Graduation Day in the 'Ville
Posted on 05/28/2025
Mayor Brian Turnbull

NORTHVILLIANS,

On Memorial Day, I spent time with our military veterans, saw throngs of Northvillians along the parade route and paid special tribute to our fallen soldiers and all our veterans at the Rural Hill Memorial Day ceremony where Sen. Elissa Slotkin, Matt Koleszar and others joined us.

Also, over the weekend, I witnessed LOTS of people downtown for the 38th Annual Northville Flower Sale. I’m always amazed at the stunning variety of flowers and plants, perfect for invigorating your garden areas and outdoor spaces. For everyone who attended, thank you for supporting the show! And the celebration of colorful blooms doesn’t have to end there – the Thursday Farmers’ Market will provide an ongoing array of beautiful plants to help get your home summer-ready. It’s on Seven Mile, directly across from Custard Time (a great place to stop for a cone after you visit the Farmers’ Market).

Now it’s time to turn our attention to our Northville Grads, as we honor the Class of 2025 and look back at Northville graduation history.

This past weekend in Downtown Northville was abuzz with prom preparations and pictures at the Mill Race Village, where NHS students along with others visited there with family. “Best Wishes Grads” is featured on the Marquis at the theater as well as at other locations around town this week. Besides the Graduating Senior Vehicle Parade, this coming weekend will feature many graduation ceremonies and the all-night senior party … a lot going on! In this letter, I will look back on historic graduation activities through the years.

Before looking back at our Graduations, let's see what's going on today:

  • “Lungs” at Tipping Point Theatre (Final show of season!) – Till 6/1. Link
  • 1849 Shakespeare Riots in NYC with Kevin Peshick – 5/28, 7pm@ Mill Race Village. What caused a riotbetween favorite Shakespearean actors and what impact still lingers? Co-sponsored by the Historical Society and Northville District Library. Link
  • Cars and Coffee – Saturday, 6/14, 8-11 AM –New location at the Farmers’ Market site at 550 7 Mile - 7 Mile/Northville Rd, because of the Art Fair in town. Bring a car, yourself, a friend. The May show was truly outstanding!
  • World Peace Day – 5/31, 11AM-3PM@ Ford Field. Activities, food and conversations. Link
  • Upcoming Music/Concerts – Chamber/DDA Link, Maybury Link, Marquis Link, Northville Winery Link, NOMI Link

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT - Support the Ford Field Playground
Northville Rotary is supporting the new Ford Field Playscape initiative: The Northville Rotary Foundation has pledged $50,000 to support the renovation, along with an additional $25,000 in matching funds. Donations can be made via check or through PayPal.
Checks: Northville Rotary Foundation - 143 Cady centre, #109, Northville, MI 48167
PayPal – https://northvillerotaryfoundation.org/pages/heritage-park-donations

INFO FOR CITIZENS...
PROJECTS AROUND TOWN

  • Ford Field – Phase I: Stop by the new waterfall area at Serenity Point. Phase II (summer) Vista overlook, fencing, staircase upgrades, ADA entrance, (fall) – New playscape. 2026 – Bathroom construction.
  • Riverwalk – Riverbed is progressing at the Downs. Hundreds of trees have been delivered, and more are on their way for the River Park, along with the Central Park.
  • Downs Initiative – Progressing (Townhomes, Apartments, Streets & Infrastructure)
  • Farmers’ Market – new location up and running (550 7 Mile), open Thursdays 8-2pm.
  • Grants that Support Northville’s Community Initiatives – Link

TASK FORCE MEETINGS

  • Cemetery Renewal Task Force –Stop by Oakwood Cemetery to see progress. The Garden Gang has been weeding (Info: contact Anna Hay – 248 719 9823) and for Headstone Cleaning opportunities connect with Chuck @ ([email protected]). For overall info & support contact Dave Marold ([email protected])
  • Bicentennial Task Force – 6/5 @ City Hall 7:30pm.All are welcome to join work teams as we ready for our 2027 event – info write[email protected]

 

 

Our Community's Graduation Activities through Time:

Historic Northville Graduation Activities:

  • 1869– First & only graduate of Northville High School that year, Alice Beal (Bealtown).
  • 1889 –Commencement Exercises were in the Opera House on Dunlap & Center (800 seat capacity) … everyone in town showed up!
  • 1909 –Ten graduates (commencement at the Methodist Church, Dunlap & Center).
  • 1916 –Commencement was held at the Presbyterian Church.
  • 1924 –1st Class to take a train trip to Washington DC, boarding in Northville ($80 included transportation & hotel). This started a DC class trip tradition spanning 40 years.
  • 1931 –38 graduates, had commencement at Wayne County’s Training School Auditorium on Sheldon between 5 Mile & 6 Mile Rd.
  • 1939 –80 graduates. “Mustangs” was chosen in a contest as the Mascot for NHS. A natural choice because of Northville’s history and heritage for horse shows and horse racing. With the Mustang theme in mind, during WWII, Northville raised enough money for aP51MustangAircraftwith a “Northville Mustang” painted on it. Today, there is a Mustang horse carved into our historic Elm Tree on Cady & Wing. (Check it out.)
  • 1943 –61 graduates (commencement at Northville Downs County Fairgrounds).
  • 1958 –97 graduates (commencement at Community Center/Senior Center on Main Street where Bob Seger played in the 1960’s).
  • 1969 –100thgraduating class, 183 students. Before this time, Novi & Northville were combined for high school. In ‘69, Novi had its first graduating class of 84 students.
  • 1977 –384 graduates (commencement at the football stadium).
  • 2015 –555 graduates (commencement at Compuware Arena).
  • 2025 –Over 700 graduates, Northville ranks as the 4thlargest High School in Michigan.

City of Northville Mayors who are NHS Grads: Chris Johnson & Brian Turnbull
Famous Citizens (among others):

  • Steve Juday: All American Quarterback at MSU and National Leader
  • Jake Moody: All-American U of M placekicker, drafted by the San Francisco 49’ers.

We are all standing on the shoulders of those who have come before us, and today we are handing the torch over to the graduates who will lead us into the future! As Mayor, speaking for all Northvillians, know that the community is extremely proud of this Class of 2025.

I give this graduating class a great deal of kudos for their perseverance, dedication and hard work spent in the pursuit of excellence in Academics, Sports, Music and community activities. You, the Grads, represent not only yourselves but your families, your school and the entire Northville Community. The keys to the future are now in your hands, and soon you will make your mark on this world.

Go Mustangs! ... Go Graduates! ... Continue to make us proud ... Congrats!

Brian Turnbull
Mayor – Northville