In May of 1825, Reverend Marcus Swift traveled along the middle branch of the Rouge River until he found a place he thought was close to heaven. Soon streets, homes, and businesses were established as more pioneers arrived in Nankin Township. In 1963, the J.L. Hudson Company chose Nankin Township as the site of a new shopping mall called Westland. When the mall became a target for annexation, residents joined forces to create their own city. Thus, the city of Westland was born. Through rare photographs drawn from various sources, this book takes readers on a journey through nearly 200 years of local history, from the death of Chief Tonquish to the present day.