- Country: United States
- State: Michigan
- County: Oakland
- Incorporated: 1969
- Government
- Mayor David Landry
- Area
- City 31.3 sq. mi.
- Land 30.5 sq. mi.
- Water .8 sq. mi.
- Elevation 909 feet
- Population
- City 52,231
- Density 1,555.3/sq. mi.
- Time Zone EST (UTC-5)
- Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)
- Area Code 248
History
The City of Novi was incorporated in 1969 after the approval of a city charter by Village of Novi voters. The city was incorporated along the boundaries of the existing Village of Novi. The approval of incorporation and the city charter followed several previous attempts at incorporation that were rejected by Novi voters. In the 1970s, the city annexed portions of Novi Township that had been detached from the Village of Novi after the village incorporated in 1958. A lengthy legal battle ensued between the city and the township which ultimately was decided by the Michigan Supreme Court in favor of the city. The legal disputes around the annexation battles were not fully resolved until 1984.
Historic Sites
- Jacob and Rebecca Fuerst Farmstead: Listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Fuerst Farmstead is threatened with demolition by the City of Novi.
- Tollgate Farm: 160 acre (650,000 m²) farmstead and educational center
- Colonel Samuel White Homestead: Site includes a Michigan Historical Marker
- Novi Depot: Portion of the original railroad depot constructed in 1871 for the Holly, Wayne and Monroe Railroad (currently CSX railroad).
- Historic Township Hall: Located adjacent to Jacob and Rebecca Fuerst Farmstead
The name Novi was taken from the township, which was organized in 1832 from Farmington Township. The name was offered by resident Dr. J. C. Emery, at the suggestion of his wife. Residents were reportedly looking for a shorter name than Farmington.
Several popular but historically inaccurate explanations have been given for the origin of the name Novi. One version is that it was named after the 6th tollgate (No. VI) on the Grand River toll road. However, the township was named in 1832 and the toll road was not constructed until the 1850s. A similar claim is made about the township being stop number 6 on the railroad. However, the Holly, Wayne and Monroe (now CSX) railroad was not constructed through the township until 1870 - 1871, almost 40 years after it was named.
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