Lexington
History
Lexington
was the first settlement on the shores of Lake Huron north of
Port Huron in 1835.
According
to the post office archives, the name Lexington was chosen in
1846 by villager, Reuben Diamond, whose wife was a cousin of
Ethan Allen. The latter fought at the Battle of Lexington
during the Revolutionary War.
The
first hotel built of logs in 1840 was located at the corner of
M-25 & M-90 in downtown Lexington. It was destroyed by
fire in 1859 and was rebuilt in 1860. It is still called
the Cadillac House Restaurant and Pub.
In
1870 the first Lexington Bank opened in the Noble
Building. It is now a Home/Garden/Lakestyle shop called
Noble.
In
the 1850's, John Divine, the first attorney in Sanilac County,
built his home in Lexington (Currently Primrose Manor Bed &
Breakfast), and established a law office in 1858 which is now
the Lexington library.
Dr.
Walter P. Brown who came to Lexington in 1853, and who had a
natural wit and philosophy rarely equaled, was often heard to
remark that "Nature has endowed Lexington with more beauty
than any place in Michigan. There will be a perfect little
town here some day."
The
first sawmill was built in 1846 and three permanent docks were
kept busy loading lumber and wood products on the schooners that
came from the lower lakes region for the industry in Detroit,
Cleveland, and Chicago.
Shingles
were the currency in the early days of the settlement. The
market price was one dollar per thousand. One thousand
shingles bought a barrel of flour and 20,000 shingle
bought a barrel of pork.
Lexington
offers an appealing combination of sophistication and history,
along with a touch of nostalgia for a way of life of years gone
by. It's heritage homes and buildings are a site to
see. Full of unique shops, cultural entertainment, fine
and family dining, cozy Bed & Breakfasts and lakeside
cottages, visitors may enjoy the best of modern amenities while
feeling like they stepped into the charming lifestyle of 100
years ago.
July 4, 1906 Festival
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