Now, in 1817 a wooden toll bridge was constructed over the Rouge River at River Road (West Jefferson). The bridge had to be open and closed by manpower; eight men on each side, who were sent out from the sawmills, which occupied the area. In the spring, the wooden bridge caused flooding because debris and ice got caught on its moorings. This bridge was replaced in 1890 by a large swing
their homes near the river with gardens and fruit trees behind the houses and farm/grazing land beyond. The farms were built this way to protect the families that settled there. All homes being on the river assured every family of water, a transportation route, as well as an escape route if Indians attacked. Homes were only hundreds of feet apart to allow families the ability to aide each other in time of need. Early homes were built of logs; these later were rebuilt of clapboard and painted white, and were surrounded by the traditional white picket fence.
Now, after the war of 1812, the danger of Indian attack was reduced and the settlers continued to move inland into the woodlands. As time passed, fathers divided their land among their sons, who then redivided among their sons, reducing the size of the land holding. In the 1908 census it showed 30 families living at the “River Rouge.”
Photographer and Cleaners businesses in 1918
1918 Fire Department fireman
Real-estate and Art Studio businesses from 1918
City Hall & Fire Department in 1950
River Rouge Baseball Team of 1929
DID YOU KNOW?