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Royal Oak is a suburb of Detroit and is part of the Metro Detroit area. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 60,062. Royal Oak Charter Township is nearby, but is legally separate from the city.
History
Royal Oak was incorporated as a village in 1895, and as a city in 1921. The city's name originates from a tree located near the present day intersection of Crooks, Rochester, and Main that in 1819 reminded Territorial Governor Lewis Cass of the Royal Oak tree within which King Charles II of England hid to escape the Roundheads following the Battle of Worcester.
Today
The past decade has seen much in the way of development as the city's downtown has been transformed into a trendy and urban-chic restaurant, shopping, and entertainment district. Construction is underway on six high-rise building developments, with completion expected by 2006. Points of Interest include: the Detroit Zoo, the renowned William Beaumont Hospital, the Royal Oak Music Theatre, the Main Art Theatre, Mark Ridley's Comedy Castle, and the many unique shops, cafes, and restaurants which line the streets of the downtown area. In addition, the offices of Hour Detroit, a regional lifestyle magazine, are located in the city. In recent years, some of downtown Royal Oak's edgier commercial establishments have closed, replaced by chain restaurants and large condominium complexes.
The National Arbor Day Foundation has awarded Royal Oak the distinction of "Tree City USA" every year since 1976 due to the city's commitment to tree planting and preservation.
In 1998, the foundation of famous SNL comedian and Detroit area native Gilda Radner, created a free cancer support community for people with cancer, their families and friends. Gilda's Club Metro Detroit, operates a three-story non-residential house in Royal Oak and has welcomed over 3,000 members for social and emotional support and fun activities.
Government
Royal Oak utilizes the Council-Manager form of government, and thus is governed by a City Council consisting of a Mayor and six council members. The city council appoints a City Manager, who manages the day-to-day operations of the city.
The Mayor of Royal Oak is Jim Ellison.
Famous Citizens
Kristen Bell - actress and Shrine Catholic High School graduate
Bruce Campbell - B-movie actor and director
Andre Comeau - one of the original residents from the first season of MTV's The Real World.
Father Charles Coughlin - "Radio priest" at the National Shrine of the Little Flower during the Great Depression who was ultimately silenced by hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church because of his increasingly anti-semitic statements
Pete Dawkins - overcame polio to win the Heisman Trophy in 1958, eventually becoming a Rhodes Scholar as well as the youngest U.S. Army brigadier general ever
Carmella DeCesare - 2004 Playboy playmateGlenn Frey - member of the band Eagles, who attended Dondero High School
Christopher Gore - an independent film maker now based in southern California
Jeff Garcia - NFL quarterback
Jason Grilli - Right-handed relief pitcher for the Detroit Tigers
Tom Hayden - one of the founders of Students for a Democratic Society
Jack Kevorkian - physician incarcerated for assisting patients' suicide
Clifford Robinson - NBA power forward
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