Surrounded by Otisco Township, the City of Belding, Michigan is in northwestern Ionia County in the central portion of the Lower Peninsula. Belding is about thirty miles north-northeast of Grand Rapids.
The Flat River runs through the center of town, forming a small portion of the city's eastern boundary, then entering the city in the central-east, flowing west, and slightly north, to the center of town, then turning south, existing at the center-south portion of the city, where it forms a portion of the city's southern border.
The chief route through the city is M-44, which becomes State Street within the city limits. Lesser routes include Belding Road (State Street), Long Lake Road (Kiddville Street), and Zahm Road (Bridge Street). The city of Greenville is 7.5 miles north, Ionia is 15.3 miles southeast, Lowell is 16.5 miles south-southwest, and Rockford is 19.7 miles west of Belding.
Levi Broas is generally acknowledged as having been the first permanent European-American settler in the area that was to become Belding, although some histories list him as Charles Broas.
By whatever name, Broas established a sawmill there in 1838, and the settlement that arose around the mill became known as Broas Rapids. In 1842, Lucius Patterson bought an interest in the Broas mill, later acquiring the majority interest.
On February 23, 1857, a post office was established under the name of Patterson Mills, with Andrew J. Reynolds as its first postmaster. Later, for a short time, the town was known as Hog Wallow.
In 1855, Hiram Belding acquired the land of Levi Broas. To help pay for it, he sold silk goods on commission, beginning the Belding Brothers and Company, a silk-making business that led to a renaming of the town and its post office, which became Belding on September 18, 1871. Belding was incorporated as a city in 1893.
Constructed in 1906, the Belrockton Dormitory was one of three boarding houses provided by the Belding Brothers and Company to house its single female workers, providing accommodations for a hundred residents and staff. Today, the building serves as the Belding Museum.
Another historic building built by the Belding Brothers is now known as the Alvah N. Belding Memorial Library. When a fire destroyed the town's small library in 1893, Alvah N. Belding of the Belding and Brothers Company built a new library, gifting it to the City of Belding.
Downtown Belding includes several elements reflecting a sense of history. Besides the library and museum, several historic homes remain. The Richardson Silk Mill is on the National Registry of Historic Places, as is the Pere Marquette Railway Belding Depot and the Alvah N. Belding Memorial Library, while the Belrockton Dormitory is on the State Register of Historic Places.
The city hall, post office, and library are located downtown. The city's youth are served by the Belding Area Public School District, whose school campuses are all located within the city.
In addition to the recreational facilities that are part of the school district, the city has five public parks: Central Riverside Park, East Riverside Park, Lightning Bend Preserve, Water Street Park, and Demorest Field. With the exception of the latter, all are adjacent to the Flat River.
The focus of this category is on the City of Belding, Michigan. Websites representing the municipal government or any of its departments or programs are appropriate for this category, as are those of Belding businesses and industries, schools, places of worship, organizations, attractions, and events.
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Recommended Resources
Alvah N. Belding Memorial Library
The Belding, Michigan municipal library is a historic building recognized as a State of Michigan Historic Site in 1980, and on the National Register of Historic Places since 1993. Its history, hours of operation, services, and local history and genealogical resources are highlighted, along with its collections and services to adults, teens, and youth. Online services include access to the library database, an ancestry database, and various e-books, magazines, and other publications.
https://www.alvahnbeldinglibrary.org/
The Belding, Michigan school district has one high school, a middle school, and two elementary schools, as well as an Early Childhood Center that includes the Great Start Readiness Program and a pre-primary instructional program for special education. Its campuses and programs are highlighted here, along with its adult education program, athletics and extracurricular programs, and academics. Teacher evaluations, mentorships, and a staff directory are posted.
https://www.bas-k12.org/
The Belding Area Schools band program is included here, including the marching band, symphonic band, concert band, jazz band, and pep band, each of which is highlighted, including member introductions, scales, chair auditions, and reference recordings. A band handbook, band calendar, and percussion calendar. Director information, sponsors and sponsorship opportunities, a lineup, and a photo gallery. Contacts for band boosters are posted.
