Photo Credit: Gary (Flickr.com/loungelistener)

The city of Inkster was named after Robert Inkster a native of the Shetland Islands, who immigrated to America in 1848.  The name Inkster is said to come from a Norse name, "Ingasetter", which is a person's name plus the terms for summer pasture. 

Inkster was a stop on the Underground Railroad as escaping slaves made their way to freedom in Canada.  Reportedly, a Wesleyan Methodist Church at Michigan Avenue and Henry Ruff Roads ran one such stop.

The appearance of the automobile in the twentieth century Michigan revolutionized the status of roadways.  By 1930 a car existed for every five Americans versus in 1900 there was only one car for every 9500 Americans.  Inkster was reported to always have a tremendous traffic problem along US 12.

The automotive public not only started to demanded good roads, but also began to ask for accommodations that served them and their car.  The motor court motel was created and Inkster housed several motor court motels along US 12.  Several of those motor court motels still stand today, with bright neon signs of the 1950's.