Frenchtown Charter Townshipis acharter townshipwithinMonroe Countyin the U.S. state ofMichigan.The population was 21,609 as per the2020 census.[2]
Frenchtown Township, Michigan | |
|---|---|
| Frenchtown Charter Township | |
 Frenchtown Township Hall | |
 Location withinMonroe Countyand the administered CDPs ofDetroit Beach(1),Stony Point(2), andWoodland Beach(3) | |
  Frenchtown Township  Frenchtown Township | |
| Coordinates:41°57′50″N83°21′31″W/ 41.96389°N 83.35861°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Michigan |
| County | Monroe |
| Settled | 1784 |
| Organized | 1837 |
| Government | |
| • Supervisor | James McDevitt |
| •Clerk | Mark Baker |
| Area | |
• Total | 43.12 sq mi (111.7 km2) |
| • Land | 41.74 sq mi (108.1 km2) |
| • Water | 1.38 sq mi (3.6 km2) |
| Elevation | 594 ft (181 m) |
| Population | |
• Total | 21,609 |
| • Density | 517.7/sq mi (199.9/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5(Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4(EDT) |
| ZIP Codes | |
| Area code | 734 |
| FIPS code | 26-115-30820[3] |
| GNISfeature ID | 1626321[4] |
| Website | www |
The township is bordered on the south by the city ofMonroe.Sterling State Parkand theEnrico Fermi Nuclear Generating Stationare located within Frenchtown. The township was the site of theBattle of Frenchtownduring theWar of 1812.
History
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The area was long occupied by Native Americans, including the historicPotawatomi.They had trading relations withFrench-Canadiansin the area. The Frenchtown area reflected the ethnicity of its first European settlers, French Canadians who took land along the banks of theRiver Raisinas early as 1784. There had been other French colonial settlements closer toDetroitand on both sides of theDetroit River.Their descendants are known asMuskrat French.Around the same time, theSandy Creek Settlementwas founded near this by Joseph Porlier Benec.[5]The United States acquired this area, which had been considered part of British Canadian territory after theTreaty of Paris (1783)settling the American Revolutionary War. It was specifically part ofstate claims(from 1783); theNorthwest Territory(1787);Indiana Territory(1803);Michigan Territory(1805); and, finally, theState of Michigan(1837).[6]
During theWar of 1812,the area was the site of theBattle of Frenchtown,in which 397 Americans were killed by the coalition ofBritish ArmyandNative Americans;this was the highest number of American fatalities of any battle during the war.[7]The battlefield site today is within theRiver Raisin National Battlefield Park,which was designated in 2009 and falls within the present-day city limits ofMonroe.[8][9]
In 1817, that portion of Frenchtown was renamed and incorporated as the village of Monroe, named in honor of PresidentJames Monroe's planned visit to the Michigan Territory later that year. In the same year, the village of Monroe was named as thecounty seatof the newly createdMonroe County.Monroe was incorporated as a city in 1837.[10]At that time, the remaining area known as Frenchtown was reorganized as atownship,encompassing much of the northern portion of the county which was the area from the River Raisin to theHuron RiveratWayne County's southern border.[11]Shortly afterwards, the northern portion of the township was broken off to formAsh Township.Later, by 1867,Berlin Charter Townshipwas formed from another territory of the township. Additionally, the city of Monroe annexed pieces of the southern portion of Frenchtown several times. As a result, the boundary between the current Frenchtown Charter Township and the city limits of Monroe is jagged.
Communities
edit- Brestis a former settlement located along the shores of Lake Erie. It was settled as a port by the French as early as 1810 and named afterBrest, France.In 1836, the Gibralter & Flat Rock Company developed the area of Brest and Gibralter to the north. The community of Brest had its own post office from July 15, 1836, to July 8, 1863, and again from February 28, 1890, to August 15, 1903. Gibralter succeeded and later became the city ofGibraltar,but the Brest port failed.[12]Brest can be seen on a1911 mapof Monroe County in what is now the community ofStony Point.
- Detroit Beachis anunincorporated communityandcensus-designated placelocated at41°55′53″N83°19′50″W/ 41.93139°N 83.33056°W.[13]
- Golfcrestis an unincorporated community at41°56′34″N83°22′13″W/ 41.94278°N 83.37028°W.[14]
- Lorangeris a former settlement within the township. Settled in 1832, it centered around the Lorangergristmillalong Stony Creek. The community never really developed but did have its own post office briefly from January 16, 1865 to April 26, 1869. The gristmill was saved and relocated toThe Henry Fordin 1928.[15][16]TheEdward Loranger House,which was built in 1825, remains in its original location along Stony Creek.
