January 18, 1802

Detroit was incorporated as a town.

The act provided for a slate of municipal officers that included a five-member board of trustees, a secretary, an assessor, a tax collector and a marshal. The trustees were authorized to take whatever action necessary for the health and welfare of the inhabitants. The board’s first act was to adopt a code of fire regulations for the town, whose population numbered about 500 people. At the time, Detroit had 300 buildings.

Thank you Michigan Start Pages for this glimpse into our past.  See more here.