Ashley, Michigan is an incorporated village in northwest Elba Township, southeast Gratiot County, in the central Lower Peninsula.
No major state or federal roads pass through the village, although M-57 passes within a mile to the south. The main roads serving the village are East Garfield Road (Section Line), East McArthur Road (Wallace Street), and South Arnold Road (Quarter Line Street). Wisner Road forms the western boundary of the village, while South McClelland Road forms its eastern boundary. The village of Perrinton is 10.6 miles northwest, Elsie is 11.3 miles southeast, and Ithaca is 15.4 miles north-northwest of Ashley.
The village was platted by Ansel H. Phinney, George P. Dudley, and Miles W. Bullock, land speculators from Howell, Michigan, who correctly presumed that the Ann Arbor Railroad would adopt the location as a site for a station, with sidetracks allowing for the shipment of forest products from the surrounding region. Mr. Phinney became the first postmaster on January 14, 1884. The village was incorporated in 1887 and named for John M. Ashley, a founder and promotor of the Toledo, Saginaw & Muskegon Railroad spur into the town.
Incorporated in January of 1886, the TS&MR offered service between Ashley and Muskegon beginning in August of 1888. The Grand Trunk Railway of Canada took control that same day, but the company did not merge with the Grand Trunk Railway until 1928. Trains began using the Toldeo, Ann Arbor, and Northern Michigan between Ashley and Owosso Junction. Ashley Station became an important station on the Ann Arbor Railroad, as it was the junction point of that line with the Toldeo, Saginaw and Muskegon division of the Grand Trunk Railroad.
A combined sawmill, hoop mill, and stave mill was erected by Salliotte and Chittenden in 1884. Destroyed by fire, they were rebuilt and continued in operation until 1910, when they were closed due to a scarcity of timber. Other mills were started by Charles Lyon, and Cole and Rheubottom established several coal kilns along the railroad tracks. Brick and tile works were opened by Fred Tompkins and A.E. Fuller, which remained in operation for several years. The Fuller home was the seventh built in Ashley.
Today, the trains still come through Ashley, but Ashley Depot is no longer in operation. The village's population is between five and six hundred, most of whom work in agriculture or at small businesses and retail stores in town.
The focus of this category is on the village of Ashley, Michigan. Topics related to the village are appropriate for this category, along with local businesses, industries, schools, places of worship, organizations, and individuals.
 
 
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Founded in 1848, the congregation first met in a log cabin that also served as the community schoolhouse, and a chapel was constructed during the Civil War. Originally known as the First Baptist Church of Oakfield Township, its current name was adopted in 1956. A member of the Independent Fundamental Baptist Fellowship of Michigan, its history and beliefs are outlined, the pastor is introduced, and a calendar of events is posted, along with a sermon archive.
http://ashleybaptist.org/
Offering a PK-12th-grade public school curriculum on one campus. Its academic offerings, elementary and secondary extracurricular programs, athletics, and library services are highlighted, including an online card catalog of library resources, announcements, annual notices, resources for staff, administration, parents, and students. The school board is introduced, with an archive of board minutes, as well as a staff directory, and job postings.
http://www.ashleyschools.net/
With locations in St. Johns and Ashley, Michigan, Bellingar Packing specializes in custom processing of beef, pork, venison, and wild game, and is able to make tasty treats out of venison and any wild game, as well as offering flavored jerky, snack sticks, summer sausages, beer, and soft drinks. Its processing services are introduced, along with its specialty meats, party planning resources, and special offers. Products purchased online will be shipped frozen.
http://bellingarpacking.com/ashley/
Family owned and operated, the Ashley, Michigan company has been in business since 1996, offering propane gas refills, propane tanks, and propane accessories, and is able to provide tanks from 120 to 1,000-gallon capacities. Its memberships, service areas, and hours of operation are published to the site, and a map shows the location of the business on South State Road. Telephone and fax numbers are posted, and a web form can be used to contact the business.
http://www.candcpropane.com/
Situated on South Bagley Road. just off the intersection of US 127 and M-57, in the village of Ashley, Michigan, the country shop offers a variety of gift items and other products, which include candles, dip mixes, chair pads, and rugs, dish towels, and cloths, curtains, lotions, red hats, garden stakes, stepping stones, gazing balls, mailbox covers, accent flags, lamps, scents, and several others. The address and directions are given, and its hours of operation are posted.
http://www.fourandtwentyblackbirds.biz/
The official website for the village of Ashley, Michigan posts village office hours and telephone numbers, council meeting agendas. locations, and minutes, public notices, and a calendar of festivals and special events. Information pertaining to waste removal and other services and utilities are included, along with employment opportunities, and downloadable forms for job applications, vendor services, zoning permit applications, and community rental contracts.
http://www.ashleyvillage.org/
Village of Ashley Country Christmas
Highlighting the annual Christmas season event, the site lists the dates of the North Pole Express train trips, including places where train tickets may be purchased. Beginning in the middle of November, the village is transformed into an old-fashioned Country Christmas, with 1940s-inspired decorations, a large Christmas tree, horse-drawn wagon rides, and stage and street entertainment, as well as several Christmas-themed food venues, holiday shopping, and other events.
http://www.michigansteamtrain.com/