The City of Trenton, Michigan is part of the Downriver collection of communities south of Detroit, and is situated on the west bank of the Detroit River.
Situated in southeastern Wayne County, about twenty miles from Detroit, Trenton's boundaries include the Detroit River on the east, Riverview on the north, Woodhaven on the west, and Gibraltar on the south.
The chief route through the city is M-85 (Fort Street), and Grosse Ile Parkway connects the city with Grosse Isle Township, across the river. Other routes to and from the city include King Road, Sibley Road, Van Horn Road, Vreeland Road, West Road, and West Jefferson Avenue.
Besides Riverview, Gibraltar, and Woodhaven, other cities and villages within twenty miles of Trenton include Wyandotte, Southgate, Rockwood, Flat Rock, South Rockwood, Ecorse, Lincoln Park, River Rouge, Taylor, Allen Park, Melvindale, Estral Beach, Dearborn, Carleton, Romulus, Inkster, Dearborn Heights, Detroit, and Garden City.
The peak population of Trenton was 24,127 in 1970. Since then, its population has declined each census year, to a population of 18,544 at the time of the 2020 census.
Trenton was one of a number of settlements that grew up along the Detroit River following the end of the War of 1812.
Prior to its settlement by European-Americans, the area was largely hardwood forest, and a Potawatomi village known as Monguagon was nearby.
Major Abram Caleb Truax is acknowledged as the founder of the current city. Serving in this area during the War of 1812, Major Truax chose to remain in the area when his service was up. He purchased a large parcel of land that included the highest ground along the Detroit River, and built a sawmill, a store, and a church.
In 1827, Monguagon Township was organized and named, by Governor Lewis Cass, for the local Potawatomi village, which had itself been named for a Potawatomi chief who lived along the Detroit River in the mid-18th century. Major Truax was the first township supervisor.
On January 2, 1828, a post office was established as Monguago, with Major Truax as the first postmaster. A village was platted as Truaxton in 1834, and the post office name was changed to Truago on February 3, 1837.
However, the post office name was changed to Trenton on April 1, 1847, and the village was re-platted and recorded under that name by George B. Truax and Sophia Slocum in 1850. In 1855, Trenton was incorporated as a village. Two years later, the incorporation was repealed, and Trenton was not re-incorporated as a village until April 22, 1875. The village of Sibley was annexed to Trenton in 1929, and Trenton became a city in 1957.
A Limestone quarry was opened in the area of Sibley in the mid-18th century. In 1823, Solomon Sibley purchased the quarry property, and his sons developed the mining operations around which the village grew. The Canada Southern Railroad opened a station known as Sibley Station in the early 1900s, and a post office was established as Sibley on February 27, 1903, with James Bailey, Jr. as postmaster. Sibley was incorporated as a village in 1920, but annexed by Trenton in 1929. The Sibley name is currently attached to that section of Trenton, as a neighborhood.
Important to the city's prosperity in the early years was the Detroit River, which continues to be a significant part of the history and life of the community. Its shipyards served the surrounding lumber industries, and today, the river serves the recreational and tourist interests of Trenton.
The railroads came to Trenton between 1852 and 1862. Included were the Detroit, Toledo & Canada Southern Railroad, the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad, the Detroit, Toledo & Ironton Railroad, and the Detroit & Toledo Shore Line, some of which were later consolidated. Railroads continue to be active in Trenton, as the city is home to several major industries and manufacturing facilities.
Trenton is also home to several recreation facilities, including regional, community, and neighborhood parks, and mini-parks, as well as municipal, school, and private recreational facilities. As an example, the Kennedy Recreation Center is a 150,000-square-foot facility that houses three NHL-size ice arenas, a pro shop, locker rooms, concessions, a lobby, and a bar and grill.
The focus of this portion of our guide is on the City of Trenton, Michigan. Online resources pertaining to the city, any other governmental entities within the city, and local businesses, industries, schools, places of worship, organizations, entertainment venues, and recreational opportunities, are appropriate for this category. Informational sites focusing on Trenton would also be suitable for this portion of our guide.
Categories
Faith & SpiritualityServices & Industries |
 
 
Recommended Resources
Situated on the west banks of the Detroit River in south Wayne County, Trenton is just south of the Detroit Metro Region. The official municipal website identifies elected city officials, department heads, and administrative personnel, as well as the location of City Hall, its business hours, and contacts. Meeting agendas and minutes, property and tax data, announcements, and access to various reports and forms are provided. A brief history of the city is included.
https://www.trentonmi.org/
Downriver Obstetrics & Gynecology
Located on Kingsway Court in Trenton, Michigan, the medical facility provides obstetrical and gynecological care to women of all ages, including specialized medical care, education, and preventative services. Directions, office hours, appointment policies, and contacts are provided, along with an introduction to the office and its services, a pregnancy calendar, and downloadable patient forms. Patient education articles are also provided, covering such topics as headaches, hormones, and others.
https://downriverobgyn.com/
Opened in 1948, the PK-8th-grade parochial school is a ministry of St. Joseph Catholic Parish. Its location, tuition schedule, registration forms, tuition assistance policies, parent testimonials, and general information about the school. Other resources include staff and office contacts, school schedules, a calendar of events, student handbooks, parent and student resources, classroom pages, and an overview of its playground, and its athletics and alumni programs.
https://www.stjosephschooltrenton.com/
Created to promote its business members and the Trenton, Michigan community through sponsorships of community programs, fostering networking opportunities, and through media communications. Meeting schedules, membership information, the benefits of membership, news, and announcements are noted, a business scholarship application may be downloaded, and an online contact form is available. Also included is an introduction to its board of directors and staff.
https://trentonbiz.com/
The Trenton, Michigan preschool is a ministry of the First Presbyterian Church of Trenton, a member of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC), and its policies adhere to the doctrinal teachings of the denomination. Its location, telephone number, email address, and an introduction to its faculty and staff are provided, along with its registration policies and schedules, tuition and registration fees, testimonials, and announcements of open houses and other activities.
http://www.trentonchristianpreschool.org/