A History of Social Life
in Farmington, Michigan
Farmington Literary Club c. 1894
While business took up a large part of the residents' time and attention, social life played its part in the community's development as well. First the mills, taverns, public houses and schools served as centers for meeting and entertainment, but soon the diverse social needs of the people were met in other ways. Early organizations were formed; the Oakland County Agricultural Society in 1830 led to the formation of the Farmington Grange, No. 267, Patrons of Husbandry in the 1870's, with 59 male and 55 female charter members.
The Farmington Riflemen was a military organization begun in 1830. The men trained at Auburn or Walled Lake with other militia. Known as "minute men", they were supposed to be ready for call-up in the event of some emergency on the (old) Northwestern frontier. The organization lasted until after the Civil War, when it quietly died.
When the Village of Farmington was incorporated in 1867, an ordinance was written to regulate circuses, caravans and shows. Most of these extravaganzas took place in the Town Hall, which hosted political and patriotic rallies, plays, (some of which were presented by the original Farmington Players organized in 1898), basketball games (in this case the Town Hall functioned as the school gymnasium) musicals, dances, dinners, card-playing, and home talent shows. The Hall provided a meeting place for the Ladies Literary Club (forerunner of the library), the Young People's Literary Union, the Farmington Women's Cluv, the Grand River Pedro Club (music), and the You-go-I-go Pedro Club.
Square dances and masquerade balls were sponsored by the hotels as well, but the best attended of such events were the popular dances held during the Twenties in the barn on Heliker farm, just west of present Harrison High School.
Movies arrived in 1915, billed as silent "Flicker Shows". They were shown in the Methodist Community Hall, with admission at 15 cents and 25 cents.
When Farmington High School was built, it became the second most popular place in town, after the Town Hall, as the site of sports events, student performances, club meetings and presentations by the reorganized Farmington Players.
By 1995, the area had a wealth of recreational facilities including 5 parks with a total of almost 500 acres, 5 public indoor swimming pools, 3 private swim clubs, 1 private and 3 public golf courses, 22 outdoor public tennis courts, 4 natural ice rinks, and 1 public indoor rink with two surfaces. The Farmington Hills Special Services Department offers an array of sports activities for all ages during all seasons. Intramural sports (baseball, hockey, soccer, etc.) are available, organized by the public schools, clubs, and the city's recreation department.
Culturally, the area supports a philharmonic, community band and a chorus. The Farmington Artists Club has a juried show annually. The Farmington Musicale and the Farmington Players, which uses a converted barn on Twelve Mile Road, offer venues to the public. Other local organizations, such as the Farmington Historical Society and the Farmington Genealogical Society, cultivate an interest in our heritage. Senior adults find a variety of programs of interest at the William Costick Activities Center, supported by the City of Farmington Hills. Governor Warner's home has been converted to an historical museum, filled with the grace and ambience of a by-gone era.
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