The city of Adrian is in the southern Lower Peninsula of Michigan, straddling Adrian township to the north and Madison Township to the south. The city's urban area extends into both of these townships, as well as into Raisin and Palmyra townships.
Lenawee Junction is about five miles to the east, Cadmus is just under seven miles to the west, Jasper is just over seven miles to the south, Tecumseh is about seven and a half miles northeast, and Toledo, Ohio is thirty-nine miles southeast.
Lake Adrian is in the northern part of the city, and Wolf Creek feeds into it. The South Branch River Raisin is a stream that enters in the northeast and passes through the center of the city.
Adrian was founded by Addison J. Comstock, who came to the area in 1825, acquiring 1,100 acres the following year, when he returned from New York with a bride and some settlers. He platted the town, naming it Logan. In 1828, his wife persuaded him to rename for her hero in history, the Roman emperor Hadrian.
A post office was established on March 20, 1828, with Comstock as the first postmaster. Adrian was incorporated as a village in 1836, and as a city in 1853.
Comstock also founded Addison village and township, about twenty miles northwest of Adrian, naming it for himself.
The township remained Logan Township until March 6, 1838, when the state legislature renamed it Adrian.
Adrian played a part in the Underground Railroad, after a group of Quakers founded the first congregation of Quakers in Michigan in 1831, creating a network of Underground Railroad stations in the Raisin River Valley, a work that was later aided by others, including the Adrian-Tecumseh Underground Railroad network that was established by a Baptist pastor in Lenawee County.
Around the same time, Adrian had a major role in the history of actual railroads in Michigan. The first working rail line in Michigan was the result of a struggle between Adrian and Tecumseh over which city was to become the county seat. Tecumseh was larger and located on a new military road connecting Detroit with Chicago, so Tecumseh had the advantage. In order to counteract this, Adrian residents voted to support the construction of a railroad between Adrian and Port Lawrence (Toledo), Ohio, laying track through the Black Swamp. The Erie and Kalamazoo Railroad came through Adrian in 1836, and this was enough to give the city the edge to be designated the county seat.
One of the first motor vehicles was created in Adrian. Built between 1900 and 1912, three car models were manufactured in Adrian. The first cars built in Adrian were the Murry Motor Car and the Lenawee Car, both manufactured by the Church Manufacturing Company. Although they were a bit hit at the 1910 Chicago Automobile Show, and hundreds of them were sold, the company did not survive long. The third car built in Adrian was the Lion, produced by the Lion Motor Car Company which, for a time, was one of the leading automobile manufacturers. However, the plant was destroyed by fire in 1912, destroying about two hundred cars, putting an end to the company.
Adrian College is a private liberal arts college situated on a 100-acre campus on the west side of the city. Founded in the 1850s, the college campus served as a base for the formation of Michigan regiments of the Union Army in the early stages of the Civil War. Also located in Adrian is Siena Heights University, Jackson College, and the LISD Tech Center.
Today, Adrian is a city of just over twenty thousand. Its top employer is Bixby Medical Center, whose facilities are largely concentrated in north Adrian.
The city hosts seventeen community parks and open spaces, a historic downtown district with dining, shopping, and entertainment venues.
Built in 1866, and originally known as the Adrian Union Hall, the Croswell Opera House is the oldest theater in the state, and one of the oldest continuously operating theaters in the country. It was designated a Michigan Historic Site in 1976 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985.
The Adrian Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1981 and has featured seasons of classical, pops, and school-day educational concerts.
The Lenawee County Fair Grounds in Adrian is situated on the site of the oldest fair in Michigan, which has hosted fairs and other events since 1839.
Topics related to the city of Adrian, Michigan are the focus of this category or its subcategories. This may include sites representing the municipal government or any individuals, organizations, churches, schools, businesses, or other entities within the city.
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Recommended Resources
Built in 1947, the Adrian Animal Clinic was the first building constructed as a veterinary clinic in Lenawee County, Michigan. The full-service veterinary clinic treats pet emergencies as well as offering routine medical, surgical, and dental care. Its location, office hours, and appointment policies are stated, along with an overview of its services. Patient registration forms and a surgical information packet are available for download in PDF format, and an online pharmacy is available.
http://www.adriananimalclinic.com/
The Adrian, Michigan library system began as the Ladies Library Association in 1868 and was later expanded with funding from Andrew Carnegie. Its history is told here, along with its hours and location, library board, policies, mission, and the Friends of the Library organization. A calendar of events, library spaces, and its reference and research facilities and resources are included, and a guide to utilizing the on-site and online library resources is included.
https://www.adrian.lib.mi.us/
Situated on West Maumee Street in Adrian, Michigan, the hotel is in the heart of Southern Michigan, not far off of US Route 223, and near area attractions, corporate offices, and shopping. The lodging facility includes an indoor/outdoor heated pool, 24-hour fitness center, business center, meeting room, and valet laundry services on weekdays. Its rooms and suites are highlighted, with photographs and online booking facilities, as well as its on-site dining and an area guide.
http://www.cladrian.com/
The official website for the municipal government outlines the local governmental structure, departments, municipal services, and key personnel. Online services include property records checks, online payments of tax bills and parking tickets, and access to various public documents. Contacts for the city commission, boards, and department heads are posted, as are meeting schedules, agendas, and minutes, financial reports, budget information, and a city service brochure.
https://adriancity.com/
The oldest theater in the state, Croswell Opera House is located in Adrian, Michigan. Established in 1866, the building has played a significant role in the history of the community and continues to offer programming that fulfills its original purpose. Upcoming shows are featured on the site, and directions, and information about parking, accessibility, and group accommodations are put forth, along with a seating chart, photographs, and a calendar of events.
https://croswell.org/
Owned by Gannett Media Corporation, the Daily Telegram is a locally-based print media in Adrian, Michigan. Readers can subscribe to the digital edition alone, payable by month or by year, or to the print edition, which includes access to the digital edition. While full access requires a subscription, select news items, sports, entertainment, lifestyle issues, obituaries, classifieds, and employment listings are available, along with photos, video, and a community calendar.
https://www.lenconnect.com/
Highlighting Adrian, Michigan’s downtown district, with its mix of clothing boutiques, dining establishments, specialty shops, and professional services, the site offers a guide to Adrian’s downtown shopping venues, restaurants, and attractions, including a calendar of events, a schedule and information about its July First Friday - Star Spangled Summer event, and Adrian Art Discovery, an outdoor art exhibit. Details of featured resources are included.
https://www.downtownadrian.org/
Founded in 1992, the RVLT is a local, private, non-profit corporation focused on the preservation of natural areas and farm lands in the River Raisin watershed. Incorporated as a non-profit, tax-exempt organization, the organization offers a legal, voluntary, and independent means for Michigan landowners to control land development through donating property or conservation easements to the RVLT. Its organizational structure and information about the easement process are posted.
http://rvlt.org/
Formally known as the Christian Family Centre, the Centre is located in Adrian, and serves the people of Lenawee County and surrounding communities, offering personal training and group fitness classes, various sports opportunities, specialty camps, concerts, and family events, as well as a cafe and catering services, each of which is highlighted here. Membership offers access to its fitness centers and programs, free swimming, and discounts on youth programs and other events.
https://www.thecentre.info/
