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History

When James Graham settled in the area now known as Rochester and Rochester Hills in 1817, it became the first settlement in Oakland County. Because of an abundance of trees and a close proximity to several rivers and creeks, early settlers knew what they needed to do to be successful. Both Rochester and nearby Stoney Creek Village, founded in 1823 by Elisha Taylor, built waterways which powered mills. These mills could cut lumber, grind grain, card wool and press cider.

For nearly a century, the Rochester area was comprised of large, self-sufficient family farms. The citizens of Rochester understood that small villages near transportation routes prospered. Wisely, they bought $50,000 in railroad stocks to ensure that the railroad went through Rochester. This established the village as a thriving rural market.

After 1900, farmers began to decrease their crops and flocks in order to make room for small auto parts factories. Many farmers left for the cities, and the resulting land boom brought many housing subdivisions and large estates for prosperous city workers. The remaining farmland was consolidated or turned into scientific farming operations, such as Dr. Sarah Van Hoosen Jones’ dairy and poultry farm. Van Hoosen, whose mother and aunt were two of the first women to graduate from the University of Michigan, bred prize-winning cattle desired throughout the world, further establishing Rochester in the public eye. In the 1950s, I-75 and M-59 were built, suburbanizing Rochester residents to travel to jobs farther away.

The Rochester area still maintains several historic landmarks. Meadow Brook Hall, the fourth-largest historic house museum built in the 1920s, offers guided tours to visitors, and Van Hoosen Farm now is home to The Rochester Hills Museum, containing permanent and temporary exhibits on community history.