Frenchtown Charter Township, Michigan

{{Use American English|date=January 2026}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}} {{Infobox settlement  | name = Frenchtown Township, Michigan | official_name = | settlement_type = Charter township  | image_skyline = Frenchtown Township Hall Michigan.JPG | imagesize = 275 | image_alt = | image_caption = Frenchtown Township Hall | image_seal = | seal_size = | seal_alt = | image_shield = | shield_size = | shield_alt = | image_blank_emblem = | blank_emblem_type = | blank_emblem_size = | blank_emblem_alt = | nickname = | motto =  | image_map = Frenchtown Charter Township, MI location 2020.png | mapsize = 250 | map_alt = | map_caption = Location within Monroe County and the administered CDPs of Detroit Beach (1), Stony Point (2), and Woodland Beach (3) | image_map1 = | mapsize1 = | map_alt1 = | map_caption1 = | pushpin_map = Michigan#USA | pushpin_label_position = top | pushpin_label = Frenchtown Township | pushpin_map_caption = | pushpin_mapsize = | pushpin_map_alt = | coordinates = {{coord|41|57|50|N|83|21|31|W|region:US-MI_type:adm3rd_source:GNIS|display=inline,title}} | coor_pinpoint = | coordinates_footnotes =  | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = United States | subdivision_type1 = State | subdivision_name1 = Michigan | subdivision_type2 = County | subdivision_name2 = Monroe  | established_title = Settled | established_date = 1784 | established_title1 = Organized | established_date1 = 1837 | founder = | named_for =  | seat_type = | seat =  | government_footnotes = | government_type = | leader_title = Supervisor | leader_name = James McDevitt | leader_title1 = Clerk | leader_name1 = Mark Baker  | total_type = | unit_pref = Imperial  | area_footnotes = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2023">{{cite web |title=2023 U.S. Gazetteer Files: Michigan |url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2023_Gazetteer/2023_gaz_cousubs_26.txt |publisher=United States Census Bureau |accessdate=November 2, 2023}}</ref> | area_total_km2 = | area_land_km2 = | area_water_km2 = | area_total_sq_mi = 43.12 | area_land_sq_mi = 41.74 | area_water_sq_mi = 1.38 | area_water_percent =  | elevation_footnotes = | elevation_m = 181 | elevation_ft = 594  | population_footnotes = <ref name="Census 2020">{{Cite web| url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=&g=0600000US2611530820&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P1| title=P1. Race – Frenchtown township, Michigan: 2020 DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171)| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau| access-date=November 2, 2023}}</ref> | population_total = 21609 | population_as_of = 2020 | population_density_km2 = | population_density_sq_mi = 517.7 | population_est = | pop_est_as_of = | population_demonym = | population_note =  | timezone = Eastern (EST) | utc_offset = -5 | timezone_DST = EDT | utc_offset_DST = -4  | postal_code_type = ZIP Codes | postal_code = 48162 (Monroe)<br>48166 (Newport)<br>48117 (Carleton) | area_code_type = Area code | area_code = 734 | blank_name = FIPS code | blank_info = 26-115-30820<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=2008-01-31 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref> | blank1_name = GNIS feature ID | blank1_info = 1626321<ref>{{gnis|1626321}}</ref> | website = {{URL|https://frenchtownmi.gov/}} | footnotes = }} '''Frenchtown Charter Township''' is a charter township within Monroe County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 21,609 as per the 2020 census.<ref name="Census 2020"/>

The township is bordered on the south by the city of Monroe. Sterling State Park and the Enrico Fermi Nuclear Generating Station are located within Frenchtown.

==History== thumb|left|250px|Frenchtown Township historical marker The area was long occupied by Native Americans, including the historic Potawatomi. They had trading relations with French-Canadians in the area. The Frenchtown area reflected the ethnicity of its first European settlers, French Canadians who took land along the banks of the River Raisin as early as 1784. There had been other French colonial settlements closer to Detroit and on both sides of the Detroit River. Their descendants are known as Muskrat French. Around the same time, the Sandy Creek Settlement was founded near this by Joseph Porlier Benec.<ref>{{cite web|last=City of Monroe |url=http://www.monroeinfo.com/set1_source.html |title=Monroe, Michigan historical markers |access-date=September 12, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090812190327/http://www.monroeinfo.com/set1_source.html |archive-date=August 12, 2009 }}</ref> The United States acquired this area, which had been considered part of British Canadian territory after the Treaty of Paris (1783) settling the American Revolutionary War. It was specifically part of state claims (from 1783); the Northwest Territory (1787); Indiana Territory (1803); Michigan Territory (1805); and, finally, the State of Michigan (1837).<ref>{{cite web| last= City of Monroe| url= http://www.ci.monroe.mi.us/About_Settlers.cfm| year= 2007| title= History of the City of Monroe| access-date= September 12, 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090818023712/http://www.ci.monroe.mi.us/About_Settlers.cfm| archive-date= August 18, 2009| url-status= dead}}</ref>

