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List of mayors of Detroit facts for kids

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Mayor of the City of Detroit
Flag of Detroit.svg
Flag of the City of Detroit
Seal of Detroit (B&W).svg
Seal of the City of Detroit
Mike Duggan (52345819381) (1) (cropped).jpg
Incumbent
Mike Duggan

since January 1, 2014
Residence Manoogian Mansion
Term length Four years
Constituting instrument Detroit City Charter
Formation 1824
First holder John R. Williams
Website Mayor's Office

This article lists the mayors of Detroit, a major city in Michigan, United States. The current mayor is Mike Duggan, who started his term on January 1, 2014.

How Detroit's Leaders Changed Over Time

In its early days, Detroit was a military outpost. French and then British military leaders were in charge. After American forces took over, civil leaders became more important. The city was led by appointed officials, elected boards, and later, elected mayors. There was a short period from 1806 to 1809 when the mayor's job was mostly for show.

Detroit's current system, where the mayor has a lot of power, began with the city's charter in 1824. From 1824 to 1857, mayors were elected for one-year terms. From 1858 to 1953, terms were two years. After 1953, mayoral terms became four years long.

Early French and British Leaders

In Detroit's first years, French and British military commanders were in charge. Here are some of the French commanders:

  • Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac (1701–1710)
  • François de la Forêt [fr] (1710–1714)
  • Jacques-Charles Renaud Dubuisson (1714)
  • Pierre Alphonse de Tonty (1717–1727)
  • Jean-Baptiste de Saint-Ours Deschaillons [fr] (1728–1729)
  • Louis Henry Deschamps [fr], Sieur de Boishebert (1730–1733)
  • Jacques-Hugues Péan de Livaudière [fr] (1733–1736)
  • Pierre-Jacques Payen de Noyan [fr], Sieur de Charvis (1739–1742)
  • Pierre Joseph Celoron (1742–1744)
  • Paul Joseph le Moyne, Chevalier de Longueuil (1744–1748)
  • Pierre Joseph Celoron (second term, 1750–1754)
  • Jacques-Pierre Daneau de Muy [fr] (1754–1758)
  • Francois Marie Picote, Sieur de Belestre (1758–1760)

Seventeen British commanders led Detroit between 1760 and 1796.

  • Major Robert Rogers (1760)
  • Captain Donald Campbell (1760–1762)
  • Major Henry Gladwin (1762–1764)
  • Colonel John Bradstreet (1764)
  • Lieutenant-Colonel John Campbell (1765–1766)
  • George Turnbull (1766–1769)
  • Captain James Stephenson (1770–1772)
  • Captain George Etherington (1772)
  • Major Henry Bassett (1772–1774)
  • Captain Richard Beringer Lernoult (1774–1779)
  • Colonel Arent Schuyler de Peyster (1779–1784)
  • Major William Ancrum (1785–1786)
  • Thomas Bennett (1786)
  • Captain Robert Matthews (1787–1788)
  • Major Patrick Murray (1788–1790)
  • Major John Smith (1790–1792)
  • Colonel Richard England (1792–1796)

Early American Leadership

When Detroit became part of the United States in 1796, Colonel Jean François Hamtramck became its commander until 1803.

Detroit was officially made a town in 1802. It was governed by a board of trustees. The chairman of this board was the top leader. James Henry was the first chairman in 1802. Other chairmen included:

  • James Henry (1802–1803)
  • James May (1803–1804)
  • Solomon Sibley (1804–1805)
  • Joseph Wilkinson (elected 1805)

The 1806 Charter and Mayors

In 1805, a huge fire destroyed Detroit. The government was restarted in 1806 with an appointed mayor. However, this job had little power. Solomon Sibley and Elijah Brush both resigned quickly because of this. The mayoral position was removed in 1809. Detroit had no mayor or board until after the War of 1812.

