Westland

Westland is located in Wayne County and is approximately 16 miles west of the city of Detroit. It contains culturally diverse neighborhoods. The Norwayne area of the city includes lower priced houses. Some neighborhoods include upscale residences. The Rouge River is nearby. The city is situated in the middle of the southeastern Michigan expressway system.

Westland includes numerous modern industrial parks. Prominent industries include automotive suppliers, construction materials, tool and die companies and other types of manufacturing businesses.

History
During the 1700s the Potawatomi Indians inhabited the area. The first non-native settlements were established in 1824. Henry Ford restored a local flour mill in 1918 and utilized it for producing stencils for Ford car parts. Bucklin Township was established in 1827 and included what is now Westland and several other current cities.

During the early 1960s the city of Livonia attempted to annex the portion of Nankin where the major shopping mall known as Westland Shopping Center was to be built. To prevent the annexation of their community, the citizens of Nankin decided to convert their township into a city and named it Westland.

Activities and Attractions
The William P. Holliday Parkway provides opportunities for a variety of recreational activities. Westland features 17 parks including the large Central City Park. The municipality includes two notable indoor recreational facilities. The popular Henry Ford Museum & Greenfield Village is located in the county. Other notable attractions in the county include the Renaissance Center, Fort Wayne, the Hart Plaza, and Belle Isle. Citizens enjoy the recreational activities and entertainment venues located in nearby Detroit.