Northville · Wayne & Oakland counties · Southeast Michigan
Northville, from Main Street to Mill Race.
Northville rewards a closer look. Its downtown, residential streets and relocated historic buildings tell connected stories about how a small Michigan community grew, changed and chose to preserve its past.
The story of the place
A historic town with a deliberate preservation story.
The Northville Historic District entered the National Register of Historic Places on July 31, 1972. The federal record identifies Greek Revival, Gothic Revival and Queen Anne architecture, a useful starting point for noticing the different generations of buildings around the historic core.
Local preservation followed its own path. The city surveyed historic properties in 1972, adopted its Historic Preservation Ordinance in 1974 and completed a more intensive survey in 2018. Those local records help connect a particular address with the district’s history and the city’s current review process.
A second preservation story unfolds at Mill Race Village. The Northville Historical Society created the living museum in 1972 on former grist-mill land donated to the city by Ford Motor Company. Its buildings include structures moved here to preserve them, so this is a place to study both architecture and the decisions that kept it standing.
Start at street level
Three places to begin.
Main Street and the historic core
Look above the storefronts and along the adjoining house streets. Compare the buildings with the city’s archival photographs, then use the district records to place each stop within a documented history.
New School Church
Built in 1845 and moved to Mill Race Village in 1972, the church offers a clear example of Greek Revival design, including its columned entrance.
The Yerkes House
This 1875 Carpenter Gothic house was donated to Mill Race Village in 1975. Its story connects a distinctive home with William Yerkes, whom the historical society identifies as Northville’s first mayor.
Historic homes, with context
Start with the address, then plan the work.
City or township?
Confirm the parcel’s municipality. The City of Northville and Northville Township maintain separate local-government and preservation resources; a mailing address alone will not identify the right office.
Check the local district record
Match the parcel to the current local district boundary and obtain the city’s guidance for the project you have in mind. The federal listing and local preservation process are separate records.
Bring specific project questions
The city identifies exterior alterations, construction, moving and demolition among matters reviewed by its Historic District Commission. Discuss proposed work early, and inspect the house’s roof, masonry, windows, porches and additions before setting a renovation budget.
Find your next chapter
Explore historic places and homes.
Have a building, house or local story you want to understand? Start with the resources, explore other guides, or talk with Chris.
Keep exploring
Keep exploring Michigan.
Sources & local resources
- National Park Service: Northville Historic District
- City of Northville: Historic District
- City of Northville: historical photographs
- Northville Historical Society: Mill Race Village
- Northville Historical Society: Yerkes House
- Northville Township: Historic District Commission
National Register recognition and local historic-district review are different. Use the official records and the municipality to confirm the status and requirements for a specific property.
