Chelsea: A History

Chelsea is a charming small city in Michigan, about an hour south of Lansing and about an hour west of Detroit. Residents and visitors enjoy a healthy downtown full of unique boutiques, first-class restaurants, and a thriving arts and entertainment scene. With a rich agricultural heritage and manufacturing base, Chelsea continues to offer residents a bustling economy matched with a strong sense of community. The Chelsea area is also full of parks, natural areas, recreation opportunities, and many cultural events, making it an attractive place to live, raise a family, and retire.

The area now known as Chelsea was originally settled by the Potawatomi tribe of Native Americans. They used the area as spring and summer hunting and fishing grounds and formed trails that are still used as trails and roads today. In the Treaty of Saginaw in 1819, the United States government negotiated with prominent Native American chiefs, resulting in the U.S. government taking possession of most of the land in lower Michigan. In the 1830s and 1840s, early pioneers began to purchase the land from the U.S. government that would eventually become Chelsea and the surrounding areas. Settlers were drawn to the area because of its rich natural resources. According to historical sources, the plat record from that time described Sylvan Township as having “clear plentiful lakes, valleys and hills and having abundant trees, marshy fertile soil, and lush blue grass.”

Many of the early pioneers established farms when they settled in the area. Then a prominent wagon trail (now M-52) and the railroad line from Detroit to Jackson made Chelsea a busy place for trade, and the area grew and developed. An early timeline, up to the 2000s, traces some of the major developments of Chelsea that forged the thriving city it has become today.

1830s

In 1830, Cyrus Beckwith established a farm where the current fairgrounds are located. He purchased 500 acres from the U.S. Government in 1829. Originally from New Hampshire, Beckwith relocated to Ann Arbor before moving to the area that would become Sylvan Township and Chelsea.

In 1831, Nathan and Darius Pierce, brothers from Ontario, New York, traveled to the Michigan territory and purchased several hundred acres in Sylvan and Lima townships. Both brothers would become important members of early local and state governments.

In 1834, another set of brothers, Elisha and James Congdon, moved to the area from Connecticut and bought the land between the Pierce brothers’ settlements. They established their own village in the area and named it Kedron. This would eventually be renamed Chelsea.

1840s

In the 1840s, a wagon trail from Chelsea to Stockbridge in the north and Manchester in the south was an important hauling route. Because of this, Chelsea became a favorable location for blacksmith shops, coopers, and carriage and wagon makers.

In 1841, the Michigan Central Railroad constructed a line through the area that would become Chelsea.

In 1849, the first store was built in Chelsea by Elisha Congdon.

1850s

In 1850, Elisha Congdon changed the name of the village of Kedron to Chelsea, named after his place of origin in Connecticut.

west of the village. It is said that the Congdon brothers offered free land to the MCRR to build the new depot in Chelsea.

In 1850, a blacksmith shop and a hotel & saloon were built by Asel Harris.

In 1854, the first school was opened in Chelsea, with 21 students, about half of whom were from the Congdon families.

In 1856, the first Cider Mill in the area was opened. Chelsea was known for being the largest produce market in the county at that time, with apples being the leading product.

1860s

In 1862, Lewis Winans started the first drug store and the Kempf brothers opened the first lumber yard.

In 1868, George P. Glazier and Michael Noyes formed the first bank. The R. Kempf & Bros. Bank would follow eight years later.

In 1862, Frank Staffan, a carpenter and cabinet maker, started Staffan Funeral Home.

1880s

In 1880, a new train depot was built, with two identical ends, one for men and one for women and children to use. This historical and ornate building still stands on Jackson Street today.

In 1889, the Chelsea Standard newspaper appeared.

1870s

In 1871, the first newspaper was published, The Chelsea Herald. In 1874, the Staffan brothers established Chelsea’s first grist mill.

In 1874, E. E. Shaver, the town photographer for over 50 years, started the Eureka Photographic Studio.

In 1877, the first library in Chelsea opened in the basement of the Congregational Church.

In 1879, the Chelsea Milling Company started as a flour mill.

