Black River history

Anselm Petit, the first verified resident, built the first house in Port Huron about 1819 on Court Street, just east of the proposed district.

Activities in the 1830’s spurred growth.

The Black River Steam Mill Company built a sawmill on the north side of Black River near Seventh Street in 1833.

In 1834, the first bridge over Black River was built.

During the 1840’s and 50’s, Port Huron was a station on the Underground Railroad for escaped slaves traveling into Canada.

A paper was presented October 17, 1861 to the Board of County Supervisors.

Twenty-two lampposts were installed, the first were lit December 13, 1870.

Nine bids were submitted November 1871 for the combined customs and post office.

By the 1880’s he left Lexingtion for Port Huron.

Port Huron was one of the best-lit cities in the country in the winter of 1886, 65 streetlights: 30 electric and 35 gas lamps in service. It was incorporated February 19, 1884, and locally controlled.

Port Huron was one of the best-lit cities in the country in the winter of 1886, 65 streetlights: 30 electric and 35 gas lamps in service.

By 1900, the population of Port Huron was 19,000.

The final two dams in the gorge disappeared in the spring of 1978, revealing a wild river reborn, waiting to be rediscovered by whitewater rafters and boaters.