Second Board of Trustees

After the War of 1812, a new law in 1815 gave political control back to Detroit's citizens through a Board of Trustees. These trustees were elected every year. Solomon Sibley was elected the first chair in October 1815. Other chairs included:

  • Solomon Sibley (1815–1816)
  • George McDougall (1816–1817)
  • Abraham Edwards (1817–1818)
  • John R. Williams (1818–1819)
  • James McCloskey (1819–1820)
  • James Abbott (1820–1821)
  • Andrew G. Whitney (1821–1822; 1822–1823)
  • James Abbott (second term, 1823–1824)

The 1824 Charter and Elected Mayors

In 1824, John R. Williams created a new city charter. For the first time, this charter allowed citizens to directly elect the mayor, who would have much more power. After the state approved it, Williams became Detroit's first elected mayor.

Non-Partisan Elections Since 1918

In June 1918, Detroit adopted its first "home-rule" city charter. This new charter made all city offices, including mayor, non-partisan. This means that candidates do not run as members of a political party, and their party is not listed on the ballot. This rule has stayed the same through all later city charter changes.

Because of this, all mayoral elections in Detroit since 1918 have been non-partisan. Mayors officially serve without a political party. Any party listed for mayors after 1918 is based on what historians believe about their political leanings, not an official party membership.

The Mayor's Official Home

Since 1966, the official home for the Mayor of Detroit has been the Manoogian Mansion. It is located on Dwight Street, facing the Detroit River. The mansion was given to the city by Alex Manoogian, who founded the Masco Corporation.

First Mayors (1806 Charter)

Two mayors served under the 1806 charter.

# Name Term Party Notes
1
SolomonSibleyDetroit
Solomon Sibley
Solomon Sibley 1806 Democratic Solomon Sibley helped write Detroit's first city charter. He resigned as mayor because the job had little power.
2
Elijah Brush sm clr wm
Elijah Brush
Elijah Brush 1806 Elijah Brush was appointed mayor after Sibley. He also resigned quickly because the position had little power.

Mayors Under the 1824 Charter

The following mayors served under the stronger mayoral system that began with the 1824 charter:

