Let’s take a lovely tour of Oxford – our CSX Workforce CITY OF THE WEEK! (Okay…technically it’s a village). We start off with Scott Taylor from Sick Pizza (and our third man during our road trip to Winslow, Arizona last year). Let’s take a trip through downtown Oxford. We begin with Oxford: Gravel Capital of The World… seriously. Did you know this?
Oxford: Gravel Capital of The World
Alright, folks, let’s dive into the fascinating history of Oxford, Michigan, the Gravel Capital of the World. Picture this: It’s the 19th century, and Oxford is nestled in the beautiful northern part of Oakland County. It’s got something that caught everyone’s attention – gravel. Lots and lots of it.
You see, Oxford sits on top of abundant gravel deposits, and that didn’t go unnoticed. In the late 1800s, gravel became a hot commodity. It was the stuff needed for roads, railways, and construction projects popping up all over Michigan.
Enterprising folks in Oxford realized they had a golden opportunity beneath their feet. They started digging, and soon enough, the gravel industry took off like a rocket. Oxford became a major supplier of gravel and aggregate materials, not just locally but regionally and beyond.
Imagine the hustle and bustle of gravel pits, trucks hauling gravel, and workers toiling away. The gravel industry became the heart and soul of Oxford’s economy, earning it the nickname ‘Gravel Capital of the World.’
Over the years, Oxford’s gravel helped build countless roads, highways, and structures, shaping the growth and development of Michigan and beyond. And while it might not be as glamorous as Hollywood, Oxford’s gravel legacy is a true testament to how local resources can make a global impact.
So, there you have it, the story of Oxford, Michigan, and its rock-solid connection to gravel.
Oxford Videos
One of our first stops was GravCap – a wonderful beer bar and their cool owner Dan…who also gave us some background on the bar’s name (and Oxford)
Now let’s keep going on our tour, shall we? Stopped by Sullivan’s Bar for a little history lesson (and a pint).
Next stop – Zero’s Arcade and check out this amazing retro pinball machine:
Oh we’re not done…check out this toy store:
