Van Dyke, Michigan facts for kids

Van Dyke was a small community located near Detroit, Michigan. It was in the southern part of what was then called Warren Township.

What Was Van Dyke?

Van Dyke was a community along the northern edge of Detroit, Michigan. It was close to Van Dyke Avenue and 9 Mile Road. The town had its own post office. This post office served the community from 1925 until 1957.

How Did Van Dyke Get Its Name?

The town of Van Dyke was named after Van Dyke Avenue. This important road was named after James Van Dyke. He was the Mayor of Detroit in 1847. A mayor is a leader of a city or town.

Streets Named After Cars

In 1917, a person named Walter Piper planned out the town of Van Dyke. He decided to name the streets after popular cars and car makers of that time. Many of these street names are still used today!

Famous Car Names on Streets

Some of the streets were named after well-known car brands. These include Packard, Hudson, Marmon, Ford, Dodge, Paige, Republic, Federal, Hupp, Maxwell, Cadillac, Studebaker, and Chalmers. There was even a street called Automobile!

Engine Makers Honored

Two important companies that made car engines also got streets named after them. These were Continental and Lozier.

Becoming Part of Warren

In 1957, Warren Township became a city called Warren, Michigan. At that time, the community of Van Dyke was made a part of the new city of Warren. Even though Van Dyke is no longer a separate town, its name lives on. The Van Dyke Public Schools still keep its identity alive today.