For some it’s hard to believe there was ever any other Lodi Township Hall, in any other place. Easily visible from Saline-Ann Arbor (though sometimes requiring a bit more effort, depending on crop growth), the current building is set a quarter-mile west down Pleasant Lake Road.
That’s by design. The late Erwin Frederick, who served as Lodi Township Supervisor, once told Saline Journal parent D² Enterprises that this would help ensure that residents would “never forget” the rural heritage of this area. “They’ll have to drive some of it if they want to vote,” he said. [1]
The original Lodi Township Hall still stands, still owned and maintained by the township.
Opened in 1867, the last presidential context of which it was a part had Republican incumbent Ronald Reagan handily defeat challenger Walter Mondale for re-election. In order to cast ballots, most voters parked on the road near its location at Pleasant Lake and Zeeb Roads. Most of their time in line would be spent outside the cramped building — which was too small even for an indoor restroom.
Although the need for new space had been well established and agreed upon for quite some time, officials wouldn’t approve new construction until it could be paid for without need of borrowed funds. In 1986, The Saline Reporter quoted Mr Frederick as having said, “We’ve budgeted for this over the past 10-15 years ….” [2]
Constructed at a cost of $177,000, the current Lodi Township Hall officially unveiled to the public on the afternoon of Sunday, July 27, 1986. When visitors filled the parking lot to capacity, cars were routed onto the grass under clear skys and hot sun. [3]
In the photograph above from that day, Irwin Frederick can be seen standing at the podium. Among others seated at the head table were Township Treasurer Walt Lindemann, Clerk Grace Diuble, and Trustee Janan Godak. City of Saline Mayor can be identified among those in the audience.
References
- “Erwin Frederick” University of Michigan MLibrary Image Collections.
- “All Around Saline Town” (July 30, 1986) The Saline Reporter.
- “Lodi Township to Usher in New Era” (July 16, 1986) The Saline Reporter.
