History
City History
Early expeditions into the land north of Detroit described the area as having "extreme sterility and barrenness." Developments and exploration were soon to prove that report false.
The first settlers arrived in what is now the City of Pontiac in 1818. Two years later there were enough people there to form a village named after the famous Indian Chief who had made his headquarters in the area only a few years before. The granite marker at right (click to enlarge) at the corner 
of Perry and Water Street indicates the location of the first house built in November, 1818.
As you can see on this Michigan map from 1823 (click to enlarge), Pontiac was Michigan's first inland settlement.
The village was officially recognized by the state legislature in 1837 and it incorporated as a city in 1861.
From the beginning, Pontiac's central location served it well. It attracted professional people, including doctors and lawyers, and soon also became a center of industry. The city became the location of choice for woolen and grist mills which made use of the Clinton River as a power source. With the coming of the railroad through the downtown area in 1844, Pontiac's progress and success were assured. 
Abundant natural resources led to the establishment of several carriage manufacturing companies, all of which were thriving at the turn of the century when the first self-propelled vehicles were introduced. The City of Pontiac quickly became a capital of the new automotive industry.
As the small, "horseless carriage" manufacturers became
consolidated under the mantle of the General Motors Corporation, Pontiac grew as the industry grew, suffering the same setback as other cities during depression years of the 1930s. In the boom years following World War II, Pontiac was at the forefront of growth in affluent Oakland County.
In the 60s and 70s came urban renewal in an attempt to revitalize the downtown area. In 1970s, construction began on the "Pontiac Plan." This plan included the Phoenix Center, two office buildings and a high rise residential complex. The "Pontiac Plan" was a vision of Pontiac business owner C. Don Davidson. Click here to read more details about Mr. Davidson and the Pontiac Plan.
While the City joined many others in experiencing a slowdown of retail business in the downtown area in the '60s and '70s, a renewed spirit of optimism has taken over as Pontiac moves 
forward in the new century. Pontiac is served by the Oakland County International Airport - one of the busiest airports in the world. The city also has access to a network of state and county highways. Interstate 75 provides a direct route to the city. Pontiac is protected by a force of 230 police officers and support personnel, and a full-time fire department of more than 100 fire fighters in five stations across the city. The city operates its own water, waste water and sewage treatment facilities for all residents who have city-supplied water. Many homes on the northern edge of the city rely on well water. Under the leadership of an energetic administration, the city has actively sought to diversify its business base. By incorporating its various economic development arms under the auspices of the Pontiac Growth Group, the City has made a commitment to continue its dynamic growth into the 21st century.
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| 1818 | Nov 6, 1818, Colonel Stephen Mack buys the 1,280 acres that eventually became Pontiac for $2,400. |
| 1820 | March 28, 1820, Pontiac becomes the county seat of Oakland County. |
| 1837 | March 27, 1837, Pontiac is incorporated as a village. |
| 1861 | March 15, 1861, Pontiac becomes a city. |
| 1878 | In 1878, The Eastern Michigan Asylum for the Insane is opened. This institution later became known as the Pontiac State Hospital and finally Clinton Valley Center. |
| 1909 | General Motors Corp. purchases several automotive manufacturers as Pontiac becomes a GM Town. |
| 1952 | In October 1952, The Oakland County Board of Supervisors votes to build a new courthouse near the city's border, dooming the old courthouse at Saginaw and Huron streets. |
| 1971 | Aug. 30, 1971, An explosion destroys 10 school buses as part of a protest against court-ordered desegregation of the Pontiac Schools. |
| 1975 | Aug. 23, 1975, Pontiac Metropolitan Stadium opens with an exhibition game between the Detroit Lions and Kansas City Chiefs. |
| 1979 | Nov. 29, 1979, Construction begins on the Pontiac Plan, a development now known as the Phoenix Center. |
| 1982 | On Jan. 24, 1982, The San Francisco 49ers defeat the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl XVI at the Silverdome. |
| 1987 | Sept. 19, 1987, Pope John Paul II celebrates Mass at the Silverdome. |
| 1994 | The Silverdome is the site of four World Cup soccer matches, the first ever played indoors on natural grass. |