The village of Breckenridge is in northern Gratiot County, in the Central Michigan region of the Lower Peninsula, about twenty-five miles southwest of Midland.
It is bordered by Bethany Township on the west, and otherwise surrounded by Wheeler Township. The chief route through the Breckenridge is M-46 (Monroe Road), which runs east-west through the center of the village. Wisner Road forms the village's western boundary, while McClelland Road forms its eastern boundary, and Arnold Road runs north-south through the center of the village.
St. Louis is 6.6 miles to the west, Merrill is 7.1 miles east, and Ithaca is 14.7 miles southwest of Breckenridge.
Charles H. Howd is credited with being the first European-American settler in the region when he claimed 240 acres of land in 1860, settling it in 1870. When the Saginaw Valley & St. Louis Railroad came through in 1872, he created a townsite in what is now the south side of town, and established a general store, in which the village's first post office was established on May 19, 1873, with Howd as the first postmaster. Daniel W. and Justin A. Breckenridge acquired land there for a sawmill. Justin gave the railroad a right-of-way across a portion of his land for the railroad bed, and Daniel contributed land for a school site, as well as for Congregational and Methodist churches.
The railroad built a station there, naming it for the Breckenridge brothers. The railroad supplied a means of transporting lumber products, which were then the mainstay of the area economy.
Early settlers included Sam Brown, who acquired land in the northwest part of the village, and James and D.D. Brooks, who settled in the southwestern part of town. A blacksmith shop was opened by Ed Smith, and a hoop factory was established by L.H. Town and Warren Crandell. Two men named Hood and Peterman opened a stave mill, and a sawmill and oar factory was opened by Braddock and Son of Portsmouth in Bay County, and Charles Howd later bought an interest in that business. Citizens petitioned for incorporation as a village in late 1907, and Breckenridge was incorporated as a village in January of 1908.
The focus of this category is on the village of Breckenridge, Michigan. Appropriate resources include websites representing the village itself, as well as local businesses and industries, schools, places of worship, organizations, attractions, events, and sporting or recreational opportunities.
Recommended Resources
Breckenridge Community Schools
The Breckenridge, Michigan public school district offers a preschool through the twelfth-grade curriculum through three campuses: Husky Pup Preschool, Breckenridge Elementary School, and Breckenridge Middle/High School. For each of its schools, office staff contacts are posted, along with student handbooks, enrollment information and forms, annual reports, and demographics. A directory of district teachers is posted, and employment opportunities are included.
https://www.breckhuskies.org/
Breckenridge Manufactured Home Community
Offering homes and lots for a variety of needs and budgets, the manufactured home community is situated in Breckenridge, Michigan. Available homes are highlighted, with photos, descriptions, and costs, and site plans are featured, along with properties available for lease. Community amenities are listed on the site, along with local shopping venues, restaurants, parks, recreational facilities, and entertainment venues. Payments may be made online.
https://www.breckenridgemhc.com/
Breckenridge United Methodist Church
Affiliated with the Mid-Michigan District of the Michigan Conference of the United Methodist Church, the congregation was formed in 1890, meeting in the Baptist Church until its own sanctuary was completed in 1893. A history of the church is presented, its beliefs and core values are outlined, and its pastor and staff are introduced, with office hours and contacts. Other resources include its Christian education programs, missions, outreach activities, and a calendar of events.
https://breckenridgeumc.org/
The family-operated campground is located along West Pine River Road in Breckenridge, Michigan, offering shady sites along the Pine River, as well as sunny sites along the pond, rental cabins, a camp store, and cafe. A campground map is displayed, photos of its cabins and grounds are included. Site options are featured, with a list of available recreational facilities, kayak and tube rentals, and a list of amenities. Seasonal rates and contacts are published to the site.
http://www.riverridgecampgroundsmi.com/
Founded as a railroad town, Breckenridge is in Wheeler Township, Gratiot County, in the central portion of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. The official municipal website features a history of the village, office hours, telephone and fax numbers, and a map. Other resources include a guide to local resources and utilities, schools, churches, businesses, and attractions, with an overview of its industrial park. Meeting notices and minutes, ordinances, and other documents are available.
https://www.breckenridgemi.com/
