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Fenton was incorporated as a village in 1863 and as a city in 1964. It was during the end of the 60's decade, that Mayor Paul Bottecelli, owner and pharmacist of Fenton Drug, and the City Council decided to use Federal Urban Renewal funds to tear down three of the four original downtown business blocks. Urban Renewal, after many heated debates, came to a vote of the citizens of Fenton. Urban Renewal passed by a narrow margin. Three of the four original downtown blocks of businesses were leveled, changing the original downtown landscape forever. After Urban Renewal, the number and variety of businesses decreased in the downtown section. Many businesses closed and a few moved out of the downtown area to other areas of town. Since the time of Urban Renewal, the importance of a downtown as a central core, has resurrected. There are events throughout the year in the downtown. In the summer, there is a Fourth of July Festival, a weekly Farmer's Market, Taste of Fenton, and Art in the Park. During the December holiday season, the festivities include Jingle Fest and a New Year's Eve celebration.
Fenton was incorporated as a village in 1863 and as a city in 1964. It was during the end of the 60's decade, that Mayor Paul Bottecelli, owner and pharmacist of Fenton Drug, and the City Council decided to use Federal Urban Renewal funds to tear down three of the four original downtown business blocks. Urban Renewal, after many heated debates, came to a vote of the citizens of Fenton. Urban Renewal passed by a narrow margin. Three of the four original downtown blocks of businesses were leveled, changing the original downtown landscape forever. After Urban Renewal, the number and variety of businesses decreased in the downtown section. Many businesses closed and a few moved out of the downtown area to other areas of town. Since the time of Urban Renewal, the importance of a downtown as a central core, has resurrected. There are events throughout the year in the downtown. In the summer, there is a Fourth of July Festival, a weekly Farmer's Market, Taste of Fenton, and Art in the Park. During the December holiday season, the festivities include Jingle Fest and a New Year's Eve celebration.


On the south side of Fenton lies the old Fenton Seminary. The wife of famed pragmatist John Dewey had attended the seminary. The seminary is to be knocked down soon, though.
On the south side of Fenton lies the old Fenton Seminary. The wife of famed pragmatist John Dewey had attended the seminary. Having not been properly maintained for several years, the property is slated for demolition.

===Tornado===
===Tornado===
On August 24, 2007, an [[Fujita scale|F2]] [[tornado]] hit downtown Fenton. It left miles of debris, destroyed several homes and almost completely destroyed the newly opened [[Tractor Supply Company]] and nearby train depot. This caused many people to go without power, leaving the city in a state of emergency. Fortunately, there were no fatalities or serious injuries.<ref>[http://www.michigan.gov/gov/0,1607,7-168-21975-174935--,00.html EXECUTIVE ORDER No. 2007 - 40, DECLARATION OF STATE OF EMERGENCY CITY OF FENTON, GENESEE COUNTY]</ref>
On August 24, 2007, an [[Fujita scale|F2]] [[tornado]] hit downtown Fenton. It left miles of debris, destroyed several homes and almost completely destroyed the newly opened [[Tractor Supply Company]] and nearby train depot. This caused many people to go without power, leaving the city in a state of emergency. Fortunately, there were no fatalities or serious injuries.<ref>[http://www.michigan.gov/gov/0,1607,7-168-21975-174935--,00.html EXECUTIVE ORDER No. 2007 - 40, DECLARATION OF STATE OF EMERGENCY CITY OF FENTON, GENESEE COUNTY]</ref>

Revision as of 16:37, 4 November 2010

City of Fenton
City
Location of Fenton, Michigan
Location of Fenton, Michigan
CountryUnited States
StateMichigan
CountiesGenesee, Livingston, Oakland
Settled1834
incorporated village1863
incorporated city1964
Government
 • TypeCouncil-Manager
 • MayorSue Osborn
 • Mayor Pro TemCarl S. Hammond
 • City Council members:
Tim Faricy
Cheryl King
Dorian Kasper
Dianne North
John Rauch
 • City ManagerLynn Markland
Area
 • Total
6.9 sq mi (17.8 km2)
 • Land6.6 sq mi (17.0 km2)
 • Water0.3 sq mi (0.8 km2)  4.65%
Elevation
902 ft (275 m)
Population
 (2000)
 • Total
10,582
 • Density1,612.5/sq mi (622.8/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
48430
Area code810
FIPS code26-27760Template:GR
GNIS feature ID0625893[1]
Websitehttp://www.cityoffenton.org/

Fenton is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan that lies mostly in Genesee County, but with small portions in Livingston County and Oakland County.[2] As of the 2000 census, the city population was 10,582. The city was incorporated from Fenton Township in Genesee County, but the city and township are administratively autonomous. In 2004, the city annexed a small portion of Holly Township in Oakland County.