During the War of 1812, the area was the site of the Battle of Frenchtown, in which 397 Americans were killed by the coalition of British Army and Native Americans; this was the highest number of American fatalities of any battle during the war.<ref name="eaton">{{cite book|last=Eaton|first=John|author-link=John Eaton (General)|title=Returns of Killed and Wounded in Battles or Engagements with Indians and British and Mexican Troops, 1790–1848, Compiled by Lt. Col J. H. Eaton|location=Washington, D.C.|publisher=National Archives and Records Administration|year=2000|page=7}}</ref> The battlefield site today is within the River Raisin National Battlefield Park, which was designated in 2009 and falls within the present-day city limits of Monroe.<ref>{{cite web| first= David| last= Grassly| url= http://www.riverraisinbattlefield.org/the_battles.htm| year= 2007| title= Battle of Frenchtown| access-date= September 12, 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080725042206/http://www.riverraisinbattlefield.org/the_battles.htm| archive-date= July 25, 2008| url-status= dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | author = Monroe Evening News staff | title = Battlefield bill signing celebrated | url = http://www.monroenews.com/article/20090331/NEWS01/703319972/-1/NEWS | work = Monroe Evening News |location = Monroe, Michigan |date = 31 March 2009 | access-date = 3 April 2009}}</ref>

In 1817, that portion of Frenchtown was renamed and incorporated as the village of Monroe, named in honor of President James Monroe's planned visit to the Michigan Territory later that year. In the same year, the village of Monroe was named as the county seat of the newly created Monroe County. Monroe was incorporated as a city in 1837.{{sfn|Romig|1986|page=376}} At that time, the remaining area known as Frenchtown was reorganized as a township, encompassing much of the northern portion of the county which was the area from the River Raisin to the Huron River at Wayne County's southern border.<ref name=official>{{cite web| last= Frenchtown Charter Township| url= http://www.frenchtowntownship.org/| year= 2007| title= Frenchtown Charter Township History| access-date= September 12, 2009}}</ref> Shortly afterwards, the northern portion of the township was broken off to form Ash Township. Later, by 1867, Berlin Charter Township was formed from another territory of the township. Additionally, the city of Monroe annexed pieces of the southern portion of Frenchtown several times. As a result, the boundary between the current Frenchtown Charter Township and the city limits of Monroe is jagged.

