The focus of this category is on the cities and villages of Michigan, whether incorporated or unincorporated. Strictly speaking, Michigan doesn't have towns.
The area that was to become Michigan was inhabited for thousands of years before the Europeans arrived in the area, and many of Michigan's early cities were built on what had originally been the home of the Ojibwe, the Ottawa, or the Potawatomi people.
Michigan is unusual in that western expansion by European or European-American settlers passed the area by, for the most part. The French came in the early 1600s, establishing some missions, trading posts, and small forts along the major waterways, but they did not substantially populate the region. The first permanent European settlement was at Sault Ste. Marie, which was founded by Jacques Marquette, a French missionary, in 1668. However, Native Americans had lived there for more than 12,000 years before the French came, as it was along a crossroads of fishing and trading amongst tribes in the Great Lakes region. In 1701, the French established a fort and settlement that would later become known as Detroit, in the southeastern part of the Lower Peninsula.
The British later established some forts but, in the early 1830s, the entire European population of Michigan was confined to twenty-five of the state's current eighty-three counties, all in the southern part of the Lower Peninsula.
Western expansion of the United States largely bypassed Michigan, as pioneers moved on into Wisconsin and Iowa, where the land was more fertile and the growing seasons were longer. They bypassed the Upper Peninsula for the same reasons.
When Michigan became a state in 1837, more than 98% of the state's European-American population lived in the southern counties of the Lower Peninsula, and the state's entire population was counted as 7,649. The only incorporated city in the new state was Detroit, and there were only fifteen incorporated villages: Monroe, Ypsilanti, Ann Arbor, Niles, Adrian, Pontiac, St. Joseph, Tecumseh, Centreville, Constantine, White Pigeon, New Buffalo, Marshall, Mount Clemens, and Coldwater.
Although Michigan had a great deal to offer, early pioneers and homesteaders were largely farmers, and there were more fertile lands available in Wisconsin, Iowas, and the Dakotas.
In the 1840s, mining brought European-Americans to other parts of the state. Although there were some minor gold discoveries, Michigan's mining was mostly for copper and iron ore. This brought prospectors into the Copper Country of the Upper Peninsula, which led the nation in copper production from 1847 to 1887. Mining also brought a large number of immigrants from Finland, Ireland, Germany, Italy, and other parts of Europe. Wherever they worked, they established settlements, some of which grew into villages and cities.
The construction of the locks and canal at Sault Ste. Marie made the Upper Peninsula's iron ore and copper even more accessible to its markets.
The timber industry brought further migration to the area, largely for white pine. Loggers, sawyers, rivermen, and investors came from other parts of the United States, as well as from Canada, Sweden, Scandinavia, and Ireland, the Swedes being particularly well represented.
The availability of Michigan lumber brought railroad expansion, as well, and the railroads established stops along their routes, many of which grew into towns and villages.
The location of settlements in Michigan was brought about by a number of factors. Several sprung up along the Chicago Road and the Territorial Road, with several rising up around taverns that were developed along these highways, in places where a stream could be easily crossed, or at river crossings. Others grew up around early trading posts and forts and, in most cases the settlements remained even after the forts were closed. Mill or mining sites often spurred the establishment of a settlement, housing employees. Some of these early villages did not long survive the closure of the mill or of the mining operations, while others remained, although suffering a sharp decrease in population.
Other sites were the result of land promoters, who would often create opportunities, such as grain mills or lumber mills, in order to attract settlers and to earn a profit from their investments. A common characteristic of a townsite was the presence of a waterway, particularly one that could be harnessed to supply power for milling operations.
Names were derived from a variety of sources. Many of them were Indian names, while others were named for nearby geographical features, such as rivers, streams, falls, lakes, or mountains. Those established along a rail line were often named for a railroad official, while others took their names from an early founder, or adopted the name of a founder's hometown. Still others were named for presidents or other notable people.
