Franklin is a wonderfully picturesque village. In the mid 1830's Franklin was larger than the small settlement of Birmingham to the east. Birmingham, however, was chosen as a stop on the railroad route between Royal Oak and Pontiac. Birmingham prospered and grew while Franklin, bypassed by the rail line and removed from any major roads, settled back into a quiet existence. Franklin businesses continued to serve the scattered farms around Southfield Township. For other items, people had to travel by horse and wagon to Pontiac, two hours away. Once a community dotted with mills and light industry, the area is now predominately residential, with small pockets of stores, offices and commercial businesses, and of course the Franklin Cider Mill. Current Franklinites are proud to live in "The Town that Time Forgot".

Hazel Park is primarily a modest single-family residential community, having the third highest population density in the State of Michigan. The City has four major corridors, with two serving commercial concerns, and two corridors serving industrial purposes. Hazel Park is home to the Hazel Park Raceway, Michigan

Highland Township is a semi-rural community in northwest Oakland County, struggling to maintain the open space and natural resources that make it a jewel along the M-59 corridor. The Township has a rich heritage as an agricultural and lumbering community, founded in 1835 by pioneer families whose descendents still influence local politics and business.

Holly is located on the western border of Oakland County. Its first settler was Nathan Herrick who came to the area in 1830. In 1843, a sawmill was built by Ira C. Alger, and the area was then referred to as Algerville, with Alger taking on the duty of station agent when the Detroit & Milwaukee Railroad came through. Around the same time, a Peter Fagan registered a post office under the name of Holly Mills, with reference to the abundant holly that grew in the area. The post office was renamed Holly in 1861, along with the help of another settler, Jonathan T. Allen, who moved there from Mount Holly, N. J. It eventually incorporated into a village in 1865. This community has worked hard to retain its traditional, Victorian brick architecture in the downtown area, and it is worth a drive to see it. The narrow streets, old-style lamps, unique shops and the Historic Holly Hotel make for a delightful visit to yesteryear, whether winter or summer, rain or shine.

Affectionately called the "City of Homes," the City of Huntington Woods is located in the heart of Southeastern Oakland County, Michigan. Seventy-five years ago, the 1.5 square mile city was founded as a village of 160 homes and 500 residents. Today, the city boasts 2,419 homes and over 6,151 residents. Known as a highly desirable place to live, Huntington Woods offers many unique services, including a newly expanded recreation and aquatics facility, full time police protection, and a small, but extensive public library.

Independence Township is located in northern Oakland County, Michigan some 45 miles Northwest of Detroit. We are a Charter Township 36 square miles in size, except for that portion taken for the City of the Village of Clarkston. We are the fourth largest Township in Oakland County and have a population of approximately 32,000 residents.

Keego Harbor is located in central Oakland County's West Bloomfield Township in what is refered to as the "Lakes Area." It is situated primarily on the southeast side of Cass Lake, around the intersection of Orchard Lake and Cass Lake Roads. A major figure in the development of this village was J. E. Sawyer, who in 1902 settled here and developed the Cass Lake Subdivision on Willow Beach. He also converted what was then Dollar Lake into a "harbor" by constructing a canal to Cass Lake. He named it Keego Harbor, apparently after what is believed to be an old reference to a type of slender fish found in the local waters.

Lake Orion's 1.31 square miles includes most of the water called Lake Orion. Once known as a resort community, some houses had their mail delivered by boat. It is still mainly residential, with a business district on M-24. Orion Township is known for its lakes--there are 27--and 4,000 acres of parkland.

The City of Lathrup Village combines an historic past with a dynamic present. Gracious homes and planned city growth have provided an ideal environment for convenient, small city living within a larger metropolitan area. Within this setting you will find shaded streets, pleasant lawns, trees and gardens, and several parks. One would expect this to be a tradition in a city with our unique atmosphere. The signs of this are everywhere; older homes with an ever-fresh, well-trimmed look complemented by areas of charming newer and new homes. Our close proximity to a developed highway system provides easy access to the entire metropolitan area, and the many amenities available. All of this has made residential Lathrup Village a pleasant place to live, and the area a sound investment in real values.

Madison Heights is the 14th largest community in population within Oakland County in the State of Michigan. Madison Heights has a population of approximately 31,101 people living within 7.25 square miles. Incorporated in 1955, Madison Heights is home to more than 1,300 commercial and industrial businesses. The City is located just 15-30 minutes north of downtown Detroit near the southeast corner of Oakland County and adjacent to the Macomb County border to the east, approximately two miles north of the City of Detroit. Convenient freeway access to the southeast Michigan region is provided by I-75 and I-696.

Milford Village is 2.5 square miles nestled in southwest Oakland County and is easily accessed from both I-96 and M-59. With a population of approximately 6,300, the Village still serves as the central business district for approximately 25,000 people in the surrounding areas. The thriving downtown district draws visitors from communities such as Ann Arbor and Dearborn, while retaining its small-town charm.

Novi is truly an exciting home town: one with a growing national and international reputation for innovation and quality. Our neighborhoods are safe, welcoming places, where friends and families are creating networks of caring, involved citizens. Recognition of our home town achievements has come from such diverse places as the Better Homes and Gardens "Home of the Year" awarded to Autumn Park, and the Novi Community School District was also nationally recognized as a Gold Medal District by Expansion Management Magazine.