1890s

In 1891, Frank Glazier started Glazier Stove Works. The company manufactured oil-burning heaters and cooking stoves

In 1894, there was a large fire in downtown Chelsea, which destroyed several businesses and the Congregational Church. The church was rebuilt on the same spot. The fire also destroyed the business office and showroom for the Glazier Stove Works.

In 1901-1902, Frank Glazier built the Glazier Memorial Building in honor of his father, George Glazier. The building originally housed the Chelsea Savings Bank, founded by George Glazier and later led by his son Frank. As of 2013, it houses an office of the 14th District Court.

About 1903, Chelsea had its own automobile factory, called Chelsea Manufacturing Company, one of the first makers of the automobile in Washtenaw County. However, the business lasted only one year.

In 1905, the Holmes family took over the Chelsea Milling Company.

In 1906, the Chelsea Herald and the Chelsea Standard newspapers merged under the name the Chelsea Standard.

In 1906, the Welfare Building was built by Frank Glazier, intended as a place to improve the welfare of his employees of the Glazier Stove Company, and keep them out of saloons and other disreputable pursuits. The building had a swimming pool, library, billiards hall, theater, and a basketball court. After Glazier Stove Company went out of business, the Chelsea Standard occupied the building for several years. Now it is used by a variety of business owners.

In 1907, the Chelsea Methodist Home was built by Frank Glazier. Over the years, there have been changes and additions. It is currently called the Chelsea Retirement Community.

In 1907, the historic Clock Tower was completed, as part of Frank Glazier’s company Glazier Stove Works. Because of the history of fires during that time, the tower originally held water in case more fires started. The clock was made by Seth Thomas company of Connecticut with Westminster chimes that hammered on four bells ranging from 300 to 1200 pounds every quarter-hour. The Clock Tower is currently used as a mix of retail and office space.

In 1907, the Glazier Stove Company went bankrupt, amidst political and financial turmoil and questionable financial dealings. In 1930, Lloyd Heydlauff started an electrical business. He started to sell appliances two years later. Heydlauff’s is still in business today, and it’s one of the oldest family-owned appliance stores in Washtenaw County.

In 1930, the Chelsea Milling Company began making Jiffy Mix. Jiffy Mix came about because Mabel Homes wanted to create something to make lives easier for those who were struggling during the Great Depression. Legend has it that Jiffy Mix was named for Mabel Holmes’s housekeeper, who said, “Those good, hot biscuits will be ready in a jiffy.” Jiffy Mix is still made in Chelsea today.

1940s

By 1949, farmers began selling large sections of land just south of Chelsea that would become Chrysler Proving Grounds.

1950s

In 1954, Chrysler Proving Grounds was dedicated. To create the terrain for the testing areas, over 2 million cubic yards of dirt was moved, and 60,000 cubic yards of concrete poured, for two straight roads and a six-lane, 4.75 mile long oval track.

In 1955, Veterans Memorial Park was constructed, at the corner of Main St. (M-52) and Sibley Road.

In 1958, the Chelsea Library moved to the McKune House, which was donated to the city by Catherine McKune.

In 1958, Dr. Michael Papo and Dr. James Botsford started a medical clinic, which would eventually evolve into the Chelsea Community Hospital.

In 1959, Chelsea honored its 125th anniversary.

In the 1950s, Ferdinand Merkel’s sons came back from their time in the service and joined the family business. Under the influence of these brothers, the store would become more focused on furniture and interior design and less on hardware.1910s

In 1910, Leigh G. Palmer started Palmer Motor Sales. A year later he started selling Ford automobiles, and it eventually became known as Palmer Ford.

In 1913, Chelsea Screw Works was started. Eventually known as Federal Screw Works, it was a major employer in Chelsea for over 90 years.

1920s

In 1923, the flour mill in Chelsea became Chelsea Milling Company.

1960s

In 1960, interstate highway I-94 was opened. This had a big influence on the development of the area just south of downtown Chelsea.

In 1967, Dr. Papo and Botsford’s medical clinic expanded to the present location and soon a hospital was built next to the clinic. Emergency offices and other medical buildings were added. This was the beginning of the Chelsea Community Hospital.

1990s

In 1991, the Purple Rose Theater opened, purchased and renovated by famous actor and long-time Chelsea resident Jeff Daniels.

In 1991, the well-known Common Grill restaurant was opened by chef Craig Common.

