Royal Oak, Suburban city in Oakland County, Michigan, United States
Royal Oak is a city in Oakland County, Michigan, covering about 11.79 square miles (30.5 square kilometers) north of Detroit with residential areas and a commercial district along Woodward Avenue. Streets connect parks, shops and public buildings in a network of main roads and smaller side streets.
The settlement was founded in 1819 and took its name from a large oak tree that reminded Territorial Governor Lewis Cass of King Charles II's story. Over the course of the 20th century, the place transformed from a rural area into a suburb with growth along transport routes.
The National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica displays Art Deco design with a tower reaching about 130 feet (40 meters) and draws visitors who come to see the building and its interior spaces. The church serves as an active place of worship and shapes the local skyline with its recognizable form.
The farmers market has operated since 1925 and offers local produce and artisan goods at regular events throughout the year. A visit in the morning or late morning shows the offerings at their freshest and combines well with a walk through the surrounding area.
The Detroit Zoo sits within the city limits and houses numerous animal species across about 125 acres (50.5 hectares) in naturalistic enclosures with educational programs. The facility ranks among the older zoos in the region and draws visitors from across the greater metropolitan area.
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