Not to be confused with either of the Michigan townships with that name, the incorporated village of Baldwin is the county seat of Lake County, and is situated in the Huron-Manistee National Forests in the Western Lower Peninsula.
Baldwin straddles Webber Township and Pleasant Plains Township, although it has an independent municipal government.
The primary routes through the village are US 10 and M-37. Within the village US 10 and M-37 run contiguous as Michigan Avenue, entering the village in the north, then US-10 turns to the east, becoming Washington Street, while M-37 continues south as Michigan Avenue. The village of Luther is 17.9 miles to the northeast, Reed City is 18.6 miles east, the village of Custer is 21.8 miles west, and Walkerville is 25.3 miles southwest of Baldwin.
Lake Michigan is about thirty-five miles west of the village, while several smaller lakes are just north and northeast of Baldwin. These include Bush Lake, a small portion of which is within the village boundaries, and Cashion Lake, Government Lake, Little Star Lake, Mench Lake, and Putman Lake. The Baldwin River winds through a portion of the southeastern portion of the village, and the Pere Marquette River is south of Baldwin.
Given the village's position in the national forest and the surrounding lakes, rivers, and streams, as well as its distance from any large cities, Baldwin is primarily a tourist community, whose economy is significantly dependent upon the summer months, when people come to camp, canoe, hunt, and fish.
The North Lake Correctional Facility, a private, for-profit prison, is located in Baldwin. Built in 1999, it was originally intended to house youth offenders, the facility now houses maximum-security inmates.
Settled in 1870, Baldwin was first known as Hannibal, for an early settler who lived north of the current location of the courthouse. Before long, Isaac Grant opened a store in the community and headed a committee to change the name of the village to Baldwin in 1872, in honor of Henry P. Baldwin, who was then governor of Michigan. On December 5, 1872, a post office was established in what was then known as Baldwin City, with Colonel F. Basom as postmaster. The Marquette Railroad established a station in Baldwin in 1873, and the community was named the county seat in 1874. On May 28, 1875, the name of the village was shortened to Baldwin. In 1887, Baldwin was incorporated as a village.
The focus of this category is on the village of Baldwin, Michigan. Websites featuring information about the village are appropriate for this category, as are websites representing businesses, industries, schools, places of worship, organizations, attractions, and events in Baldwin.
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Operating under a special use permit with the Huron Manistee National Forests, BBT provides guide services, lodging, and a full fly and tackle shop for fishing the Pere Marquette River just south of the village of Baldwin, Michigan. Its fishing guide services are provided year-round, and its guides are first-aid and CPR trained and members of the Michigan River Guide Association. Information about its guided trips, reports from its guides, and an introduction to its motel are provided.
https://fishbaldwin.com/
Based near Baldwin, Michigan, the business serves the permitted section of the Pere Marquette National Scenic River, in the heart of the Huron-Manistee National Forests. In business since 1968, it carries a fleet of more than five hundred watercraft, including canoes, inflatable rafts, kayaks, and tubes. Reservation policies are stated, and a reservation number is provided. Also featured is a guide to local camping and lodging facilities, and area attractions.
https://www.baldwincanoe.com/
The public school district offers a preschool to the 12th-grade curriculum through four schools on one campus: a preschool program, elementary school, junior high school, and senior high school, each of which is highlighted here, along with demographics, performance evaluations, a school year calendar, newsletters, and a history of the district. Other resources include a staff directory, office hours and contacts, and private logins for students, parents, and staff.
http://www.baldwin.k12.mi.us/
Established in 1926, the full-service lumber and building supplies center carries lumber and boards, treated lumber, windows, doors, millwork, moulding, various types of siding, masonry products, roofing materials, plywood, kitchen cabinets, drywall, furniture, coal, and a full line of hardware and tools, as well as Christmas trees and gardening plants in season. The business also offers screen repair and glass cutting services, custom cutting, and special orders.
https://baldwinlumber.com/
Held annually in the village of Baldwin, Michigan, near the Pere Marquette River, the event has grown to include several activities, including a children’s fishing derby, a softball tournament, concerts, entertainment tent, carnival rides, clowns, a 5k race, and a parade. A schedule of activities is published to the site, sponsors are acknowledged, and sponsorship and volunteer opportunities are highlighted. Softball tournament registration and entrance fees may be completed online.
http://www.troutarama.com/
Open seven days a week, Barski is a bar and grill restaurant in the village of Baldwin, Michigan. Serving food and drinks, the restaurant also features a pool table, dartboard, horseshoe pits, picnic tables, and an open deck, as well as a casual dining establishment and a full bar. Its location, telephone number, and hours of operation are published to the site. A full menu, kid’s menu, and special offers are posted to the site, along with an overview of its catering services.
http://barskim37.com/
Affiliated with the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, the congregation meets at its facilities on South M-37, just north of the Shrine of the Pines, in the village of Baldwin, Michigan. A brief history and profile of the church are presented on its site, along with an introduction to the pastor and his family, a calendar of programs and events, and an archive of service video, which may be viewed online or downloaded for later viewing. Office hours and contacts are posted.
http://www.graceluthbaldwin.org/
Formed in 1990, the congregation is a member of the Independent Fundamental Churches of America. The history of the church is outlined, along with a statement of beliefs and affiliations, its focus, and its mission. Sunday service schedules and a calendar of upcoming programs and ministries are published to the site, office hours, its telephone number, and a map showing the location of the church are presented. Its ministries and missions are discussed.
http://www.lakecommunitybiblechurch.org/
Locally owned and operated, the smoke shop is located along M-37 in Baldwin, Michigan, across from Baldwin Canoe Rental and north of Houseman’s Grocery. The smoke shop carries glass pipes, bulk tobacco, tubes, papers, premium cigars, e-cigarettes, vaporizers, and smoking accessories, and its gift shop stocks handmade jewelry, t-shirts and other apparel, oil fragrances, candles, and other items. The business also has storage units available in various sizes. Contacts are posted.
https://www.puremichigansolutions.com/
Located in the woods on the banks of the Pere Marquette River, along M-37 in Baldwin, Michigan, the attraction features more than two hundred hand-crafted items, including a large collection of rustic pine furniture. Live tours can be requested, as well as an option for an audio tour which allows visitors to listen at their own pace and view specific portions of the tour. Memberships are available, along with ticket sales. Its hours of operation are posted to the site.
https://www.theshrineofthepines.com/
Formed in 1997, the company specializes in manufacturing drift boats, using a honeycomb core to allow for more thickness without the added weight found in other designs. The history and theory behind the design of the boats are discussed, and its strength and durability is illustrated in a video. Its products are highlighted here, with specifications, pricing, photos, and video. Its inventory of new and used boats are displayed, customer testimonials are offered, and a dealer list is included.
https://stealthcraftboats.com/
The official municipal website posts official notices, a list of council members and their email addresses, meeting schedules and minutes, a list of planning commission members, meeting schedules and minutes, and an overview of the village’s Downtown Development Authority (DDA) plan. Water quality reports, tax, and census information, village ordinances, links to surrounding township government sites, and to other local area resources are provided.
https://villageofbaldwin.org/
Created and maintained by Advantage Marketing & Publications, which publishes several local Michigan guides, the site highlights the village of Baldwin and the surrounding region, particularly for tourism and outdoor adventures. Its topics include major festivals in the village, the Pere Marquette River, Manistee National Forest, and the surrounding Lake County area, specifying points of interest and a guide to local businesses, lodging facilities, and services.
https://www.visitbaldwin.com/
