Brighton Area Historical Society

10/28/2026

Pleasant Valley Cemetery Headstone Restorations Almost Completed:

The Headstone Restoration Team of the Brighton Area Historical Society is 1-2 workdays away from completing their restoration work within Pleasant Valley Cemetery. The last workday for 2026 was last Monday, October 26. Broken headstones were restored while settled headstones were removed and made vertical again. Work will be finished by the end of July 2027.

Thank you to the many dedicated volunteers that have chosen to preserve their valued Brighton Township history. Members from the Daughters of the American Revolution ,DAR, are a vital part of the team. The earliest burials appear to be in the 1830s-1840s period. This cemetery is located at 3340 Pleasant Valley Road.

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10/12/2026

Brighton’s Victorian Silhouettes Starting Their Winter Vacation:

Today was a wonderful day at 80 degrees for removing (13) of (15) Victorian Silhouettes from the downtown Brighton Millpond area. Several silhouettes will remain at their posts for the upcoming scavenger hunt.

During winter storage repairs are made to the silhouettes and to their steel supporting frames. The Brighton Area Historical Society and its members are responsible for their installation, take down and needed repairs.

Thank you to the BAHS members who support the society’s historical projects and to the workers who made time today to remove and place the silhouettes in winter storage. Thanks to Treasurer Steve Black for organizing today’s program and taking photos.

The 2027 BAHS membership drive will be starting in several weeks. You can make donations and become part of the membership using the online registration at the BAHS website, BrightonAreaHistorical.com
The monthly member newsletter, Trail Trails, also has a membership form that you can fill out and mail in with your membership donation.

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10/04/2026

Silhouettes Are Heading to Winter Storage Next Week! Can You Help?

Are you available to help with the takedown of (15) silhouettes next Monday, October 12, from 9am-11am? Please meet at the Cobach Center(Old Town Hall) on the side that faces El Arbol.

A Crescent wrench(adjustable wrench) is all that is needed. If you have a hand dolly please bring it.

Looking forward to seeing the workers!

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10/04/2026

Brighton’s Unkept Guest at the Brighton House:

The Brighton Citizen reported in its June 12, 1873 newspaper that a thirsty pig looking for a drink entered the Brighton House Restaurant and Hotel(for details see attached newspaper clipping). The Brighton Citizen preceded the Brighton Argus that was started in 1880.

The Brighton House was located on the NE corner of Main St and Grand River Ave. The business was also known as the Eastern House in future years. Its popularity was enhanced since it occupied the main intersection of Brighton and was on the main road from Detroit to Michigan’s capitol. The current photo shows the corner today where the Brighton House was located.

The Brighton Area Historical Society starts the 2027 membership drive next month. Forms are available in the society’s monthly newsletter, Trail Tales. You can also access the society’s website below and make donations or become a new or renewing member. Thank you for your support!
BrightonAreaHistorical.com

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09/30/2026

Brighton’s E Main Street, 115 Years Ago:

The road many locals use today to get to I 96 and US 23 did not exist 115 years ago. East Main Street stopped at East Street. The hill past this intersection was a farm field.

Notice the barn located on the SE corner of East St and East Main. Today you will find an attractive brick building there where you can invest in financial services.

On the opposite corner you can see the same home as a residence in 1910. Lettie and Ira Cook lived here. Today McGivney Law firm is housed there.

In the early 1920s houses started to get built on this hillside area known as Brighton Heights. Tom S Leith was the developer for these homes and many other building projects in the Brighton area. Eventually E Main St was extended up the hill several years later.

To spur development Mr Leith gave Brighton Schools some property to build a school. In 1928 the new high school was built on the hill and many families selected new homes in the vicinity.

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09/29/2026

Downtown Brighton Railroad Crash 75 Years Ago:

The two photos from 1951 show the railroad accident located south of the Main St crossing. Hyne Brothers grain elevator is seen on the left of the one photo.

Does your family have any photos taken during the cleanup of the train derailment? Please share with the Brighton Area Historical Society.

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09/28/2026

Old Village Cemetery Headstone Restoration Day:

Today’s restoration work was shifted to Old Village Cemetery to complete the work that we can perform. Several large obelisks remain on the ground and need to be placed on their pedestals with the equipment of Brighton’s DPW.

The final (4) headstones that were found in pieces were rebuilt, restored and installed today. It is likely these (4) headstones were almost totally destroyed by vandals back in the 1960-1980s.

The headstones for Nancy Albro, William Albro, Rhoda M Buck and Jasper H Buck would have been lost permanently except for the diligent work of the Headstone Restoration Team. William Albro is an in-law of Nancy Albro, and thus are not
husband and wife.

At this point all pieces of headstones have been rebuilt in the Old Village Cemetery. The total broken headstones rebuilt stands at 174. Over 240 leaning and sunken headstones were removed, and reinstalled with 4-6” of crushed gravel below the base and made vertical again. (3) headstones were also repaired that were broken in the last year, but were not victims of vandalism. Repaired broken headstones belong to: Robert Bigham, Ellen Pratt, and Adda Westphal.

The team is now working on restoring broken headstones in Brighton Township at the Pleasant Valley Cemetery. Work should be completed in the summer of 2027. The team will then move to another local cemetery that needs restoration help. Do you have a suggestion?

If you would like to visit Old Village Cemetery (aka Brighton Village Cemetery) with your computer there is a website called FindAGrave.com. All headstones have been recorded with photos and information at this site.

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09/27/2026

09/23/2026

Destination Starz Hollow Visits Old Village Cemetery this weekend Sept 25-27:

The Old Village Cemetery has been a major part of Brighton’s history since the first burial there in 1838.

This Friday through Sunday, September 25-26, the Brighton Area Historical Society will be sharing some of these stories with many visitors as part of Destination Starz Hollow event in Brighton. We will be conducting tours, relating our stories as well as those of eccentric characters inspired by the show “Gilmore Girls.”(see photos) There will be moments of fun, sorrow, laughs and frights! Join us this weekend at Brighton Village Cemetery! Hours: Fri 4-7; Sat 10-7; Sun 10-4.

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09/19/2026

Enjoy Local Historical Activities-Bonnie Corrigan Memorial at Lyon Schoolhouse, 11455 Buno Rd, Sunday, 9/20, 1-3 pm.

The public is invited to attend the special gathering that will celebrate both Bonnie’s personal connection to the historic Lyon School and the Corrigan family’s meaningful support of local history.