Discover Downriver
Click on the PLUS SIGN (+) to open menus.

Lincoln Park, Michigan

The entire Downriver area was once home to the Potowatomi Tribe. They roamed the area looking for deer, bear, fox, and other furbearers that could provide them with the necessities of life.

MORE LINCOLN PARK LINKS

 Lincoln Park Event Calendar
City Links | Website | Community | Schools | Sports

Lincoln Park History

By Craig Hutchison, Staff Writer Discover Downriver

Lincoln Park Museum, Lincoln Park, MichiganThe entire Downriver area was once home to the Potowatomi Tribe. They roamed the area looking for deer, bear, fox, and other furbearers that could provide them with the necessities of life. The land was not lined with highways, streets, and buildings, but rather served as a wooded hunting ground complete with streams and rivers. Historians believe that it was around 1669 when the first white man came to the area, arriving by canoe from Quebec.

As time passed, French settlers arrived and began to setup what was called “ribbon farms” which fronted the Detroit River or the Rouge River. Not long after, the English came to the area. It was in 1763 in present day Lincoln Park that the great Ottawa Chieftain Pontiac called for the tribes of the Midwest to unite and plot the destruction of the encroaching white man. History records that the meeting was held on the banks of the Ecorse River. Although Pontiac’s Rebellion resulted in the overthrow of many English Forts, Pontiac failed to take his prime objective – Fort Detroit; and his goal of driving out the white man was shattered.

In 1776, the Potowatomis deeded 4000 acres to one man, Pierre St. Cosme, for what they called “love and affection.” Included in this land were parts of what would become Wyandotte and Ecorse and all of Allen Park and Lincoln Park. After St. Cosme died, his family sold portions of the land to names that are recognizable even today: LeBlanc, Campeau, Bondie, Salliotte, Beaubien, Cicotte, and Drouillard. Some of the earliest settlements built in present day Lincoln Park were located in the southern section along Goddard Road. Early accounts describe the area as densely wooded with an occasional clearing.  In 1827, the entire Downriver area was incorporated into the Township of Ecorse.

In the mid 1800s, many German immigrants arrived with names like Keppen, Quandt, Dasher, Gerisch and Goodell. In the early 1900s, a business district developed at the corner of Fort St. and what is today Southfield Road. Henry Ford’s 5 dollar a day wage sparked growth as many auto workers bought property in Lincoln Park to be close to the Rouge Plant. In 1921, Lincoln Park incorporated as a village and four years later transitioned into city status.

Lincoln Park has persevered through some tough times becoming a mature, stable community where citizens enjoy a moderate tax base, excellent school system, nice parks and recreational facilities, a community renewal program, a well-regulated city government, and its own outstanding museum of local history. Visit the Lincoln Park Historical Museum and learn more about the intriguing changes that has made Lincoln Park what it is today.

Fun Facts

  • The Historical Society of Lincoln Park originally erected a marker honoring Chief Pontiac in Council Point Park, River Drive at the foot of LeBlanc Street. The marker has since been relocated to Council Point Park at River Drive and New York Street.
  • In April of 2013, Lincoln Park had the unique opportunity to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Chief Pontiac War Council, held along the Ecorse River on April 27, 1763. A State Historical Marker was formally dedicated that day at Council Point Park.
  • Interestingly, the deed that granted Pierre St. Cosme 4000 acres was dated July 1, 1776, only 4 days before the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
  • Bob Seger sang about Lincoln Park in his song “Back in 72.”
  • Preston Tucker, known for his development of the 1948 Tucker Sedan, grew up in Lincoln Park and joined the police department so that he could have access to their high-performance police cars.
  • Lincoln Park is sometimes referred to as a bedroom community because it has provided homes to workers in nearby steel mills and automobile plants while having no industry within its borders.

Written by Craig Hutchinson, historical staff writer for Discover Downriver.  See more about Craig here.  Craig is available for hire as a creative writer at craig@discoverdownriver.com.

Craig Hutchison is a published author with a passion for local history. He has served in various capacities with several history institutions including The Henry Ford, the Henry Ford Estate, and the Dearborn Historical Museum. Craig believes in bringing history alive by helping people make connections between the past, present, and future. His favorite medium for doing this is through the written word. Read more of Craig’s writing on various and sundry topics at Wandering Wolverine Writings.

You might also like
error: Content is protected and copying of any contents within is prohibited.