MICHIGAN GHOST TOWN: Deerfield Center, Livingston County
What s left of Deerfield Center (also spelled as “Centre”) can be found dead center of Livingston County s Deerfield Township.
A post office was established and given the name Madison sometime during the 1860s-1870s. It shows up on some maps and atlases at the same location as Deerfield Center. Why named Madison ? It s believed it was named after former president James Madison (1809-1817).
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The first house here was built in 1842 by Calvin Leonard. Afterward, a few more settlers arrived; there wasn t a big rush for businessmen to move to Deerfield Center, as there was no railroad going through to bring travelers and customers. Even so, at one time Deerfield Center had a blacksmith, church, general store, grocer, post office, schoolhouse, and townhouse...and a population of 50. Now there is just a church, township hall, and a smattering of homes remaining.