Hadley Township

Crackling branches, wind going through the trees, or birds belting their newest tune are sounds that are regular in Hadley Township. This rural Detroit area has a population of 4,500. “It’s a very small farming community. It still has a lot of farms,” says township resident and Broker/Owner Willowdale Realty and Development Kathy Stockley. “It has a four-way stop. We have two churches.”
You’ll find quite a distance of land separating you and your neighbor unless you are near the township’s center. Homes carry several acres of land and tend to be moderately shaded with luscious trees. The houses tend to be traditional older farmhouse styles with some exposed wood and asymmetrical massing. The farmhouse theme spreads in the form of ranch properties. You’ll also find pockets with log cabin homes. Then, modern homes and custom builds are located around Lake Lapeer, which is a private area. Interiors will mostly be over 1,500 square feet, with at least three bedrooms. Prices typically range from $350,000 to $600,000. You may see prices along the lakes peak higher than that.
Just as you’ll have acres of property land, you have acres of park space to enjoy a nature-filled afternoon. One of those spots is the Sutherland Nature Sanctuary on Diehl Road. This sanctuary is a peaceful place to explore the township’s infinite tree and bird habitats. Locals love to use this area for their picnic spaces and walking trails. Kids can enjoy the fun amenities at Marston Park. This park is located on Pratt Road and holds baseball fields, a basketball court, and a playground. Any outdoor activity you can think of probably can be done at the Ortonville Recreation Area. This 5,400-acre park houses several lakes ideal for swimming, boating and fishing. The 12 miles of trails are multi-purposed, making them suitable for hiking, biking, cross-country skiing and horseback riding. Similar activities can also be done in the Metamora-Hadley State Recreation Area.
Most students in Hadley Township attend schools within the Lapeer Community School District; however, three other districts also take in Hadley Township students. Grades K through five students can attend Emma Murphy Elementary School, which carries a B Niche grade. Rolland Warner Middle School has a C plus Niche grade and accommodates students in grades six and seven. Zemmer Campus holds a B minus Niche grade and teaches students in grades eight and nine. Lapeer High School carries a B minus Niche Grade. Students here have three ways to earn dual credit. They can do it traditionally through taking college courses in high school, participating in their Early College Program, or enrolling in the College on Campus program.
Hadley Township doesn’t have much shopping or dining in the area; most options are along Route 24 or Route 15. Head east toward Route 24, and you’ll find Bailey’s Ice Cream and Smokehouse. Get your helping of down-home barbeque helpings, then finish it off with one of their several ice cream flavors. Lynette’s Layers & Micro Bakery is a small stand in the township. Cinnamon rolls, fruit jams, and brownies are some of the notable favorites. On top of that, they’re handing out some farm-fresh eggs. Groceries can be picked up around eight miles from local grocer Metamora Market. Those towards the west can find Bueches Food World about the same distance of eight miles.
The community does small events throughout the year and goes all out for holidays. “They have community spaghetti dinners. The businesses do decorate for Christmas,” Stockley says. “We have the best Fourth of July parades that you ever seen. It brings in a lot of tractors. You’ll see horses, horse-drawn carriages. Kids decorate their bikes, and folks decorate their dogs to walk in the kids’ parade.”
The community is centrally located between Route 24 and 15. That can connect you to Interstate 69, which goes east to west. If you travel south of the neighborhood, you can pick up Interstate 75, which gets you to Detroit. “I love it. It’s an amazing community,” Stockley says. “If somebody needs help, everyone is there. You are not going to get this in a city area.” Hadley Township is a rural community with a big heart.

Written By

Courtney Murphy

Photography Contributed By

Scottie Davison

Video By

Matt Pangman