Dearborn, Michigan
Dearborn is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is located in the Detroit metropolitan area and Wayne County, and is the tenth largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, it had a population of 97,775. The city was the home of Henry Ford and is the world headquarters of the Ford Motor Company. It has a campus of the University of Michigan as well as Henry Ford Community College. Dearborn contains The Henry Ford, America's largest indoor-outdoor museum complex and Metro Detroit's leading tourist attraction.
History
The area had been inhabited for thousands of years by varying indigenous peoples. Historical tribes belonged mostly to the Algonquian-language family, although the Huron were Iroquoian speaking.The Dearborn area was settled by Europeans in 1786, after the American Revolutionary War. The village of Dearborn was established in 1836, named after patriot Henry Dearborn, a General in the American Revolution and Secretary of War under President Thomas Jefferson. Its origins as a city trace back to a January 1929 consolidation vote that established its present-day borders by merging Dearborn and neighboring Fordson (previously known as Springwells), which feared being absorbed into Detroit. The area between the two towns was, and still remains in part, undeveloped.Once farm land, this was bought by Henry Ford for his estate, Fair Lane and the Ford Motor Company World Headquarters. Later developments in this corridor were the Ford airport (later converted to the Dearborn Proving Grounds), other Ford administrative and development facilities, The Henry Ford (the region's leading tourist attraction containing a village and museum), the Henry Ford Centennial Library, the super-regional shopping mall Fairlane Town Center, and the Dearborn Civic Center. It is planted with sunflowers and often with Henry Ford's favorite soybeans. The crops are never harvested.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 24.5 square miles (63.3 km²), of which, 24.4 square miles (63.1 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.2 km²) of it (0.37%) is water. The River Rouge runs through the city with an artificial waterfall/low head dam on the Henry Ford estate to power his powerhouse. The Upper, Middle, and Lower Branches of the river come together in Dearborn. The river is widened and channeled near the Rouge Plant to allow lake freighter access.Fordson Island (42°17′38″N 83°08′52″W / 42.29389°N 83.14778°W / 42.29389; -83.14778) is an 8.4 acre (33,994 m²) island about three miles (5 km) inland from the Detroit River on the River Rouge. Fordson Island is the only major island in a tributary to the Detroit River. The island was created in 1922 when engineers dug a secondary trench to reroute the River Rouge to increase navigability for shipping purposes. The island is privately owned, and public access to the island is prohibited. The island is part of the city of Dearborn, which itself has no coast along the Detroit River.Dearborn is among a small number of municipalities that owns property in other cities (the 626-acre (2.53 km2) Camp Dearborn in Milford, Michigan, 35 miles (56 km) from Dearborn) and is possibly unique in holding property in another state (the Dearborn Towers apartment complex in Clearwater, Florida). These holdings are considered part of the city of Dearborn, and revenues generated by camp admissions and rent collected are used to bolster the city's budget.
Economy
Ford Motor Company has its world headquarters in Dearborn. In addition its Dearborn campus contains many research, testing, finance and some production facilities. Ford Land controls the numerous properties owned by Ford including sales and leasing to unrelated businesses such as the Fairlane Town Center shopping mall. DFCU Financial, the largest credit union in Michigan, was created for Ford and related companies' employees. One of the largest employers in Dearborn is Oakwood Healthcare System. Other major employers include auto suppliers like Visteon, education facilities like Henry Ford Community College and museums like The Henry Ford. Other businesses which are headquartered in Dearborn include Carhartt (clothing), Eppinger (fishing lures), United Airlines Detroit Reservation Center, AAA Michigan (insurance), and the Society of Manufacturing Engineers.[citation needed]
Recreation
The city-run Ford Community and Performing Arts Center features a 1,200-seat main theater, art gallery, gymnasium, fitness center, meeting rooms, swimming pool, and senior center. Before its $43 million remodel and renaming, the Dearborn Civic Center had sometimes offered roller skating in its Dome Room.The Dearborn Ice Skating Center (formerly Mike Adray Arena) is a 1,700-seat indoor ice arena located in Dearborn, Michigan. It is used primarily for high school and youth hockey as well as for ice skating. There are 1,500 seats at the main arena and another 200 in the viewing area. The arena contains eight locker rooms and 3 officials' rooms. Two party rooms also overlook the arena. The arena was recently remodeled with a new 4,000-square-foot (370 m2) lobby and main entrance.The city has a library system consisting of a main library, Henry Ford Centennial Library, and 3 neighborhood branches.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 97,775 people, 36,770 households, and 23,863 families residing in the city. The population density was 4,013.2 per square mile (1,549.7/km²). There were 38,981 housing units at an average density of 1,600.0/sq mi (617.