Eastern Palace Club21509 John R Rd, Hazel Park, MI 48030
Metro Detroit Oakland County City
Hazel Park
"The Friendly City": a working town named for hazelnut bushes, with a racetrack past
- People (2025 estimate)
- 14,937
- Land area
- 2.8 sq mi · 7.3 km²
- From downtown
- 9.4 miles · 15 km · north
- Incorporated
- 1941
Nothing on our calendar here this week yet.
01 / Why it matters
Why Hazel Park matters
Hazel Park sits right on Detroit's northern border and calls itself "The Friendly City." Ford's Highland Park plant, which started up around 1914, brought the workers: land was cheaper than in Detroit, so modest homes went up block after block. At one point Hazel Park was the most populous unincorporated area in the country; it didn't become a city until 1941.
A Michigan legend got its start here too. In 1942 the Elias brothers opened the Dixie Drive-In, one of the first places in the Midwest with curbside service, and in 1952 it became a Big Boy; Louis Elias later served as mayor. The little Cape Cod houses built for returning World War II vets still define the streets.
From 1949 to 2018 this was home to Hazel Park Raceway, "The Friendly Track," a horse track considered state of the art in its day. It was sold and closed in 2018, and the new owner planned an Amazon distribution center on the site. These days John R Road is the main drag, and every August Green Acres Park hosts a free art fair.
02 / Known for
What Hazel Park is known for
Hazel Park Raceway (1949–2018), a horse track that added harness racing in 1953.
The Elias brothers' 1942 Dixie Drive-In, which became a Big Boy in 1952; the brothers went on to open Big Boys all over Metro Detroit.
At one time it was the most populous unincorporated area in the United States.
Postwar Cape Cod bungalows and 1920s and 1930s Michigan bungalows.
03 / What’s on
What’s on in Hazel Park
Nothing on our calendar in Hazel Park right now. Try the neighbors:
04 / Places
11 places on our site in Hazel Park
Eastern Palace Club21509 John R Rd, Hazel Park, MI 48030
Mabel Gray23825 John R Rd, Hazel Park, MI 4803005 / What to do
If you’re in Hazel Park
Hazel Park Art Fair
A free, all-ages art fair in Green Acres Park, run by the Hazel Park Arts Council; the 2026 edition was August 22 and 23.
Official site ↗John R Road
Hazel Park's main corridor, backed by the Main Street Hazel Park program: coffee shops, small shops and the Art Garden at 21809 John R, a showcase for local installation art.
Official site ↗
06 / History
Hazel Park through the years
- 1884
The Hazel Park School District is formed, named for the local hazelnut bushes.
- 1941
Hazel Park incorporates as a city.
- 1942
The Elias brothers open the Dixie Drive-In, which becomes a Big Boy franchise in 1952.
- 1949
Hazel Park Raceway opens for Thoroughbred racing.
- 1966
I-75 is completed through Hazel Park, turning Stephenson Highway into a service drive.
- 2018
Hazel Park Raceway closes after being sold.
07 / Born here
1 people in our lexicon were born here
08 / People
Famous names from here
- Bill Virdon Baseball player and manager, born in Hazel Park in 1931.
- Bob Welch Pitcher and 1990 American League Cy Young Award winner, who grew up in Hazel Park.
Sources
Population and area are Census Bureau figures (Hazel Park city).
- 2020 Census, Michigan (PL 94-171)
- Census Bureau population estimates: cities and towns
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hazel_Park,_Michigan
- hazelpark.org/residents/history.php
- hpart.org/aboutthefair
- hazelpark.org/residents/arts_council.php
- hazelpark.org/i_want_to/planning_and_economic_development/main_street_hazel_park.php
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Virdon
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Welch_(baseball)
- hazelpark.org
Change since 2020, per the Census Bureau estimate: −0.3 percent.
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