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Community Corner

Local Historian Pens Book on Chesterfield's Past

Alan Naldrett's work, part of a historical series, will be on bookshelves this summer.

A book with images exploring Chesterfield Township's rich history is coming to book stores and gift shops in July.

Alan Naldrett, vice chairman of the Macomb County Historical Commission and member of the , was already working on the township archives when Arcadia Publishing approached the society about writing a book about the town for their Images of America Series.

The series has more then 5,200 books filled with pictures of historical people, places and events. Some other local subjects include Harrison Township, Mount Clemens and Selfridge Air National Guard Base.

Find out what's happening in New Baltimore-Chesterfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"There are many fascinating facts about the township," said Naldrett. "But if I had to choose one, I would probably mention the fact that there were two Native American reservations in Chesterfield. One was around where our Historical Village and are on Sugarbush Road, and the other was where is now."

Naldrett works as a librarian and an archivist in Chesterfield Township, the Green Street School in Chesterfield (which dates back to the mid-1800s and has many old documents), the of New Baltimore and the Auburn Hills branch of Baker College.

Find out what's happening in New Baltimore-Chesterfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The book will chronicle the township from its beginnings as a French settlement in 1611, officially becoming a chartered township in 1842 and the 1931 succession of New Baltimore.

"There are some limits as to what can be covered since Arcadia essentially wants pictures to be the main focus and for some historical happenings, there just aren’t a lot of pictures," said Naldrett.

One of the most surprising events in Chesterfield's history, according to Naldrett, is the F4 class tornado that ripped through the town in 1964. 

"It was one of the worst tornadoes in Michigan history," said Naldrett of the twister that almost totally devastated five or six streets. "Most of the pictures (of the aftermath) are ones that have never been seen by the public until now."

For those that look to the past to try to see into the future, Naldrett has some insight based on how things have shaped up in the past.

"Chesterfield has often had a tempestuous township government," said Naldrett. "But will remain one of the most desirable places to live in Michigan due to its proximity to major city perks such as the symphony, art museums, major league sports, and of course its location on Anchor Bay with the requisite boating, fishing, water-skiing, etc."

He added, "The greatest resource will always be the neighborly attitude that Chesterfield residents retain, no matter how much the area grows."

To order the book, visit http://patch.com/buTYZ.


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