Generations of Native Americans traveled six trails that converged in the area we
call Saline. They came to hunt wildlife for themselves and their families.
And, they came for salt. Native peoples harvested salt from the salt springs and carried
it back to their villages for their own use and for trade.
In the 18th century, French voyageurs canoed up the rivers from Lake Erie and
left strong evidence that they, too, manufactured salt. They left their mark by
naming the local river Saline after a French word for salt.
In the 19th century, Europeans settled here. The greatest numbers were English descendants who came from the East, having settled first in New England and New York State, and many others came from Germany.
Following the War of 1812, the federal government saw a need for a military road
between Detroit and Chicago. A surveyor by the name of Orange Risdon was hired
to survey such a road so that in the event of Indian uprisings, the military
could move quickly. Risdon liked what he saw in the vicinity of the Saline River
and decided to stay.
Together with Risdon, early residents named the village
Saline. Through the 19th century, a small number of black families made their
home in the village and made their living as farmers. [See History Page].
20th century men and their families continued to increase the size of the village
until in 1966, it was deemed a city retaining the same name.
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