==Communities== *'''Brest''' is a former settlement located along the shores of Lake Erie. It was settled as a port by the French as early as 1810 and named after Brest, France. In 1836, the Gibralter & Flat Rock Company developed the area of Brest and Gibralter to the north. The community of Brest had its own post office from July 15, 1836, to July 8, 1863, and again from February 28, 1890, to August 15, 1903. Gibralter succeeded and later became the city of Gibraltar, but the Brest port failed.{{sfn|Romig|1986|page=76}} Brest can be seen on a [https://www.pinterest.com/pin/295196950561723850/ 1911 map] of Monroe County in what is now the community of Stony Point. *'''Detroit Beach''' is an unincorporated community and census-designated place located at {{Coord|41|55|53|N|83|19|50|W|type:city_region:US-MI|name=Detroit Beach}}.<ref>{{GNIS|624581|Detroit Beach}}</ref> *'''Golfcrest''' is an unincorporated community at {{Coord|41|56|34|N|83|22|13|W|type:city_region:US-MI|name=Golfcrest}}.<ref>{{GNIS|626933|Golfcrest}}</ref> *'''Loranger''' is a former settlement within the township. Settled in 1832, it centered around the Loranger gristmill along Stony Creek. The community never really developed but did have its own post office briefly from January 16, 1865 to April 26, 1869. The gristmill was saved and relocated to The Henry Ford in 1928.{{sfn|Romig|1986|page=335}}<ref>{{cite web|last=The Henry Ford|url=https://www.thehenryford.org/collections-and-research/digital-collections/expert-sets/12328/|title=Loranger Gristmill|date=2022|accessdate=October 3, 2022}}</ref> The Edward Loranger House, which was built in 1825, remains in its original location along Stony Creek. *'''Newport''' is an unincorporated community centered at {{Coord|42|00|08|N|83|18|31|W|type:city_region:US-MI|display=inline|name=Newport}} mostly in Berlin Township.<ref>{{GNIS|633372|Newport}}</ref> The Newport 48166 ZIP Code serves the northern portion of Frenchtown Township.<ref>{{google maps |url = https://www.google.com/maps/place/Newport,+MI+48166/@41.9843078,-83.3590918,12z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x883b6b0830432fcf:0x933f7b42687880e!8m2!3d41.9905829!4d-83.2827093 |title = 48166 ZIP Code map |access-date = May 11, 2021 }}</ref> *'''Pointe aux Peaux''' is an unincorporated community located near Stony Point along the shores of Lake Erie at {{coord|41|56|42|N|83|15|15|W}}.<ref>{{GNIS|1617005|Pointe aux Peaux}}</ref> *'''Steiner''' is an unincorporated community at {{coord|41|59|20|N|83|23|15|W}}.<ref>{{GNIS|638786|Steiner, Michigan}}</ref> Steiner had its own post office from September 7, 1886 to July 31, 1925.{{sfn|Romig|1986|page=537}} *'''Stony Creek''' is a historic community located along a railway line at {{coord|41|57|51|N|83|20|03|W}}.<ref>{{GNIS|638890|Stony Creek}}</ref> Stony Creek had its own post office very briefly from July 6, 1840 to January 18, 1841.{{sfn|Romig|1986|page=540}} *'''Stony Point''' is an unincorporated community and census-designated place located at {{Coord|41|56|28|N|83|15|58|W|type:city_region:US-MI|name=Stony Point}}.<ref>{{GNIS|638920|Stony Point}}</ref> *'''Woodland Beach''' is an unincorporated community and census-designated place located at {{Coord|41|56|32|N|83|19|06|W|type:city_region:US-MI|name=Woodland Beach}}.<ref>{{GNIS|1616752|Woodland Beach}}</ref>

==Geography== [[File:Sterling_State_Park_Michigan_picnic_area.JPG|thumb|right|250px|Sterling State Park is mostly located within Frenchtown Township.]]

The township is in eastern Monroe County and is bordered to the southeast by Lake Erie. Many of the township's communities are located near the lake. Sterling State Park is located along the southern edge of the township and is the only Michigan state park on Lake Erie. Small pieces of the township are organized into the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge. Frenchtown Township is bordered on the south by the city of Monroe, but a small portion of the southern border touches Monroe Charter Township. Raisinville Township is to the west, and Ash and Berlin Township border on the north. A very small portion of the northwest corner of Frenchtown Township touches Exeter Township. The River Raisin serves as the boundary between Frenchtown and the city of Monroe for a short length near Lake Erie and then again further upstream for a small portion near the Custer Airport. Sandy Creek also runs through the township. The southeast border of Frenchtown Township, as well as the rest of the county's Lake Erie shoreline, is at the lowest elevation in the state of Michigan at {{convert|571|ft|m}} above sea level.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the township has a total area of {{convert|43.12|sqmi|km2|2}}, of which {{convert|41.74|sqmi|km2|2}} are land and {{convert|1.38|sqmi|km2|2}}, or 3.19%, are water.<ref name="CenPopGazetteer2023"/>

===Major highways=== *{{jct|state=MI|I|75}} runs northeast-southwest through the center of the township, with access at North Dixie Highway (exit 15) and Nadeau Road (exit 18). *{{jct|state=MI|I|275}} has its southern terminus within the township at the boundary with Berlin Township. *{{jct|state=MI|US|24|name1=North Telegraph Road}} runs parallel just west of Interstate 75. *23px US 25 is a former highway that ran through the township but was replaced with the present-day U.S. Route 24 and M-125 in the early-1970s. *{{jct|state=MI|MI|125|name1=North Monroe Street}} runs through the township before its northern terminus at Telegraph Road. *23px M-130 (North Custer Road) is a former highway that runs briefly through the southwestern portion of the township. It was a state highway from 1929 to 1955. *M-56 (North Dixie Hwy) is a former highway that ran north-south through the township near Lake Erie. It was a state highway decommissioned in 1957.

