Visit Small Towns: Saline, Michigan

Just south of Ann Arbor, is the small town of Saline.  Situated just off of US-23, with US-12 making it's way through downtown, and south of Ann Arbor, this small town provides a bustling area with a proud history.

We have spent a lot of our time driving through Saline on our way to various other spots along US-12.  As early sping started, we decided to spend one of the first nice days exploring an area we knew we wanted to discover.

First and foremost, learning how Saline was named was a question we did not think we needed an answer for.  However, we were pleasantly surprised by the story.  Built during the time of French settlement, the area held salt in some form.  At one point, there was an attempt to possibly mine salt here.  Saline is the French word for "Salt Marsh", which made so much sense when you think of things like a saline solution.

We made our way downtown and ended up finding a map that detailed a historic district just off of mainstreet.  Intrigued, we began walking.  On the map it looked like it was just over two blocks to a possible museum.  

As we made our way along the streets, we began to see why this area was considered the historic district.  We found the Union School, which had clearly beend used over time.  We also enjoyed various Victorian Era homes with sprawling porches and beautiful stories.  

The museum was at the end of the road, that was well worth the visit.  We will have now started our adventures on finding train depots, and will post about those sson.

Saline provides a variety of outdoor activties.  The downtown is an active city center, with shops and resteraunts to visit.  East of the city, there is another muesum as well, which hosts animals to visit.  It's small and quaint, and easy to spot just off the main road.

Saline also hosts a variety of festivals year round.  Side roads are closed and vistors are welcomed into the streets to participate the in the cities adventures.

Saline's history, which we found in that museum, was intriquing.  Built as a farm town, this bustling city use to be dirt roads and sheep.  As the world around Saline grew, the town become part of the expanding outside world.

Henry Ford made his way to Saline.  Here he opened one of his factories.  Just down the road, across from the dam, was a mill that he used.  This is now an event center with a beautiful park alongside it.  As Ford moved out, the city claimed the areas for future generations.

Saline continues to make it's mark on the map, as innovation continues to attempt to make a path there in the world of AI.  We also learned that the water held back by the damn was up for debate as well.

We do not live in this town, so our opinions or thoughts on these matters do not have any place.  However, after spending and afternoon exploring Saline and her sites, we can honestly say we are excited to see how this small town continues to push forward with strength and determination.  

Thanks Saline!  

Interested in more Michigan small towns?  Follow along as we highlight spots we love along the way!