http://www.beldingbands.org/
Membership in the Belding, Michigan business organization includes membership in the Small Business Association of Michigan, affordable rates on Priority Health Group healthcare plans, Chamber referrals, discounted advertising rates on the Chamber website, a featured business advertisement on the Chamber website, promotion in its business directory, monthly meetings, and networking opportunities. A calendar of events, board members, and job postings are featured.
http://beldingchamber.org/
The local Belding, Michigan florist offers both class and traditional, and modern and trendy floral displays, customizing floral designs to the customer’s liking. Its shop carries a wide selection of green plants, blooming plants, dish gardens, fruit baskets, gourmet baskets, gift baskets, baby gifts, candy, greeting cards, home decor, scented candles, silk flowers, plush stuffed animals, and other items Orders may be placed online for local delivery. Hours and contacts are posted.
https://www.beldingflowershop.com/
Located on West State Street, the Belding, Michigan eyecare center offers complete eye exams to analyze eye health and vision function, as well as tests for glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration. The optometrist also carries glasses and contact lenses and offers preoperative and postoperative care. Its location, office hours, appointment policies, and contacts are posted to the site, along with the insurance plans that it cooperates with, and payment plans.
https://www.beldingfamilyeyecare.net/
Beginning as a monument honoring World War II veterans, the continually growing park has come to honor thousands of Michigan veterans, including a WWI monument honoring local veterans of the 1st World War, the original WWII monument, a Korean War monument, a POW/MIA monument, a Blue Star and Gold Star Mothers monument, and a Vietnam memorial that honors all Michigan soldiers whose lives were lost in that war. Photographs are presented.
https://beldingveteranspark.net/
The official municipal website lists the city’s boards and commissions, offers a calendar of events, a citizen finance guide, a new resident guide, access to various forms and publications, and online payment of water bills and property taxes. Other resources include a guide to local schools, churches, attractions, and events. Council agendas and minutes are published to the site, along with its code of ordinances, city charter, and a contact message form.
https://www.belding.mi.us/
The third-generation family campground can accommodate every type of recreational vehicle, as well as tent camping and a variety of Double R lodging choices, such as private chalets, and a bunkhouse with six individual rooms. Daily, weekly, monthly, and seasonal rates are available, with prices varying according to the type of lodging required. Available activities include a 9-hole golf course, canoe, kayak, and tube rentals, two swimming pools, and horseback trail rides.
https://www.doublerranch.com/
Faith Community Christian School
The Belding, Michigan Christian school offers preschool, elementary, and a new hybrid homeschooling program, which is defined here, as well as an online-only option. The intention of Christian education is outlined, along with a statement of beliefs, a discussion of inclusive education, and its tuition and fees, as well as a gallery of photographs. The application process is defined, including tuition assistance options. The school staff is introduced, and contacts are posted.
https://www.faithccschool.com/
Situated in Belding, Michigan, the full-service motocross track includes on-site camping, a swimming pool, private garage space, concessions, showers, fishing, and catering services. Pig roasts and barbecues are featured for special events, and opportunities to walk, rollerblade, or bike the two-mile road course may be available after hours. Driving directions, advertising opportunities, the availability for charitable and special events, schedules, and contacts are included.
http://www.grattanracewaypark.com/
Located in Belding, Michigan, the family-owned childcare center provides daycare services for children from birth to twelve years of age, serving families in Belding, Greenville, Ionia, Lowell, Rockford, and Stanton. Its infant care, toddler, preschool/pre-kindergarten, and school-age programs are highlighted, along with its music learning program, bus shuttle, field trips, sign language and Spanish programs, pricing, sponsorships, and an enrollment form.
https://www.yourkidsworld.com/
Situated south of the Belding Skate Park and the Flat River, the Belding, Michigan tavern serves food and burgers. Its address, telephone number, hours of business, and special offers are posted to the site, including its appetizers, entrees, salads, kids menu, open food, beverages, and dessert, as well as gift baskets, promotional apparel, and other items. Its Tasty Rewards promotional rewards program is highlighted, and group orders may be made from the site.
https://www.thehorsesmouthmi.com/