History Of The Dexter Area Chamber Of Commerce

The Dexter Area Chamber of Commerce began in the 1960’s and evolved into the Business and Industry Council of Dexter.  In 1992, with 140 members, the present day Chamber re-formed.  Many of the charter members are still members today to make up a membership of almost 250 members.

Mary Pnieswski and Richard Pasley served as Co-Presidents of the first Chamber in 1992.  Other Past-Presidents include Joe Scheuring, Mike Mulvihill, Paul Ganz, Karen Bentley, Paul Bishop, E.J. Gilbert, Steve Gergely, Patrick Sorter, Paula Palmer Burns, Matt LaFontaine, Joe Nowak, and Andy Kudwa.  Paula Palmer Burns is the current President.

The Chamber goes beyond the Village of Dexter limits encompassing the Dexter School District and more.  The Board of Directors is composed on nine volunteer members with community representation from the Village of Dexter, Dexter Schools, Dexter Senior Center, Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Department and the Dexter Area Fire Department.

The Dexter Area Chamber of Commerce hosts the Annual Golf Outing, Christmas Eve Luminary Project, and most recently the Downtown Dexter Summer Series.  Dexter Daze is the oldest event the Chamber sponsors which initially started as a sidewalk sale by the downtown merchants some 20 years prior to the organization of the Chamber's Dexter Daze Committee.

The Dexter Area Chamber of Commerce is organized to advance the general welfare and prosperity of the Dexter area so that all of its citizens and all areas of its business community shall prosper.

History of Dexter

Judge Dexter was appointed County Court Justice in 1826 and first held court here in 1827.  That same year, he established a post office in his home and carried the mail for the entire area to and from Ann Arbor by horseback.

The first merchant, Charles Coudin came to Dexter in 1830.  Alexander Crane, the frist blacksmith, found three homes on the plat when he arrived that year.  The first school was also built that year.  The Village of Dexter was said to have been laid out in such a way that the sun could shine on both sides of each street all day.

Judge Dexter's home was built in 1841 by Calvin Fillmore whose brother Millard Fillmore became president of the United States in 1850.  Judge Dexter's home was called Gordon Hall.

 
In the early days Dexter was frequently visited by large numbers of Native Americans, who came to swap venison, maple sugar, powder and trinkets.  These Native Americans were peaceful, and there is no evidence of hostility between the settlers and the Native Americans.

A regiment of young men called the Dexter Riflemen was started in 1832 and were called into action several times to guard not only their homes but also the State of Michigan.
A woolen mill was erected in 1838, which had 216 spindles and was run by water power.  This was the first major industry in Dexter.

The coming of the railroad to Dexter on July 4, 1841 was a cause of much celebration.  Many dignitaries from Ann Arbor and Detroit came in on the train.  There were speeches, games and refreshments, and the cannon was fired.

The first newspaper, The Dexter Leader, was first published in 1869.  The telephone came to Dexter as early as the 1880's, and electric lights came to Dexter in 1897.  That year, a moving picture show was held in the Opera House.

Through the years, Dexter has grown into a thriving community with many factories, modern community schools, a public library, modern sewage and water treatment plants.

Dexter, though being a modern progressive area, still retains its old time charm and hospitality.