South Lyon, Michigan
Encyclopedia : S : SO : SOU : South Lyon, Michigan
South Lyon is a city in Oakland County, Michigan, United States. The population was 10,036 at the 2000 census.
Geography
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there were 10,036 people, 4,246 households, and 2,704 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,143.0/km² (2,958.2/mi²). There were 4,461 housing units at an average density of 508.1/km² (1,314.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.68% White, 0.39% African American, 0.17% Native American, 1.09% Asian, 0.12% Pacific Islander, 0.40% from other races, and 1.16% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.60% of the population.There were 4,246 households out of which 31.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.2% were married couples living together, 7.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.3% were non-families. 30.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.98.
In the city the population was spread out with 24.8% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 36.0% from 25 to 44, 17.1% from 45 to 64, and 15.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 91.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $53,395, and the median income for a family was $67,167. Males had a median income of $53,818 versus $32,083 for females. The per capita income for the city was $26,187. About 2.8% of families and 5.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.5% of those under age 18 and 7.1% of those age 65 or over.
Businesses
South Lyon has several local businesses along with the usual stores found in normal towns, such as fast food and gas station chains.Of particular note is the [Michigan Seamless Tube] factory. Seamless tube is a type of piping that is very strong and is used extensivley in aircraft, high pressure oil piplines, power plants and other kinds of heavy machinery that require high pressure oil and fuel lines in their construction. Because of this, seamless tube has an indirect millitary application.
The Hotel
The South Lyon Hotel, as it has been known for decades, was built in the village in 1867.The property was formerly a cemetery and after the city council approved removal of the remains, at a cost of $2.50 each, construction began and the building was completed in late August.
The original name of the Hotel was the Commercial House owned and operated by Baker Hopkins. Four large fireplaces and gas lights heated and lit the inside (the first electric light did not reach South Lyon until 1923). When the train whistle blew, the town would turn out to watch as the Commercial House's buckboard and team would race down the street against competitors, each trying to book travelers and salesmen into their respective hotels. The Whipple House and the Harris House were also names which the building has been known as in its 137 years. [link]
Schools
South Lyon Community Schools are found in the southwestern corner of Oakland County, Michigan and covers approximately 88 square miles in parts of Oakland, Livingston, and Washtenaw Counties. The school district history goes back to 1834 when a one-room log schoolhouse was built just east of town. Today the school district consists of two high schools, two middle schools, and seven elementary schools (Kent Lake, Sayre, Salem, Dolson, Bartlett, Brummer, and Hardy). The administration facility, built jointly with the City of South Lyon, is the first shared school/municipal building in the State of Michigan.
McHattie Park & The Witch's Hat Depot Museum and Historic Village
South Lyon's McHattie Park (on Pontiac Trail between 9 mile and 10 mile) is the location of the [Witch's Hat Depot Museum and Historic Village]. The historic village consists of six buildings Washburn School (built 1907), Queen Anne Depot (a.k.a. the Witch's Hat built 1909), the Caboose (circa 1926), The Little Village Chapel (built 1930's), the Freight House (built 1984), and the Gazebo (1990). With the exceptions of the Freight House and the Gazebo which were constructed on site, the historic buildings were moved to the park from their original sites starting with the Witch's Hat in 1976.McHattie Park and the Museum and Historic Village host public events including [Depot Days] and free [Concerts in the Park].
McHattie Park is also connected to part of the [Huron Valley Trail System] which turns old railway lines into public trails developed by the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy.
Pumpkinfest
[The Annual Pumpkinfest Fall Festival] is a major gathering of the South Lyon community in September and/or October of each year. Events include the Children's Outdoor Activity Venue, Kid's Creation Station w/Monster Mural, Parade, Entertainment, Dog Show, Great Pumpkin & Fun Veggies Contest, Photo Contest, Arts & Crafts Show, and Home Arts Contests & Exhibits. The annual [Parade] has a tendency of being held while it is raining although this is by no means always the case.Notable residents
2004 Last Comic Standing winner, John HeffronR&B Artist, Barbara Lewis
External links
- [City of South Lyon]
- [High School Cross Country Webpage]
- [South Lyon Hotel's Home Page]
- [The Witch's Hat Depot Museum and Historic Village]
- [South Lyon Historical Commission]
- [Pumpkinfest]
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