Located in northern Lenawee County, the City of Tecumseh, Michigan is situated along the River Raisin, about twenty-five miles south of Ann Arbor, forty miles north of Toledo, Ohio, and sixty miles southwest of Detroit.
The city is surrounded by Tecumseh Township on three sides, while Raisin Township borders the southern edge of the city.
Evans Creek flows through the city, as well, feeding into the River Raisin below the dam, south of Red Mill Pond and Standish Pond.
The main route through the city is M-50 (Chicago Boulevard, Monroe Road), which runs roughly east-west through the city, crossing the River Raisin. Other routes to and from the city include Green Highway (Adrian Street), Hewlett Highway, Macon Highway, Milwaukee Road (Burt Street), Monroe Road, Munger Road, Murphy Highway, Newburg Road (Union Street), Occidental Road, Rogers Highway, Russell Road, and Tecumseh-Clinton Highway.
Cities and villages within twenty-five miles of the center of Tecumseh include Clinton, Britton, Adrian, Manchester, Dundee, Onsted, Deerfield, Blissfield, Saline, Petersburg, Milan, Brooklyn, and Clayton.
First appearing on the US census roll in 1850 with a population of 1,670, the city has mostly experienced gradual to strong growth, with only a few decades of slight decline. As of 2020, its population was 8,680.
The boundaries of Lenawee County were laid out in 1822, and separated from Monroe County in 1826.
In 1823, Musgrove Evans persuaded General Joseph W. Brown, a fellow Quaker, to move to the area of Tecumseh. That year, Brown, Evans, and Austin Eli Wing acquired land there. They platted to the village of Tecumseh in 1824, and appealed to Territorial Governor Cass to designate Tecumseh as the county seat of Lenawee County. As the first settlement in the county, this was formalized on June 30, 1824. Tecumseh remained the county seat until 1838, when it was moved to Adrian.
On July 29, 1824, a post office was established in Tecumseh, with Mr. Evans as the first postmaster. Tecumseh was incorporated as a village in 1837, and named for the Shawnee Chief Tecumseh. The village became a city in 1953.
Water power for mills and other industrial operations was furnished by the River Raisin and Evans Creek.
Tecumseh Junction was located in the area of what is now South Evans Street and Cummins Stree, just south of downtown Tecumseh. This settlement arose around the crossing of the north-south Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad's Jackson Branch, and the east-west Detroit, Toledo & Milwaukee Railroad, which was also used by the Detroit, Toledo & Ironton Railroad, which abandoned its Tecumseh branch in 2010. A third railroad, the Detroit & Lima Northern Railroad, came up from Lima, Ohio through Adrian, with Tecumseh as its terminus. Tecumseh Junction became part of Tecumseh when the latter was incorporated.
Today, the Southern Michigan Railroad Society has preserved 13.5 miles of track, originally the Palmyra & Jacksonburgh Railroad, the first railway system in Michigan. The Society operates a heritage railroad running 5.0 miles between Clinton and Tecumseh during the summer months, and 6.5 miles from Tecumseh to the rural railroad junction of Raisin Center. An additional two miles of track runs from Raisin Center to Lenawee Junction, although this section is currently disconnected from the northern section. Powered by a 44-ton diesel locomotive, the train includes a South Shore car, a passenger gondola, and a caboose or two.
The Tecumseh Historic District is a residential area of Tecumseh in the area of West Chicago Boulevard and Union Street. Designated as a Michigan Historic Site, the district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984, and expanded in 1990.
The Tecumseh Downtown Historic District is the downtown commercial area of the city. Designated as a Michigan Historic Site in 1976, it was added to the National Register in 1986. It centers on the intersection of Evans Street and Chicago Boulevard (M-50), the majority of its buildings being along M-50.
K-12 students in Tecumseh are served by Tecumseh Public Schools, which includes a traditional high school, an alternative high school, two middle schools, and three elementary schools.
Police services are provided by the Tecumseh Police Department, while fire protection and first responder services are provided by the Tecumseh Fire Department.
The Kiwanis Trail is a non-motorized trail that runs through Adrian and Raisin townships, extending into Tecumseh to West Patterson Street, between South Adrian Street and South Union Street.
The focus of this portion of our web guide is on the City of Tecumseh, Michigan. Resources representing the municipal government, as well as local businesses, industries, schools, churches, organizations, attractions, and events are appropriate for this category.
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Places to StayServices & Industries | Things to Do & Places to Go |
Recommended Resources
Bead Box Rocks & Gemstone Gift Shop, The
Offering gemstone beads, tumbled and rough rock, Swarovski crystals, Japanese and Czech seed-beads, pressed Czech beads, sterling and plated findings, locally-made artist jewelry, do-it-yourself bead kits, bracelet kits, new and vintage books, and other unique, antique, or vintage items. The Tecumseh, Michigan store also hosts workshops, which are scheduled here. Its location, hours of operation, and contacts are posted. Gift cards are also available.
https://www.thebeadboxstudio.com/
Built in 1879, the Tecumseh, Michigan building hosts five businesses: the Boulevard Market, Four Corners Creamery, Peppalo Chocolate, Black Pig Salame Company, and the Inn on Evans. The Boulevard Market was founded in 2004, and it provides hand-cut artisan cheese, boutique wines, and specialty foods. Its location, a list of upcoming events, and press articles about the business are featured. The other ventures are also discussed, and an online shopping area is included.
http://www.boulevardmarket.com/
Situated along the River Raisin, the Lenawee County city is about sixty miles southwest of Detroit. The official municipal website names the members of the city council and municipal boards and commissions. The location of the municipal offices, administrative contacts, and office hours are posted, including its departments and services. Also included is a new resident packet and a guide to local restaurants, shopping venues, and other businesses, as well as attractions and events.
https://www.mytecumseh.org/
Maintained by the Tecumseh Downtown Development Authority, formed in 1981 to focus on the economic vitality and growth of the Downtown Tecumseh business district, the site features a guide to local shopping venues, dining establishments, arts and culture venues, guest lodging facilities, and things to do in downtown Tecumseh, Michigan. Available are virtual tours, a downtown business directory, and a form to request a printed visitor's packet.
https://www.downtowntecumseh.com/
Started as a family business in 1982, and the business later moved to a larger building in Tecumseh, Michigan. Still in the family, the hobby store is open every day, albeit with reduced hours on Sundays. A catalog of its products and collections is included, and shipping is available within the contiguous United States. Several photographs of the store and its products are displayed, and its address, telephone number, and an online contact form are included.
https://jbarhobbies.com/
Meeting on the second Wednesday of each month in the Fellowship Hall of the Tecumseh United Methodist Church, the Tecumseh, Michigan Kiwanis Club was chartered on April 12, 1961, at which time it was sponsored by the Topeka Downtown Club. A roster of members and officers Is listed on the site, which includes a calendar of events, an overview of its programs and activities, club news, a newsletter, and a photo gallery. Its projects and regular events are highlighted, and contacts are provided.
https://www.tecumsehkiwanis.com/
This is an informational blog created to honor the former railroad community of Tecumseh Junction, since been incorporated into the City of Tecumseh, Michigan. Created in August 2016, the blog is still active, and includes historical and contemporary photos and stories of the community, particularly its railroad heritage, with railroads, railroad people, cars, and engines connected with the Tecumseh Junction region. Archives are sorted by month.
https://tecumsehjunction.com/
The full-service veterinary medical facility is located in the City of Tecumseh, Michigan. Its address, telephone number, and hours of operation are published on the site, along with an online contact form. Its veterinarians and staff are introduced. A list of its services are listed, with details about each, as well as after-hours emergency care contacts, a clinic video, announcements, and an online shopping area. An order history is available.
http://www.tecvet.com/
