The City of Dexter, Michigan is in Washtenaw County, just northwest of the City of Ann Arbor and the Village of Barton Hills. It is mostly in Scio Township, with a portion of the city extending north into Webster Township.
The main route through the city is the Dexter-Ann Arbor Road, which enters Dexter in the southeast, and runs northwest through the center of the city, becoming Island Lakes Road as it exits the city in the northwest. Other routes include Baker Road, Dexter-Chelsea Road, Dexter-Pinckney Road, Huron River Drive, Joy Road, and Mast Road.
The Huron River forms a portion of the city's eastern border, with only a small portion of the city extending to the east side of the river, while Mill Creek forms a portion of the city's western border in the south, before flowing northeast to empty into the Huron River in north Dexter.
The center of Chelsea is 7.9 miles west of Dexter, while Barton Hills is 8.9 miles east-southeast, Ann Arbor is 9.9 miles southeast, and Pinckney is 10.1 miles north of the city.
Judge Samuel W. Dexter was the first European-American to acquire land in what was to become Dexter in 1824, buying a large parcel of land. Dr. Cyril Nichols and Samuel W. Foster came soon afterward. The river and creek were valuable resources for the new community. A sawmill was built in 1827, a woolen mill in 1838, a grist mill in 1844, and a cider mill in 1886. As others settled nearby, the community became known as the Mill Creek Settlement.
On April 24, 1826, Judge Dexter set up a post office in his home, becoming the first postmaster. He later served as the Chief Justice for Washtenaw County and was elected Regent for the University of Michigan. His home, overlooking Mill Creek in northwest Dexter, was built in 1840. Known as Gordon Hall, the structure was designated a Michigan State Historic Site in 1958 and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. It is said that the building contained secret rooms in the basement, accessible only through hidden doorways, that was used as a stop on the Underground Railroad.
Dexter was platted in 1830, the year that Charles P. Cowden opened the community's first store. It was incorporated as a village in 1855 and became a city in 2014.
On July 4, 1841, the Central Railroad of Michigan established a depot in Dexter, which was the terminus of the rail line. The depot included two waiting rooms, a ticket office, and a baggage room. Passenger service ended in 1953, and the trains don't stop in Dexter anymore, but the depot is home to the Ann Arbor Model Railroad Club.
For most of its history, Dexter's population has wavered between its low point of 587 in 1920 and around 1,500. However, after two decades of decline, its population rose by nearly 60% in the 1990s, and by almost 75% in the 2000s, with a population of 4,067 in 2010, and is estimated to rise by another 15% or more when the 2020 census numbers are released.
The focus of this guide is on the City of Dexter, Michigan. Online resources representing the city government or any individuals, businesses, industries, schools, churches, organizations, attractions, or events located within the city are appropriate topics.
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Recommended Resources
The official municipal website offers information and access to bid opportunities, billing and payments, the city charter, city newsletters, emergency services, permit applications, job and committee openings, ordinances, planning and zoning, tax information, and a resident handbook. City council agendas and minutes, a city calendar, and city news and announcement are posted, along with a guide to the community and resources for businesses and visitors.
https://www.dextermi.gov/
The PK-12th-grade public school district includes nine buildings within walking distance of one another, including Jenkins Early Childhood Learning Center, Anchor Elementary School, Beacon Elementary School, Wylie Elementary School, Creekside Intermediate School, Mill Street Middle School, Dexter High School, and Dexter International Academy, and the administrative offices, each of which are featured here, along with its departments and contacts.
https://www.dexterschools.org/
Located on Alpine Street, a map shows the location of the library, and its hours of operation are posted, along with holiday closings, and contact information. A calendar of scheduled events is put forth, the Friends of the Dexter Library organization is highlighted, and a variety of research tools is displayed. Cardholders may access the library’s catalog online, use an advanced catalog search, and access their accounts, as well as download digital resources.
https://dexter.lib.mi.us/
The Union Base Ball Club of Dexter operates as Dexter Historic Base Ball. Recognized as a non-profit since 2017, the club was formed in 2011, and patterned after the 1865 Wahoo Base Ball Club of Dexter, playing by rules that were in place in the early post-Civil War era, with some adjustments made for safety. The history and an overview of the club are put forth, and profiles of team members are included, along with the roster of the original 1865 club. Photos, rules, and sponsors are included.
https://www.unionbbc.com/
Independently operated and managed by volunteers interested in promoting and information people of community activities, which it accomplishes through an overview of the community and a guide to things to do in Dexter, such as arts and entertainment, recreational opportunities, sports, local farms, local history, area parks, and unique places, as well as a directory of shopping and dining venues, a calendar of local events, and featured businesses.
http://discoverdexter.weebly.com/
Situated on Dexter-Ann Arbor Road in Dexter, Michigan, just west of Ann Arbor, the restaurant offers a mixture of authentic and traditional Chinese cuisine. Its location, telephone number, and operating hours are published on the site, along with a menu, with prices, announcements and special offers, answers to frequently asked questions about the facilities, its cuisine, and its policies, and a page of trivia on topics focused on China, Chinese culture, and Chinese history.
http://www.foodzonedexter.com/
Published by Dexter High School, The Squall is a student-driven newspaper available to Dexter residents by subscription, as well as online. Each publication consists of several articles and videos on a variety of topics, including school and community news, Junior Varsity and Varsity sports, reports on area attractions and events, and other features, including politics. Opinion columns are included, and an area for staff pages is included. Back issues are available.
https://thesquall.com/
Created by Discover Communities and based in Ann Arbor, the site features news, sports stories, and other topics related to the Dexter, Michigan community. Included is news from the city government and Dexter community, area schools, including Dexter Community Schools, Washtenaw Community College, and others, as well as outdoor recreational activities, area sports, arts, and entertainment venues and events, faith and religion, businesses, health, and others.
https://welovedexter.com/
