The Founding of the Village of New Hudson
The Village of New Hudson grew out of the "Michigan-Toledo Strip" of land and had been part of the original Northwest Ordinance that had been adopted by the Confederation Congress on July 13, 1787. The "Michigan-Toledo Strip" was platted and approved by Edward Tiffin, the Surveyor General, on October 15, 1823 when "Township 1 North, Range 7 East" had been created. The United States Government later issued a State Volume Patent to Russell Alvord on September 9, 1834 that consisted of 40 acres located in Section 3 of this township. About a year later on October 15, 1835, a similar patent was granted to Daniel Richards that contained 40 acres of land located in Section 4 of the same township. These two men would come together on March 13, 1837 as Proprietors to plat the Village of New Hudson, shortly after Michigan would become the 26th State of the Union on January 26, 1837.
The Village of New Hudson is situated within Charter Township of Lyon that legally had been established on March 7, 1834. The Township was detached from Novi and named for Lucius Lyon when the state legislature turned down the name of Fruitland as suggested by the Township residents. Lyon first came to Michigan as a surveyor in 1821 and later was elected as the first United States Senator from the State of Michigan.
The Village of New Hudson is situated within Charter Township of Lyon that legally had been established on March 7, 1834. The Township was detached from Novi and named for Lucius Lyon when the state legislature turned down the name of Fruitland as suggested by the Township residents. Lyon first came to Michigan as a surveyor in 1821 and later was elected as the first United States Senator from the State of Michigan.
Early School History
Education in the Village of New Hudson began in what was known as "School District No. 6" in about 1836. In 1867, District No. 6 and District No. 7 would consolidate, and thus create the first graded school in New Hudson. In 1868, the first brick school building was constructed on a plot of ground given by Elmer J. Rice located on South Street. The building committee for this structure consisted of George Vowles, Warren Hodges, and N.G. Pinney. The first teacher of this school was Thomas Bogart. Hattie Warren was the teacher in 1877. This school building burned to the ground on Monday, April 12, 1920 and school continued in and old store previously owned by Bunn & Templeton.
New Hudson Consolidated School
Construction on the New Hudson Consolidated School began in March 1921 with Charles F. Erb of Pontiac, MI as the contractor. Designed by the Fisher Brothers of Pontiac, MI the building was constructed of red brick, stone trim and consisted of a basement with gymnasium and two large classrooms on the first floor. The total cost of this new building was $30,000.
In 1923 more room was needed so an addition was added to the rear of the building that cost $20,000. This included an assembly room on the first floor along with a domestic science and laboratory in the basement.
Consolidation with neighboring school districts would occur within a few years. The districts of Kent No. 1, Milford No. 7 and Town Line Fr. joined to create the New Hudson Consolidated Agricultural School District in 1923.
The last commencement exercises were held on May 26, 1946 when it was decided to close the high school portion of the New Hudson School. Therefore, high school students in grades 9-12 began attending Milford High School in September 1946.
On November 12, 1946, New Hudson voters vote “no” (179 no, 105 yes) on consolidating with the Milford-Highland Agricultural School District. On June 19. 1947, New Hudson voters again vote “no” (133 no, 85 yes) on joining Huron Valley Agricultural Schools. Thus, Oakland County Superintendent of Schools, E.J. Lederle ordered an election in Lyon Township on the question of whether or not to have a township school unit on July 3, 1947.
On July 24, 1947, voters in Lyon Township and South Lyon vote “yes” (359 yes, 45 no) for a township school setup and on August 7, 1947 school board members of the new Lyon Township School District were elected. These included William Markham of New Hudson, Ray Braun of South Lyon, Ora McGary of Lyon Township, Robert McCrory of Lyon Township and Don Smith of Lyon Township. The first official school board meeting was held on August 18, 1947. At this time Don Smith was elected President, William Markham, Secretary and Robert McCrory as Treasurer.
School opened on September 9, 1947 in the newly established Lyon Township School District.
In 1923 more room was needed so an addition was added to the rear of the building that cost $20,000. This included an assembly room on the first floor along with a domestic science and laboratory in the basement.
Consolidation with neighboring school districts would occur within a few years. The districts of Kent No. 1, Milford No. 7 and Town Line Fr. joined to create the New Hudson Consolidated Agricultural School District in 1923.
The last commencement exercises were held on May 26, 1946 when it was decided to close the high school portion of the New Hudson School. Therefore, high school students in grades 9-12 began attending Milford High School in September 1946.
On November 12, 1946, New Hudson voters vote “no” (179 no, 105 yes) on consolidating with the Milford-Highland Agricultural School District. On June 19. 1947, New Hudson voters again vote “no” (133 no, 85 yes) on joining Huron Valley Agricultural Schools. Thus, Oakland County Superintendent of Schools, E.J. Lederle ordered an election in Lyon Township on the question of whether or not to have a township school unit on July 3, 1947.
