Situated in the Detroit Metro Region of Wayne County, the city of Livonia, Michigan is the ninth most-populated municipality in the state.
The city is about two miles west of the Detroit city limits, separated by Redford Township. Livonia abuts Farmington Hills, as well as a small section of Farmington, to the north, and Westland to the south. The southeast corner of Livonia touches the northwest corner of Dearborn Heights, its northwest corner touches the southeast corner of Novi, and its northeast corner touches the southwest corner of Southfield. Other cities and villages within twenty miles of Livonia are Plymouth, Garden City, Northville, Wayne, Inkster, Franklin, Bingham Farms, Beverly Hills, Orchard Lake, Dearborn, Lathrup Village, Highland Park, Wixom, Keego Harbor, Sylvan Lake, Oak Park, Melvindale, Walled Lake, Berkley, Hamtramck, Allen Park, Huntington Woods, Romulus, Birmingham, Pleasant Ridge, Pontiac, River Rouge, Ferndale, and Lincoln Park.
The chief routes to and through the city are I-96, which runs east-west through Livonia, just south of center, and I-275, which passes north-south through the northwest part of the city. Livonia's northern border is 8 Mile Road, its southern border is Joy Road, its western border is Eckles Road and Hagerty Road, and its eastern border is Inkster Road.
Prior to the European-American settlement of the area, it was inhabited by the Potawatomi people. However, by the 1830s, European-Americans were settling the area, and the boundaries of Livonia Township were set in 1835, and named for the New York hometown of several of the early residents. For the first hundred years or so, the township was rural, with farmers raising crops, sheep, and dairy cattle. Over the years, dirt trails became roads and several small communities were developed throughout the township.
A post office was established as Livonia on May 7, 1834, with James Gunning as postmaster. On May 20, 1851, the post office was moved and renamed Plank Road. On May 20, 1856, the village was platted and renamed Livonia City, and the post office was moved back and took the name of Livonia on January 30, 1872. The post office was closed on September 16, 1906, restored as a branch of the Detroit post office in 1952, and once again made an independent post office on April 1, 1954.
In 1950, Livonia Township, with all of its communities, was incorporated as the city of Livonia. The merged communities included Schwartzburg, Clarenceville, Livonia Centre, Rough and Ready Corners, Stark, Newburg, Perrinsville/Pikes Peak, Elm, and Gilt Edge.
Situated on Ann Arbor Trail, near Wayne Road and Stark Road, Schwartzburg was named for General John E. Schwartz, who built a dam and sawmill on the Rouge River in 1826. However, the community declined rapidly in competition with nearby Perrinsville.
Situated in the northern part of the township, on the line between Wayne County and Oakland County, Clarenceville grew around a tavern built by Stephen Jennings in 1836. On May 20, 1851, the Livonia post office was moved to this location and named Plank Road. The post office was closed on January 20, 1860, but later reopened. It was named Clarenceville on December 23, 1897, but closed in 1907.
Livonia Centre was settled in 1854, and named for its position within the township. A post office was established on August 28, 1849, closed on March 14, 1864, restored on April 2, 1864, and closed again on May 25, 1865.
An offshoot of Schwartzburg, Rough and Ready Corners was centered at the intersection of Stark Road and Plymouth Road. The settlement was clustered around the House of Seven Gables, a tavern built by David McFarlane, and named for President Zachary Taylor.
The Detroit, Lansing, and Northern Railroad built its Detroit-Lansing line through Livonia Township. In 1871, Livonia Station was established at the Stark Road crossing, and the village that grew up around it became known as Starville, and later Stark, named for L.B. Stark, a local landowner. A post office was established on November 14, 1877. Originally named Livonia Station, it was renamed Stark on November 13, 1879, and operated until 1909. Stark was still a distinct community when it was merged with the city of Livonia in 1950.
Newburg was the largest community completely within Livonia Township. The first settler was Asa G. Johns, who came in 1819 and later became the postmaster. The village has been recreated in the Greenmead Historic Park.
Settled in 1831, Perrinsville was at Ann Arbor Trail and Merriman Road and named for Isaac F. Perrin, who platted the village in 1834. It was renamed Pike's Peak in 1887.
Originally named Elmwood, Elm was renamed with a post office was established on June 30, 1838. Two railroad stations were in the Elm area, McKinney's Station and Elm Station.
Gilt Edge was founded in the 1890s, and didn't last long enough to appear on any maps.
