Welcome to the Drayton Plains Nature Center, a site teeming with history and natural beauty in Waterford Township, Michigan. Imagine stepping back in time to the early 19th century, when this land was a wilderness just north of Detroit. It was here that pioneers like Horatio Foster and the Durfee brothers first laid roots, taking advantage of the land sales opened by the United States General Land Office in 1818. By 1823, permanent settlers like Jonathan Perry and the Durfee brothers called this place home.
The Erie Canal’s opening in 1825 made travel easier, bringing more settlers to the Michigan Territory. One such settler was Daniel Windiate from England, who in 1835 constructed a dam and mill, naming it Drayton after his hometown. This marked the beginning of Drayton Plains’ growth as a community.
A significant historical development occurred in 1903 when the Michigan State Fish Commission established the Drayton Plains State Fish Hatchery on this site. Initially created to raise bass fingerlings, the hatchery was part of a broader movement in Michigan focusing on sport fishing, which gained momentum in the late 1920s. The hatchery was a state-of-the-art facility for its time and played a crucial role in fisheries management until its closure in 1962.
The Hatchery House, a notable structure on the property, was built around 1917. It is a rare example of a Sterling Home, Senator, Model B, a pre-cut mail-order house from the early 20th century. This house not only served as a residence for the hatchery’s superintendent but also stands today as a testament to the architectural styles of the Arts and Crafts Movement.
Over the years, the Drayton Plains Nature Center has evolved from its early industrial and settlement roots into a place dedicated to nature and education. Since opening as a nature center in 1967, it has provided visitors with a serene environment featuring woods, ponds, streams, and prairies, as well as an interpretive center displaying local wildlife and natural history.
Through its transformation, the Drayton Plains Nature Center has maintained its historical charm while serving as a community hub for education and outdoor recreation. It’s a place where history and nature coexist, inviting visitors to explore and reflect on the past and the natural world.