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 86.86% White, 1.28% African American, 0.26% Native American, 1.47% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.73% from other races, and 9.38% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.00% of the population.33.4% were of Arab ancestry, 10.3% Polish, 9.9% German, 6.5% Irish, and 6.0% Italian ancestry according to Census 2000. 61.9% spoke English, 29.3% Arabic, 1.9% Spanish, and 1.5% Polish as their first language.There were 36,770 households out of which 31.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.0% were married couples living together, 9.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.1% were non-families. 30.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.42.In the city the population was spread out with 27.8% under the age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 29.2% from 25 to 44, 19.1% from 45 to 64, and 15.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 99.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.5 males.The median income for a household in the city was $44,560, and the median income for a family was $53,060. Males had a median income of $45,114 versus $33,872 for females. The per capita income for the city was $21,488. About 12.2% of families and 16.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.4% of those under age 18 and 7.6% of those age 65 and over. As of the 2006 estimate, Dearborn's population was thought to have fallen to 92,382, a decrease of 5.5% since 2000. Over the same period, though, SEMCOG, the local statistics agency of Metro Detroit Council of Governments, has estimated the city to have grown to 99,001, or an increase of 1.2% since 2000. The Census Bureau estimates the 2005 proportion of African Americans to be 4.1% of the total population of the city.Dearborn is the site of the Ford River Rouge Plant, built by Henry Ford to make Ford Model T components, and later the former production line of the Ford Mustang. It now produces Ford F150 trucks. At one time, the plant employed 120,000 people and produced finished vehicles from iron ore and sand. Dearborn constructed Fordson High School, the first million-dollar high school within the nation.Dearborn has a large community of European immigrants from the 19th and 20th century and their descendants: Irish, German, and Polish. Dearborn is the center of a large Armenian-American community, who are Christian. Assyrians/Chaldeans/Syriacs have also immigrated to the area. Arab immigrants own many shops and businesses with services in both English and Arabic. Lebanese are included among the population.The city has had a small African American population.The city's population includes 30,000 Arab Americans. It has the largest proportion of Arab Americans for a city of its size (about 100,000). The first Arabs who immigrated here in the early-to-mid-20th century to work in the automotive industry were chiefly Lebanese Christians (Syriac-Maronites). Since then, Arab immigrants from Yemen, Iraq, and the Palestinian territories, most of whom are Muslim, have joined them. Lebanese Americans are still the most numerous group. The city is the location of the Islamic Center of America, the largest mosque in North America, and the Dearborn Mosque. The Arab American population has settled primarily on the city's eastern side, though in recent years it has expanded west.In the 2000 census, Arab Americans comprised 30% of Dearborn's population; many have been in the city for generations. More Iraqi immigrants have been arriving as refugees from the continued war in their country since 2003. The majority of recent Arab immigrants are Muslims. In the first half of the 20th century, it was predominately Christian Arabs who immigrated to Metro Detroit. Lebanese descendants comprise the largest proportion of Arab Americans in Dearborn. Over 60% of illegal immigrants deported from Dearborn, Michigan are citizens of Lebanon.
Transportation
Amtrak, the national passenger rail system, provides service to Dearborn, operating its Wolverine three times daily in each direction between Chicago, Illinois and Pontiac, Michigan via Detroit. Baggage cannot be checked at this location; however, up to two suitcases in addition to any 'personal items' such as briefcases, purses, laptop bags, and infant equipment are allowed on board as carry-ons. Currently there are two rail stops in Dearborn: the ordinary Amtrak station and a rarely-used station at Greenfield Village. Amtrak operates on Norfolk southern's (NS) 'Michigan line'. This track runs from Dearborn to Kalamazoo, Michigan. Most of the freight traffic on these rails is related to the automotive industry. Norfolk Southern's Dearborn Division offices are also located in Dearborn.
Colleges and universities
University of Michigan–Dearborn & Henry Ford Community College is located in Dearborn on Evergreen Road and are adjacent to each other.
Primary and secondary schools
Dearborn residents, along with a small portion of Dearborn Heights residents attend Dearborn Public Schools, which operates 34 schools including 3 major high schools. Divine Child Elementary School and High School are in Dearborn as well; the high-school is the largest private coed high school in the area. Dearborn Schools operated the Clara B. Ford High School inside Vista Maria, a non-profit residential treatment agency for girls in Dearborn Heights. Clara B. Ford High School became a charter school in the 2007–08 school year.[citation needed]
In popular culture
In the episode of theThe Simpsonstitled 'G.I. (Annoyed Grunt)', when asked 'Where are all the cool kids at?', Milhouse replies, 'Dearborn, MIchigan'.
