List of Mayors of Detroit - History

History

During the early part of Detroit's existence, local authority was vested in a series of military commandants or other representatives of the French or English crown. The first local rule of Detroit was established in 1802, when Detroit was incorporated as a town. The original incorporation provided for a Board of Trustees to govern the town, the chairman of which was the highest governmental position. The first chairman of the Board, appointed on February 9, 1802, was James Henry. Henry was elected to the position later in the year. Subsequent elections were held in May of each year, chairmen of the Board of Trustees were James May (1803–1804), Solomon Sibley (1804–1805) and Joseph Wilkinson (elected 1805).

However, the fire of 1805 destroyed the town and effectively eliminated the government. Governor William Hull and Judge Augustus Woodward dissolved the original incorporation, replacing it in 1806 with a government headed by an appointed mayor. However, the position was largely honorary, and the two men who held it both quickly resigned upon realizing the lack of power in the office. The legislation creating this mayoral position was repealed in 1809; however, de facto political power still resided with Hull and Woodward, and the town was without either a mayor or Board of Trustees until after the War of 1812.

After the war, a legislative act in 1815 ended the interregnum and returned political control to the citizens of Detroit through a Board of Trustees, elected yearly. In October of that year, Solomon Sibley was elected as the first chair. Subsequent chairs were George McDougall (1816–1817), Abraham Edwards (1817–1818), John R. Williams (1818–1819), James McCloskey (1819–1820), James Abbott (1820–1821 and 1823–1824), and A. G. Whitney (1821–1822 and 1822–1823).

In 1824, John R. Williams drew up a new city charter again requiring a mayor, but this time one with increased executive powers. From 1824 to 1857, mayors were elected to terms of one year; from 1858 to 1953 the term was increased to two years, and after 1953 mayoral terms were four years.

Since 1915 all Detroit mayoral elections have been held on a non-partisan basis. After that date party affiliations did not appear on city election ballots.

The official residence of the Mayor of Detroit is Manoogian Mansion, located on Dwight Street in the Berry Subdivision Historic District, on the city's east side.