Settlement
Rochester Hills was once completely joined with Rochester in what was called Avon Township. It was the first area that was settled within Oakland County in 1817. People came from New York, New England, and Canada to settle and farm the land. The town gets it’s name from the very first settling family, the Grahams. The Grahams were a restless family, looking for the best place to settle down. Natives Americans in the area showed them trails they could follow, and they came across an area with three rivers that were ideal to settle by. Following these Native American trails, they found Avon Township. The Graham family settled here and Mrs. Graham named the area after their original home in Rochester, NY. The three rivers in the town allowed for mills to flourish, and the town quickly produced logging and wool mills in the 1850s.
Settlers Lives/ Early Production
Settlers in Rochester Hills held family farms and the town could produce almost all of its food and clothes without importing. The proximity to major rivers meant that Rochester would become self-reliant and full of factory production. Farming became a very important part of the economy until the early 1900s, when public transport made jobs in the city much more efficient. Farms grew smaller with the loss of employees. Because of this, land prices skyrocketed and only the wealthy could afford to live there.
Rochester Hills was once completely joined with Rochester in what was called Avon Township. It was the first area that was settled within Oakland County in 1817. People came from New York, New England, and Canada to settle and farm the land. The town gets it’s name from the very first settling family, the Grahams. The Grahams were a restless family, looking for the best place to settle down. Natives Americans in the area showed them trails they could follow, and they came across an area with three rivers that were ideal to settle by. Following these Native American trails, they found Avon Township. The Graham family settled here and Mrs. Graham named the area after their original home in Rochester, NY. The three rivers in the town allowed for mills to flourish, and the town quickly produced logging and wool mills in the 1850s.
Settlers Lives/ Early Production
Settlers in Rochester Hills held family farms and the town could produce almost all of its food and clothes without importing. The proximity to major rivers meant that Rochester would become self-reliant and full of factory production. Farming became a very important part of the economy until the early 1900s, when public transport made jobs in the city much more efficient. Farms grew smaller with the loss of employees. Because of this, land prices skyrocketed and only the wealthy could afford to live there.