In the episode ofAnthony Bourdain: No Reservationstitled 'Rust Belt', Anthony visits Al-Ameer restaurant in Dearborn to sample the middle eastern cuisine.
In Season 6 of the hit showWeeds, the Botwin family travels to Nancy's hometown of Dearborn in order to obtain fraudulent passports.
During the 2010 election campaign conservative pundits and congressional hopeful Sharron Angle accused Dearborn of enforcing Sharia law.However, these were likely attempts to connect to their voting base as no evidence of Sharia law was presented. Instead, their comments came on the heels of the arrest and prosecution of four members of the Christian group, Acts 17 Apologetics, for 'breach of the peace' at an annual Arab-American Festival held in Dearborn. A 2009 video by the same group reportedly shows security guards forcefully removing the members from the festival the year before.
Notable residents
Henry Ford- The founder ofFord Motor Company.
George Peppard- Actor:Breakfast at Tiffany's,The A-Team
Rima Fakih-Miss Michigan USA2010,Miss USA 2010
David Burtka
Derek Lowe- Major League Baseball pitcher: Currently with the Atlanta Braves; World Series Champion with the Boston Red Sox (2004)
Brian Rafalski- defenseman for the Detroit Red Wings
European exploration and colonization
1603 French lay claim to unidentified territory in this region, naming it New France.
July 24, 1701Antoine de la Mothe Cadillacand his soldiers first land at what is nowDetroit.
November 29, 1760 TheBritishtake control of the area from France.
1780 Pierre Dumais clears farm near what is today's Morningside Street in Dearborn's South End.
Early U.S. history
1783 By terms of theTreaty of Parisending theAmerican Revolutionary War,Great Britaincedes territory south of theGreat Lakesto theUnited States, although the British retain practical control of the Detroit area and several other settlements until 1797.
1786 Agreed year of first permanent settler in present-day Dearborn.
1787 Territory of the US north and west of theOhio Riveris officially proclaimed theNorthwest Territory.
December 26, 1791 Detroit environs become part ofKent County,Ontario.
1795 James Cissne becomes first settler in what is now west Dearborn.
1796Wayne Countyis formed by proclamation of the acting governor of the Northwest Territory. Its original area is 2,000,000 square miles (5,200,000 km2), stretching fromCleveland,OhiotoChicago,Illinoisand northwest toCanada.
May 7, 1800Indiana Territory, created out of part ofNorthwest Territory, although the eastern half of Michigan including the Dearborn area, was not attached to Indiana Territory untilOhiowas admitted as a state in 1803.
January 11, 1805Michigan Territoryofficially created out of a part of theIndiana Territory.
June 11, 1805 Fire destroys most of Detroit.
November 15, 1815 Current boundaries of Wayne County drawn, county split into 18 townships.
January 5, 1818 Springwells Township established by Gov.Lewis Cass.
October 23, 1824 Bucklin Township created by Gov. Lewis Cass. The area ran from Greenfield to approximately Haggerty and from Van Born to Eight Mile.
1826 Conrad Ten Eyck builds Ten Eyck Tavern at Michigan Avenue and Rouge River.
1827 Wayne County's boundaries changed to its current 615 square miles (1,593 km2).
April 12, 1827 Springwells and Bucklin townships formally organized and laid out by gubernatorial act.
October 29, 1829 Bucklin Township split along what is today Inkster Road intoNankin(west half) andPekin(east half) townships.
March 21, 1833 Pekin Township renamedRedford Township.
March 31, 1833Greenfield Townshipcreated from north and west sections of Springwells Township, including what is now today east Dearborn.
April 1, 1833 Dearborn Township created from southern half of Redford Township south of Bonaparte Avenue (Joy Road).
1833Detroit Arsenalbuilt.
October 23, 1834 Dearborn Township renamed Bucklin Township.
March 26, 1836 Bucklin Township renamed Dearborn Township.
January 26, 1837 Michigan admitted to the Union as the 26th state.Stevens T. Masonis first governor.
1837Michigan Central Railroadextended through Springwells Township. Hamlet of Springwells rises along railroad.
April 5, 1838 Village of Dearbornville incorporates. Village later unincorporated on May 11, 1846.
1849 DetroitannexesSpringwells Township east of Brooklyn Street.
April 2, 1850 Greenfield Township annexes another section of Springwells Township.
February 12, 1857 Detroit annexes Springwells Township east of Grand Boulevard.
