The establishment of Wixom as a place started in 1871 when Willard Clark Wixom (son of Ahijah C. Wixom and Lucy Clark) granted a right of way through his property for the Holly, Wayne and Monroe Railroad. Willard platted land on both sides of the railroad near the Novi and Commerce Township border. In 1883, Willard opened his property up to become an important railroad junction to make way for the Michigan Airline Railroad Grand Trunk Western Railroad. With the new junction, Willard located the railroad station, union depot (called Wixom Station) and mail drop at the intersection of his property. The construction of the railroad junction attracted many new business investments, stores, a lumber yard and a cider mill ultimately turning this small village into Michigan's largest grain produce handling points. The name of the town was then change from Sibley's Corners to Wixom. Sadly on Christmas Eve 1901 Willard was struck and killed by a passenger train while crossing the tracks in his horse and buggy.