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Recommended Resources
Allergy and Asthma Center of Rochester
Situated in Rochester, Michigan, the facility offers allergy testing and treatment, asthma testing and treatment, sublingual immunotherapy, peanut allergy treatment, and penicillin testing. Details of its services, types of illnesses treated, and its new-patient policies are put forth. Questions may be asked or appointments requested online, and patient forms and HIPAA policies may be downloaded from the site. The types of insurance accepted are listed, and directions are given.
https://www.aaacr.com/
Alpha Electric & Engineering, LLC
The minority-owned, union-based, electrical contractor is based in Troy, Michigan, offering electrical design services for any type of project, primarily serving industrial and commercial clients, as well as inside technicians, underground electricians, and engineering services. Its location, services, and project bidding are featured, along with office hours, contacts, social media addresses, and service request forms for bidding procedures.
http://www.alphaelectric.com/
Offering an alternative to traditional medicine, the physicians, team, and wellness network of Baetens Chiropractic Center emphasizes improving their patients’ health as a means of reducing the risk of pain and illness rather than treating disorders after the fact. Situated in St. Clair Shores, Michigan, the center serves the Detroit Metro region. Its new patient guide informs patients on what to expect, discusses payment options, and provides links to several health resources.
https://www.baetenschiro.com/
Situated in Wyoming, Michigan, less than an eighth of a mile from M-6, Bayberry Farms is near Metro Health Hospital, Spectrum Urgent Care, and Saint Mary's Hospitals Southwest, and within the Grandville public school district. Directions, a gallery of photographs, floor plans, rental prices, and deposit requirements, and pet policies are noted on the site, which includes the office hours, telephone number, fax number, a list of amenities, and other details. Applications may be made online.
https://www.bayberryfarmsapartments.com/
Family owned and operated the BMW dealership is located in Shelby Township, Michigan, and is a member of the Eitel Dahm Motor Group. Its address and a map showing its location, the hours of operation, and sales and service numbers are posted, and its new inventory, executive demos, and certified pre-owned stock of vehicles are displayed. Special offers and finance options are discussed, along with its parts and auto service departments, and an overview of the business.
http://www.bmwofrochesterhills.com/
Situated on Greenfield Road in Oak Park, Michigan, the book retailer specializes in out-of-print and rare books, collector’s items, signed books, and other items, which are available for sale at its retail store or from other online retailers, which are listed here. Available books are featured, with descriptions of each, author bibliographies, and prices. Its online catalogs are sorted by categories, with separate sections for rare and used books, as well as sale items.
https://www.thebookbeat.com/
Bruttell Roofing & Sheet Metal
Headquartered on Capitol Street in Oak Park, Michigan, the roofing contractor serves the Metro Detroit region, providing commercial and residential roofing installation and repair services, slate, tile, and cedar, as well as green solutions, roofing inspections, and architectural sheet metal. Its services, technology, and service areas are defined, and a portfolio of its work is featured, along with its office address, contacts, a quote request form, and a job application.
http://bruttellroofing.com/
The progressive Conservative Jewish synagogue is situated in Oak Park, from where it has served the Detroit Metro area for about sixty years. A profile of the synagogue is put forth, including its history, scheduled programs and events, adult and youth educational programs, online classes, and service schedules. Its address is posted and a map shows its location. Leadership contacts are posted, and links to kosher restaurants in the Detroit Metro area are included.
https://www.congbethshalom.org/
Beginning as a high school business project in 1980, the Sterling Heights, Michigan company is still headed by one of the two brothers who submitted the project as a class project to develop a viable business plan based on research and consumer needs. Its executive team, management, and technicians are acknowledged, its landscaping services are highlighted, photos are displayed, and client reviews, contacts, and career opportunities are posted.
https://www.dynamiclawn.com/
Excell Landscaping Design & Build
Serving Oakland County and Southeast Michigan, the Oak Park company provide landscape management services, complete lawn maintenance, lawn fertilization, snow removal, and other services, as well as brick paving, retaining walls, sprinkler systems, and landscape lighting. Its services are listed and described, with before and after photographs included, client testimonials and references, telephone and fax numbers, and email address, and a contact form.
http://www.excelllandscape.com/
Family owned and operated, the Northern Michigan farm market is in Williamsburg, about two miles south of Elk Rapids, where it offers local produce, artisan baked goods, handmade jams, salsa, dressings, and other products. An overview of the farm and market is provided, including an introduction to the proprietors, its hours of operation, and location. A gallery of photographs and a blog are featured, and some of its products may be purchased online.
https://www.farmerwhites.com/
With locations in Ludington and Coopersville, Michigan, the RV retailer offers a full line of recreational vehicles, including a large variety of models and RV types, including 5th wheels, 5th wheel toy haulers, folding pop-ups, hybrid trailers, park trailers, travel trailers, and travel trailer toy haulers, which are highlighted here, along with RV floor plans, reviews, custom builds, and information about financing, RV services and parts, hours of operation, and locations.
