In the fall of 1833, Elias Alley came from upstate New York to Detroit and then made the two day journey along the Sauk Trail to what would become Somerset Township.  Soon, other upstate New Yorkers would follow including David Herrington and Herman Pratt and in 1838 the township contained two sawmills, 326 head of meat cattle, 40 horses, 93 sheep, 603 hogs and a population of 441 persons.

By the time the census of 1874 was taken, the population had increased to 1,009 with 539 males and 470 females living here. Other interesting facts include that the year before, a total of 2,278 tons of hay was cut and there were 196 farms in the township. The number of horses had grown to 473.

Elias Alley, who was a tanner, currier and shoemaker, lived here for 40 years and his descendents would populate the township for generations to come.

Today, Somerset Center is a charming rural crossroad where one can find such Americana as Frank's, a small town barbershop, and 42-acre McCourtie Park with its 17 whimsical bridges, all made of cement.

Handy Local Information