Known as Ada Village, Ada is an unincorporated community in Ada Township, which is in Kent County, in the Lower Peninsula of Michigan.
Ada is situated along Michigan Highway 21 (M-21), about twelve miles east of Grand Rapids. The village is in the southern part of the township, at the confluence of the Thornapple River and the Grand River.
The community grew up around a trading post established there by Rix Robinson, who came from Massachusetts in 1821, buying land there in 1833, where he was the first white settler, although Lucius B. Lyon has been credited with founding the village. A plaque erected by Kent County refers to Robinson as the Founder of Western Michigan. He married an Indian woman and served as Supervisor for Kent Township in 1834, Ada Township in 1840, Associate Judge of Circuit Courts for Kent County in 1844, State Senator in 1845, State Commissioner of Internal Improvements in 1846, and a Member of the State Constitutional Convention in 1850. He also negotiated with the federal government for the Native Americans. He made Ada his home for the rest of his life.
Both the village and the township were named for Ada Smith, the daughter of Sidney Smith, who was appointed as its first postmaster on January 5, 1837.
The Detroit & Milwaukee Railroad came through the area in 1853, crossing the Thornapple River at the village site, and the Ada Depot was established there. The D&W Railroad later became the Detroit, Grand Haven, and Milwaukee Railway. The tracks are now part of the Grand Rapids Eastern Railroad.
The village was platted by G.A. Dalrymple and H.F. Dunn on September 4, 1857. By 1862, Ada had several businesses, including general stores, a flour mill, sawmill, blacksmith, carriage maker, a boot and shoe store, two churches, hotels, a doctor, an attorney, and three justices of the peace. Later, a basket factory was built next to the flour and saw mills along the Thornapple River.
In 1856, a covered bridge was built, extending Bronson Street across the Thornapple River, just south of the point where it joins with the Grand River. The bridge was listed with the Michigan Register of Historic Places in 1969, and with the National Register in 1970. However, the bridge collapsed due to heavy snow in 1979 and was restored with private funds. Shortly after, the bridge was completely destroyed by fire. With the help of Amway Corporation, which is headquartered in Ada, it was again rebuilt, but is now a restoration, resting on concrete abutments, and is open only to pedestrian traffic, connecting the village with a park on the other side of the river.
The focus of this category is on the Village of Ada, although topics related to Ada Township may be listed here as well.
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Recommended Resources
The ABA is a non-profit organization that was created to promote the Ada business community, a goal that it strives to fulfill through planning and leadership services, the sponsorship of business luncheons and activities, the Forest Hills Community Expo, August in Ada Children’s Fair, Tinsel, Treats & Trolleys, Trunk or Treat, and other community events. Membership policies, options, and benefits are described, and a member directory and event calendar are displayed.
https://adabusinessassociation.com/
A non-profit event supporting the Michigan Dental Association Foundation’s initiatives in West Michigan, the amateur bike race takes place on the streets of Ada Village. A course map is displayed on the site, along with a schedule listing start times for the various events, the length of the event, and awards to be distributed. Participants may register online. Partners sponsoring the events are acknowledged on the site, and volunteer opportunities and contacts are posted.
https://adacrit.com/
Created and maintained by the Lucas Howard Group, the site highlights Ada Village, described as a community bustling with parks, local businesses, restaurants, and people. The real estate company features properties, homes, and businesses that are available in Ada Village, Ada Township, or the surrounding region, with details, photos, and asking prices. Services for those seeking to sell their homes in Ada are also featured, along with an overview of the community.
https://www.adadowntown.com/
The Ada Historical Society operates the Averill Historical Museum of Ada in a circa 1870s farmhouse and barn owned by Ada Township, where collections and exhibits connected to the area’s original inhabitants, Rix Robinson, the fur trade, Ada’s military history, life in a farming community, other businesses in Ada, children’s toys, the railroad history in Ada, and Ada schools are displayed. Its location, operating days and hours, accessibility issues, and volunteer opportunities are posted.
https://www.hsmichigan.org/ada/museum/
Maintained by Ada Township, the site is focused largely on Ada Village, including a project that began in 2006 to expand its retail, residential, and restaurant facilities, as well as highlighting its natural resources, and creating a more walkable community. The status of construction is reported here, and a live webcam is included, along with renderings and site plans, and design principles. Facts relating to the village and the township are included, and a calendar of events is posted.
http://adamichigan.org/
The homeowners association manages the affairs of the Adacroft Commons residential community, which is within walking distance of K-12 public schools, as well as the Ada Christian K-8th grade school. Bylaws, forms, and other resident documents may be downloaded from the site, which also includes a calendar of meetings and events, meeting minutes, newsletters, and a contact guide to area services, such as Ada Township, law enforcement, animal control, and others.
https://www.adacroft.org/
Troop 290 of Ada, Michigan is an active troop of the Boy Scouts of America, and a member of the Gerald R. Ford Council. Its chartering organization is St. Robert of Newminster Parish. In service since 1954, the troop is active year-round, meeting at the church on Tuesday evenings during the school year, and offering a variety of campouts, social activities, and community service projects. Adult leaders are introduced, and a photo gallery is included.
https://www.troopwebhost.org/Troop290Ada/
Situated between Ada Drive and the Thornapple River, near the Ada Covered Bridge, Riverpoint is a residential community of townhomes and single-family homes. Featured is a map of the development, showing sold and available homes, as well as green spaces and lots ye to be developed. Area shopping venues, restaurants, walking and biking trails, and other neighborhood features are spotlighted, along with a gallery of photographs, and contact information.
http://www.riverpointofada.com/
Managed by Village Green, the apartment complex is located on Stone Falls Drive in Ada Township, Michigan. Interested people may enter a date to view a list of vacancies, as well as a list of community and apartment amenities, pet policies, and office hours, and its location can be seen on a map. Floor plans are published, and a one-on-one video tour is available on request. Interested clients may apply to rent an apartment online, and rent may be paid through the site.
https://www.stonefallsofada.com/
Situated on about ten acres, the townhome community features a variety of two and three-bedroom townhomes with attached garages, basements, granite countertops, fireplaces, custom kitchens, private balconies, high-efficiency appliance, storage, and other features and amenities. Situated on Spaulding Avenue in Ada, Michigan, its location is shown on a map, floor plans, tour options, and available homes are highlighted, along with contacts and an online application.
https://knollofada.com/
