, many smaller communities around it eventually joined the larger city. In 1917, the people of Conner Creek voted to become part of Detroit. At that time, more than 2,000 people lived in Conner Creek. By joining Detroit, the area became part of a bigger urban center, and its identity as a separate village faded.