The original name for the village was Logan, but was changed soon after to Adrian, perhaps in reference to the Roman emperor Hadrian.

[5][6] The first operating railroad in Michigan was a horse-drawn train running between Adrian and Toledo in 1836.

They also created a network of Underground Railroad stations in the Raisin River Valley.

Daniel Smith was the first leader of the Raisin Valley Friends Meeting House.

His daughter, Laura Smith Haviland became one of the most prominent equal rights activists and Underground Railroad operators in the nation.

[9] Elizabeth Margaret Chandler established the Logan Female Anti-Slavery Society in October 1832.

[9] The Adrian-Tecumseh Underground Railroad network was established by a Baptist minister in northern Lenawee County.

[9] The only remaining piece of the Bank of Pennsylvania— one of the stone pillars — was moved to Adrian, Michigan and erected as the Civil War Memorial in commemoration of those in Adrian who died in the American Civil War.

The company sponsored the highly successful Page Fence Giants black baseball team.

[12] The town is approximately 15 miles (24 km) southeast of the Irish Hills area of Michigan, an area known for its many lakes and rolling hills, and home to the Irish Famine Memorial and Michigan International Speedway.

34.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

Adrian College and Siena Heights University also offer many cultural opportunities.

In November 2019, Angela Sword Heath defeated Shane Mackey to become the city's first female mayor.

Madison School District is situated on the east side of Adrian.

WBCL in Fort Wayne also operates a translator FM station in Adrian at 97.7.

Adrian is also served by radio and television signals from Ann Arbor, Toledo, and Jackson, and some Detroit broadcasters can also be seen or heard in parts of the area.