Southgate, Michigan

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Southgate, Michigan
settlement_type = City
nickname = The Heart of Downriver and The Dining Capital of Downriver


imagesize =
image_caption =
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mapsize = 250x200px
map_caption = Location in Wayne County and the state of Michigan


mapsize1 =
map_caption1 =
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_name1 = Michigan
subdivision_name2 = Wayne
government_type =
leader_title = Mayor
leader_name = Norma Wurmlinger
established_date =
area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 17.9
area_total_sq_mi = 6.9
area_land_km2 = 17.8
area_land_sq_mi = 6.9
area_water_km2 = 0.0
area_water_sq_mi = 0.0
elevation_ft = 591
elevation_m = 180
population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_total = 30136
population_metro =
population_density_km2 = 1697.2
population_density_sq_mi = 4395.8
timezone = EST
utc_offset = -5
latd = 42 |latm = 12 |lats = 19 |latNS = N
longd = 83 |longm = 11 |longs = 53 |longEW = W
timezone_DST = EDT
utc_offset_DST = -4
postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 48195
area_code = 734
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 26-74960GR|2
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0638446GR|3
footnotes =
website = www.southgate-mi.org

Southgate is a city in Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 30,136 at the 2000 census.

Southgate was the last city to incorporate from the former Ecorse Township, gaining city status in October 1958. The city is bounded by Goddard Road to the north; M-85/Fort Street on the east, Pennsylvania Road to the south, and Allen Road to the west.

Southgate currently houses the headquarters of "The News-Herald", a local Downriver newspaper which covers over twenty surrounding communities. During the late 1950s and 1960s, The Southgate Sentinel, a Mellus newspaper, was published.

Southgate also houses Splash Park and the Downriver YMCA. Southgate also has the headquarters for ASC or American Specialty Cars. Southgate is the Heart of Downriver.

History

There are two accounts of the city's name: Southgate is described in local guides as being the "South Gate" or entrance to the Metro Detroit area. "A metropolitan daily picture story" in late 1956 also gave this explanation. ["'Schaferson' Suggested for Township City." Wyandotte Tribune, December 6, 1956.]

Southgate's first mayor, Thomas J. Anderson, also stated in 1956 that the name originated from the newly-built Southgate Shopping Center in the middle of the city. "We were trying to get a separate post office for our community, and were advised that it would help our cause if the township board passed a resolution creating an unincorporated village," Anderson explained. "The name Southgate was chosen because of the shopping center then under consideration, and the board agreed that it was an appropriate name. The resolution was adopted at a regular meeting in the early summer of 1953." ["'Southgate' Name Favored in Poll." Wyandotte News-Herald, November 29, 1956.]

Thomas Anderson became the city's first mayor in 1958 after having been Ecorse Township's supervisor for the previous five years. Anderson also has the High School named after him. ["Southgate Becomes New City." The Detroit News, October 1, 1958.]

Government

Previous mayors include (alphabetically): Thomas Anderson, Walter Berklich, William Brainard, Dennis David, Suzanne Hall, James Kandrevas, Robert Reaume, Norma Wurmlinger. Other elected city officials are the 7 city councilpersons, a treasurer and a clerk. All terms of office are for 2 years.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.9 square miles (17.8 km²), all land. Southgate borders the cities of Riverview (south),Wyandotte (east),Allen Park (northwest),Taylor (west),andLincoln Park (north).

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 30,136 people, 12,836 households, and 8,048 families residing in the city. The population density was 4,395.8 per square mile (1,696.1/km²). There were 13,361 housing units at an average density of 1,948.9/sq mi (752.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 93.66% Caucasian, 2.11% African American, 0.50% Native American, 1.67% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.85% from other races, and 1.18% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.98% of the population.

There were 12,836 households out of which 26.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.2% were married couples living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.3% were non-families. 32.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.98.

In the city the population was spread out with 21.5% under the age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 30.6% from 25 to 44, 23.3% from 45 to 64, and 16.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 93.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $46,927, and the median income for a family was $56,710. Males had a median income of $45,829 versus $28,549 for females. The per capita income for the city was $23,219. About 2.6% of families and 4.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.4% of those under age 18 and 8.5% of those age 65 or over.

Dining Capital of Downriver

In the News-Herald the mayor of Southgate stated that Southgate is the "Dining Capital of Downriver." [cite news |title=Tale of four cities |url=http://thenewsherald.com/stories/062907/loc_20070629002.shtml |work= |publisher=The News-Herald |date=2007-06-29 |accessdate=2008-05-04] There are a lot of diverse and delicious places to eat in Southgate. It is home to several chain restaurants including: Chilis, Applebee's, Logan's Roadhouse, Ram's Horn, Red Lobster, Outback Steakhouse, Red Robin, Salvatore Scallopini, Panera Bread, Old Chicago Pasta & Pizza, Buffalo Wild Wings, Old Country Buffet, Pizza Hut among others. You can also find an array of small family owned restaurants (including a few Coney Islands) with cuisines specializing in Italian, Mediterranean, Mexican, Chinese, Japanese, Hungarian, Arabic, and American. In recent years Southgate has become popular for their two large sports bars, Malarkey's and Mallie's. Southgate hosts several fast food chains such as: McDonald's, Popeyes Chicken and Biscuits, Burger King, Taco Bell, White Castle, Subway, Arby's, Tubby's among others. Southgate is also the first city in Michigan with a Sonic Drive-In that opened in mid-May 2008.

