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Metro Detroit Macomb County Charter township
Packard's old proving ground, Clinton River parks and the start of the Orchard Trail
01 / Why it matters
Shelby Township sits on the western edge of Macomb County next to Rochester and Rochester Hills, in the Clinton River watershed. It was formed in 1827, originally took in what's now Sterling Heights, and Utica grew up on its southern edge.
One of the best relics of auto history is here: Packard opened its proving ground in 1928, with buildings by Albert Kahn and a 2.5-mile concrete high-speed oval. Chrysler tested tanks here during World War II, and the nonprofit Packard Motor Car Foundation now cares for the surviving buildings and opens them to visitors.
History has a funny side here too: a village called Disco was platted at 24 Mile and Van Dyke in 1849, and its post office ran until 1906. If you'd rather be outside, the 600-acre River Bends Park has trails, a nature center and a disc golf course, and the Macomb Orchard Trail starts at Dequindre.
02 / Known for
The Packard Proving Grounds, Packard's 1928 test track, now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Disco, the forgotten village: platted in 1849, with a post office named Disco from 1854 to 1906.
Today's Sterling Heights was once part of Shelby Township and split off in 1835.
The Macomb Orchard Trail, a rail trail along an old railroad line, starts here where it links to the Clinton River Trail.
03 / What’s on
Oct 4, 2026, 1:00 PMPackard Proving Grounds Historic Site · Packard Proving Grounds Historic Site hosts a talk on “Albert Kahn and Packard’s Investors” on Sunday, October 4, at 1 p.m., at the historic site in Shelby Township. A solid pick if you’re into Detroit’s industrial history and Kahn’s work.
Oct 18, 2026, 11:00 AMPackard Proving Grounds Historic Site · Packard Proving Grounds Historic Site hosts the Simply Unique Market on Sunday, October 18, at 11 a.m. in Shelby Township. A cool chance to explore the historic proving grounds while you browse.
Oct 25, 2026, 1:00 PMPackard Proving Grounds Historic Site · Packard Proving Grounds Historic Site hosts its Annual Fall Open House on Sunday, October 25, at 1 p.m. in Shelby Township. A simple way to visit a historic site.
Oct 25, 2026, 1:00 PMPackard Proving Grounds Historic Site · Packard Proving Grounds Historic Site hosts a Historical Speaker Series talk on Sunday, October 25, at 1 p.m. at the Packard Proving Grounds Historic Site in Shelby Township, featuring stories drawn from the Packard Archives.
Nov 1, 2026, 12:00 PMPackard Proving Grounds Historic Site · Packard Proving Grounds Historic Site hosts the Harvest Holiday Market on Sunday, November 1, at 12 p.m. in Shelby Township. Go for the setting at this storied historic site.
Nov 15, 2026, 1:00 PMPackard Proving Grounds Historic Site · Packard Proving Grounds Historic Site hosts a Historical Speaker Series talk, The Road to Baghdad: A Firsthand Account, on Sunday, November 15, at 1 p.m. at the Packard Proving Grounds Historic Site in Shelby Township. Hear a firsthand account of the road to Baghdad.
Nov 22, 2026, 1:00 PMPackard Proving Grounds Historic Site · Packard Proving Grounds Historic Site hosts a Wedding Garage Sale on Sunday, November 22, 2026, at 1 p.m. in Shelby Township. The aim is simple: keep wedding planning exciting, not overwhelming.
Nov 28, 2026, 10:00 AMPackard Proving Grounds Historic Site · Packard Proving Grounds Historic Site hosts a model train show on Saturday, November 28, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Shelby Township. It’s set at the historic Packard Proving Grounds.
04 / Places
Xtreme Breakout Escape Rooms Shelby Township14620 23 Mile Rd, Shelby Township, MI 4831505 / What to do
The surviving buildings of Packard's proving ground on Van Dyke, including the Tudor Revival lodge and the tank test center, with guided tours by appointment and a fall open house and history talks.
Official site ↗A 600-acre park with its main entrance at 22 Mile and Shelby Road: walking trails, the Burgess-Shadbush Nature Center, an 18-hole disc golf course, fishing and a barrier-free playground.
Official site ↗About 24 miles of paved trail on an old railroad line, past small towns, tree tunnels, orchards and farms; a great bike ride north.
Official site ↗06 / History
On April 12 the territorial legislature sets off Shelby Township.
On March 17 the area that's now Sterling Heights splits off as Jefferson Township.
The village of Disco is platted at what's now 24 Mile and Van Dyke.
The Packard Proving Grounds open.
On August 15 Packard pulls out; Curtiss-Wright takes over the site, followed by Ford in 1961.
07 / Born here
08 / People
Population and area are Census Bureau figures (Shelby charter township).
Change since 2020, per the Census Bureau estimate: +1.3 percent.
