Chesterfield Rumored to Have Hosted Illegal Casino

Last of four-part series.

One rumor regarding Chesterfield is that a large, illegal casino was located in the area and some of the chips photographed in this article were used there.

The gambling chips are actually from the Chesterfield Club, an illegal casino located on Gratiot, on the outskirts of Detroit, in Halfway/East Detroit (now known as Eastpointe). It was said to be named for the brand of cigarettes known as Chesterfields. The township and village of Chesterfield were named by the town elders for Lord Chesterfield of England, who was similar to Ben Franklin, with famous sayings attributed to him, quoted from letters he sent to his son.

This is not to say that Chesterfield did not have their share of blind pigs (like the one reputedly at 24 Mile Road and Gratiot). But this Chesterfield Club was not in Chesterfield.

Since the whole Gratiot area from 24 Mile Road to Hall Road has business after business, with thousands in population, it’s hard to distinguish the long-ago hamlet of Chesterfield from the rest of the township.  But sometimes you will come across an old map of the area that still has a pinpoint at 22 Mile and Gratiot labeled “Chesterfield.” 

Now you know why they weren’t referring to the township.

Read , and in this series.

For more information about the small towns and villages of Chesterfield Township, check out . The book is available in the local public libraries or can be purchased through Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and other popular online sites. It may also be purchased at the , the , , and Preston Automotive.