About 40 miles northwest of Detroit is the 36-square-mile bedroom suburb of Independence Township, Michigan. Located within Independence Township is the Village of Clarkston, a one-half square mile community of about 1000 people and a quaint main street and downtown.

Independence Township is part of the outgrowth of Detroit, as citizens of the city built cottages for weekend getaways in the early part of the 20^th century. Eventually, farmland turned into subdivisions, cornfields turned into shopping centers and schools, and small dirt roads turned into paved thoroughfares for the ever-growing populations.

With a population that continues to stay steady or slowly grow year-over-year, Independence Township’s housing stock varies from area to area. You can still find quaint pre-war homes with large porches, 3-bedroom 1,500-square foot postwar ranches, colonials from the 1980s and 1990s, and more recently, large 4-or-5 –bedroom 2,000-square-foot houses with 3-car garages and numerous modern amenities. Independence Township is mostly free of cookie-cutter developments, as many of the homes have distinct looks and distinct features, such as circular driveways, flat roofs, or two-tiered backyards. The interiors can be just as diverse, featuring bonus rooms, hot tubs, and spacious great rooms.

Being primarily residential, Independence Township does not feature a large amount of major economic activity. Downtown Clarkston, however, is a true gem; it’s a National Historical Site and a throwback to the downtowns of old. Nearly all businesses are locally owned; there’s a bike shop, a general store, a bakery, and numerous other shops selling their food, wares, and services. There’s a farmer’s market during the warm months, festivals and parades throughout the year. Depot Park hosts free concerts, an art show, and car shows; it’s a great place to take a stroll on a lovely summer night.

Independence Township is also home to DTE Energy Music Theatre. Formerly Pine Knob, the amphitheater has played host to thousands of the top musical and comedy acts. Born in 1972, its first show was an Andy Williams concert; Eddie Money traditionally opens the summer concert season every year, and Jimmy Buffett has called DTE one of his favorite places in North America to play a show.

Independence Township and Clarkston students attend school within the Clarkston School District, which offers the CSMTech Academy, a program for high school students specializing in math, science, and technology, and also a program focusing on computer information sciences. Two of the schools are National Blue Ribbon schools, and six others have earned Michigan Exemplary Blue Ribbon schools status.

For recreation inside township borders, Independence Township offers Deer Lake Beach and a swimming spot for adults and children. For more swimming, check out Bay Court Beach. There’s a disc golf course, a community garden, and the requisite summer softball leagues.

With its bucolic neighborhoods, charming downtown, and pleasant lifestyle options, the people of Independence Township and Clarkston look forward to calling you their neighbors.

To learn more about the Clarkston and Independence Township area, download our Clarkston Booklet.