Rochester Hills Surrounds the City of Rochester
Located in the Clinton River Valley of Oakland County, Rochester Hills, Michigan is just as the name depicts--a community of wooded hills surrounding the charming historic City of Rochester. As you will see, the city has a quaint downtown with quality stores and historic buildings-and you will never see a fast food restaurant in the City of Rochester-they are not allowed.
Originally called Avon Township, Rochester & Rochester Hills was the first settled area in Oakland County. Pioneers came in 1817 and the village of Rochester grew because it was a market center located along obvious transportation routes. The citizens of the Rochester area contributed to the development of planked roads connecting Detroit, Pontiac, Romeo, and Royal Oak. Rochester citizens bought $50,000 in railroad stocks to ensure that rail lines ran through Rochester. This assured the city's future and by 1907 there were 8 passenger and 25 freight trains stopping in Rochester every day.
The Paint Creek Trail 
Evidence of the transportation routes and the appeal of this area is The Paint Creek Trail which connects the City of Rochester to the village of Lake Orion. The trail follows the Old Penn Central Railroad up the Paint Creek Valley through highlands, pastures and wetlands. It is made of a compacted limestone surface which provides a solid but natural tail for hikers, cyclists, joggers, equestrians and cross-country skiers during the winter months. There are many access points along its 8.5 miles including the Paint Creek Walkway through the City of Rochester. This provides access to the Rochester Hills Public Library and a connection to the Clinton River Trail.
Stoney Creek Metropark
To the East, the Clinton River Trail connects with the Macomb Orchard Trail across Macomb County which provides access to Stony Creek Metropark, 4,461 acres of recreational lands. Stoney Creek Metropark surrounds Stoney Creek Lake which is a man-made 500-acre lake built by damming Stony Creek, a tributary of the Clinton River of northern Oakland County. The Park features a nature center, a hike-bike trail, beaches, boat launch facilities, a disc golf course and an 18-hole regulation golf course. Bike rentals, boat & paddle boat rentals and a marina are additional features available at Stoney Creek Metropark.
Several historical sites and attractions exist along the Paint Creek and Clinton River Trails including Bloomer Park where you will find the Velodrome and the Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm.
Bloomer Park
Besides hiking, fishing and picnic shelters, a unique feature of Bloomer Park is the Velodrome at Bloomer Park where you can discover the thrill of track riding. It's open to everyone regardless of your age and or skill. Your first bike rental and track ride is free along with free coaching to guide you through choosing equipment and how best to experience your first ride on the track. The track was designed by Olympic Velodrome designer Dale Hughes and operated by the Mike Walden Velodrome Fund. The track is a 1/8th mile wooden oval and was built by volunteers and paid for by donations with the support of the Community Foundation of Greater Rochester and the City of Rochester Hills.
Bloomer Park also borders the Yates Cider Mill. The location of Rochester and Rochester Hills in the Clinton River Valley was advantageous to powering mills to cut timber, grind grain, and press apples into cider-not to mention the ability to transport goods via the railroads. The many cider mills are still a major attraction in this area. One of which is the Yates Cider Mill.
Yates Cider Mill
In 1863, the Yates Grist Mill opened beside the Clinton-Kalamazoo Canal and produces the same kind of fresh 100% all natural cider folks enjoyed way back in 1876-still all powered by water. The Yates Cider Mill is located at Dequindre and Avon Roads (23 Mile Road) in Rochester Hills, Michigan. The mill is just 35 minutes from downtown Detroit and open 7 days a week 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM during the months of September and October and 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM during the month of November.
Michigan is ranked among the top apple producing states nationally and the cider capital of the Midwest and renowned for its hundreds of farm markets and cider mills that feature freshly pressed cider made from apples picked locally at their orchards. Besides Yates Cider Mill, there are three others located within a mile of Rochester Hills: Goodison Cider Mill, Paint Creek Cider Mill and the Rochester Cider Mill.
Rochester Museum at Van Hoosen Farm
To learn about and appreciate the history of the greater Rochester area in Oakland County, Michigan, a great place to visit is the Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm. The Museum hosts ‘A Lively Town: The History of the Greater Rochester Area 1817-1952'. This is a permanent exhibit housed in the1927 Van Hoosen Dairy Barn.
One of several large scientific farming operations dating back to 1823 was Dr. Sarah Van Hoosen Jones' dairy and poultry farm which is now the Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm. It is located in Stoney Creek Village, which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. This is a 16-acre museum complex features structures original to the property from 1840 to the early 20th century and houses informative exhibits highlighting the evolution of the community of Rochester and Rochester Hills. It is located on Van Hoosen Rd. just south of Tienken Rd, one mile east of Rochester Road, and one mile north of downtown Rochester.
Older Person's Commission
Rochester, Rochester Hills and Oakland Township are definitely the place where the opportunity for physical fitness prevails. With the miles and miles of trails and numerous parks, the city provides every opportunity to become and stay physically fit including the Older Person's Commission. The OPC is designed to meet the needs of people 50 years and older-regardless of income, race, religion, nationality, physical or mental ability.
