Louie Barbara G. - Novi

Cousins William Yerkes and Thomas Pinkerton were among Novis first settlers, arriving from New York in 1825. Their family soon joined them. Williams father, Joseph, located his farm along Base Line Road. About the time this photo was taken, in 1987, the house was listed on local, state, and national historical site registers as one of the oldest houses in Novi. (Courtesy Northville Historical Society.)

The last owner of the Yerkes house, Patricia Hann, had received approval to convert the house into professional offices, but the house became the victim of an arson attack, and burned to the ground in August 1989. This photo of the abandoned home was taken shortly before its destruction. (Courtesy Novi Public Library.)

William Yerkes came to Novi in 1825, eventually bringing his family from New York with him. This 1890 photograph pictures his sons as follows: (front row) Silas, Joseph Dennis, William Purdy, and Robert; (top row) Charles, George, and Harrison. All but Joseph and William were born in Novi.

Edmund Yerkes, a Northville/Novi attorney, lived in the family home on Eight Mile Road until the late 1950s, when he moved into the city of Northville. The home stood on the NorthvilleNovi border.

Located on the same site as the original Joseph D. Yerkes house, todays Yerkes Manor Subdivision honors the memory of the early settlers.

This view, located on Novi Road just north of Eight Mile Road, is one of Novis most refreshing spots. Guernsey Farms Dairy has been a local landmark since 1945, and gained national recognition when People Magazine rated its butter pecan ice cream the best in the country in 1984.

When the citizens of Novi Township voted to become a city in 1969, one group of residents resisted. As a result, Novi Township today consists of only 150 residents and one subdivision. The township is located between Nine and Ten Mile Roads, off Novi Road.

Brookland Farms Subdivision is Novi Township. Nestled among wooded lots, the homes here enjoy slightly more privacy than their city neighbors.

The Knapp family of Northville was a large one. This small cemetery along Nine Mile Road and bearing the family name is located in Novi. As early residents of the area, the Knapps were active in civic and church affairs.

The earliest grave in the cemetery is that of Mariah Knapp, who died in 1837.

Where at one time farms dotted Novis landscape, today they have been taken over by housing developments, such as this apartment complex located on Novi Road, north of Nine Mile.

Growth in Novi includes sports and recreation as well as urban development. After much recent debate, an ice arena was recently given the go-ahead. It will be built along Novi Road, north of Nine Mile.

Andrew and Laura Welsh, pictured here on their wedding day, had a large farm along Nine Mile Road in the mid-1800s.