Built in 1869 by Farmington pioneer Palmer Sherman, Longacre House was originally a modest, brick structure with a barn, spring house and well on 100 acres of property.
Mr. Sherman was a farmer who supplied seeds for the Ferry Seed Company. He and his wife had nine children. Over time, they gradually sold off portions of the property, and upon their retirement, rented it out. In 1915, Detroit lawyer Lumen Goodenough purchased the property and later hired noted architect Marcus Burrowes to remodel and expand the house, with 20 rooms, a greenhouse and a library with floor to ceiling bookshelves. The family owned the property until 1968, when the Goodenoughs children donated the home and five acres of land to the residents of the Farmington area, to be used as a community center.
Since the 1970s, the community center operated under the direction of a non-profit board, hosting both private and public events, receptions, weddings and family gatherings. In 2008, the City of Farmington Hills took ownership of Longacre House and now offers a variety of cultural programs there. In addition, the facility remains open for private event rentals, club and other community group meetings.
The runway at the Oakland/Troy Airport is open to aircraft that weigh 15,500 pounds or less. The facility serves as the county's executive airport and is frequented by business travelers and tourists using private, corporate and charter aircraft.
John Mahoney, who heads daily operations at the Troy airport, said the facility's low fees help the airport provide a valuable and friendly service to pilots.
Landing fees are $15 for aircraft that weigh 12,501 pounds or more. Ramp parking is free on the first night for visiting aircraft and $5 each additional day. Hangar parking is available for $15 per day or $335 per month.
41-B District Court serves Clinton Township, Harrison Township and Mt. Clemens. The court hears cases involving all sorts of civil, traffic, small claims, mediation and criminal matters. For general information and to pay fines online, please visit the website.
The West Bloomfield Township Public Library was awarded the 2010 National Medal for Museum and Library Service, the nation’s highest honor for museums and libraries. They are governed by an elected six-member Board of Trustees and the current President of the board is Ken Macon.
Librarians are available to answer questions by phone, in person, online and through text messaging. The building houses seven group study rooms, 22 computer workstations and a youth services area. Call the number provided for more information.
The Troy Public Library has grown from a collection of 1,000 books to a 40,000-square-foot facility with more than 320,000 items available for checkout. The library moved to its current location in 1971 and circulates more than a million items annually. The Troy Public Library is part of the Suburban Library Cooperative.
In addition to books, the Troy Public Library houses a Teen Resource Center, a children's room and a computer center and offers a Special Needs Collection, audio and video media, digital books, several classes and reading programs, as well as services for job seekers and access to e-resources.
The Troy Public Library continually ranks among the top libraries by Hennen's American Public Library Rating Index for libraries serving populations of 50,000 or more and has received awards from the Library of Michigan and the American Library Association.