Novi’s Historical Sites You Never Knew Existed

Introduction

Novi, Michigan is a city located about 25 miles northwest of Detroit in Oakland County. With a population of around 60,000, Novi has grown rapidly over the past 50 years from a small rural township into a thriving suburban community with many neighborhoods.

The city’s name comes from its designation originally as the northwest township of Oakland County, abbreviated as NOVI. Novi was first settled in 1825 and incorporated as a city in 1969.

While Novi lacks the lengthy history of some older Michigan cities, it still contains a number of historic landmarks that reflect its evolution from a farming community to a modern suburb. Several of these historic sites provide glimpses into Novi’s past and the people who helped shape the city and region.

This article will highlight some of the most significant historic landmarks found in Novi, Michigan. From its early frontier days to recent decades, these sites illustrate Novi’s unique local history and culture.

Novi Depot

The Novi Depot was built in 1871 as part of the Holly, Wayne and Monroe Railroad line that connected Pontiac and Northville. This railroad depot served as an important station along the line, allowing agricultural products and freight to be transported by rail to various markets and ports across the region and state.

The depot building itself was designed in the Italianate architectural style, featuring decorative brackets under the eaves and distinctive tall, narrow windows. Inside, the depot contained a waiting room for passengers, a station office, and freight facilities.

For over a century, the Novi Depot played a vital role in the growth and development of the community as it expanded from a rural village to a bustling suburban city. It served as a hub of transportation and commerce. During its peak years of operation, several trains stopped at the depot each day carrying both people and products.

The depot remained in active use until passenger rail service was discontinued in the 1950s. In the 1970s, the depot building was sold to the City of Novi for historical preservation. It underwent restoration to its Victorian-era splendor.

Today, the Novi Depot serves as a museum containing historical exhibits and archives that showcase the city’s heritage. This landmark stands as an iconic reminder of Novi’s origins as a farming village connected by the railroad. The distinctive old train depot remains integral to the identity of the community.

Main Street Art

Novi’s Main Street is home to several public art installations funded by grants from the Novi Parks Foundation. These outdoor sculptures add visual interest to the downtown area and showcase the talents of local artists.

One prominent piece is a colorful painted horse sculpture located near the Main Street Fountain. This was created by artist Lisa Gezon as part of the Foundation’s “Parade of Horses” public art project. Gezon is an award-winning Novi resident who often works in metal and mixed media.

Another recent addition is a sculpture titled “Reaching for the Stars” by artist Scott Lickstein. Constructed of steel, stained glass, and found objects, it depicts a mother reading to her daughter while the child imagines herself dreaming and dancing among the stars. Lickstein’s family-oriented sculpture was funded by a grant in 2019.

Other public art along Main Street includes imaginative benches, decorative bicycle racks, mosaic murals, and a kinetic sculpture with rotating metallic disks titled “Wind Dancer.” The Novi Parks Foundation plans to continue installing innovative works to enliven the downtown area for residents and visitors alike.

Ten Mile Creek Bridge

The Ten Mile Creek Bridge is a historic bridge located over Ten Mile Creek in Novi, Michigan. It was originally built in 1928 and stands today as an exemplary example of engineering and construction from that era.

The bridge was constructed out of steel and concrete in the span through truss style. This was a popular bridge building technique in the 1920s that allowed for efficient spanning of longer creek crossings. The Ten Mile Creek Bridge demonstrates the elegance and simplicity of design that many of these historic truss bridges exhibit.

At the time of its construction, the Ten Mile Creek Bridge served as an important transportation artery for the region. It allowed travelers and freight to conveniently cross over the creek and access the main roads on each side. Nearly a century later, the bridge continues to function in this role, conveying modern day traffic over the creek waters.

The Ten Mile Creek Bridge remains in excellent condition today thanks to ongoing preservation and maintenance efforts. Its historic truss construction and 1920s era design make it a unique landmark in the Novi area. The bridge stands as a window into the past, showcasing the engineering capabilities of the time period in which it was built. Visitors will appreciate not just the practical functionality of the bridge, but also its heritage value for the local community.

Pavilion Shore Park

Pavilion Shore Park is a picturesque lakeside park located in Novi, Michigan. The park’s most notable feature is its historic pavilion that was constructed in 1935 as part of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Works Progress Administration program during the Great Depression.

