First. there were no roads to bring the people into the area. the only mode of transportation during the 18th and 19th centuries was the canoe and the only highways were the lakes and rivers. Second. the French had a policy to protect the fur trade by keeping the wilderness Intact. Up until the 1820s. Center Line was known as an impassable swamp and travelers detoured around it. Gradually. as land became scarce. the French. German. Belgium. and Irish immigrants poured into the township. With great courage and determination. they set to work with spade and ax and felled the trees and drained the swamps. Legend has It that the name "Center Line" came from one of three Indian trails leading from the fort at Detroit to other trading posts.
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immigrants