The English surrendered the Northwest Territory (including almost all of Michigan) to General Anthony Wayne, as American General in command, on July 12, 1796; the county was created and named for him on Aug. 15, 1796; this site in it was first settled by George M. Johnson in 1824, who built a log house for the entertainment of travelers; the village was platted as Derby's Corners by Ezra Derby in 1835; from its location in Nankin Twp. it was given a post office as South Nankin on April 22, 1835, with William D. Wescott as its first postmaster; it was renamed Wayne on Dec. 11, 1851; incorporated as a village in 1869 and as a city in 1960.
Source: Michigan Place Names By Walter Roming 1986