Belleville- Sumpter Twp-VanBuren Twp
Belleville was named for early landowner James Bell. It separated
from VanBuren Township and formed a village in 1905. It became a city on
May 14, 1946. The area features Belleville Lake which was formed in 1926
when Detroit Edison built the French Landing Dam to generate
hydroelcectric power. Sumpter Township was created from Huron Township in 1840. It includes two unincorporated communities: Martinsville and West Sumpter. VanBuren Township's first European settler was Herny Snow in 1800. Originally called West Huron the name was changed in 1835 to VanBuren in honor of Martin VanBuren. The township includes the unincorporated communities of Belleville North, Denton, Edgewater Heights, French Landing, Rawsonville, and Roulo. The City of Belleville in also located in this township. |
History, Museums, Research |
Belleville Area District Library 167 Fourth St, Belleville |
Belleville Area Museum 405 Main Street, Belleville |
Sumpter Township History |
Van Buren Township History |
Historical Sites |
French Landing Dam and Powerhouse 12100 Haggerty Road (MHM) |
Old Rawsonville Village Rawsonville Road (MHM) |
Old VanBuren Township Hall 405 Main Street (MHM) |
MHM=Michigan Historical Marker |