- Newportis an unincorporated community centered at42°00′08″N83°18′31″W/ 42.00222°N 83.30861°Wmostly inBerlin Township.[17]The Newport 48166 ZIP Code serves the northern portion of Frenchtown Township.[18]
- Pointe aux Peauxis an unincorporated community located near Stony Point along the shores of Lake Erie at41°56′42″N83°15′15″W/ 41.94500°N 83.25417°W.[19]
- Steineris an unincorporated community at41°59′20″N83°23′15″W/ 41.98889°N 83.38750°W.[20]Steiner had its own post office from September 7, 1886 to July 31, 1925.[21]
- Stony Creekis a historic community located along a railway line at41°57′51″N83°20′03″W/ 41.96417°N 83.33417°W.[22]Stony Creek had its own post office very briefly from July 6, 1840 to January 18, 1841.[23]
- Stony Pointis an unincorporated community and census-designated place located at41°56′28″N83°15′58″W/ 41.94111°N 83.26611°W.[24]
- Woodland Beachis an unincorporated community and census-designated place located at41°56′32″N83°19′06″W/ 41.94222°N 83.31833°W.[25]
Geography
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The township is in eastern Monroe County and is bordered to the southeast byLake Erie.Many of the township's communities are located near the lake.Sterling State Parkis located along the southern edge of the township and is the onlyMichigan state parkon Lake Erie. Small pieces of the township are organized into theDetroit River International Wildlife Refuge.Frenchtown Township is bordered on the south by the city ofMonroe,but a small portion of the southern border touchesMonroe Charter Township.Raisinville Townshipis to the west, andAshandBerlin Townshipborder on the north. A very small portion of the northwest corner of Frenchtown Township touchesExeter Township.TheRiver Raisinserves as the boundary between Frenchtown and the city of Monroe for a short length near Lake Erie and then again further upstream for a small portion near theCuster Airport.Sandy Creekalso runs through the township. The southeast border of Frenchtown Township, as well as the rest of the county's Lake Erie shoreline, is at the lowest elevation in the state of Michigan at 571 feet (174 m) above sea level.
According to theU.S. Census Bureau,the township has a total area of 43.12 square miles (111.68 km2), of which 41.74 square miles (108.11 km2) are land and 1.38 square miles (3.57 km2), or 3.19%, are water.[1]
Major highways
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I-75runs northeast-southwest through the center of the township, with access at North Dixie Highway (exit 15) and Nadeau Road (exit 18).
I-275has its southern terminus within the township at the boundary with Berlin Township.
US 24(North Telegraph Road) runs parallel just west of Interstate 75.
US 25is a former highway that ran through the township but was replaced with the present-day U.S. Route 24 and M-125 in the early-1970s.
M-125(North Monroe Street) runs through the township before its northern terminus at Telegraph Road.
M-130(North Custer Road) is a former highway that runs briefly through the southwestern portion of the township. It was a state highway from 1929 to 1955.- M-56(North Dixie Hwy) is a former highway that ran north-south through the township near Lake Erie. It was a state highway decommissioned in 1957.
Demographics
edit| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1850 | 1,242 | — | |
| 1860 | 1,777 | 43.1% | |
| 1870 | 2,115 | 19.0% | |
| 1880 | 2,485 | 17.5% | |
| 1890 | 2,023 | −18.6% | |
| 1900 | 1,938 | −4.2% | |
| 1910 | 1,770 | −8.7% | |
| 1920 | 1,840 | 4.0% | |
| 1930 | 2,560 | 39.1% | |
| 1940 | 3,757 | 46.8% | |
| 1950 | 6,966 | 85.4% | |
| 1960 | 12,199 | 75.1% | |
| 1970 | 14,685 | 20.4% | |
| 1980 | 18,204 | 24.0% | |
| 1990 | 18,210 | 0.0% | |
| 2000 | 20,777 | 14.1% | |
| 2010 | 20,428 | −1.7% | |
| 2020 | 21,609 | 5.8% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[26] | |||
As per thecensus[3]of 2010, there were 20,428 people, 7,733 households, and 5,598 families residing in the township. The population density was 493.4 inhabitants per square mile (190.5/km2). There were 8,244 housing units at an average density of 195.8 per square mile (75.6/km2). The racial makeup of the township was 95.51%White,1.59%African American,0.41%Native American,0.53%Asian,0.01%Pacific Islander,0.45% fromother races,and 1.49% from two or more races.HispanicorLatinoof any race were 2.45% of the population.
