Wayne County, Michigan

Wayne County is the home of the Henry Ford Museum & Greenfield Village, the nation's largest indoor/outdoor museum complex, was founded in Dearborn, Michigan by Henry Ford in 1929 and has more than 1 million visitors a year.

The history of Wayne County is strongly tied to that of Detroit. In 1760 the British ruled the Northwest Territory, which included Detroit. After the Revolutionary War Detroit became an American Post. Around this time General Anthony Wayne, a famous Indian fighter, came to Detroit and permitted his name to be given to the new county.

In 1850 the city of Detroit had a population of 21,000, with shipping as its most important industry. When the railroads arrived they brought many immigrants as well as lumber, iron, copper, and farm products.

In 1899 the first commercial automobile factory in the world was opened in Detroit. Thus began Detroit and Wayne County's eventual claim to international fame as the world's automobile manufacturing center.

A few of Wayne County's hundreds of attractions include: The Renaissance Center, the Hart Plaza, Belle Isle, Fort Wayne, Greenfield Village, and the Henry Ford Museum.

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