Dexter, Michigan
| Dexter, Michigan | |
|---|---|
| City | |
Downtown Dexter
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|
 Location of Dexter, Michigan |
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| Coordinates: 42°20′2″N 83°52′54″W / 42.33389°N 83.88167°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Michigan |
| County | Washtenaw |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.93 sq mi (5.00 km2) |
| • Land | 1.87 sq mi (4.84 km2) |
| • Water | 0.06 sq mi (0.16 km2) |
| Elevation | 869 ft (265 m) |
| Population (2010) | |
| • Total | 4,067 |
| • Estimate (2012) | 4,139 |
| • Density | 2,174.9/sq mi (839.7/km2) |
| Time zone | Eastern (EST) (UTC-5) |
| • Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| ZIP code | 48130 |
| Area code(s) | 734 |
| FIPS code | 26-22160 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0624624 |
| Website | www |
Dexter is a city in Washtenaw County in the U.S. state of Michigan. Originally a village, Dexter residents voted to adopt a city charter in November 2014. The population was 4,067 at the 2010 census. Between 2000 and 2010, Dexter's population grew 73.9%, making it one of the fastest growing communities in the state.
While there is no formal political connection between the City of Dexter and the adjacent Township of Dexter (located just northwest of the municipality), both share the 48130 zip code and Dexter, Michigan mailing address, as well as some basic services. The township was named for village founder and Washtenaw county's first circuit judge Samuel William Dexter.
The area was first settled in 1824, 13 years before Michigan became a state, when land speculator Samuel W. Dexter purchased a large tract of land and originated the village. It was known as "Mill Creek Settlement" until the village was platted in 1830, when its name was officially changed to Dexter.
Mill Creek and the Huron River, which form much of the western and northeastern boundaries of the city, respectively, have long been valuable resources to Dexter. A sawmill was built in 1827, a woolen mill in 1838, a grist mill in 1844, and a cider mill in 1886. After being appointed County Court Justice in 1826, Judge Dexter reportedly established a post office in his home, shuttling mail between there and Ann Arbor on horseback.
The founder of the original village, Samuel W. Dexter served as the chief justice of the Washtenaw County Court as well as being elected a University of Michigan regent. His home just southwest of the city overlooking Mill Creek was built in the early 1840s in Greek Revival architecture and is a recognizable landmark in the area. Samuel Dexter called it Gordon Hall to honor his mother's family. Samuel Dexter was a staunch abolitionist, and it is nearly certain that Gordon Hall was a stop on the Underground Railroad (amongst other evidence, Gordon Hall contained secret areas in the basement, accessible only through hidden doorways).
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Wikipedia