by 
Memphis, Michigan, is situated on the border of Macomb and St. Clair counties, separated by the Belle River. It was once a small frontier outpost. However, the history of Memphis Michigan, is more than just a frontier tale: it is a story of river, rail, farming, and invention.
Video – Michigan’s Forgotten Town That Invented a Car Before Henry Ford — and Nobody Told You About It!
Memphis Early Roots on the Belle River
The history of Memphis, Michigan, begins along the Belle River in the 1830s. Brothers Anthony and James Wells settled here, building mills and a small trading post. Their community was known simply as “Wells Settlement.” In 1848, a post office opened, and the name changed to Memphis, inspired by the ancient city on the Nile. The river’s bluff reminded settlers of Egypt’s fertile banks.
The River and the Mills
The Belle River provided the energy that shaped early Memphis. A sawmill processed lumber from the surrounding forests, while a gristmill ground grain for local farmers. These mills became the economic foundation of the village.
By the late 1800s, the town added steam power. The towering flour mill near the rail yard symbolized the modernization of the area. Its steady plume of smoke meant prosperity. Farmers from miles around hauled their harvest here to be milled and sold.
Railroads and the Industry of Memphis Michigan
When the Pere Marquette Railroad reached Memphis, it transformed the town’s economy. A depot and grain elevator were built to move flour, timber, and livestock to market. Memphis’s rail connection tied it to Port Huron, Detroit, and the Great Lakes trade network.
Main Street Life of Memphis
Photographs from the early 1900s show a thriving downtown. Wooden storefronts bore signs for groceries, hardware, and harness supplies.
The National Hotel, standing at St. Clair and Main Streets, welcomed travelers and salesmen arriving by train. Fires were frequent, destroying frame buildings like Wells Tavern, but each disaster led to renewal. By the 1910s, much of Main Street had been rebuilt in brick.
Innovation: “The Thing”
In 1884–85, machinist John Clegg and his son Thomas built a steam-powered automobile in their Memphis workshop. Called “The Thing,” it ran for an estimated 500 miles in test drives and may have been Michigan’s first car. The Cleggs’ invention predated Henry Ford’s experiments by nearly a decade. A Michigan Historical Marker now honors their achievement.
Memphis Schools & Civic Growth
By 1879, Memphis had erected a fine brick high school, a sign of permanence and civic pride. The town hosted political visits, including one by Governor Fred M. Warner, as captured in early photographs.
Life Between River and Rail
By 1930, Memphis had balanced its twin identities — agricultural center and industrial town. Farmers worked the land; trains carried their goods to market. The flour mill and elevator defined the skyline, while the Belle River continued to power small shops and provide a gathering place for residents.
Legacy
Memphis never sought to be large. Its story is one of steady ambition — a community that worked, built, burned, rebuilt, and innovated. From the mills that fed Michigan to the steam car that foreshadowed its automotive destiny, the history of Memphis, Michigan, captures the spirit of small-town ingenuity.
Works Cited For the History of Memphis Michigan
“Memphis, Michigan.” Wikipedia.
“Station: Memphis, MI.” Michigan Railroads. https://www.michiganrailroads.com/stations-locations/138-st-clair-county-74/1903-memphis-mi
“The Thing – Memphis Steam Car.” Historic Marker Database (HMDB). https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=135276
“The Thing: Michigan’s First Automobile.” 99.1 WFMK News Feature. https://99wfmk.com/michigan-the-thing
“Atlas of St. Clair County, Michigan, 1876.” Historic Map Works Archive. https://www.historicmapworks.com
“Governor Fred M. Warner Visit.” Michigan Historical Archives. https://michiganology.org