https://fnsrv.com/
Offering plumbing services to the Grand Rapids metropolitan area, the plumbing company is based in Rockford, Michigan. The licensed and insured master plumber offers the installation of water heaters, garbage disposals, washers and dryers, and toilets, as well as providing backflow testing and repairs, drain and sewer cleaning, plumbing maintenance, estimates, and other services. The office location is posted on the company's site, and the telephone number and email address are included.
http://grmetroplumbing.com/
Headquartered in Rockford, Michigan, GRC has production facilities in China and Romania, where it develops and produces actuators and control cables used in a variety of applications and industries worldwide. The company strives to create an environment based on solving problems, developing all aspects of its business, and bringing new solutions to tomorrow’s challenges. Its products and services include cable systems, flexshaft rotary, moulding, and custom engineering services.
https://www.grcontrols.com/
The annual multi-day summer festival is held in Whitmore Lake, Michigan each June. Although the events may differ from year to year, it might be expected to include a carnival midway, magic shows, farm animals, and fireworks. Admission is free, although there is a charge for parking and for carnival rides. Discount ride passes may be purchased online. Sponsorship and volunteer opportunities are posted on the site, along with a calendar of events and a map showing its location.
https://hamburgfunfest.com/
Based in Mount Clemens, Michigan, Heaney Plumbing & Heating serves the tri-county Metro Detroit region, including Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne counties. Family-owned since 1969, the company provides service, installation, and repair services for water heaters, furnaces and boilers, central air conditioners, faucets, toilets, sinks, garbage disposal units, and sump pumps, as well as sewer line repair and excavations, water leak repairs, and bathroom remodeling.
https://www.heaneyplumbing.com/
Holiday Inn Grand Haven / Spring Lake
Renovated in 2019, the Spring Lake, Michigan hotel serves the Spring Lake and Grand Haven communities and is affiliated with the Holiday Inn. The four-season resort hotel has an attached restaurant, Burger Theory, and a seasonal Tiki Bar. Room choices are displayed, with photos, descriptions, and a list of amenities, along with its regular rates, available hotel packages. A schedule of events, an overview of its dining facilities, a blog, and the IHG Rewards Club program, are included.
https://higrandhaven.com/
The home staging company supports the real estate industry in Oakland and Macomb counties. Based in Troy, Michigan, the company works with investors, realtors, and homeowners to prepare a property for sale, offering its services in vacant home staging, occupied home staging, and model home staging. Its services are outlined, including before and after photos. Its services to realtors are highlighted, and its site includes free tips for those who prefer to do it themselves.
https://www.impacthomestagingexperts.com/
Featuring a climate-controlled storage facility in Sterling Heights, Michigan, the manager lives on the property, which includes well-lit aisles and buildings and several other features and amenities, including recorded video surveillance, pest control, 24/7 access, packing and moving supplies sold on-site, and on-site U-Haul rentals. Fulfilling several storage needs, its location, office hours, gate hours, and contact information are posted, along with a storage calculator and reviews.
https://www.lakesidebudgetstorage.com/
Based in Zeeland, the HVAC company has served the West Michigan region since 1956, offering residential and commercial heating and cooling products, such as furnaces, air conditioners, radiant snowmelt and boilers, and air filtration equipment, the company offers professional installation services for the products that it sells, as well as maintenance services, including its Comfort Club regular maintenance program. Industry news is presented in a blog.
https://mastheating.com/
The family-owned and operated Chevrolet dealership is situated on thirteen acres in Redford, Michigan. Established in 1967, the business claims to be the largest Silver LEED Certified dealership in the United States, offering the largest showroom in the country. Its location, sales hours, service hours, body shop hours, and parts department hours are listed, and its inventory of new Chevrolet cars, trucks, and SUVs, pre-owned vehicles, and special offers are featured.
https://www.matickchevy.com/
Published in Troy, Michigan the Oakland Press covers Oakland County. Founded as the Pontiac Gazette in 1843, the newspaper has changed names several times, taking its current name in 1972. Limited access to its content is published online, although full access to its content requires a subscription to its digital or print editions, the latter of which includes digital access. Contests, a local guide, marketplace, and a job classified section are featured, and advertising is available.
https://www.theoaklandpress.com/
Family owned and operated, the roofing business is based in Wyoming, Michigan, and has served the greater Grand Rapids area since 1987, offering commercial and residential roofing services, metal roofing, metal shingles, leaf guards, flat roofing, roofing repairs, and gutters. Photographs illustrated past projects accomplished by the company, and its services are described in some detail. Emergency roofing services are also available. Its hours, telephone number, and a quote form are available.