The rustic-style pavilion overlooks the shore of Walled Lake and has become an iconic landmark in the community. Built entirely of native fieldstone, the pavilion has a dramatic vaulted open-beam roof that provides shade and cover for park visitors. The pavilion is often used for weddings, family reunions, concerts, and other community events that draw residents together.

On summer weekends, Pavilion Shore Park comes alive with activity. Families picnic on the lawn, while children play on the playground and beach area. The serene setting makes the park a popular spot for fishing, model boating, and wildlife viewing. The pavilion provides the perfect gathering place for community events, just as it was intended when first constructed over 80 years ago by the Works Progress Administration.

The historic pavilion gives Pavilion Shore Park its charm and sense of place. It serves as a reminder of Novi’s past while continuing to be an important community hub for residents today.

Novi Cemetery

Established in 1832, the Novi Cemetery is one of the oldest burial grounds in the area. It contains the final resting places of many of the city’s pioneering founders and earliest residents.

After the founding of Novi in 1832, local settler Samuel Clement donated 4 acres of his farm to establish a public cemetery. Many of Novi’s first families chose to bury their loved ones in this new community burial ground, knowing it would be preserved and maintained for future generations.

The Novi Cemetery is the burial site for several key figures in Novi’s early history. This includes Robert and Maria Johnson, who built the first frame home in Novi in the 1830s. It is also the final resting place of Captain Moses C. Chase, an original Novi settler who helped clear land for the village’s first roads.

Other notable pioneers interred in the Novi Cemetery include the Taft, Garfield, Seeley, Townsend, and Griswold families. These early homesteaders helped establish farms, businesses, schools, churches, and other civic institutions that formed the foundations of the town.

Today, the Novi Cemetery continues to serve as an important reminder of the city’s 19th century beginnings. Gravestones and markers document the lives and deaths of ordinary citizens alongside the community’s founders and leaders. For history lovers, a visit to these historic grounds provides a glimpse into Novi’s early days.

Novi History Park

Novi History Park is a must-see for anyone interested in local history and 19th century farm life. This outdoor museum contains historic homes and farm buildings that have been relocated and preserved. The park aims to depict what life was like for early Novi settlers in the 1800s.

Visitors can tour the interiors of buildings like the Yerkes House, Tollgate Farmhouse, Century Farms barn, and more. The homes are decorated and furnished with items from the era to illustrate how residents lived and worked. Some buildings are staged to show activities like cooking, laundering clothes, and repairing tools.

Outside, the park has heritage gardens, pathways lined with antique farm equipment, and heritage breed animals like horses and chickens. Special events and educational programs are also offered, covering topics like blacksmithing, quilting, and farming practices of the past. Kids can try hands-on activities like churning butter, pumping water, and using antique farm tools.

Novi History Park provides an immersive walk through Michigan’s early pioneer and agricultural history. From the architecture to the furnishings and programming, the park strives to accurately capture what life was like before modern conveniences. It’s a must-see for those that want to experience a snapshot of the past.

Heritage Park

Heritage Park is one of Novi’s treasured historical landmarks. This 12 acre park commemorates Novi’s agricultural history and heritage.

The park features a collection of historic farm equipment and artifacts from Novi’s earlier days as a farming community. Some of the highlights include antique tractors, an old thresher, and a 1923 Model T snowmobile. These artifacts provide a glimpse into what farm life was like in Novi in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Heritage Park is also home to the annual Founders Festival. This popular event celebrates Novi’s founding with old-fashioned games, music, food, and educational activities. People dress in period costumes and demonstrate traditional skills like blacksmithing, quilting, and basket weaving. The Founders Festival provides an interactive way for residents to connect with Novi’s agricultural roots.

With its historic artifacts and annual festival, Heritage Park allows the community to appreciate how far Novi has come while still commemorating its farming origins. The park’s collection of antique farm equipment stands as a testament to the hard-working farmers who first settled in Novi and made agriculture the backbone of the local economy. For both long-time residents and newcomers, Heritage Park offers the chance to immerse themselves in Novi’s heritage.

More Recent Landmarks

Some of Novi’s most well-known landmarks were established more recently as the city continued to grow.