On July 24, 1947, voters in Lyon Township and South Lyon vote “yes” (359 yes, 45 no) for a township school setup and on August 7, 1947 school board members of the new Lyon Township School District were elected. These included William Markham of New Hudson, Ray Braun of South Lyon, Ora McGary of Lyon Township, Robert McCrory of Lyon Township and Don Smith of Lyon Township. The first official school board meeting was held on August 18, 1947. At this time Don Smith was elected President, William Markham, Secretary and Robert McCrory as Treasurer.
School opened on September 9, 1947 in the newly established Lyon Township School District.
New Hudson Elementary School
The New Hudson Elementary School opened on September 9, 1947 and first served students in grades K-8 until June 1955. Beginning on September 7, 1955 7-8 grade students began attending a junior high school building housed in the "old" South Lyon Union School building that stood on the corner of West Liberty and South Warren streets. Sixth grade continued at the New Hudson Elementary School until September 5, 1967 when all sixth graders were relocated to Sayre Elementary School.
On April 3, 1948, voters of the Lyon Township School District approve the addition of a new gymnasium at New Hudson. The Lyon Township School Board awarded the contract to Clair Canine of Milan, MI for the construction of the new gymnasium, locker rooms for boys and girls and space to prepare hot lunches on November 15, 1948. Total cost of construction was set at $70,280. The dedication of the new gymnasium took place on May 27, 1949.
On February 13, 1957, the Lyon Township School Board awards a contract for the elementary school addition to the A.N. Hickson Construction Company of Detroit. The elementary school addition opened to students on September 4, 1957.
On June 11, 1963, the Lyon Township School District school board unanimously adopted a resolution to change the name of the school district to South Lyon Community Schools. The decision was prompted by several complaints that the name was not inclusive enough to the communities outside of Lyon Township.
August 10, 1972 - The South Lyon Community School Board votes to accept bids on new addition of four classrooms per architect, Charles Sherman on August 10, 1972. This four classroom addition opened to students on January 8, 1973. This addition later served as the library for the school building.
Annabelle L. Dolsen ends her 43-year career on June 15, 1988.
On April 3, 1948, voters of the Lyon Township School District approve the addition of a new gymnasium at New Hudson. The Lyon Township School Board awarded the contract to Clair Canine of Milan, MI for the construction of the new gymnasium, locker rooms for boys and girls and space to prepare hot lunches on November 15, 1948. Total cost of construction was set at $70,280. The dedication of the new gymnasium took place on May 27, 1949.
On February 13, 1957, the Lyon Township School Board awards a contract for the elementary school addition to the A.N. Hickson Construction Company of Detroit. The elementary school addition opened to students on September 4, 1957.
On June 11, 1963, the Lyon Township School District school board unanimously adopted a resolution to change the name of the school district to South Lyon Community Schools. The decision was prompted by several complaints that the name was not inclusive enough to the communities outside of Lyon Township.
August 10, 1972 - The South Lyon Community School Board votes to accept bids on new addition of four classrooms per architect, Charles Sherman on August 10, 1972. This four classroom addition opened to students on January 8, 1973. This addition later served as the library for the school building.
Annabelle L. Dolsen ends her 43-year career on June 15, 1988.
Ann L. Dolsen Elementary School
Annabelle L. Dolsen had been principal of the New Hudson Elementary School since the fall of 1955 until her retirement in 1988. Mrs. Dolsen had been a student of the former New Hudson School, having graduated in 1942. In addition, she had been a teacher at the school prior to her role as Principal. For these reasons and more, the school was named in her honor at the time of her retirement on June 15, 1988.
On September 21, 1992, voters approve $10 million dollar bond issue to demolish the 1921 and 1923 additions of the former New Hudson Consolidated School and to construct 16 new classrooms and renovations to the 1948 gymnasium, 1957 addition and 1972 classroom/library addition. TMP Associates and the Granger Construction Company were assigned to these projects.
On August 31, 1993, K-5 students resume school in new Dolsen Elementary School. New building had been completed in addition to renovations of the 1948 gymnasium, 1957 classroom, and 1973 classroom/library additions.
September 13, 1993 - Demolition begins on the 1921-1923 portions of the former New Hudson Consolidated School. The cupola and engraved sign were preserved, refurbished and installed in the new addition. The bell out front had been removed from the cupola years before and placed on the lawn in the front of the building. A parking lot new exists where the former New Hudson School once stood.
On September 21, 1992, voters approve $10 million dollar bond issue to demolish the 1921 and 1923 additions of the former New Hudson Consolidated School and to construct 16 new classrooms and renovations to the 1948 gymnasium, 1957 addition and 1972 classroom/library addition. TMP Associates and the Granger Construction Company were assigned to these projects.
On August 31, 1993, K-5 students resume school in new Dolsen Elementary School. New building had been completed in addition to renovations of the 1948 gymnasium, 1957 classroom, and 1973 classroom/library additions.
September 13, 1993 - Demolition begins on the 1921-1923 portions of the former New Hudson Consolidated School. The cupola and engraved sign were preserved, refurbished and installed in the new addition. The bell out front had been removed from the cupola years before and placed on the lawn in the front of the building. A parking lot new exists where the former New Hudson School once stood.