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City of Utica

7550 Auburn Road
586-739-1600

History of Utica :

In May 1817, Thomas Squire, a Canadian and reputedly the first resident of Utica, Michigan moved west along the Clinton River from near Mt. Clemens, until he came to a high point of ground where the river and two Indian trails crossed. Here he built a cabin, somewhere near where the Jean Ridge now stands.

By the end of the summer newcomers had built two more dwellings. The rapidly growing settlement was variously called McDougalville, Hog Hollow and Harlow.

The first plat of the area was made in November, 1829, by Joseph Stead, under the preferred name of Harlow. The grant was signed by President James Madison. Yankees from New York State, attracted to this region after the English had relinquished control of the area to the United States, changed the name of the village to Utica, after the name of the city in their home state.