==Demographics== {{US Census population |1850= 1242 |1860= 1777 |1870= 2115 |1880= 2485 |1890= 2023 |1900= 1938 |1910= 1770 |1920= 1840 |1930= 2560 |1940= 3757 |1950= 6966 |1960= 12199 |1970= 14685 |1980= 18204 |1990= 18210 |2000= 20777 |2010= 20428 |2020= 21609 |footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census/decade/decennial-publications.html|title=Decennial Census Official Publications|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=November 2, 2023}}</ref> }} As per the census<ref name="GR2" /> of 2010, there were 20,428 people, 7,733 households, and 5,598 families residing in the township. The population density was {{convert|493.4|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 8,244 housing units at an average density of {{convert|195.8|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the township was 95.51% White, 1.59% African American, 0.41% Native American, 0.53% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.45% from other races, and 1.49% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.45% of the population.

There were 7,733 households, out of which 35.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.1% were married couples living together, 11.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.6% were non-families. 22.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.10.

In the township the population was spread out, with 27.5% under the age of 18, 9.4% from 18 to 24, 31.5% from 25 to 44, 21.5% from 45 to 64, and 10.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 99.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.6 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $47,699, and the median income for a family was $54,032. Males had a median income of $44,338 versus $25,787 for females. The per capita income for the township was $21,335. About 4.9% of families and 7.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.4% of those under age 18 and 8.7% of those age 65 or over.

==Education== Frenchtown Township is served by three separate public school districts. The majority of the township is served by Jefferson Schools, which has its middle school and high school within the township, as well as one of its two elementary schools. The northernmost portion of the township is served by Airport Community Schools, while the western portion of the township is served by Monroe Public Schools.<ref>{{cite web|last=Michigan Geographic Framework|url=http://www.mcgi.state.mi.us/mgdl/pdfmaps/CountySchools/SD_BYCO_esize_MONROE%20COUNTY.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140821004401/http://www.mcgi.state.mi.us/mgdl/pdfmaps/CountySchools/SD_BYCO_esize_MONROE%20COUNTY.pdf |archive-date=2014-08-21 |url-status=live|title=Monroe County School Districts|date=15 November 2013|accessdate=August 28, 2022}}</ref>

Triumph Academy is a charter school located within the township.<ref>{{cite web|last=Triumph Academy|url=https://www.nhaschools.com/schools/triumph-academy/en|title=Welcome to Triumph Academy|date=2022|accessdate=October 4, 2022}}</ref>

==Images== <gallery widths="220px" heights="125px" perrow="4"> File:Vivian Library and former town hall Frenchtown Township Michigan.JPG|{{center|Library and former town hall, built 1910}} File:Bluebush Road Library & Fire Station No.3 Frenchtown Township Michigan.JPG|{{center|Bluebush Road Library & Fire Station}} File:LorangerHouse.jpg|{{center|Edward Loranger House}} File:Fermi_NPP.jpg|{{center|Enrico Fermi Nuclear Generating Station}} File:NATradingPost.jpg|{{center|Navarre–Anderson Trading Post}} File:Monroe Golf & Country Club Frenchtown Township Michigan.JPG|{{center|Monroe Golf & Country Club, built 1919}} </gallery>

==References== {{Reflist}}

===Sources=== *{{cite book |first1=Walter |last1=Romig |title=Michigan Place Names: The History of the Founding and the Naming of More Than Five Thousand Past and Present Michigan Communities |series=Great Lakes Books Series |type=Paperback |orig-date= 1973 |date=October 1, 1986 |publisher=Wayne State University Press |isbn = 978-0-8143-1838-6 |location=Detroit, Michigan| pages=76, 335, 376, 537, 540}}

==External links== {{commons category|Frenchtown Charter Township, Michigan}} * {{Official website|https://frenchtownmi.gov/}}

{{Geographic location |Centre = Frenchtown Charter Township |North = Ash Township |Northeast = Berlin Charter Township |East = ''Lake Erie'' / ''Point Pelee National Park'' |Southeast = ''Lake Erie'' / {{flagicon|OH}} Put-in-Bay Township, {{flagicon|Canada}}{{flagicon|Ontario}} Pelee<br/>{{flagicon|OH}} Put-in-Bay |South = Monroe |Southwest = Monroe Charter Township |West = Raisinville Township |Northwest = Exeter Township }}

Category:French-Canadian culture in Michigan Category:French-American culture in Michigan Category:Townships in Monroe County, Michigan Category:Charter townships in Michigan Category:Michigan in the War of 1812 Category:Populated places established in 1784 Category:1784 establishments in the United States Category:Michigan populated places on Lake Erie