Situated in the Manistee National Forest, Brethren is an unincorporated community in Dickson Township, Manistee County, in the northwestern Lower Peninsula of Michigan.
The settlement began as a German Baptist Brethren colony under the leadership of Samuel S. Thorpe in 1900. The Pere Marquette Railway established a station in Brethren the following year, and a post office was established in Brethren on August 5, 1901, with Thorpe as the first postmaster. The post office remains in service.
Brethren is a small community of about four hundred people, which was only recently designated as a census-designated place. At the time of the 2010 census, its population was 410. Situated in a national forest, its economy is largely service-based, with an emphasis on outdoor recreation. Botwell Creek is north of the village, forming a portion of its northern boundary, and Bear Creek is just west of Brethren. Center Lake, Lake Eleanor, and a couple of other smaller bodies of water. The Manistee River, and the Tippy Dam, are just south of Brethren.
The chief routes through the community are Highbridge Road and Coates Highway. Other routes include Graf Road, Hindman Road, Skidmore Road, and Swihart Road. The most populated area of the community is along Coates Highway, east of Highbridge Highway. Kaleva is 5.6 miles north, Brown is 7.3 miles west, Norman is 9.0 miles south, and Slagle is 14.8 miles east, while the City of Manistee is about eighteen miles west-southwest of Brethren.
The focus of this guide is on the community of Brethren, Michigan. Websites representing businesses, industries, guest accommodations, schools, churches, organizations, attractions, and events within the community are appropriate resources for this category.
Recommended Resources
Featuring completely furnished cabins in Brethren, Michigan, in the heart of the Manistee National Forest, the rustic resort facility includes bungalows and cabins of various sizes and setups. Photos and descriptions are available, daily rates and discount offers are posted, along with policy information, a list of features and amenities, and a schedule of upcoming events. The owners are introduced, contacts are posted, and area highlights are included.
http://www.brethrenbungalows.com/
The K-12 school district is headquartered in Brethren, Michigan, covering the eastern half of Manistee County, and includes 4-Star Preschool, located on the Brethren campus, as well as KND Elementary School, and Brethren Middle/High School, each of which is highlighted here, with school schedules, contacts, and other details, its board of education, and access to various state and federal reports, local announcements, demographics, and a district profile.
https://knd.manistee.org/
Located next to the Big Manistee River Corridor between Wellston and Brethren, Michigan, the Little Bear Lodge is in the heart of the Manistee National Forest recreation area, offering a guest rental cabin with three bedrooms, capable of sleeping up to eight, with a full bath, and full kitchen, as well as a rustic interior. Photos of the lodge and accommodations are put forth, along with rates, reservation policies, and online bookings, and a map showing its location.
https://thelittlebearlodge.com/
Based in Brethren, Michigan, the cabin rental business includes lodging facilities in Brethren, as well as on the other side of the Manistee River, in Wellston, offering a focus on cabin rentals that provide a home-away-from-home experience, and are furnished and comfortable. Its facilities include High Bridge Lodge, Weaver Lodge, Bobcat Lodge, and Shady Pines Lodge, each of which are highlighted here, along with customer testimonials and online reservations.
http://www.northwoodslodging.com/
Situated on High Bridge Road in Brethren, Michigan, the bar offers pull tabs, 6 Club Keno screens, sporting events on HD, pool tables, and a jukebox, as well as food, drinks, and occasional events. Its location, hours of operation, announcements, contacts, kitchen hours, menu, and daily specials are featured, along with a calendar of events, and an online shopping area featuring promotional apparel and other items. Area attractions are posted to the site.
http://www.traksbar.com/
