Part of the Detroit Metro Region, the City of River Rouge, Michigan is adjacent to the cities of Ecorse and Detroit.
Other cities and villages within twenty miles of River Rouge include Melvindale, Lincoln Park, Dearborn, Allen Park, Wyandotte, Southgate, Riverview, Trenton, Taylor, Dearborn Heights, Inkster, Woodhaven, Hamtramck, Highland Park, Garden City, Romulus, Flat Rock, Wayne, Gibraltar, Rockwood, Ferndale, Hazel Park, South Rockwood, Grosse Pointe Park, and Oak Park.
River Rouge is bordered by the Detroit River on the east, with LaSalle, Ontario, Canada on the west side of the river.
River Rouge is named for the 127-mile waterway that flows into the Detroit River at Zug Island, which is the boundary between the cities of River Rouge and Detroit.
Zug Island is a heavily industrialized island within the city, at the southern city limits of Detroit. Situated a the point where the mouth of the River Rouge empties into the Detroit River, it is not a natural island, but was formed when a shipping canal was excavated along the southwestern portion of the island so that ships could bypass several hundred yards of what had been a twisting waterway.
Originally a marshy peninsula, Zug Island served as a Native American burial ground for thousands of years, but was developed by Samuel Zug and Marcus Stevenson, beginning in the mid-1830s, and continued by the River Rouge Improvement Company and Henry Ford, who wanted to allow larger ships to easily navigate to the Ford River Rouge Complex.
River Rouge is one of seventeen Downriver Communities of Detroit, and home to major industries such as National Steel Corporation, Texaco, and Amoco Petroleum Products.
European settlement of the River Rouge region began in the 1700s when several French families purchased land from the Native Americans south of the river, as an expansion of the Detroit settlement.
Before the area transitioned from an agricultural to an industrial economy, it passed through a variety of stages.
A post office was established on February 19, 1891, and River Rouge was incorporated as a village in 1899, becoming a city in 1922.
The SS Edmund Fitzgerald, which sank in a Lake Superior storm in 1975, was constructed by the Great Lakes Engineering Works in River Rouge.
The city's peak population was 20,549 in 1950. Since that time, it has decreased every census year, to a population of 7,224 at the time of the 2020 census.
Today, the River Rouge post office covers most of the city, as well as a section of the city of Ecorse, although Zug Island is served by a Detroit post office. The River Rouge School District serves the city, and a small portion of northern Ecorse.
The subject of this portion of our guide is the City of River Rouge, Michigan, including online resources representing the municipal government, any other governmental entities within the city, and local businesses, industries, schools, places of worship, organizations, attractions, events, entertainment venues, and recreational opportunities.
Recommended Resources
The River Rouge, Michigan congregation meets on Sundays for prayer, Christian education, and morning worship, and on Tuesday evenings for Bible study, as well as at other times in accordance with its calendar of events. Services may also be attended via streaming media. Its location, directions, and contacts are posted on the site, and an online contact form and an informational blog are presented. Photographs and a link to the church's Facebook page are included.
https://gmchurch.org/
Planted by a Baptist church in Wyandotte in 1904, the congregation met at locations in James Street, then Coolidge Highway, in River Rouge, moving to its current location in 1947. The independent Baptist church ascribes to the New Hampshire Confession of Faith. Its history, mission, and beliefs are outlined on the site, along with its location, service and program schedules, and an introduction to the church for those who are new. A link to its audio sermon archive is included.
http://www.graceinrouge.org/
Headquartered in the City of River Rouge, Michigan, the public school district operates Ann Visger Elementary School (K-5), STEM Academy at Dunn (K-5), Clarence B. Sabbath Middle School (6-8), River Rouge High School (9-12), and River Rouge Virtual Academy (6-12), each of which is featured here, with addresses, school hours, office hours, and contacts. The district school board, enrollment policies, a district calendar, curriculum data, and volunteer opportunities are included.
https://riverrougeschools.org/
Named for the waterway that flows along the city's northern border, and into the Detroit River, the Wayne County city was settled in the early 1800s, incorporated as a village in 1899, and as a city in 1922. The official municipal website introduces its mayor and provides contacts for the city council, department heads, and administrative personnel. Featured is a brief history of the city, an overview of city parks and other facilities, online services, and a guide to local businesses.
https://cityofriverrouge.com/
St. John African Methodist Episcopal Church
The River Rouge, Michigan AME church meets for worship on Sunday mornings, and at other times throughout the week, as noted in its schedule of weekly services, which includes meeting times. Special programs and events are highlighted on the site, which includes the congregation's mission statement, motto, theme, and emphasis, as well as an introduction to its pastor, a photo gallery, physical address, office telephone number, an online contact form, and social media contacts.
https://stjohnchurchriverrouge.weebly.com/