March 25, 1873 Springwells Township annexes back section of Greenfield Township south of Tireman
May 28, 1875 Postmaster general changes name of Dearbornville post office to Dearborn post office, hence changing the city's name.
1875 Detroit Arsenal closed.
1875 Detroit annexes another section of Springwells Township.
1876 William A. Nowlin writesThe Bark Covered Housein honor of country's 100th birthday.
June 20, 1884 Detroit annexes Springwells Township east of Livernois.
1889 First telephone installed in Dearborn at St. Joseph's retreat.
Incorporation as village
March 24, 1893 Village of Dearborn incorporates.
1906 Detroit annexes another section of Springwells Township.
1916 Detroit annexes more of Springwells Township, forming Dearborn's eastern boundary.
1917Rouge 'Eagle' Plantopens.
November 1, 1919 The first house numbering ordinance in Dearborn starts. Residents required to place standard plate number on right side of the main house entrance five feet up.
December 9, 1919 Springwells Township incorporates as village of Springwells.
October 16, 1922 Springwells Township annexes small section of Dearborn Township east of present-day Greenfield Road.
December 27, 1923 Voters approve incorporation of Springwells as a city. It officially became a city April 7, 1924.
September 9, 1924 Village of Warrendale incorporates.
November 1924 Ford Airport opens.
April 6, 1925 Warrendale voters and residents of remaining Greenfield Township approve annexation by Detroit.
May 26, 1925 Village of Dearborn annexes large portion of Dearborn Township.
December 23, 1925 Springwells changes name to city of Fordson.
February 15, 1926 First U.S.airmaildelivery made, going fromFord Airportin Dearborn to Cleveland.
September 14, 1926 Election approves incorporation of village ofInkster. Unincorporated part of Dearborn Township split into two unconnected sections.
October 11, 1926 Onlydirigibleto ever moor in Dearborn docks atFord Airport.
Reincorporation as city
February 14, 1927 Village of Dearborn residents approve vote to become a city.
June 12, 1928 Voters in Dearborn, Fordson and part of Dearborn Township vote to consolidate into one city.
January 9, 1929 Clyde Ford elected as first mayor of Dearborn.
1929Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Villageopens.
July 1, 1931 Dearborn Inn opens as one of first airport hotels in world.
March 7, 1932Ford Hunger Marchcrosses Dearborn city limits. Four marchers are shot to death by police and Ford service men.
1936 John Carey becomes mayor of Dearborn.
June 19, 1936Montgomery Wardopens in Dearborn.
May 26, 1937Harry Bennett'sFord 'service' men beatUnited Auto Workers(UAW) officialRichard Frankensteenin theBattle of the Overpass
June 21, 1941Ford Motor Companysigns its first union contract.
1939 The Historic Springwells Park Neighborhood is established by Edsel B. Ford to provide company executives and auto workers with upscale housing accommodations.
January 6, 1942Orville L. Hubbardtakes office as mayor of Dearborn for first time.
April 7, 1947Henry Forddies.
October 20, 1947 Dearborn City Council approves purchase of land nearMilford,Michiganfor what would become Camp Dearborn. First section of camp opens following year.
October 21, 1947 Ford Airport officially closes.
1950 First Pleasant Hours senior citizen group formed.
1950 Dearborn Historical Museum formally established.
January 1952 Oakwood Hospital formally opened and dedicated.
April 22, 1958 Election held to annex part of South Dearborn Township to Dearborn. Proposal fails.
1959 University of Michigan (Dearborn Campus) opens.
April 6, 1959 Election held to annex part of North Dearborn Township to Dearborn. Proposal fails.
1962 St. Joseph's retreat closed and razed
1962 NewHenry Ford Community Collegecampus dedicated.
November 9, 1962 Ford Rotunda burns down
1967 Dearborn Towers inClearwater,Floridaopens.
March 2, 1976 Fairlane Town Center opens.
1978 John B. O' Reilly, Sr. becomes mayor of Dearborn
November 6, 1981 Cable Television reaches first home in Dearborn, on Abbot Street.
December 16, 1982 Orville Hubbard dies.
1986 Michael Guido becomes mayor of Dearborn.
1993 Michael Guido is the first mayor to run unopposed.
2006 Michael Guido dies at the age of 52 during his 6th term, the only mayor to die in office.
2006 John B. O'Reilly, Jr. is to become temporary Mayor. O'Reilly's father was the mayor who had preceded Mayor Guido.
2007 John B. O'Reilly, Jr. is elected mayor of Dearborn winning 93.97% of the vote.
2008 John B. O'Reilly, Sr. dies at the age of 89; he was Mayor of Dearborn (1978–1985) and also served as Chief of Police for 11 years.
