Although officially a little more than a quarter of a century old, Westland's history goes back much further.
Three Algonquin tribes - Potawatomi, Ojibwa, and Ottawa - met each year on the middle fork of the
Rouge River at the site of Nankin Mills to establish hunting territories. In 1824, territorial
Governor William Cass created Bucklin Township, which covered the cities now known as Westland,
Livonia, Wayne and Garden City. Bucklin Township was later divided into
Nankin and Livonia Townships. In 1966, shortly after the neighboring city of Wayne was incorporated,
what was left of Nankin Township became the city of Westland.
Centrally located in western Wayne County, Michigan's tenth largest city has easy access to a number of the metro area's major highways, downtown Detroit, and the Detroit Metropolitan Airport. The city has developed a reputation for affordable housing with room for growth. Most homes in the city are valued under $100,000; about two-thirds of the residences are single family homes and one-third are multiple unit complexes. New construction, mostly of moderate to higher priced homes (up to $300,000), continues to out-pace the metro area average as in-fill housing makes it possible for current residents to remain in the community, trading up as their standard of living increases. Much of this construction is in the northwest corner of the city where hundreds of condominiums and single-family homes are being built.
Availability of shopping is a major advantage. Westland Center, one of the nation's four original malls built in the 1960's, has become the city's major shopping magnet. The Center itself houses more than 125 stores and is the anchor for many nearby smaller centers. The shopping opportunities draw customers from a 30+ mile radius.
Like most well-established communities, Westland has an excellent infrastructure and an abundance of city services and activities. Many neighborhoods have well-maintained parks; the city's total park system comprises more than 1,000 acres, including the Middle Rouge Parkway which cuts through the community and contains Newburgh Lake and a portion of the 17-1/2 mile scenic Edward Hines Drive. The William Holliday Forest and Wildlife Preserve, Wayne County's only wildlife preserve, covers over 500 acres of the city. Many activities and classes for residents of all ages are available year-round through the city's Parks and Recreation Department.