The impressive facility was opened in its present location in 2003. Any resident of the three municipalities may participate in Health & Wellness and Leisure Travel at 50+ years of age and all other programs at 60+. The OPC's programs include nutritional meals, transportation, adult day services, social and educational activities and community outreach.
The Village of Rochester Hills
Called the Village of Rochester Hills, you will find upscale shops nestled into tree lined streets where you experience the small-town feel of a village atmosphere. The village is a 375,000 square foot shopping center and is the first in Michigan to utilize the streetscape concept. Focused around a main boulevard, the streets are lined with storefronts which are architecturally distinctive and curbside parking allows for convenience of shopping. You can stroll the village while enjoying the music pioped via outside speakers and the professional landscaping-gone is the sterile unappealing sea of asphalt. Many respected national retailers are represented such as Abercrombie & Fitch, Eddie Bauer, Talbot's, Bath & Body Works, Moosejaw and many more. When driving by on Adams Road, you would not know such a delightful village atmosphere exists-not to mention great dining.
Meadow Brook Hall
Historic buildings are a part of Southeastern Michigan and Meadow Brook Hall is the fourth largest historic house museum in the United States. Built between 1926 and 1929, it was the residence of Matilda Dodge Wilson who was the widow of John Dodge, one of the auto pioneers of the Detroit area. Architecturally, this tudor-revival style mansion adds much to the historic value of this area. It is a 110-room, 88,000 square foot museum and is complete with much of the original art and furnishings when this was a home to Matilda and her second husband, lumber broker Alfred G. Wilson. In 1957, the Wilson's left their home, its collections, 1,500 acres and $2 million to found what has become Oakland University. Daily tours are available year round and the mansion is a must see during the holidays for its decorations where many parties are celebrated by renting the facility to businesses in the area. Weddings are popular as well as other events throughout the year.
The Big Bright Light Show
During the winter holiday season, there is a dazzling light display known as the Big Bright Light Show which attracts over one million visitors to Downtown Rochester. During this event, the buildings of Downtown Rochester are covered in holiday lights every six inches which equals over 500,000 points of light. Each year the show promises to be bigger and brighter than the last.
Royal Park Hotel
Operated by the Grand Heritage Hotel Group, The Royal Park Hotel is a 176,000 sq. ft. boutique hotel and is located within 30 minutes of Detroit. For those visiting the Southeastern Michigan areas who want to be close to metro Detroit, this 143 room hotel provides the luxury of a getaway destination. Evoking the country manor homes of England, you will find custom marble floors, floor to ceiling windows and Italian crystal chandeliers which are just a few of the characteristics. It is located on the banks of the Paint Creek Trail and, in the summer months,you can enjoy outdoor dining and entertainment on the terrace. Opened in 2004, it is another option to Meadow Brook Hall for special events and ambiance.
Real Estate
Rochester Hills is especially known for extravagant homes and subdivisions. While downtown Rochester is prevalent with older renovated homes, the suburbs are prevalent with well-kept subdivisions built mostly during the 1970s, 80s and 90s. While driving on the main roads, you will find many landscaped entrances to subdivisions of single family residences and luxury condominiums. You will find larger homes and lot sizes particularly in the northern areas of Rochester Hills. Prevalent architectural styles include colonials, ranches and 1 ½ stories with attached garages where homes can range from $300,000 to $2 million. Rochester Hills is also home to local athletes and business executives from Detroit and the metro area.
Other Links and Things to know about Rochester Hills & the City of Rochester
Paint Creek Center for the Arts
Rochester Avon Recreation Authority
Things to do in and around Downtown Rochester
Southeastern Michigan Real Estate
Rochester Hills Realtor selling Real Estate in Southeastern Michigan. TishHouse sells Houses - selling Oakland County Real Estate with RE/MAX Showcase Homes in Birmingham, Michigan. Helping People in a challenging market by specializing in Short Sales. See what my clients have to say about my extraordinary customer service.
Thanks Missy: I have driven by the Village of Rochester Hills so often - I was so surprised at how adorable it was - now for the shopping - yikes, like you said.
Steve: I do enjoy the community, especially the Trails and the abundance of Nature like Stoney Creek Metro Park.
Karen:
It's a beautiful place and it would be interesting riding on the track - I have never done that. Thanks for visiting Rocester Hills, Michigan--for a short trip around the block--you'll have to visit in person one day for a track ride at least
Great blog on Rochester Hills. Make me want to move there!
I live in Auburn Hills and my office is in Rochester Hills, maybe I should flipo flop lol
Keith:
Thanks for taking the time to look through my post. When I was taking all the pictures, I appreciated even more what a lovely place Rochester Hills is. I love the downtown--both Rochester and the Village of Rochester Hills. My office is in Birmingham so it is a treat when I spend time in Rochester Hills.
James: Thanks for stopping by and commenting. I had so much fun taking the pictures and presenting ehsy this beautiful area has to offer. I have a friend whose parents bought out here before it was developed and she is always saying how theirs was the only home when she was growing up and now it has grown so much.