# Mayor Term Party Notes
1
JohnRWilliamsDetroit
Mayor Williams
John R. Williams 1824–1825 Democratic John R. Williams wrote the City Charter and was Detroit's first elected mayor. He served multiple terms.
2
Henry Jackson Hunt
Henry Jackson Hunt
Henry Jackson Hunt 1826 Democratic Henry Jackson Hunt was a successful merchant. He died while in office in September 1826.
3
JohnathanKearsley
Jonathan Kearsley
Jonathan Kearsley 1826 Democratic Jonathan Kearsley served in the War of 1812. He was mayor twice, once appointed and once elected.
4
Thomas Sully - Portrait of Major John Biddle
Mayor Biddle
John Biddle 1827–1828 Whig John Biddle was active in Detroit politics and civic life. He later served in the U.S. House of Representatives.
5
JohnathanKearsley
Jonathan Kearsley
Jonathan Kearsley 1829 Democratic (See above)
6
JohnRWilliamsDetroit
Mayor Williams
John R. Williams 1830 Democratic (See above)
7
MarshallChapinDetroit
Marshall Chapin
Marshall Chapin 1831 Whig Marshall Chapin was a medical doctor and opened Detroit's first drugstore. He served as mayor twice.
8
LeviCook
Levi Cook
Levi Cook 1832 Whig Levi Cook held many government positions in Detroit and Michigan, including mayor multiple times.
9
MarshallChapinDetroit
Marshall Chapin
Marshall Chapin 1833 Whig (See above)
10
CharlesCTrowbridge
Mayor Trowbridge
Charles Christopher Trowbridge 1834 Whig Trowbridge served as mayor briefly during a cholera epidemic. He was also a private secretary to Governor Lewis Cass.
11
Andrew Mack Detroit
Andrew Mack
Andrew Mack 1834 Democratic Andrew Mack won a special election to become mayor after the previous mayor resigned during a cholera epidemic.
12
LeviCook
Levi Cook
Levi Cook 1835–1836 Whig (See above)
13
Treasurer Henry Howard
Henry Howard
Henry Howard 1837 Democratic Henry Howard managed a lumber business in Detroit. He served one term as mayor and was also state treasurer.
14
Augustus Porter
Mayor Porter
Augustus Seymour Porter 1838 – March 14, 1839 Whig Augustus Porter practiced law in Detroit. He resigned as mayor to become a United States Senator for Michigan.
15
AsherBBatesDetroit
Asher B. Bates
Asher B. Bates March 15, 1839 – April 18, 1839 Whig Asher Bates was acting mayor for a short time after Porter resigned.
16
DeGarmoJones
De Garmo Jones
De Garmo Jones 1839 Whig De Garmo Jones was involved in many businesses, including the Michigan Central Railroad. He also served as a state senator.
17
ZinaPitcher
Mayor Pitcher
Zina Pitcher 1840–1841 Whig Zina Pitcher was a medical doctor and served three terms as mayor. He helped establish the medical school at the University of Michigan.
18
Douglass houghton from bentley
Mayor Houghton
Douglass Houghton 1842 Democratic Douglass Houghton was Michigan's state geologist and a professor. He died in a storm on Lake Superior.
19
ZinaPitcher
Mayor Pitcher
Zina Pitcher 1843 Whig (See above)
20
JohnRWilliamsDetroit
Mayor Williams
John R. Williams 1844–1846 Democratic (See above)
21
JohnAVanDykeDetroit
James A. Van Dyke
James A. Van Dyke 1847 Whig James A. Van Dyke was a lawyer and served as mayor. He was also important in the early organization of the Detroit Fire Department.
22
FrederickBuhl
Mayor Buhl
Frederick Buhl 1848 Whig Frederick Buhl had a successful business in hats and furs. He also served on the city council and was a bank director.
23
CharlesHowardDetroit
Charles Howard
Charles Howard 1849 Whig Charles Howard was involved in shipping and railroad construction. He was also president of two banks.
24
John Ladue Detroit
John Ladue
John Ladue 1850 Democratic John Ladue was a popular businessman who manufactured leather. He was elected mayor in 1850.
25
Zachariah Chandler
Mayor Chandler
Zachariah Chandler 1851 Whig After being mayor, Zachariah Chandler served 18 years in the United States Senate.
26
JOHN H HARMON DETROIT
John H. Harmon
John H. Harmon 1852–1853 Democratic John Harmon purchased the Detroit Free Press newspaper. He served as an alderman and two years as mayor.
27
OliverMoultonHydeDetroit
Oliver Moulton Hyde
Oliver Moulton Hyde 1854 Whig Oliver Moulton Hyde owned a hardware store and later a foundry. He served as mayor multiple times.
