A Welcome from the Mayor: 

Whether you are just exploring possibilities or searching for a destination, I am very glad you have found Adrian, Michigan.  Established in 1825, Adrian is one of Michigan’s  oldest cities and is rich in history from many standpoints.  It was the sheer beauty of our vast woodlands, lakes and streams that attracted the early settlers to our area.  With the coming of rail service, our city became the county seat, and a bustling community of commerce, industry and agriculture.  In the early 1900’s we were home to three automobile manufacturing companies, the world’s largest milk condensing factory, Adrian College, the Adrian Dominicans, and many start-up companies.  In its first 100 years Adrian grew by leaps and bounds and established itself as an important link in the growth of the State of Michigan. 

Today Adrian is nearly 183 years old and continues to be an important part of defining our regions identity.  We are now home to three institutions of higher learning; Adrian College, Siena Heights University and Jackson Community College at Vo-Tech.  We have superb public and private schools and a vocational education center and proudly boast that we have been named  as one of 2007’s top 100 communities in the nation for young people.  We are very proud of a recently passed $50 million bond issue for our public schools.

To compliment our excellent educational opportunities, we are home to the well-known Adrian Symphony Orchestra, the historical Croswell Opera House, and the beautiful Lenawee Historical Museum.  Adrian’s 22,500 citizens enjoy a downtown shopping district complete with ornate historical buildings and a shopping mall south of town.  And, we have Promedica Health Care, one of the finest health care providers in the Midwest.  

We are very proud to be the home of  Brazeway Heaqdquarters, Masco, Anderson Development Corporation, Inergy Automotive, Next Diesel, Venchurs, Delphi Corporation,  Wacker Chemical Corporation and several other very fine companies.

An important issue for people today searching for a place to live, work, raise a family or start a business, is the “quality of life.”  If it is an excellent quality of life that you are seeking, I ask you to give strong consideration to Adrian, Michigan.  We offer superb state of the art police and fire protection, 22 beautiful city parks including hundreds of acres of woods, fields, streams with abundant wildlife, biking and hiking trails, a historical homes district, a plethora of churches, several youth organizations, a YMCA and Christian Family Center, many inviting subdivisions, apartment complexes, and condominiums, plus all the educational and cultural amenities mentioned earlier.  While we are primarily a rural community, we are in close proximity (about 45 minutes) from Toledo, OH, Ann Arbor, MI and Jackson, MI. 

Today we continue to be a bustling beautiful little town that has much to offer and I would love to tell you about all the new and exciting things that are happening here.  We have several new developments taking place currently that are continuing the excitement for our city.  I have heard it said that, “Adrian is the best kept secret in Michigan.”  The Adrian Area Chamber of Commerce and I want to make sure it is a secret no more!  Check us out today.  I promise you won’t be disappointed.

Gary McDowell, Mayor

City of Adrian