HomeMichiganHarper Woods

Harper Woods, Michigan

Harper Woods is a city in Wayne County in the U.S.
Population 15,492

Top Events in Harper Woods History

1
1938Architecture
The East Side opened May 26, 1938, with The Big Broadcast of 1938, starring W.
2
1951Government
== History == Harper Woods was incorporated as a city on February 19, 1951, from what was left of Gratiot Township.
3
1955Architecture
In 1955, Interstate 94 (I-94) (which bisects the eastern part of the suburb) was approved, and construction on the Eastland Shopping Center began soon after.
4
1956Education
In 1956, Harper Woods was the subject of a community service study by the Bureau of Government, Institute of Public Administration, at the University of Michigan.
5
1957Architecture
Eastland Center, one of the first outdoor malls in the Midwest, opened in 1957.
6
1977History
The East Side closed in 1977 and was demolished a year later.
7
1986Crime
Similarly, in 1986, the critically acclaimed crime fiction writer Loren D.
8
1993History
Jeffrey Eugenides' bestselling 1993 novel The Virgin Suicides as well as his Pulitzer Prize-winning Middlesex also mention Harper Woods.
9
2000Crime
Among other works, the Detroit-area crime fiction writer Elmore Leonard mentions the city in his 2000 novel, Pagan Babies.
10
2001History
In 2001, Harper Woods celebrated its 50th anniversary.

Latest News from Michigan

President Trump Faces Backlash After Giving Status Update On The Tariff Dividend Checks
President Donald Trump delivered an unexpected moment of…

Historical Timeline

1938Architecture
The East Side opened May 26, 1938, with The Big Broadcast of 1938, starring W.
1951Government
== History == Harper Woods was incorporated as a city on February 19, 1951, from what was left of Gratiot Township.
1955Architecture
In 1955, Interstate 94 (I-94) (which bisects the eastern part of the suburb) was approved, and construction on the Eastland Shopping Center began soon after.
1956Education
In 1956, Harper Woods was the subject of a community service study by the Bureau of Government, Institute of Public Administration, at the University of Michigan.
1957Architecture
Eastland Center, one of the first outdoor malls in the Midwest, opened in 1957.
1977History
The East Side closed in 1977 and was demolished a year later.
1986Crime
Similarly, in 1986, the critically acclaimed crime fiction writer Loren D.
1993History
Jeffrey Eugenides' bestselling 1993 novel The Virgin Suicides as well as his Pulitzer Prize-winning Middlesex also mention Harper Woods.
2000Crime
Among other works, the Detroit-area crime fiction writer Elmore Leonard mentions the city in his 2000 novel, Pagan Babies.
2001History
In 2001, Harper Woods celebrated its 50th anniversary.
2002History
In the fall of 2002, Bishop Gallagher and St.
2005Education
In 2005 the archdiocese announced that Trinity and Notre Dame, an all-boys parochial school in Harper Woods, would close.
2007History
=== Pension fund lawsuit === In September 2007, the City of Harper Woods Employees’ Retirement Scheme filed suit against British-based defense contractor BAE Systems.
2009History
On December 29, 2009, the U.S.
2012History
First Edition, 2012.
2019Education
In June 2019 the school board voted to close Poupard Elementary School as the numbers of students had declined.
2020History
== Demographics == === 2020 census === === 2010 census === As of the census of 2010, there were 14,236 people, 5,814 households, and 3,611 families residing in the city.
2021History
=== City manager controversy === On June 14, 2021, the Harper Woods City Council voted 4–3 to not renew the contract of City Manager Joseph Rheker.
2022Civil Rights
In 2022, she was censured by the Eastpointe City Council, sued by residents who alleged that she violated their civil rights, and was found to have violated Eastpointe's ethics ...
2023History
In 2023, she pleaded no contest to making a false statement on a grant application for her business.

Did You Know?

1
Harper Woods is located in the state of Michigan.
2
Harper Woods has a population of 15,492 residents.
3
An inner-ring suburb of Detroit, Harper Woods borders Detroit to the north and east, roughly 9 miles (14.5 km) northeast of downtown Detroit.

Other Cities in Michigan

View all Michigan cities →
D
Detroit
Pop. 639,111
GR
Grand Rapids
Pop. 200,808
W
Warren
Pop. 138,806
SH
Sterling Heights
Pop. 134,456
AA
Ann Arbor
Pop. 124,000
L
Lansing
Pop. 113,000

Famous People from Harper Woods, Michigan

D(
Danny Jacobs (actor)
Actor, Comedian · Born 2008 · Died 2015 (age 7)
PP
Peter Feldman (poker player)
Poker Player
HM
Harold Mertz
Automotive Safety Pioneer
MB
Michael Bramos
Greek-American Basketball Player
DH
Dennis Hertel
Politician · Born Dec 7, 1948 · Age 77
See something that needs correcting?
We take accuracy seriously. Help us keep Harper Woods's history right.