Trenton's founder was Major Abram Caleb Truax. After the War of 1812, Major Truax decided to stay in this area. Truax acquired a large tract of land, the highest ground along the Detroit River, and upon which he erected a sawmill, church and store. It was first laid out to be Truax in 1834, and was then called Truaxton, and later Truago. In 1850, a new plat was recorded under the name of Trenton. It was again incorporated in February of 1855. There were new ventures, and the first dock was built in 1834, by Giles Slocum. Slocum would later marry Major Truax's daughter, Sophia. (Together, they would make their home on Slocum's Island. It is this island that would later become Elizabeth Park.) With the building of the dock, steamboats would make Trenton a regular stop. Business flourished and new settlers arrived.

The population steadily increased until, in 1922, approximately 4,000 citizens resided in Trenton. Today, over 20,000 residents call the beautiful city of Trenton home.