History

Fenton was first named Dibbleville after the first settler in the area, Clark Dibble, who moved there from New York in 1834. According to local legend, it was renamed Fenton as a result of an 1837 card game involving two men, William M. Fenton and Robert LeRoy. LeRoy Street, the city's main street, was named for the loser. The city's original name survives as the name of one of Fenton's neighborhoods.

Fenton was incorporated as a village in 1863 and as a city in 1964. It was during the end of the 60's decade, that Mayor Paul Bottecelli, owner and pharmacist of Fenton Drug, and the City Council decided to use Federal Urban Renewal funds to tear down three of the four original downtown business blocks. Urban Renewal, after many heated debates, came to a vote of the citizens of Fenton. Urban Renewal passed by a narrow margin. Three of the four original downtown blocks of businesses were leveled, changing the original downtown landscape forever. After Urban Renewal, the number and variety of businesses decreased in the downtown section. Many businesses closed and a few moved out of the downtown area to other areas of town. Since the time of Urban Renewal, the importance of a downtown as a central core, has resurrected. There are events throughout the year in the downtown. In the summer, there is a Fourth of July Festival, a weekly Farmer's Market, Taste of Fenton, and Art in the Park. During the December holiday season, the festivities include Jingle Fest and a New Year's Eve celebration.

On the south side of Fenton lies the old Fenton Seminary. The wife of famed pragmatist John Dewey had attended the seminary. Having not been properly maintained for several years, the property is slated for demolition.

Tornado

On August 24, 2007, an F2 tornado hit downtown Fenton. It left miles of debris, destroyed several homes and almost completely destroyed the newly opened Tractor Supply Company and nearby train depot. This caused many people to go without power, leaving the city in a state of emergency. Fortunately, there were no fatalities or serious injuries.[3]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.9 square miles (17.8 km²), of which, 6.6 square miles (17.0 km²) of it is land and 0.3 square miles (0.8 km²) of it (4.65%) is water.

Demographics

As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 10,582 people, 4,335 households, and 2,709 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,612.5 per square mile (622.8/km²). There were 4,569 housing units at an average density of 696.2/sq mi (268.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.25% White, 0.60% African American, 0.39% Native American, 0.95% Asian, 0.66% from other races, and 1.16% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.80% of the population.

There were 4,335 households out of which 32.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.5% were married couples living together, 10.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.5% were non-families. 30.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 3.01.

In the city the population was spread out with 25.4% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 33.7% from 25 to 44, 18.8% from 45 to 64, and 13.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 88.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $47,400, and the median income for a family was $55,637. Males had a median income of $44,874 versus $30,435 for females. The per capita income for the city was $22,435. About 4.4% of families and 6.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.9% of those under age 18 and 12.4% of those age 65 or over.

Library

The Jack R. Winegarden Library is the municipal library for Fenton, Michigan. A branch of the Genesee District Library System, it is located in a former post office at the intersection of East Caroline Street and Walnut Street in downtown Fenton. The Jack R. Winegarden Library was previously known as the A.J. Phillips Library (a name now held by the Fenton Museum).

Community Center

The Community Center was designed by Eliel Saarinen.[4]

Train Depot

The Fenton Train depot along the Grand Trunk Western Railroad was designed by architect Gary Null of Parkersburg, WV. It is currently unused.

Notable residents

Wayne County Circuit Court judge Ira W.Jayne owned and operated a large farm at the southern edge of Fenton where S. Adelaide St. turns into Denton Hill Rd. At that point, Jayne Rd. intersects Adelaide which is named after the judge as are the Jayne Hill subdivisions in that area and Jayne Valley Lane further down Denton Hill Rd.[5]

Guitarist/front man Nick Diener and drummer Jonathan Diener, founders and mainstays of the punk rock band The Swellers are natives of Fenton. Their band is signed to indie record label Fueled By Ramen.

Public safety

Residents are served by the Fenton Police Department, Fenton Fire Department and Stat EMS. Since Fenton is in 3 counties, it has its own 9-1-1 call center, located at the police headquarters, which operates independently of those in Genesee County, Livingston County and Oakland County. In August 2010, Fenton 911 began dispatching Stat EMS directly, the first of Genesee County's three 911 centers to do so with any private emergency medical service provider. [6]

References

  1. ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Fenton, Michigan
  2. ^ "Subcounty population estimates: Michigan 2000-2006" (CSV). United States Census Bureau, Population Division. 2007-06-28. Retrieved 2008-05-28.
  3. ^ EXECUTIVE ORDER No. 2007 - 40, DECLARATION OF STATE OF EMERGENCY CITY OF FENTON, GENESEE COUNTY
  4. ^ About Us, Fenton Community Center
  5. ^ Fenton High School Alumni Association
  6. ^ New 911 system shortens response time by two minutes Tri-County Times August 28, 2010

42°47′52″N 83°42′18″W / 42.79778°N 83.70500°W / 42.79778; -83.70500

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