https://ottenscustomroofing.com/
The Redford, Michigan auto dealership specializes in the sale of new Ford cars, trucks, and SUVs, which may be shopped online, with photos, asking prices, and other details, but also carries an inventory of pre-owned vehicles. Its inventory of new and used cars may be searched online through a number of variables, and model research on new Ford Vehicles may be accomplished online. Its location, hours, special offers, service and parts departments, and contacts are posted.
https://www.patmillikenford.com/
Located in West Bloomfield, Michigan, the company offers auto insurance, home insurance, commercial insurance, life insurance, landlord and vacant property insurance, disability and long-term care insurance, boat and watercraft insurance, motorcycle insurance, recreational insurance, final expense life insurance, and other financial services. Its team and trusted partners are introduced, client testimonials are published, and employment opportunities are posted.
https://www.philkleininsurance.com/
Headquartered in Wyoming, Michigan, the tire shop has additional locations in Ferndale, Michigan, and Indianapolis, Indiana. Its locations are published to the site, and prospective customers may shop for tires online by browsing the catalog or by searching by vehicle, tire size, or brand. Its special offers to car dealers are defined, and a dealer login is available. Its tire brands, 3M wheel weights, and promotional offers are set forth. Hours, contacts, and social media contacts are included.
https://www.rhdtire.net/
The main SDL library facility is in Owosso, Michigan, while a branch library is in Durand. Directions and the address for both are presented, with the hours of operation, contacts, and other details. Board members are acknowledged, a calendar of events, policy data, and employment opportunities are displayed, and the library’s on-site and online services and resources are discussed, including cardholder access to their accounts, the library catalog, and downloadable resources.
http://www.sdl.lib.mi.us/
Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber
Headquartered in St. Joseph, Michigan, the SMRC was created in 1954 as the Twin Cities Area Chamber of Commerce, merging with the Community Economic Development Corporation to become the Cornerstone Alliance in the late 1980s, the Cornerstone Alliance & Chamber Services in the early 1990s, taking its current name after an affiliation with the Great Bridgman Area Chamber & Growth Alliance. A business directory and marketing resources are available.
http://cornerstonechamber.com/
Located in Wyoming, Michigan, the funeral home business was begun with the idea of keeping costs down without cutting corners on service, including discount or affordable funeral or cremation services. Package pricing options for its Wyoming and Belmont locations are posted, with prices and packaged details, and its locations are shown on a map, with photographs, addresses, and telephone numbers. Pre-planning policies, pre-funding options, and a pre-arrangements form are put forth.
https://www.stegengafuneralchapel.com/
Distributed in the Southwest Michigan region of the Lower Peninsula, The Herald-Palladium is a daily newspaper that was formed through the merger of several local newspapers in the Benton Harbor and St. Joseph region. Headquartered in St. Joseph, the newspaper serves all or parts of Berrien, Cass, Van Buren, and Allegan counties. Full access to its content requires a subscription, either to the print edition or to the electronic edition only. Photo reprints are also available.
https://www.heraldpalladium.com/
The Heritage Museum and Cultural Center
Supported by the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, the HMCC promotes historical preservation, education, and research relating to Benton Harbor, St. Joseph, and the surrounding region, including ongoing historical exhibits and programs. Its staff and board of directors are introduced, and its location, admission costs, hours of operation, office hours and contacts, and membership information are put forth, while its programs and services are featured.
https://theheritagemcc.org/
Family owned and operated, and founded in 1989, the business is based in Saline, Michigan, and serves the larger Washtenaw County area. Available for emergency plumbing needs 24 hours a day, the plumbing contractors also do water heater installations, water piping installations, bathroom renovations, kitchen renovations, and plumbing fixture replacements. Its services are listed and provided in detail, along with its rates, customer reviews, and contacts.
https://washtenawplumbingandheating.com/
In business for more than eighty years, the auto repair shop is family-owned and operated, and offers full auto repair and maintenance services, including European and classic car repairs, hybrid vehicle services, complete tire repairs, and fleet services, as well as its Pit Stop Inspection services, which is a complimentary auto inspection service offering a comprehensive evaluation of the vehicle. Appointments may be made online, financing may be applied for, and contacts are posted.
https://thehamburggarage.com/
The Owosso, Michigan auto dealership was founded as an Oldsmobile Cadillac dealership in 1981, and currently carries Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick, and GMC vehicles at its three-store campus, along with pre-owned vehicles on its used car lot. Its locations and hours of operation are featured, and an online inventory search may be made on available new and pre-owned vehicles, while monthly specials are highlighted. Finance options are discussed, and its service center is featured.
https://www.youngautosales.com/