28
HenryLedyardMayorDetroit
Mayor Ledyard
Henry Ledyard 1855 Democratic Henry Ledyard was the son of a prominent New York lawyer. He served as mayor and later as a state senator.
29
OliverMoultonHydeDetroit
Oliver Moulton Hyde
Oliver Moulton Hyde 1856–1857 Whig (See above)
30
JohnPattonDetroit
John Patton
John Patton 1858–1859 Democratic John Patton was a carriagemaker from Ireland. He held many city positions, including mayor and sheriff.
31
ChristianHBuhlDetroit
Mayor Buhl
Christian H. Buhl 1860–1861 Republican Christian H. Buhl was a successful businessman in furs and hardware. He also helped organize several companies.
32
WilliamCDuncanDetroit2
William C. Duncan
William C. Duncan 1862–1863 Democratic William C. Duncan was a brewer who became popular in Detroit. He served as alderman, mayor, and state senator.
33
KirklandCBarkerDetroit
Kirkland C. Barker
Kirkland C. Barker 1864–1865 Democratic Kirkland C. Barker had a successful tobacco business. He was also an avid outdoorsman.
34
MerrillIMillsDetroitMayor
Mayor Mills
Merrill I. Mills 1866–1867 Democratic Merrill I. Mills started a general store in Detroit and later traded in furs and tobacco.
35
WilliamWWheatonDetroit
William W. Wheaton
William W. Wheaton 1868–1871 Democratic William W. Wheaton built a successful wholesale grocery business. He was elected mayor in 1868.
36
HughMoffatDetroit2
Hugh Moffat
Hugh Moffat 1872–1875 Republican Hugh Moffat was a carpenter who built a successful lumber business. He was known as "Honest Hugh Moffat."
37
AlexanderLewisDetroitMayor
Alexander Lewis
Alexander Lewis 1876–1877 Democratic Alexander Lewis started his own forwarding business. He also served as Police Commissioner.
38
George C Langdon Detroit
George C. Langdon
George C. Langdon 1878–1879 Democratic George C. Langdon made a fortune in brewing. He served as mayor for one term.
39
WilliamGThompsonDetroit
William G. Thompson
William G. Thompson 1880–1883 Republican William G. Thompson was a Republican mayor who later became a Democrat. He also served as a state senator.
40
StephenBenedictGrummondDetroitMayor
Stephen Benedict Grummond
Stephen Benedict Grummond 1884–1885 Republican Stephen Benedict Grummond made his fortune in the shipping industry. He served one term as mayor.
41
ChamberlainMarvinHDetroit
Marvin H. Chamberlain
Marvin H. Chamberlain 1886–1887 Democratic Marvin H. Chamberlain was a wholesale liquor distributor. He served as president of the Detroit City Council.
42
JohnPridgeonJrDetroit
John Pridgeon Jr.
John Pridgeon Jr. 1888–1889 Democratic John Pridgeon Jr. joined his father's shipping business. He was elected mayor in 1887.
43
HazenSPingreeDetroitMayor
Mayor Pingree
Hazen S. Pingree 1890–1897 Republican Hazen Pingree was a Civil War veteran and shoe factory owner. He was elected mayor four times and later Governor of Michigan.
44
William Richert Detroit
William Richert
William Richert March 22, 1897 – April 5, 1897 Republican William Richert served as acting mayor for a short time after Pingree resigned.
45
WilliamCMayburyDetroit
Mayor Maybury
William C. Maybury 1897–1904 Democratic William C. Maybury was a city attorney and served in the U.S. House of Representatives. He was elected mayor multiple times.
46
GeorgePCoddDetroit
George P. Codd
George P. Codd 1905–1906 Republican George P. Codd was a lawyer and served as mayor. He was also a regent of the University of Michigan.
47
William B. Thompson (ca 1912)
William Barlum Thompson
William Barlum Thompson 1907–1908 Democratic William Barlum Thompson served as an alderman and was elected mayor for two terms.
48
PhilipBreitmeyer
Philip Breitmeyer
Philip Breitmeyer 1909–1910 Republican Philip Breitmeyer joined his family's florist business and became its sole owner. He was elected mayor for one term.
49
William B. Thompson (ca 1912)
William Barlum Thompson
William Barlum Thompson 1911–1912 Democratic (See above)
50
OscarBMarxDetroitMayor
Oscar Marx
Oscar Marx 1913–1918 Republican Oscar Marx turned a bankrupt optical firm into a large company. He served three terms as Detroit's mayor.