In 1996, Timbertown Park was built. This park features a huge 12,000 square foot wooden climbing structure, swings, bridges, towers, slides, sandboxes, climbing wall, small spray zone, and more.

1970s

By 1971, Chrysler Proving Grounds had a crash-test site, skid-traction area, wind tunnel, and an emissions certification center.

In 1974, the Chelsea Area Historical Society was founded.

In the 1970s, Jack and Bob Merkel continued to expand the family business, incorporating the rest of the buildings into what is known as the “Merkel Block” in downtown. During this time the business transitioned out of hardware, focusing solely on furniture, flooring, mattresses and interior design. The family business is still thriving today.

1980s

In 1982, Amtrak stopped passenger service to Chelsea. In 1985, the Chelsea Downtown Development Authority (DDA) was established.

2000s

In 2004, Chelsea residents voted to change Chelsea’s status from a village to a city.

In 2005, Federal Screw Works closed. After surviving the Great Depression, the factory had a strong recovery during World War II, when it produced artillery shells and other weaponry. After a postwar peak of around 250 employees in 1959, the plant declined to 131 employees by 1997, and only 37 in 2005 when it closed.

In 2006, a major renovation and addition was completed on the library, called the McKune Memorial Library.

traction facility, a 14 acre paved vehicle dynamics area with a threemile oval, a handling and evaluation road, and several accelerated durability roads.

In 2008, Chelsea District Library was named Best Small Library in America by Library Journal.

In 2008, the Sun Times News took over the Stockbridge Crier. The Sun Times News would soon add coverage of Chelsea, Dexter, Pinckney, Unadilla, Saline, and other surrounding areas.

In 2009, Palmer Ford closed. At that time, it was the oldest Ford dealership in Michigan. http://chelseahistory.org/early-chelsea-history-101.html

http://www.janetoglemater.com/images/Short_History_of_Chelsea.pdf

https://chelseamich.com/parks/

http://www.potawatomitrail.com/history

https://www.allpar.com/threads/chrysler%E2%80%99s-chelseaproving-grounds-wind-tunnel-and-test-labs.229329/

https://thesuntimesnews.com/g/chelsea-mi/n/26966/then-nowchelsea-clocktowers-fascinating-history

https://sah-archipedia.org/buildings/MI-01-WA19

https://storiesofchelsea.org/exhibits-2/historic-buildings-then-and-now/ glazier-stove-company-welfare-building/

https://localwiki.org/ann-arbor/Federal_Screw_Works#:~:text=The%20 Federal%20Screw%20Works%20plant,closed%20on%20April%20 30%2C%202005.

https://annarborobserver.com/articles/heritage_lost.html#.YImLLCjYq3A

https://stockbridgecommunitynews.com/wp-content/ uploads/2016/11/SCN-September-Layout.pdf

https://www.merkelfurniture.com/our-history

https://annarborobserver.com/articles/the_making_of_palmer_ commons.html#.YImXNyjYq3B

https://chelseaupdate.com/new-chelsea-chelsea-guardian-print/

2010s

In 2011, the Chelsea Commercial Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Washtenaw County, Michigan.

In 2014, Heritage Newspapers combined the Chelsea Standard and other local papers to create Washtenaw Now.

In 2014, the Chelsea DDA purchased the southern part of the former Palmer Ford dealership’s large parking lot. Called Palmer Commons, this area is now a gathering place for the community. In addition to parking, Palmer Commons has a restroom building and a lawn that hosts the Chelsea Farmers Market on Saturdays. This flexible space is also available for city festivals, events, and more.

In 2015, Washtenaw Now published its last print issue.

In 2018, Hamilton Publishing launched a new weekly print newspaper, the Chelsea Guardian. This newspaper has an online version as well, and covers news and events in Chelsea and the surrounding areas.

Chelsea Today

Chelsea continues to be a vibrant community with so much to offer its residents. Whether you are looking for shopping, dining, arts, entertainment, or outdoor activities, Chelsea has it all. Within a half hour drive to Ann Arbor and an hour drive to both Lansing and Detroit, Chelsea is not far from these larger cities, yet its small-city charm and strong sense of community make it a special place to visit and live.

Sources: