In May 1817, Thomas Squire, a Canadian and reputedly the first resident of Utica moved west along the Clinton River from near Mt. Clemens, until he came to a high point of ground where the river & two Indian trails crossed. Here he built a cabin. By the end of the summer newcomers had built two more dwellings. The rapidly growing settlement was variously called McDougalville, Hog Hollow & Harlow.
The City of Utica is approximately 30 minutes north of Detroit and centers around M-59 and Van Dyke Avenue.