1825
Podunk
- The City of Plymouth has over 9,000 residents
- The Charter Township of Plymouth has approximately 28,000 residents
As shown in the photo tour of the city, Plymouth is characterized by its colonial architecture and central commons area. While the downtown area has undergone several changes over the years, today the city hosts stores, boutiques, restaurants, night spots and even a movie theater.
Plymouth has been around for a while. In the 1820s, settlers were attracted to the area when land became available for $1.25 an acre. The first house was built in 1825, and by 1827 the area had enough population to become a township. While several settlers were from Plymouth, Massachusetts, the name "Plymouth" was not the residents' first choice for a name; "LeRoy" was already taken. Plymouth became a city in 1932.
Two different railroads came to Plymouth in 1871. Between the two lines, tracks branched off in all four directions, helping to establish Plymouth as a thriving community. In fact, at one time it was the seventh largest community in Michigan and a destination unto itself.
In 1899 the "Interurban" Trolley ran from Northville, through Plymouth and on to Detroit. It was an electric trolley and ran for almost 30 years. During Plymouth winters, it was not uncommon to see the trolley with a snow plow on its nose, cutting through the snow and ice covering its track.
The City of Plymouth occupies two square miles in the center of Plymouth Township and has a government separate and distinct from it, including fire and police service. The city also has its own library and historical museum.
Plymouth Township has its own unique character; in 2007 it was listed in Money Magazine as the 37th best place to live in the country. It is also well known for its industrial parks and Plymouth Whaler's Hockey Team.
Although the city and township have separate governments, they do work together on joint projects.
Plymouth is on our list of Top Picks: Up and Coming Neighborhoods for Night Life. Not 10 years ago, the city eateries were mainly delis and cafes that catered breakfast and lunch but little else. When the city council expanded the number of liquor licenses issued in the city, Plymouth enjoyed an infusion of night-time restaurants and bars. One of the most popular is Compari's on the Park, an Italian eatery bordering Kellogg Park on Main Street. Other restaurants and bars include Sean O'Callaghan's Irish Pub, Grape Expectations Wine Bar and Café’ Bon Homme.
In spite of the changes to downtown over the years, one thing has remained the same: The Penn Theatre. The downtown cinema originally opened its doors in 1941 but recently took a couple-year hiatus when its one screen couldn't compete against the multiplexes. The Friends of the Penn, a non-profit organization, deserves credit for bringing The Penn back as a second-run movie house.
Annual Festivals
- Ice Sculpture Spectacular
- Art in the Park
- Fall Festival (downtown carnival)
- Great Lakes Regional Chili Cook-off and Harley Davidson Motorcycle Show
Trivia:
- Plymouth is home to Phoebe Ely Patterson, the first woman Judge in Michigan. The appointment was something of a fluke; Patterson herself was taken by surprise when she was nominated by a friend during a political caucus meeting. She took the appointment, however, and utilized the front room of her house on Ann Arbor Trail as her courtroom.
- Plymouth is home to two houses designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, both of which are located on Beck Road in Plymouth Township.
Historic Businesses:
- Alter Car Co.
- Daisy Air Rifle
- Plymouth Iron Windmill Works
- Home to one of Henry Ford's Village Industry Plants
- Burrough's Corporation
- Mettetal Airport
Sources:
- City of Plymouth website
- Plymouth48170.com
- First Woman Judge Lived in Our Town, newspaper article, Plymouth Preservation Network website
- Plymouth Rides the Rails Exhibit, Plymouth Historical Society