Mayors in Non-Partisan Elections

A new city charter began in 1918, making all city offices non-partisan. The mayors below were elected without official party labels on the ballot. The party affiliations shown are based on their personal and political history, not official status.

# Mayor Term Party Notes
51
James Couzens
Mayor Couzens
James J. Couzens 1919–1922 Republican James J. Couzens was an early investor in the Ford Motor Company. He resigned as mayor to become a United States Senator.
52
John C Lodge Detroit
John C. Lodge
John C. Lodge December 5, 1922 – April 9, 1923 Republican John C. Lodge served on the Detroit City Council for over 30 years. He was acting mayor twice and later elected mayor.
53
FrankEDoremusDetroit
Frank Ellsworth Doremus
Frank Ellsworth Doremus April 9, 1923 – June 10, 1924 Democratic Frank Ellsworth Doremus was a newspaperman and lawyer. He resigned as mayor due to health reasons.
54
Joseph A. Martin
Joseph A. Martin
Joseph A. Martin June 10, 1924 – August 2, 1924 Republican Joseph A. Martin was Commissioner of Public Works. He served as acting mayor briefly.
55
John C Lodge Detroit
John C. Lodge
John C. Lodge August 2, 1924 – November 21, 1924 Republican (See above)
56
John W Smith Detroit
John W. Smith
John W. Smith November 21, 1924 – January 9, 1928 Republican John W. Smith was appointed postmaster of Detroit before becoming mayor. He later served on the City Council.
57
John C Lodge Detroit
John C. Lodge
John C. Lodge January 10, 1928 – January 14, 1930 Republican (See above)
58
Charles-bowles-mayor
Charles Bowles
Charles Bowles January 14, 1930 – September 22, 1930 Republican Charles Bowles was elected mayor in 1929. He was removed from office by a special recall election.
59
Justice Frank Murphy
Mayor Murphy
Frank Murphy September 23, 1930 – May 10, 1933 Democratic Frank Murphy was a judge before becoming mayor. He later served as Governor of Michigan and a Supreme Court Justice.
60
Frank Couzens
Frank Couzens
Frank Couzens May 10, 1933 – September 8, 1933 Republican Frank Couzens was the son of former mayor James J. Couzens. He became acting mayor when Frank Murphy resigned.
61
John W Smith Detroit
John W. Smith
John W. Smith September 8, 1933 – January 2, 1934 Republican (See above)
62
Frank Couzens
Frank Couzens
Frank Couzens January 2, 1934 – January 3, 1938 Republican (See above)
63
Readingmayor39
Richard Reading
Richard Reading January 4, 1938 – January 1, 1940 Republican Richard Reading was City Clerk before becoming mayor. He was later convicted of accepting bribes.
64
Edward Jeffries
Edward Jeffries
Edward Jeffries January 2, 1940 – January 5, 1948 Republican Edward Jeffries served four terms as mayor. He was also president of the Detroit City Council.
65
Eugene I. Van Antwerp
Eugene Van Antwerp
Eugene Van Antwerp January 6, 1948 – January 2, 1950 Democratic Eugene Van Antwerp was a civil engineer and served in the Detroit City Council before becoming mayor.
66
Albert Cobo
Albert Cobo
Albert Cobo January 3, 1950 – September 12, 1957 Republican Albert Cobo served seven terms as city treasurer before becoming mayor. He died in office.
67
Louis Miriani Mayor of Detroit
Louis Miriani
Louis Miriani September 12, 1957 – January 2, 1962 Republican Louis Miriani was council president before becoming acting mayor. He was later elected mayor.
68
Jerome Cavanagh (12932052063a)
Jerome Cavanagh
Jerome Cavanagh January 2, 1962 – January 5, 1970 Democratic Jerome Cavanagh was a popular mayor who appointed a reformer police chief. His reputation was affected by the 1967 riots.
69
Roman S. Gribbs
Roman Gribbs
Roman Gribbs January 6, 1970 – January 1, 1974 Democratic Roman Gribbs served as a prosecutor and sheriff before becoming mayor. He later became a circuit court judge.
70
ColemanYoung1981a
Mayor Young
Coleman Young January 1, 1974 – January 3, 1994 Democratic Coleman Young was Detroit's first African-American mayor. He served a record five terms, becoming the longest-serving mayor.
71
Mayor of Detroit Dennis Archer Portrait (1)
Mayor Archer
Dennis Archer January 3, 1994 – December 31, 2001 Democratic Dennis Archer was a law professor and a Michigan Supreme Court Justice. He served two terms as mayor.
72
Kwame Kilpatrick
Mayor Kilpatrick
Kwame Kilpatrick January 1, 2002 – September 18, 2008 Democratic Kwame Kilpatrick was twice elected mayor. He resigned from office in 2008.
73
Ken Cockrel (1)
Mayor Cockrel
Kenneth Cockrel Jr. September 18, 2008 – May 11, 2009 Democratic. Kenneth Cockrel Jr. was elected council president and became mayor after Kwame Kilpatrick's resignation.
74
David Bing 3928ded5aacd10b21cded561668a0444 (1)
Mayor Bing
Dave Bing May 11, 2009 – December 31, 2013 Democratic Dave Bing was a famous basketball player before starting a manufacturing business. He was elected mayor in 2009.
75
Mike Duggan 2013 (cropped)
Mayor-elect Duggan
Mike Duggan January 1, 2014 – present Democratic Mike Duggan was CEO of the Detroit Medical Center. He became mayor after a successful write-in campaign.

See also

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