In February 1967, just weeks before the 150th anniversary of Rochester’s settlement by the Graham family in 1817 and 98 years after it incorporated as a village under Michigan law, Rochester officially became a city after voters approved a city charter in January 1967 by a vote of 689 to 166. The change culminated years of efforts either to move from village to city government or to consolidate with Avon Township. On February 13, 1967, the village ended and the City of Rochester began. That evening, the new city council met and chose Roy Rewold as the town’s first mayor. Its first business was separating city and township property, since Avon Township held several assets within the new city’s boundaries. The City of Rochester took over operation of Avon Park, renaming it Rochester Municipal Park, and Mount Avon Cemetery. In 2017, Rochester celebrated both the 200th anniversary of its founding by the Grahams and the 50th anniversary of its incorporation as a city.