Highland Township is located on the western border of Oakland County astride M-59, the major east-west highway. The Township is a mix of rural, suburban and lake living, providing optimal recreational opportunities for residents with State Recreation lands and more than twenty-five lakes. Nearly 20,000 people enjoy life in Highland Township.
Huron Valley Schools serve the community and is widely regarded as one of the region’s best performing school systems.
The central business district of the Township is located at the intersection of M-59 and Milford Road. Featuring quaint historic buildings housing local businesses, the Huron Valley Council for the Arts, Highland Township Public Library, Chill at the Mill and The Highland Skate Park. While "East" and "West" Highland follow along the M-59 Corridor; restaurants, retailers and professional service firms are concentrated on the thoroughfare.
The Township is governed by a Board of Trustees with day-to-day operations director by a Township Supervisor.
Highland Township was established by an act of Michigan's Territorial Legislature on March 17, 1835. It was so named because of its elevated position, containing some of the highest land in the then-settled part of the state. The northern part of the Township drains into the Shiawasee River watershed, leading to Saginaw Bay, while the southern portion drains into the Huron River via Pettibone Creek, and thence to Lake Erie.
Settlement of Highland began even before the Township's formal creation, with the first purchase of government land being made by Naham Curtis on September 6, 1832. Over the next eight years a steady stream of other settlers arrived, including members of the Adams, Armstrong, Beach, Dunham, Leonard, Lockwood, Stratton and Tenny families; many of whose descendants still reside in the area. By the time of the 1840 Census Highland had a population of over 560 residents.
The original "Village of Highland" (later known as "Spring Mills") was located at what is now the intersection of M-59 and Harvey Lake Road, where the waters of Pettibone Creek provided power for both a grist mill and cider mill. With the completion of the Flint & Pere Marquette (now CSX) Railroad in the early 1870's, however, the focus of development shifted west to what is still known as "Highland Station," centered at the intersection of Milford and Livingston Roads. This historic area formerly included a depot, post office, grain elevator, pickle works, and wind-powered planing mill, in addition to the Victorian-era churches, homes and businesses which survive to this day. The railroad was likewise responsible for the establishment of the Village of Clyde; a once-busy post-office in the northern part of the Township.
Recreation began to replace agriculture in the early 20th century, as both residents and out-of-town "cottagers" began to appreciate the recreational value of Highland's numerous lakes, including Duck Lake and the western half of White Lake. The Township is also home to Dodge Brothers State Park No. 10, as well as part of the former Edsel Ford estate of "Haven Hill," which collectively constitute the Highland State Recreation Area.
For more information visit the Highland Township Historical Society visit http://www.highlandtownshiphistoricalsociety.comThere you will find a detailed Township history, 1840 Census transcript, historic photographs and links to other Highland-related information.
