Metro Detroit Macomb County Charter township
Chesterfield Township
Anchor Bay shoreline, the memory of a 1964 tornado and a museum of cars and music
- People (2025 estimate)
- 47,770
- Land area
- 27.6 sq mi · 71.5 km²
- From downtown
- 27.0 miles · 43 km · northeast
- Incorporated
- 1842
Nothing on our calendar here this week yet.
01 / Why it matters
Why Chesterfield Township matters
Chesterfield Township sits on the eastern edge of Macomb County, with Anchor Bay, the northernmost arm of Lake St. Clair, along its southeast side. Marinas, docks and boating businesses line the shore, while inland, subdivisions and shopping centers have replaced the old farms.
The township split off from Macomb Township in 1842 and became a charter township in 1989. The first settlement, the hamlet of Chesterfield, started in 1830 and got a boost when the Grand Trunk Railway came through in 1865; the last saloon in old Milton, the Teddy Bear Bar, hung on until 2004.
On May 8, 1964, an F4 tornado tore along the Anchor Bay shore, killing 11 to 13 people, injuring more than 200 and destroying 132 homes. These days visitors come mostly for the Stahls collection, with more than 90 classic cars and self-playing musical instruments.
02 / Known for
What Chesterfield Township is known for
The Anchor Bay shoreline, full of marinas and docks.
The F4 tornado of May 8, 1964, often called the Anchor Bay tornado.
The Stahls Automotive Collection: 90-plus cars, mostly from the Art Deco era, including a Duesenberg Model J, a Tucker 48 and a Chrysler Turbine Car acquired in 2021, plus a Wurlitzer theater organ.
The historical park: the one-room Weller School, the Kolping Chapel moved here in 2016, a log cabin, a cobbler's shop and a working blacksmith shop.
03 / What’s on
What’s on in Chesterfield Township
Nothing on our calendar in Chesterfield Township right now. Try the neighbors:
04 / Places
4 places on our site in Chesterfield Township
05 / What to do
If you’re in Chesterfield Township
Stahls Motors & Music Experience
A car and music-machine museum on North Bay Drive with classic cars, self-playing instruments, vintage signs and gas pumps; open Tuesdays 1 to 4 p.m. and the first Saturday of each month 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Official site ↗Brandenburg Park
A lakefront park on Jefferson with a 530-foot fishing pier, boat and kayak launches, a splash pad, sports courts and a paved walking path.
Official site ↗Webber Paddle Park
A free kayak launch on the Salt River with a fishing pier; boat rentals through Motor City Paddle Club.
Official site ↗Chesterfield Historical Society Village
A historical park on Sugarbush Road with old buildings, a one-room school and a chapel, open for events like the Village Winter Walk.
Official site ↗
06 / History
Chesterfield Township through the years
- 1830
The first settlers arrive in the hamlet of Chesterfield.
- 1842
Chesterfield Township is organized from part of Macomb Township.
- 1865
The Grand Trunk Railway comes through and business picks up.
- 1964
On May 8 an F4 tornado devastates the Anchor Bay shore.
- 1989
Chesterfield becomes a charter township.
- 1995
The township donates land for the historical park.
Sources
Population and area are Census Bureau figures (Chesterfield township).
- 2020 Census, Michigan (PL 94-171)
- Census Bureau population estimates: cities and towns
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chesterfield_Township,_Michigan
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1964_Chesterfield_Township_tornado
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stahls_Automotive_Collection
- stahlsauto.com
- chesterfieldtwp.org/231/Historical-Society
- chesterfieldhistoricalsociety.org
- chesterfieldtwp.org/559/Brandenburg-Park
- chesterfieldtwp.org/561/Webber-Paddle-Park
- chesterfieldtwp.org
Change since 2020, per the Census Bureau estimate: +5.3 percent.
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