Barton Hills Village, Michigan

"Wooded hills . . . valleys . . . beautiful water . . . an elevation that
overlooks Ann Arbor and the picturesque Huron River Valley . . .
artistic homes and congenial neighbors . . . privacy without seclusion . . ."

. . .so begins a real estate brochure from the early 1930's, proclaiming the virtues of the area now known as Barton Hills.  The community was originally named Huron Farms when it was formed by the Detroit Edison Company in 1913, and encompassed considerable acreage on both sides of the Huron River.  Detroit Edison constructed a series of dams along the river for the production of electric power.  Barton Dam, currently owned and operated by the City of Ann Arbor, was part of this system.

Huron Farms later expanded to include general farming, orchards and high breed dairy cattle.  Some of the original farm buildings still exist along the east side of Whitmore Lake Road.  The area that is now Barton Hills Village was too hilly for farming and was promoted as an exclusive country residential community for Detroit Edison executives.  In contrast to the now abundant woodlands, the community was nicknamed "Barren Hills" in its early years.  Photographs of the first houses highlighted the excellent view of the Huron River seen from Underdown and Corrie Roads.

In the early 1920's, Detroit Edison President Alex Dow retained the prestigious Olmsted Engineering Company of Brookline, Massachusetts to design the layout of Barton Hills.  Creators of the landscape plans for New York City's Central Park among many other projects, the Olmsted staff arranged each parcel to utilize the natural typography of the area to the best advantage.  Winding roads and natural vistas so central to the Olmsted philosophy characterized the plan.  Every home site was located to command an unobstructed view of the water, with large set backs and private drives.

Several homes were constructed before the economic restraints of the Depression slowed growth.  William Underdown, an engineer employed by Detroit Edison to oversee the development of Barton Hills, built and lived in the house at 101 Underdown Road.  The Dow home originally at the end of Corrie Road rose three magnificent stories.  Restrictions attached to each deed stipulate that all homes must be designed by a registered architect and are subject to the approval of a resident architectural review committee.  This provision allows the community to maintain its unique ambiance.  While each home has its individual personality, there is a common element of harmony with the surroundings and protection of the natural features that defines Barton Hills.

By the 1940's Barton Hills had become an expensive liability for a public utility.  Faced with government orders to divest, Detroit Edison shareholders resolved the situation by making an outright gift to the residents of Barton Hills of all its unsold lots, equipment and the right to collect taxes on the property already sold.  In exchange, the resident owners would assume responsibility for the maintenance of the water system, roads and all existing services.

Thirty years later it was decided to seek municipal status.  On December 12, 1973, Barton Hills Village became the first Home Rule village in Washtenaw County.  A Board of Trustees was elected, and Elizabeth Langford became the first President.  Residents have continued to volunteer years of dedicated service to the community.

Barton Hills Village remains a unique place of wooded hills, artistic homes and congenial neighbors along the picturesque Huron River.