In the early days, Ferndale’s first residents were Native Americans. Back in the day, the city was located on the site of a major Indian thoroughfare connecting Detroit with Saginaw Bay. Many roadside taverns were among the earliest businesses in the area – offering traveler’s a bite to eat and a place to stay. In the mid 19th century, the land was settled by homesteading farmers. In 1869, the Granger Saw Mill was opened in order to provide plank for the building of the Belle Isle Bridge. In 1890, 80 acres, in the area of Hilton Road and Nine Mile, were made into a summer vacation area for Detroit and Pontiac residents.
In 1891, Ferndale was incorporated as a village, and in 1905 Ferndale was referred to as a township. The township boundaries were Woodward, Hilton, Nine Mile and Silman Road.
Only after the advent of the automobile and the opening of Ford Motor Company in Highland Park, did Ferndale enjoy prosperity. The $5 a day that Ford paid its workers, prompted many people to move to the area. In 1915, the portion of Woodward that stretched trough the city was paved. Less than 10 years later, Woodward was expanded to two, 40-foot wide lanes. The Nine Mile area was designated as the business street in the early 1920’s. Ferndale also became home to many new car dealerships as Woodward became a highly traveled thoroughfare.
One of the most distinguishable landmarks of Ferndale used to be the Crow’s Nest. The Crow’s Nest was a large tower located at the intersection of what are now Nine Mile and Woodward roads. The nest was an early form of traffic signal – policemen and city officials would take turns directing traffic from the structure. Later, when Woodward was expanded, the ominous Crow’s Nest was removed.
Today, “Fashionable Ferndale” is home to the WAB, Magic Bag and a host of great bars and eateries.