There were 7,733 households, out of which 35.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.1% weremarried couplesliving together, 11.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.6% were non-families. 22.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.10.
In the township the population was spread out, with 27.5% under the age of 18, 9.4% from 18 to 24, 31.5% from 25 to 44, 21.5% from 45 to 64, and 10.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 99.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.6 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $47,699, and the median income for a family was $54,032. Males had a median income of $44,338 versus $25,787 for females. Theper capita incomefor the township was $21,335. About 4.9% of families and 7.0% of the population were below thepoverty line,including 6.4% of those under age 18 and 8.7% of those age 65 or over.
Education
editFrenchtown Township is served by three separate public school districts. The majority of the township is served byJefferson Schools,which has its middle school and high school within the township, as well as one of its two elementary schools. The northernmost portion of the township is served byAirport Community Schools,while the western portion of the township is served byMonroe Public Schools.[27]
Triumph Academy is acharter schoollocated within the township.[28]
Images
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Library and former town hall, built 1910 -
Bluebush Road Library & Fire Station -
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Monroe Golf & Country Club, built 1919
References
edit- ^ab"2023 U.S. Gazetteer Files: Michigan".United States Census Bureau.RetrievedNovember 2,2023.
- ^ab"P1. Race – Frenchtown township, Michigan: 2020 DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171)".U.S. Census Bureau.RetrievedNovember 2,2023.
- ^ab"U.S. Census website".United States Census Bureau.Retrieved2008-01-31.
- ^U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Frenchtown Charter Township, Michigan
- ^City of Monroe."Monroe, Michigan historical markers".Archived fromthe originalon August 12, 2009.RetrievedSeptember 12,2009.
- ^City of Monroe (2007)."History of the City of Monroe".Archived fromthe originalon August 18, 2009.RetrievedSeptember 12,2009.
- ^Eaton, John(2000).Returns of Killed and Wounded in Battles or Engagements with Indians and British and Mexican Troops, 1790–1848, Compiled by Lt. Col J. H. Eaton.Washington, D.C.:National Archives and Records Administration.p. 7.
- ^Grassly, David (2007)."Battle of Frenchtown".Archived fromthe originalon July 25, 2008.RetrievedSeptember 12,2009.
- ^Monroe Evening News staff (31 March 2009)."Battlefield bill signing celebrated".Monroe Evening News.Monroe, Michigan.Retrieved3 April2009.
- ^Romig 1986,p. 376.
- ^Frenchtown Charter Township (2007)."Frenchtown Charter Township History".RetrievedSeptember 12,2009.
- ^Romig 1986,p. 76.
- ^U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Detroit Beach
- ^U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Golfcrest
- ^Romig 1986,p. 335.
- ^The Henry Ford(2022)."Loranger Gristmill".RetrievedOctober 3,2022.
- ^U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Newport
- ^"48166 ZIP Code map"(Map).Google Maps.RetrievedMay 11,2021.
- ^U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Pointe aux Peaux
- ^U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Steiner, Michigan
- ^Romig 1986,p. 537.
- ^U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Stony Creek
- ^Romig 1986,p. 540.
- ^U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Stony Point
- ^U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Woodland Beach
- ^"Decennial Census Official Publications".U.S. Census Bureau.RetrievedNovember 2,2023.
- ^Michigan Geographic Framework (15 November 2013)."Monroe County School Districts"(PDF).Archived(PDF)from the original on 2014-08-21.RetrievedAugust 28,2022.
- ^Triumph Academy (2022)."Welcome to Triumph Academy".RetrievedOctober 4,2022.
Sources
edit- Romig, Walter (October 1, 1986) [1973].Michigan Place Names: The History of the Founding and the Naming of More Than Five Thousand Past and Present Michigan Communities(Paperback). Great Lakes Books Series. Detroit, Michigan:Wayne State University Press.pp. 76, 335, 376, 537, 540.ISBN978-0-8143-1838-6.
External links
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