St. Clair Shores is a city in Macomb County of the U.S. state of Michigan. It forms a part of the Metro Detroit area, and is located approximately 13 miles (21 km) northeast of downtown Detroit. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 63,096. The current mayor is Robert A. Hison (R).
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 36.9 km² (14.2 mi²). 29.9 km² (11.5 mi²) of it is land and 7.0 km² (2.7 mi²) of it (19.09%) is water. A notable feature of St. Clair Shores is its 14 miles (22 km) of canals.
History and culture
The area was inhabited by French settlers as early as 1710, at which time it was called
L'anse Creuse. (L'anse Creuse was also the name of a stop on the now-defunct interurban railroad off of Jefferson Ave near Nine Mile Road, and the name lives on today in the L'anse Creuse High School in Harrison Twp.)
From 1843 until 1911, St. Clair Shores was a part of Erin Township, parts of which make up today's Eastpointe, the Grosse Pointes and St. Clair Shores. In 1911, the township's name changed to Lake Township. Lake Township still exists, although greatly reduced in area. It now represents only the small portion of the village of Grosse Pointe Shores that lies within Macomb County.
The city once was home to an amusement park named Jefferson Beach. Built in 1927, it featured the longest roller coaster in the United States. In 1955, a fire destroyed several buildings in the park. While Jefferson Beach attempted to rebuild, its owners slowly converted the park to a marina. In 1959, the remaining amusement park buildings were destroyed to make room for the marina.
With help from its location along the shores of Lake Saint Clair, St. Clair Shores grew from a resort community to a suburban city rapidly after World War II. Prior to the city's incorporation in 1951, St. Clair Shores was recognized as the largest village in the United States.
The tallest building in St. Clair Shores is the 26-story
Shore Club Highrise, known locally as "9 Mile Tower", located near Nine Mile Road and Jefferson Avenue on Lake Saint Clair.
Each year, St. Clair Shores hosts a popular Memorial Day Parade. The city is also known for its "Nautical Mile" - a strip of Jefferson Avenue between Nine Mile and 10 Mile roads featuring many retail establishments, boat dealers, and marinas.
The city is also known for its connection to Detroit's musical history. Notable locations include Car City Records on Harper between 8 and 9 Mile roads (whose employees have included many from the Detroit music scene) and the Crows Nest East, a popular music venue in the 1960's which was located on Harper and 13 Mile Road.
Notable former residents include actor Dave Coulier , Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame singer Patti Smith (and her late husband, Fred 'Sonic' Smith of the MC5),...
