A note from from Mayor Brian Turnbull...


** NORTHVILLIANS,
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Over the last two weeks, our theme has centered around equality and freedom, touching on MLK Day and the Underground Railroad. This week, in preparation for Black History Month celebrations in our community, I will highlight some historic Northville events surrounding this month-long commemoration.

Black History Month was created to focus attention on the contributions of African Americans in the United States. It honors all Black people from all periods of U.S. history. This monthly observance originated in the United States in 1969 (54 years ago) and shortly after, migrated to other countries (including Ireland, Canada and the UK).

Before we look at some of this history, let's see what's happening in town today...
* Mill Race History Lecture by the Mayor, 1/25/23. Mill Race Village, 7:00 PM - Presenting the history of various sections of town. LINK ([link removed])

* Quarterly Mayoral Town Hall – Thursday, 1/26/23 (Live and on Zoom). Northville Township Hall (6 Mile & Sheldon), 7:00 PM with Debbie Dingell, our new U.S Representative in DC joining via Zoom, and Matt Koleszar, our State Representative in Lansing, attending live. LINK ([link removed])

* Snow Moon Hike @ Northville’s Maybury State Park 2/5, 7:00 PM - Guided tours on this full moon night with all meeting at the Trailhead Building off Eight Mile. LINK ([link removed])

In recognition of Black History Month, I will recognize some individuals and events around our Community that have made an imprint on our local DNA...

John Lewis – Michigan’s Last Civil War Vet
* In the Northville area, John Lewis was a storied Civil War veteran. According to The Record: “The Lewis family fled the South before the Civil War and stayed at the Ambler Station, which was part of the Underground Railroad (one of 4 stations in Northville including: Starkweather Farm, Meads Mill Area and the Cady Inn).
* The Lewis Family took up residence in the Northville area closer to Salem.
* John Lewis felt compelled to enlist in Pontiac’s first African American division during the Civil War. He ultimately fought at Gettysburg. At the Lewis Family home, they proudly displayed his battle worn Civil War drum.
* And, yes, John Lewis was reportedly Michigan’s last living Civil War veteran.

Joe Louis – World’s Heavyweight Boxing Champion
* Joe Louis (Joseph Louis Barrow) put our town on the map in the 1930’s when he trained on occasion in Northville. At the time, the town was a nucleus of boxing in the Detroit area, with a private full-time indoor ring on the third floor of a private residence in the Historic section of the Village on Wing Street.
* The Brown Bomber (as he was referred to) and Northville Downs teamed up to prepare for a fight in 1939 when he was defending his championship crown for the eighth time (since first winning the title in 1937).
* The Downs facility in Northville hosted the Wayne County Fair. At the facility, a boxing ring was set up in front of the grandstand for workouts. Daily busloads of fans showed up from all over the country to see Joe in action for $1 a day (that’s $21 in today’s money).
* This location was well-publicized as Joe Louis’s official training center, all in preparation for the 1939 World Heavy Weight Championship. The match was against Bob Pastor at Tiger Stadium (Briggs Field), where Joe won with a KO in the 11^th Round.
* It was acknowledged in The Record that Joe Louis stayed at a Northville estate on 8 Mile & Newburgh and also spent time in the same vicinity where our Living and Learning Mansion is today.
* Also, according to The Record, it was mentioned that Northville residents enjoyed seeing Joe running, walking, and socializing in town. He was welcomed into the community and considered a true Northvillian.

Equality Rallies
* 2020 was quite a year of historic events, and during this period, rallies for equality took place in Northville at Ford Field and at City Hall Park. Notably, at the “One World Family Rally” in collaboration with My Brother’s Keeper Alliance, I was privileged and honored to sign a Commit to Action proclamation on behalf of the City of Northville and our Police Department.
* “My Brother’s Keeper” was launched by President Obama in February of 2014 to address inequalities in society. Today this Alliance works to unleash the power of communities working together to solve problems for our youth and improve real life outcomes. Our oversized copy of the Proclamation hangs in City Hall today. It is a symbol of our commitment to equality of policies and procedures for all in our Northville community.

I am extremely proud of all Northvillians, both today and throughout history, who have treated all in our society with equality, integrity, respect, and the highest degree of ethics. Northville is truly a special place and these principles have guided us for nearly 200 years. They are part of our DNA.

Keep that Northville Faith... and be proud to be Northville Strong!
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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