Duboisville, Michigan facts for kids

Duboisville was a small community in Wayne County, Michigan, USA. It was located near what is now 7 Mile Road and Berg Road, within the city of Detroit. This community no longer exists as a separate town today.

What Was Duboisville?

Duboisville was not a city or a village with its own government. It was an "unincorporated community." This means it was a group of homes and businesses that were part of a larger township.

How Duboisville Started

The community of Duboisville began around 1850. It grew up near a lumber mill owned by a man named James Dubois. A lumber mill is a place where trees are cut into planks and boards. Some records suggest the community was planned around the mill in 1878. However, it seems people were already calling the area Duboisville before then. At that time, Duboisville was part of Redford Township.

A Name Change Attempt?

Later, a merchant named Julius Ziegler tried to change the community's name. He wanted it to be named after himself! But the original name, Duboisville, stayed.

The Duboisville School

Duboisville had its own school, known as the Duboisville School. Even after the area became part of Detroit, this school continued to operate. It was part of the Detroit Public Schools system until the 1980s.

What Happened to Duboisville?

Around 1900, the number of people living in Duboisville started to decrease. In 1916, the lumber mill, which was the reason the community started, closed down. Around this time, Duboisville joined with another nearby community called Sandhill. Together, they formed the village of Redford. In 1926, the people of Redford voted to become part of the larger city of Detroit.