Van Buren Township, Michigan

SHIP, MICHIGAN V an Buren Township (Twp) is a charter township of Wayne County, Michigan with deep historic roots in the region. The Township was named for Martin Van Buren, eighth president of the United States (1836- 1840), and at the time of its formation, already had upwards of 500 residents. The first Township officials were elected almost immediately and on January 26, 1837, Michigan was admitted to the Union. Over the years, the Township has grown at a remarkable rate, spurred on by the coming of the railroad to Denton in 1838 and to Belleville in 1881; the formation of Belleville Lake in 1926; and the occurrence of World War II, which created the Bomber Highway (now known as I-94), the Willow Run Bomber Plant, and Willow Run Airport. In 1926, Van Buren Township underwent its most notable transformation when the electrical dam built at French Landing “THE PLACE TO BE RIGHT NOW”