Categories
Education & InstructionFaith & Spirituality | Property Sales & Rentals |
 
 
Recommended Resources
The Livonia, Michigan hospice was founded under the sponsorship of the Felician Sisters, and has been in operation since 1985, moving into its current facilities in 1994. Offering services for the terminally ill, the facility offers hospice programs for adults and pediatric and prenatal patients, as well as a telehospice program, palliative care, and grief support, which are outlined here, along with other programs and services. Information for caregivers and medical professionals is included.
https://angelahospice.org/
Serving the Livonia, Michigan area for about forty-five years, the flower shop offers same-day delivery services to a service area that is defined on its site, along with its delivery policies, hours of operation, location, and payment options. Its specialty services are outlined. Offering a wide variety of cut flowers, live plants, holiday arrangements, sympathy and funeral arrangements, wedding flowers, and other items, which may be viewed through its catalog and ordered online.
https://www.cardwellflorist.com/
Affiliated with the Choice Hotels Group, eligible stays at this hotel in Livonia, Michigan may earn points and discounts for members of the Choice Privileges Rewards program. Directions and a map showing its location are provided, along with a summary, photo gallery, a list of amenities, and guest reviews. Located off of I-26, the hotel is twelve miles from the Henry Ford Museum and Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport. Rooms may be booked online, by telephone, or through a mobile app.
https://www.choicehotels.com/michigan/livonia/comfort-inn-hotels/mi081
Elite Catering Company & Dining Services
With more than thirty years as a licensed caterer, the Livonia, Michigan business offers full-service catering services, delivery and setup services, and dining services for daily or weekly meals for schools, senior living communities, offices, or other facilities. Its menus may be viewed online, client reviews are published on the site, and a list of recommended venues for weddings or special events are set forth. A quote request form and a contact form are available.
https://www.elitecateringcompany.com/
Located on Middlebelt Road and 7 Mile Road, the Livonia, Michigan dental office is on Middlebelt Road, although the office also has facilities in Ann Arbor, Canton, and Farmington Hills. An introduction to the dental physicians includes educational achievements and professional affiliations, and a map shows the location of the office. Its services are detailed, and a guide for office visits is featured, with amenities, financial, insurance, and billing data. Client testimonials are included.
https://www.laurichdentistry.com/
Situated in Wayne County, the city is part of the Detroit Metro Region, about two miles west of Detroit. The official municipal website features a community calendar, information and schedules for the Livonia Public Library and its Parks and Recreation Department, property tax data, GIS maps, online payment of various fees and bills, and new resident services. A directory of municipal officials, staff, and departments is included, and a community profile and history are included.
https://livonia.gov/
Founded in 1950, the Chamber is a non-profit, non-partisan, membership organization that promotes the city of Livonia, Michigan, and supports its business community. The advantages offered to its membership are set forth, and a member directory and staff contacts are set forth. Other resources include a profile of the community, a map of the city, and a guide to local schools, colleges, universities, organizations, places of worship, transportation options, and businesses.
http://www.livonia.org/
Headquartered in Livonia, Michigan, the library includes four branches: Alfred Noble, Carl Sandburg, Robert and Janet Bennett Civic Center, and Vest Pocket, each of which is featured here, with directions, hours of operations, contacts, and other details. Library commissioners are listed, and meeting schedules are posted on the site, along with a calendar of events, its research facilities, and other services. Its collections of books, movies, music, and other items are discussed.
https://livonialibrary.info/
Quality Inn & Suites Banquet Center Livonia
The location, check-in and check-out times, phone and fax numbers, policy information, and a list of amenities are set forth. Situated on Plymouth Road, near Wonderland Village and two convention centers, the hotel is part of the Choice Hotels Group. Eligible stays will earn points and discounts for Choice Privileges Rewards members. The accommodations are described, a list of amenities is posted, and guest reviews are published on the site. Reservations can be made online or by phone.
https://www.choicehotels.com/michigan/livonia/quality-inn-hotels/mi119
Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center at Bill Brown Ford
At Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center at Bill Brown Ford, customers never need to make an appointment to get full-service auto maintenance. When Livonia, Michigan residents need tires, auto repair, oil changes, you name it, they come to our shop just off of I-96. All customers are serviced as they wait. For our regular clients, we have “Owner Advantage Rewards” that accumulate with each visit. We have a wide selection of auto vehicle parts, from the most affordable to the highest quality.
http://www.quicklanelivonia.com/
Locally owned and operated, the animal hospital was established in 1968, offering chiropractic care, spinal manipulation, spay and neutering, microchipping, vaccinations, laser therapy, parasite prevention, ultrasound, and wellness exams. The veterinary doctors and staff are introduced, its services are described, and payment options are discussed. Employment opportunities, contacts, appointment policies, and a contact form are set forth, and an online shopping area is included.
https://www.strongveterinaryhospital.com/
The full-service certified public accounting firm offers tax services for businesses and individuals, including multi-state, accounting, auditing, and consulting services, with experience in various industries, non-profit organizations, healthcare, software development, real estate, and manufacturing. Its services are discussed on its site, which includes various guides, a newsletter, and a tax reference center. Several contact options are available, including a contact form.
https://www.tedderwhitlock.com/