chools and Education

*St. Pius X (Preschool - 8th Grade)
*Christ the King Lutheran (Preschool - 8th Grade)
*Montessori Center of Downriver (Preschool - Kindergarten)
*Creative Montessori Academy (Preschool - 8th Grade)
*Dorsey Business School (Business College)
*Madonna University Downriver Campus
*Northwood University Southgate Campus
*Southgate Adult & Community Ed
*Grogan Elementary
*Chormann Elementary
*North Pointe Elementary
*Fordline Elementary
*Shelters Elementary
*Allen Elementary
*Gerisch Middle School (6th Grade - 7th Grade)
*Davidson Middle School (8th Grade - 9th Grade)
*Southgate Anderson High School(10th Grade - 12th Grade)

Southgate originally had two high schools. Southgate High School and Schafer High School. Southgate Anderson High School opened its doors for the first time September 8, 1982 with approximately 1,400 students. During the 1981-82 school year staff members from Schafer and Southgate High Schools held numerous meetings and provided enormous input into curriculum, selecting books, altering rooms, organizing teaching materials, and assisting with the physical move. The students also contributed to a smooth transition to one high school.

Combining two high school athletic programs into one during the 1981-82 school year was not only successful, but laid a sound foundation to build upon. Student Councils from both high schools wrote a new constitution, elected officers, and assisted in selecting a school name, colors, and mascot. In October, 1982 Anderson students welcomed and entertained the alumni from the previous schools with a Homecoming Parade, football games, festivities, and dances. On November 6, 1982 a formal ceremony was held to officially dedicate the building, and to honor a very special person, Representative Thomas J. Anderson.Southgate Titans

Southgate Anderson runs a full sports program including varsity and junior varsity sports which includes softball, wrestling, track & field, baseball, boys and girls basketball, competitive cheer, football, cross country, boys and girls soccer, volleyball, boys and girls swimming, boys and girls bowling, boys and girls golf, and figure skating. Southgate Anderson High School is currently competing all sports in the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA). Rowing is also offered at Anderson but it is not included in the MHSAA. They are included in the Midwest Scholastic Rowing Association.

In 1989, the Southgate Anderson Titan Hockey team made school and city history by becoming state champions. This was the first and only MHSAA State Champion title to date. Although many teams have made it to MHSAA playoff games.

In December 2007, the Lady Titan Basketball team made school history when they became MHSAA Class A Regional Champions. The team was knocked out the the playoffs one game before state championships. This was the closest that the Lady Titan team has ever been to state championships.

The Southgate Anderson Varsity Competetive Cheer team has been Regional MHSAA Champions from 2003 to the present. In 2008 the team took 3rd in the state.

Southgate Anderson High School also hosts a very historically rich music program. This includes jazz, concert, and symphonic bands. Both concert and symphonic bands have competed in MSBOA district 12 band festival.

Included in the Southgate Anderson High School music program is the Southgate Anderson Marching Band. The marching band is currently competing in flight II of the Michigan Competing Bands Association (MCBA). In 2003 after being absent for many years from state finals, the marching band competed at the MCBA state finals, which were held at the Pontiac Silverdome in Pontiac, Michigan. They took 9th place that year. Every year after that they have been to state finals, taking 4th in 2004, 10th in 2005, 8th in 2006, and 8th in 2007. The 2008 program is entitled 'Counter Balance'.

Also included in the Southgate Anderson High School band program are the Southgate Anderson Indoor Drumline. The drumline was formed in 2003. They compete in both the Michigan Color Guard Circuit (MCGC) and WGI in the Scholastic A class. In March 2007 the group made history for the school by becoming Scholastic A MCGC State Champions with their show entitled 'Airstream'. A year later in March 2008, the Southgate Anderson Indoor Drumline successfully defended their State Champion title at the MCGC State Championships in Saginaw, Michigan with their show entitled 'Steps'. This makes them one of the few MCGC indoor drumlines to be two-time State Champions.

The Southgate Anderson High School music program also includes two winter guards, Southgate Anderson Winter Guard and Titan Flag Line. At one time the program also had a third winterguard called 'sTa Winter Guard'. Southgate Anderson Winter Guard competes in the MCGC and Winter Guard International Scholastic A class. In March 2008 the guard was placed 8th in the state. Titan Flag Line was formed in late 2007, they compete in the Flag Line class in MCGC. In their first year of competiton the guard placed 4th in the state.

Both Southgate Anderson Winter Guard and Southgate Anderson Indoor Drumline have competed in the Winter Guard International (WGI) World Championships.

Famous Residents

• Bedford Drive - Alternative rock band
• Nate Kiser - East Coast Hockey League player for the South Carolina Stingrays
• Doug Minckiewicz - Actor ("Jumper")
• Julie Champnella - Make-up artist and second wife of actor Tom Arnold
• Eric Champnella - Author and screenwriter ("Eddie", "Mr. 3000")
• Mike Minckiewicz - Baseball Player ("Downriver Legend")

References

External links

* [http://www.southgate-mi.org/ Official Website of Southgate, MI]
* [http://www.southgateschools.com/ Southgate Schools]