A note from from Mayor Brian Turnbull...


** NORTHVILLIANS,
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In today’s newsletter, as we ready for activities of the Detroit Auto show, I will talk about our local car culture history and its connections to the North American International Auto Show. This Friday, many of our restaurants will host pre & post Charity Preview events connected to this year’s show.

Cars have been part of our DNA since the early 1900’s, when Henry Ford spent time in town with his Vagabonds group (Thomas Edison, Harvey Firestone, John Burroughs). Originally, the longest stretch of cement highway in the country (7 Mile) started in Detroit and ended in Northville. In 1929, after the paving and widening of this road, Northville hosted the largest auto show up to that point seen in Michigan at the Wayne County Fair Grounds (Northville Downs).

Before reviewing Northville’s connections to the Detroit Auto Show and our car-crazy culture, let’s see what’s going on today!
* Mill Race Village – Stroll through the newly bricked lane at the Village and take in this living history museum. Support the Historical Society by becoming a member (Link ([link removed]) ) or by engraving a brick (Link ([link removed]) ).
* Tipping Point Theatre – Attend the latest show, Halftime with Don. Link ([link removed])
* Detroit Auto Show – January 11-20 at Huntington Place (Charity Preview 1/10), see 30+ brands, attractions and events for all ages. Link ([link removed])
* Northville Community Awards Dinner (Public Invited) – Feb 6th, 5pm @ Genitti’s, followed by presentations @ the Marquis Theatre, sponsored by the Chamber Link ([link removed])
* Northville: The Winter Water Wonderland history lecture – Wed, 1/22, 7pm at Mill Race Village I will highlight the Ville's exciting recreational activities on the rivers, lakes and hills through the seasons. Link ([link removed])

PROJECTS AROUND TOWN
* Ford Field – Phase I (Winter): Infrastructure, waterfall @ Randolph Drain, Phase II (Spring) Vista overlook, fencing, staircase & ADA entrance, play structure.
* Riverwalk – Retention Pond at Downs dug & Riverbed constructed (rocks & timbers added for stability). Log Cabin positioned, and other sections being engineered.
* Downs Initiative – Streets/Curbs poured & structures (Models) started on Center.
* Grants that Support Northville’s Community Initiatives - Link ([link removed])

NEW TASK FORCE MEETINGS
* Cemetery Restoration Task Force (Oakwood & Rural Hill Cemetery) – Next Meeting 1/13 (7PM City Hall) Contact Dave Marold for info/support @ [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])
* Bicentennial Task Force – Next meeting 2/13. (7PM City Hall) Volunteers welcome to join work teams (Tours, Transportation, Ford Field and Riverwalk Activities, Time Capsule). For info, write [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])

Northville's Love Affair with the Automobile and Car Shows:
As we ready for Northville’s Bicentennial in 2027, we have seen a lot of changes in our transportation modes over the past 200 years – from horse & buggies to stagecoaches, from trains in 1871 to street cars in 1899, finally transitioning to automobiles rumbling down our dirt roads in the early 1900’s.
* 1899 – Detroit’s first Auto Show was held at the Light Guard Armory, when cars were first starting to be spotted in Northville. As the automotive industry grew, so did the Detroit Auto Show. The Armory, a castle-like bastion, was the first site for shows (Larned/Brush) … it is now the site of the Millender Center Apartments.
* 1902 – At this time there were five car dealers in the city of Detroit. An auto show/expo displayed three electric brands, two steamers, and three gassers. (Free Press)
* 1910 – According to automotive historians, the 1910 show was something of a landmark. It was the first time that many of the vehicles were exhibited complete with all of their equipment installed for the customer.
* 1918 – NORTHVILLE AUTOMOBILE CLUB: This Club was established with 100 members and assisted in running the Detroit Auto show. The group was the precursor to today’s American Automobile Association (AAA) which merged with the Northville group.
* 1924 – Another location for the Detroit Auto Show was the Beller’s Beer Garden on East Jefferson near the Belle Isle Bridge. In 1924, a new convention hall was completed at Woodward and Canfield. Some automotive historians said that the hall contained more exhibition area on one floor than any other showplace in the country.
* 1929 - SEVEN MILE ROAD
+ The Detroit News reported that 7 Mile Rd from Detroit to Northville was the longest paved road in the Country and was upgraded that year to be 40 feet wide, connecting these two towns for commerce and entertainment (at one time, Detroit & Northville were ranked #1 & #2 in production in the State.)
+ LARGEST AUTO SHOW IN MICHIGAN WAS IN NORTHVILLE – To celebrate this new stretch of concrete, Wayne County Fair Grounds (the Downs) hosted the largest auto show up to that point in Michigan (Northville Record). This was sponsored by the Detroit Metro Dealers who displayed brands such as Ford, Chevrolet, Buick, Plymouth, Dodge, Chrysler & Pontiac, along with REO & Studebaker. More than 50 new models were shown in Northville.
* 1949 – After WWII, the following dealerships were listed in town: Ford, Chevy, Studebaker, Kaiser/Frazer, Packard, Mercedes, Chrysler, Plymouth and Dodge.
* 1950’s – The Detroit auto show went on through the decades at several locations, including shows held at the Michigan State Fair Coliseum (8 Mile/Woodward).
* 1960 – The auto show event became known as the National Automobile Show and moved to another new site -- the recently completed Cobo Hall (Huntington Place today) in downtown Detroit. It was dubbed “The Biggest Auto Show of All.” The 1961 models were featured in a “Carousel of Cars” (a huge stage area that visitors enjoyed). The show attracted over 1.4 million people and was covered by many radio and television stations from across the country. Dwight D. Eisenhower, the nation’s 34^th president, even made an appearance, adding prestige and glamor to the event.
* 1970’s – The auto shows at Cobo Hall continued to display and introduce new models. The late 1960’s and early 1970s brought in muscle car fans and the excitement of selling horsepower. The 1970 show broke all attendance records. At the 1972 show General Motor’s introduced their experimental safety vehicle (ESV).
* 1980s & 1990s offered many changes with the Detroit show. In January 1989, the event was renamed the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS). Later, a $220 million expansion to Cobo Center was introduced to the public, allowing more models to be displayed. I grew up attending the Detroit Auto Show with my father and have been fortunate to attend the Charity Preview event since 1983.

CONCOURS D’ELEGANCE OF AMERICA – (world-renowned event) was previously hosted locally, featuring some of the finest and rarest cars available. It historically took place at the Inn at St. John’s on the Northville/Plymouth border. Through those years, the city teamed up with its sponsors for displays in downtown Northville during their festival of cars… today this tradition continues annually at Northville’s Concours d’Elegance at the Mill Race.

LOCAL CAR SHOWS have been part of our DNA since the beginning of the horseless carriage days. The tradition continues today with monthly gatherings from May through October at Old Village School sponsored by Alexander’s Custom Clothiers & the Mayor. Be sure to join us!

Keep that Northville Car Culture Auto Show Faith!

Brian Turnbull
Mayor – Northville
[email protected] / 248.505.6849

(Reach out to me anytime or forward this communication to others interested.)

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