NORTHVILLIAN
On Memorial Day, I spent time with our military veterans, saw throngs of Northvillians along the parade route and paid special tribute to our fallen soldiers and veterans at the Rural Hill Memorial Day ceremony. Additionally, we dedicated a memorial area for Vets at Mill Race Village.
Also this weekend, I witnessed LOTS of people downtown for the 39th Annual Northville Flower Sale. Friday’s attendance was outstanding, even with Saturday being a bit damp! I’m always amazed at the stunning variety of flowers and plants, perfect for invigorating your garden areas and outdoor spaces. For everyone who attended, thank you for supporting the show!
And the colorful blooms don’t have to end there – the Thursday Farmers’ Market will provide an ongoing array of beautiful plants to help get your home summer-ready. Conveniently on Seven Mile, directly across from Custard Time (a great place to stop for a cone after you visit the Farmers’ Market).
Now it’s time to turn our attention to our Northville Grads, as we honor the Class of 2026 and look back at Northville’s graduation history.
This past weekend in Downtown Northville was abuzz with prom preparations and pictures at the Mill Race Village Thursday, where NHS students along with family members and others were part of the event. I actually officiated a wedding in the church there while this was going on. “Best Wishes Grads” is featured on the marquis at the theater, as well as at other locations around town this week. Besides the Graduating Senior Vehicle Parade on 6 Mile, this coming weekend will feature the graduation ceremony and the all-night senior party … a lot going on!
In this letter, I will look back on historic graduation activities through the years.
BEFORE LOOKING @ NORTHVILLE’S GRAD HISTORY, LET’S SEE TODAY’S NEWS…
- Coffee with Council – 5/28, 3PM, Genitti’s, Mayor Pro Tem Carter/Councilperson Browne
- Investigating Indigenous Connections – 5/29, 7PM, Mill Race Village. Carol Bacak-Egbo, Oakland County Parks’ Historian, will discuss the challenges of researching our area’s history before log cabins and mills. Link
- Upcoming Music/Concerts/Events – Marquis Link, NOMI Link, Genitti’s Link, Northville Winery Link
- State of the Community – A recording of the presentation is available to view. Link
INFO FOR CITIZENS … Projects Around Town
- FORD FIELD – Lots to report …
- ¾The Playscape assembly soft surfaces are being poured.
- ¾The cement walks are done & final details are being completed.
- ¾The waterfall at Serenity Point is spectacular.
- ¾The ADA entryway is complete, & the Vista (Gateway) overlook is being finalized.
- ¾A NEW STAIRCASE is being designed & considered.
- RIVERWALK – The pathway system at the Downs along the Rouge River & Johnson Creek is complete. DTE is working on their section north of the Downs.
- DOWNS INITIATIVE – The River Park ribbon cutting is scheduled 6/17 @ 11AM. The details on the Beal St. bridge stonework wings are about done. The roundabout is open!
- NORTHVILLE COMMUNITY MARKET AREA – Farmers’ Market every Thursday, Car Shows monthly on 2nd Saturdays.
- GRANTS that Support Northville’s Initiatives (Over $17.6M) – Link
TASK FORCE MEETINGS
- Cemetery Renewal Task Force Mtg – 7/13/26, 7PM City Hall (Dave Marold–Chair)
- ¾(See Link for information or Link to donate/support.)
- Bicentennial Task Force Mtg – 7/15/26, 7PM City Hall (Rick Sharpe – Chair)
- ¾Additional ways to be involved will be posted soon.
Historic Northville Graduation Activities
- 1869 – First & only graduate of Northville High School that year, Alice Beal (Bealtown).
- 1889 – Commencement Exercises were in the Opera House on Dunlap & Center (800 seat capacity) … everyone in town showed up!
- 1909 – Ten graduates (commencement at the Methodist Church, Dunlap & Center).
- 1916 – Commencement was held at the Presbyterian Church.
- 1924 – 1st Class to take a train trip to Washington D.C., boarding in Northville ($80 included transportation & hotel). This started a DC class trip tradition spanning 40 years.
- 1931 – 38 graduates, had commencement at Wayne County’s Training School Auditorium on Sheldon between 5 Mile & 6 Mile Rd.
- 1939 – 80 graduates. “Mustangs” was chosen in a contest as the Mascot for NHS. A natural choice because of Northville’s history and heritage for horse shows and horse racing. With the Mustang theme in mind, during WWII, Northville raised enough money for a P51 Mustang Aircraft with a “Northville Mustang” painted on it. Today, there is a Mustang horse carved into our historic Elm Tree on Cady & Wing (check it out.)
- 1943 – 61 graduates (commencement at Northville Downs County Fairgrounds).
- 1958 – 97 graduates (commencement at the Community Center/Senior Center on Main Street).
- 1969 – 100th graduating class, 183 students. Before this time, Novi & Northville were a combined high school. In ‘69, Novi had its first graduating class of 84 students.
- 1977 – 384 graduates (commencement at the football stadium).
- 2015 – 555 graduates (commencement at Compuware Arena).
- 2026 – Over 750 graduates, Northville ranks as the 4th largest High School in Michigan.
City of Northville Mayors who are NHS Grads: Chris Johnson and Brian Turnbull
Famous Citizens (among others)
- Steve Juday: All American Quarterback at MSU and National Leader
- Jake Moody: All-American U of M placekicker, drafted by the San Francisco 49’ers.
We are all standing on the shoulders of those who have come before us, and today we are handing the torch over to the graduates who will lead us into the future! As Mayor, speaking for all Northvillians, know that the community is extremely proud of this Class of 2026.
I give this graduating class a great deal of kudos for their perseverance, dedication and hard work spent in the pursuit of excellence in Academics, Sports, Music and community activities. You, the Grads, represent not only yourselves but your families, your school and the entire Northville Community. The keys to the future are now in your hands, and soon you will make your mark on this world. I congratulate all graduates in this celebratory time of year!
Go Mustangs! … Go Graduates! … Continue to make us proud …CONGRATS!
Brian Turnbull
Mayor – Northville
[email protected] / 248.505.6849
(Reach out to me anytime or forward this communication to others interested.)