Dexter, city in Michigan, United States
Dexter is a small city in Washtenaw County, Michigan, situated along the Huron River with historic buildings, homes from different eras, and green spaces throughout. Downtown features local shops, cafes, and restaurants, while parks like Mill Creek Park offer boardwalks, boat launches, and reconstructed historic structures that draw visitors.
Dexter was established in 1824 and began as a hub for sawmills, woolen mills, grist mills, and cider mills, with one of Michigan's oldest cider mills still standing. The early settlement also played a role in freedom's history, with Gordon Hall, the founder's estate, serving as a refuge on the Underground Railroad.
Dexter was originally home to Anishinaabe peoples including Ojibwa, Ottawa, Huron, and Pottawatomi, and later took its name from Judge Samuel W. Dexter, whose estate served as a stop on the Underground Railroad. Today, festivals and community events throughout the year reflect the town's values of togetherness and shared traditions.
Visitors can easily explore the city by bike, as dedicated paths run alongside the Huron River and the County Border-to-Border Trail passes through the area. The river offers paddling opportunities in canoes and kayaks during summer, and parks provide boat launches and walking paths throughout.
A historic A&W restaurant operating since the 1960s offers classic drive-up service with carside delivery, transporting visitors back in time. Ordering a root beer float at this iconic spot captures a memorable twist on American car culture history.
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