Novi Civic Center

The Novi Civic Center opened in 2008 and serves as the hub for local government and community events. This state-of-the-art facility houses the city hall, police station, library, and community theater all under one roof. The Civic Center hosts everything from city council meetings to cultural performances and is considered one of Novi’s architectural showpieces.

Novi Library

After outgrowing its previous building, the Novi Public Library opened a new 45,000 square foot main branch in the Civic Center in 2008. The library features an open, airy design with abundant natural light, cozy reading nooks, and the latest technology. It provides programs and resources for all ages and serves as a vibrant community gathering space.

Twelve Oaks Mall

Twelve Oaks Mall opened in 1977 and revolutionized shopping in Novi and beyond as one of the first major malls in Michigan. Anchored by large department stores, Twelve Oaks offers over 180 stores, restaurants, and amenities. It draws over 20 million visitors per year, making it one of the state’s premier retail destinations. The mall has continued to expand and renovate over the years, solidifying its status as a local landmark.

Conclusion

Novi, Michigan has a rich history that is showcased through several historic landmarks around the city. Some of the most notable historic sites we covered include the Novi Depot, Main Street Art, Ten Mile Creek Bridge, Pavilion Shore Park, Novi Cemetery, Novi History Park, and Heritage Park.

While Novi has experienced significant growth and development over the past few decades, especially in its retail and commercial sectors, it’s important that the city continues to preserve and maintain its historic landmarks. These sites offer residents and visitors a glimpse into Novi’s origins as a farming community and railroad stop. They are an important part of the city’s heritage and culture.

By maintaining its historic landmarks, Novi ensures future generations can learn about and connect with the city’s past. Preserving local history also provides community members with a sense of pride, identity, and belonging. The stories and contributions of those who built the early foundations of Novi should continue to be recognized and remembered. Novi’s historic landmarks are a testament to the efforts of past residents who shaped the city into what it is today.

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Historical landmark

Nearby Historic Landmarks In Novi, Michigan

Introduction

Novi Depot

Main Street Art

Ten Mile Creek Bridge

Pavilion Shore Park

Novi Cemetery

Novi History Park

Heritage Park

More Recent Landmarks

Novi Civic Center

Novi Library

Twelve Oaks Mall

Conclusion

The Philbrick tavern

Michigan Historical Marker

The Burgh Historical Park

Historical Barn

Novi Birthplace Special Water Tower

OLD INDIAN TRAIL HISTORICAL LANDMARK

Frank Lloyd Wright Affleck House

Wixom – Wire House

Myrick-Palmer House

Pine Grove Historical Museum

Pontiac, Michigan, Grand Trunk Western Coal Tower

Ferndale Historical Museum

True Black History Museum

Troy Historic Village

Milford Historical Society

Fair Lane, Home of Clara and Henry Ford

Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation

Edison Homestead

Historic McDonald’s Sign

MICHIGAN STATE HISTORICAL MARKER

Fisher Building

Cadillac Place

Ford Piquette Avenue Plant Museum

William E. Scripps / Estate Historical Marker

William C. Boydell House

Michigan Central

Lyman Cochrane House

Historic Fort Wayne

The Spirit of Detroit

Monument to Joe Louis “The Fist”

Frederick Stearns & Company Building

Ossian H. Sweet House

Pelee Passage Lighthouse

Fort Meigs Historic Site

Cambria Iron & Steel National Historic Landmark

Historic Capon House

Hedgesville Historic District

Mill Creek Historic District (Bunker Hill, West Virginia)

Newcomer Mansion

Fair Mount

Mary Greenhow Lee Historical Marker

Daniel Morgan Historic Marker

Patsy Cline Historic House

Traveller’s Rest

John Hite House

Newtown-Stephensburg Historic District

Middletown Historic District

Shepherdstown Historic District

Burkittsville Historic District

Bear’s Den Rural Historic District

Hillsboro Historic District

Lovettsville Historic District

Round Hill Historic District (Round Hill, Virginia)

William Virts House

Brown-Koerner House

William Smith House

Old Goose Creek Meeting House

Janney House

Goose Creek Stone Bridge

Ellwood

Gen. William Mitchell House

Orion Anderson Memorial

George C. Marshall’s Dodona Manor

New Market Historic District

Oatlands Historic House & Gardens

Aldie Mill Historic Park