The City of Hazel Park received its name in 1884 when John W Benjamine, School Inspector of the Royal Oak School District, petitioned the State of Michigan to establish a new school district from sections 25, 26, 35 and 36 of Royal Oak Township, naming it Hazel Park School District Number 8. He chose the name because of the abundance of Hazel Nut bushes growing wild in the area. In 1882, the area's residents, farmers, requested a school to be built. The first meeting was held October 22, 1882, in the yard of the home now standing at 40 E Nine Mile Road. Anthony Neusis, the father of Frank Neusis, who is the retired head of the Hazel Park Water Department, was leasing the home from Mr. Benjamine. His payment consisted of clearing three acres of land per year. In November 1883, the school electors agreed to purchase sufficient land from Bernard Grow, on the southwest corner of John R & Nine Mile Road, for $100 per acre, upon which to build a one-room school. This was later increased to two rooms. The first class of twenty-five was taught by Miss Marie Knowles (Mrs. W.H. Osgood of Royal Oak). Lena Neusis was among the pupils. The building, known as the Hazel Park School was used until 1920 and then sold to Frank Neusis when the Lacey School was built. M. Neusis used the building for a barbershop and grocery, moving the building across John R to Woodruff. The Lacey School was named after Thomas Lacy, a member of the school board from 1900 until 1921. The area grew slowly, and it was not until World War I, when the Ford Motor Car Company of Highland Park expanded, that people began to purchase property and build in Hazel Park. Other schools became necessary; Wanda and Martin Road (renamed Lee O. Clark School in 1966) were built in 1923, United Oaks and Hoover in 1925. High school classes were started in Lacey in 1923, and the first high school at Goulson and Highland was dedicated in 1929 (recently renamed the Howard H Beecher Junior High). A thriving business area developed at John R and Nine Mile Road and a few scattering businesses along Eight Mile Road. The Hazel Park Athletic Club was well known for its wrestling matches. The Hazel Park State Bank was organized. Dr. E. W. Bauer established his office and home in Hazel Park in 1924, and for many years was the only resident physician. George W. Ashley established the Ashley Funeral Home in 1927; his son, Allen Ashley, now operates it. Dr. Herman Meinke built a hospital at Eight Mile & Stephenson Highway, which he operated for nearly 35 years. Archie McCardell, Master Plumber, started his business in 1920; his first partner was Harold Watts. The first service club, the Hazel Park Exchange Club, was organized in 1924. They provided a building for the deputy sheriff, obtained both the first traffic light at John R & Nine Mile and a substation of the Royal Oak Post Office. The Hazel Park Women's Club, a member of the County, State and National Federations, organized As of May of 1998, the City of Hazel Park is promising a bright future as we entered the new millennium. The recently finished John R. Road (Viking Boulevard), continues to impress surrounding communities, and has made the city a leader among "Gateway" communities. City of Hazel Park, 111 E. Nine Mile Rd., Hazel Park, MI 48030 Disclaimer