Why Westland
Westland is an urban city situated in Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan, positioned approximately 18 miles (29 kilometers) west of downtown Detroit. Covering a total area of 20.45 square miles—of which 20.43 square miles is land and 0.02 square miles is water—this western suburb forms a sizable community within the broader Detroit metropolitan region.
The area's history extends back to the 18th century, when it contained a Potawatomi Native American village and was utilized as hunting territory by three Algonquian tribes. Non-native travelers began passing through in the early 19th century, with permanent settlement commencing around 1824. In 1827, the land was organized into Bucklin Township. Following a proposed division in 1829, territorial regulations against duplicate post office names led to the area being named Nankin Township, after the Chinese city of Nanking.
Nankin Township remained predominantly rural until World War II. Development increased after the war with projects such as the Norwayne subdivision, which was established to provide housing for returning military personnel working in nearby industrial plants. By 1960, the population had grown to 70,000, making it Michigan's largest township. In response to annexation attempts by the neighboring city of Livonia regarding the site of the Westland Shopping Center—which opened in 1965—residents voted on May 16, 1966, to incorporate as the City of Westland.
Outdoor recreation is a primary feature of the community, which is known for its wide selection of parks. Hines Park, a facility managed by Wayne County Parks along the city's northern corridor, features paved bicycle paths and year-round wildlife viewing opportunities for deer, foxes, and hummingbirds. Additional nature trails can be explored near Newburg Lake, while a variety of smaller municipal parks are scattered throughout local residential districts.
Notable historical and civic sights in Westland include the Perrinsville School, a historic location situated on Warren Road. The city also contains the historic Eloise psychiatric hospital building, which dates back to 1839 and functioned as the Wayne County Hospital until 1984. Civic services for residents and visitors include the William P. Faust Public Library, which supplies traditional print collections alongside physical media, digital resources, and subscription database access.
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