Washtenaw County Trail Towns

Named for Greek Hero

Ypsilanti’s history began at a strategic crossroads where the Huron River meets the ancient Sauk Trail, now known as U.S. 12. Originally established as a trading post by French-Canadian fur trader Gabriel Godfroy, the area saw its first permanent settlement, Woodruff’s Grove, rise on the east bank of the river in 1823. Just two years later, a neighboring settlement was founded on the west bank and named in honor of Demetrius Ypsilanti, a hero of the Greek War of Independence. Today, a bust of the city’s namesake stands as a landmark at the base of the historic Ypsilanti Water Tower, anchoring a community that boasts the third-largest historic district in Michigan.

The city became a powerhouse in the American automotive industry during the early 20th century. Between 1920 and 1922, Apex Motors produced the “ACE” car here, but the city’s most famous automotive connection involves Preston Tucker. Using the family-owned Ypsilanti Machine Tool Company, Tucker designed and built the prototypes for his revolutionary “Tucker Torpedo.” His ambitious but ill-fated venture later reached global fame through the film Tucker: The Man and His Dream, directed by Francis Ford Coppola and produced by George Lucas.

Ypsilanti’s industrial legacy expanded significantly during World War II at the Willow Run plant, which produced B-24 Liberator bombers. After the war, Henry J. Kaiser and Joseph W. Frazer repurposed the massive facility to manufacture Kaiser and Frazer automobiles until 1953. This deep-rooted car culture is preserved today at the Ypsilanti Automotive Heritage Collection. This unique museum is housed in what was the last Hudson car dealership in the world and features iconic vehicles like the original Hudson Hornet, serving as a testament to the city’s enduring role in Michigan’s “Motor City” heritage.

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Natural Salt Springs

Long before the 18th century, Native Americans traveled to the area of present-day Saline to hunt wildlife and gather salt from the local springs. French explorers eventually discovered these same resources and named the local river “Saline,” the French word for salty. In the 19th century, European settlers primarily from England and Germany arrived, led by government surveyor Orange Risdon. Under his leadership, the town was officially established in 1832. The arrival of the Detroit-Hillsdale-&-Indiana Railroad in 1870 further spurred growth, leading to the construction of the city’s most famous landmark in 1875: the Second Empire-style Davenport House, also known as the Curtis Mansion.

Throughout its history, Saline has hosted an eclectic array of industries, ranging from a silk cocoonery and a windmill manufacturing company to a World War II-era bomber factory. One of its most notable social experiments was Saline Valley Farms, a 1,000-acre cooperative that supported struggling families through shared agricultural pursuits. The town also repurposed its early industrial sites, such as building the Saline Fisheries Research Station on the grounds of a former pioneer grist mill. By 1931, the growing community officially transitioned from a village to the City of Saline.

Today, Saline is a charming destination known for its beautifully restored late-Victorian commercial buildings and its vibrant annual Celtic Festival. Visitors can explore local history at the Saline Depot Museum, which features a furnished 1906 caboose and a historic livery barn. Another unique cultural treasure is the Bixby Marionette Exhibit, showcasing the intricate handcrafted puppets and stage settings of longtime resident Meredith Bixby. For a deeper look at regional heritage, the Rentschler Farm and Historical Museum offers a preserved 20th-century homestead, featuring a Queen Anne-style house and nearly a dozen original outbuildings that tell the story of four generations of Michigan farm life.

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