bridge made of steel requiring only one man with a key to operate it. In 1922 it was replaced again by a draw bridge, which made the river navigable for lake freighters enroute to the Ford Rouge Plant in Dearborn.
Anyway, River Rouge before 1886 was best known as a stopping place for farmers and travelers on their way to Detroit. As the trails became more worn, horses and wagons were used for transportation, as well as the Detroit River. The social life in the community was centered around a picnic area located where the municipal building now stands on the corner of Coolidge Highway (Dearborn Road) (its Schaefer Highway today), and West Jefferson (River Road), where dances and other activities were held.
today on Jefferson at Coolidge Hwy.
Now, the major problem facing the village at this time was health conditions. The inhabitants of the village had to get water from open wells, because the high sulfur content of drilled well water could not be used. The open wells caused serious illness every spring (typhoid fever). Dr. Henri Bélanger, one of the community’s first physicians, became an expert at detecting and treating typhus.
Anyway, here is a short history about this great man. Dr. Bélanger has delivered over 4,500 babies, not only in River Rouge, but the surrounding cities. In 1919 he led the state of Michigan by delivering 187 children in that year. It also states that Dr. Bélanger has attended to one couple 16 times and delivered 17 children, including “twin boys on the twelfth occasion.” Dr. Bélanger attended to his patients on horseback until 1909 when he purchased a Brush automobile. He was the first resident of River Rouge to own a car. Dr. Bélanger was the Medical Officer of Health from 1897 until 1920.
On November 30, 1899, River Rouge organized and became a functioning political unit. Their first goal was to become an independent village, ending a 72-year period of being considered as part of Ecorse Township. The first president (mayor) 1899-1901 of the village was Henry E. Visger. (the Ann Visger Elementary School is named after someone in his family). The Village Hall was where the Burke Building stands
Now, he also served on the River Rouge School Board for over 20 years. Dr. Bélanger was a Senior Consultant to Delray General Hospital in Detroit. River Rouge was so fortunate to have him living his entire life there after leaving Canada where he is originally from. (The park in River Rouge bordering the Detroit River is named after him.)
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West Jefferson in 1930
The old Ann Visger Elementary School in 1962