Waterford Village, Michigan facts for kids
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Waterford Village
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Village of Waterford's first church, built in 1869
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 Location in Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Location | Oakland County, Oakland County, Michigan  United States |
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| Built | 1818 |
| NRHP reference No. | 79001167 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | August 10, 1979 |
Waterford Village is a special old community located in Waterford Township, Michigan. It was first settled way back in 1819. You can find it in the northern part of the township, right along Dixie Highway, next to the beautiful Van Norman Lake.
Contents
- Exploring Waterford's Past
- Waterford's Historic Status
- Main Roads of the Village
- Waterford Village Cemetery
- The Village General Store
- The Waterford Hotel
- The Railroad's Arrival
- Village Church
- Baseball in Waterford
- Waterford Village School
- The Old Mill Tavern
- Notable People from Waterford
- Images for kids
Exploring Waterford's Past
How Waterford Village Began
In 1818, two adventurous men, Alpheus Williams and his brother-in-law, Captain Archibald Phillips, bought the very first piece of land here. They paid just $2.00 for each acre! They purchased 161.4 acres that would soon become Waterford Village.
That same year, the Williams family, including Alpheus, his wife, their six children, and Captain Archibald Phillips, set out to settle Oakland County. Another family, Major and Mrs. Oliver Williams and their eight children, also joined them.
The Oliver Williams family started the first farm in the county near Silver Lake. Archibald Phillips and Alpheus Williams traveled further north. They stopped where the Clinton River crossed an old path called the Saginaw Trail. This spot became Waterford Village.
Alpheus Williams built the village's first house on the north bank of the river. Williams and Phillips also built the first dam on the Clinton River and set up the first saw mill there. A saw mill is a place where logs are cut into lumber.
In 1844, Dr. George W. Williams built the first gristmill in Waterford. A gristmill grinds grain into flour. George was not related to Alpheus or Oliver.
Early Businesses and People
Many people owned land and started businesses in Waterford Village. In 1872, some of the early land owners included Franklin Bradley, Richard Brownson, and John Windiate.
The village also had many businesses. For example, William Bradt ran the Waterford Exchange Hotel. Richard Brownson was a merchant and the postmaster. Frank W. Fifield & Son sold general goods. Gustin & Johns made carriages and wagons. Daniel R. Lord & Co. had a foundry that made plows. Manuel R. Phillips and A.B. Watson were builders. These businesses helped the village grow and thrive.
Waterford's Historic Status
Waterford Village is so important that it was named a Michigan State Historic Site on June 18, 1976. Later, on August 10, 1979, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's a special place recognized for its history!
The historic area includes Dixie Highway, Andersonville Road, and Airport Road. It also covers the original houses on Dubay Street, Pontiff Street, and Steffens Street.
Main Roads of the Village
- The Saginaw Trail was an important path that ran north from Detroit, through Pontiac and Waterford, all the way to Saginaw. In 1829, this trail became a road, which is now known as Dixie Highway.
- Grand River Street started in Waterford Village and went west for four miles to Andersonville. It was later renamed Maple Street, and then Andersonville Road.
- Depot Street ran south from Grand River Street to the Waterford train depot. This street was renamed Airport Road after the Pontiac Municipal Airport opened in 1928.
Waterford Village Cemetery
In 1826, Captain Archibald Phillips gave land for Waterford Village's first cemetery. The first person buried there was Olivere Williams, Alpheus Williams' son, who passed away at age 17 in 1820.
Alpheus Williams and his wife, Abigail, are also buried there. Today, this cemetery is called the Waterford Village Cemetery. It has fifty-two graves, with a few that are unknown or unreadable.
The Village General Store
The very first "store" in the village was actually Alpheus Williams' home, where he kept a few basic items. In 1837, Merrick and Bruce built the first official store next to Williams' original home on Dixie Highway.
Around 1857, Horace Huntoon and John A. Griffen built a new general store. This store was located at the corner of Andersonville Road and Dixie Highway. It had nine different owners between 1857 and 1927. August V. Jacober was the last owner.
The general store was like a superstore for the village! It sold everything from dry goods and tools to food, medicines, and even toys. It was the heart of the community.
The store was also a meeting place where friends would share stories and talk about local news. The storekeeper often served as the Justice of the peace (a local judge) and the village Postmaster (in charge of mail). John G. Owen became the first postmaster in 1865.
In 1927, Henry Ford bought the store and moved it to Greenfield Village in Dearborn, Michigan. August Jacober then built a new store in the same spot in Waterford Village, which he ran until 1957.
The Waterford Hotel
In 1841, Stephen Besley started building a hotel on Dixie Highway. It was later owned by William Bradt, who named it Bradt's Exchange. It was also known as the Waterford Exchange and the Waterford Hotel. This hotel was an important stop for stagecoaches for over 60 years.
Sadly, the hotel caught fire in 1890, and a local resident passed away from smoke inhalation. The hotel was repaired and reopened. In 1970, after being closed for several years, the hotel was torn down.
The Railroad's Arrival
In 1851, the railroad came through Waterford, and a train depot was built. This depot was part of the Detroit, Grand Haven and Milwaukee Railway. It was located on Depot Street, which is now Airport Road.
The railroad made Waterford a popular summer resort! Many vacationers from Detroit and other cities would travel by train to enjoy the area's many lakes.
The original depot was replaced in the early 1900s. The second depot was abandoned in 1959 and burned down in 1979. It was never rebuilt.
Village Church
The first church in Waterford Village was a Baptist church, built in 1869. It later became a Methodist church.
This historic church building is still standing today at 5860 Andersonville Road. It was renovated in 1976 and is now owned by Waterford Township.
Baseball in Waterford
After the Civil War, many soldiers brought the game of baseball back home with them. Around 1887, Waterford Village started its own baseball team called the Lah-De-Dahs.
The Lah-De-Dahs played against teams from Detroit, Dearborn, Mount Clemens, and other places. They would even travel by train for their away games!
Today, a team called the Greenfield Village Lah-De-Dahs plays vintage base ball. They wear old-fashioned uniforms and play the game just like it was played long ago.
Waterford Village School
In 1901, the first school was built in Waterford Village on Steffens Street. The wooden school burned down in 1910 but was quickly rebuilt.
In 1927, a new two-story brick building was constructed and named Waterford Village School. This elementary school was the oldest in Waterford Township.
In 2014, Waterford Village School closed. It was used for preschool classrooms and a Michigan Works department for a short time before being torn down in December 2021.
The Old Mill Tavern
In 1922, Louis Dorman built the Old Mill Tavern in Waterford Village. It was located on Dixie Highway where the road crosses the Clinton River. For over fifty years, it was the most popular restaurant in the village.
Sadly, the tavern was destroyed by fire in 1982 and was never rebuilt.
Notable People from Waterford
- Bob Seger: A famous singer, songwriter, and musician who is in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He used to live on Airport Road in the village.
- Jem Targal: A member of the rock band Third Power. He lived on Airport Road at Andersonville Road in the village.
Images for kids
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"The Old Saginaw Trail" (highlighted in red)
