Local History

John W. Hunter, from Auburn, N.Y., made the first land entry here in 1818 and with his father, Elisha, and brother, Daniel, made the first actual settlement in 1819.  About the same time, John Hamilton and Elijah Willets settled nearby, and the settlement was variously known as Hunter's, or Hamilton's, or Willets'.  Later called Piety Hill, after a Methodist preacher, in his fervid zeal, prayed that this might become a "hill of piety".

Given a post office named Bloomfield, after its township, on March 24, 1821, with Sidney Dole as its first postmaster.  First platted in 1836 and recorded by Roswell T. Merrill who, believing in its industrial future, named it after Birmingham, England.  Its post office was renamed Birmingham on April 5, 1838.  Incorporated as a village in 1864 and as a city in 1932. 

Informational excerpts from Michigan Place Names, by Walter Romig, L.H.D.

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