The unincorporated community of Chase, Michigan is the only population center in Chase Township.
As an unincorporated community, there are no defined boundaries for the village itself, but the population area includes a portion of the Manistee National Forest, at its eastern edge, where East US-10 crosses South Frank Smith Road, east to the point where the highway crosses the Middle Branch of the Pere Marquette River. The townsite is mostly north of US-10, but the Chase post office serves most of the northwest portion of Chase Township, as well as southwestern Pinora Township, a southeast portion of Cherry Valley Township, and northeast Yates Township.
US-10 is the main route through the community for traffic going east or west, while South Frank Smith Road and South Saddler Road lead north and south. The main portion of the West Branch of the Pere Marquette River flows east, just south of US-10.
Chase is in southeastern Lake County. Reed City is 7.4 miles east of the village, Baldwin is 11.1 miles west, Luther is 12.3 miles north, and Big Rapids is 20.2 miles southeast.
The village and township were named for Salmon Portland Chase, who was the Chief Justice of the United States at the time that the area was settled in the 1860s. Coming in 1862, Lorenzo Conklin is acknowledged as the first permanent settler. Charles Joiner built a sawmill, a broom handle factory, and a shingle mill in the late 1860s. The community was first known as Grendale, although it was variously spelled Greendale or Green Dell.
However, when a post office was established on March 29, 1872, it was named Chase, with Alvin Joiner as the first postmaster. Chase served as the county seat until 1874.
The focus of this category is on the unincorporated village of Chase, Michigan.
Recommended Resources
Also known as Chase Baptist Cemetery, the graveyard is located just off of US-10, in the western portion of Chase, Michigan, not to be confused with Chase Township Cemetery, which is south of the village. A photo of the entrance to the cemetery is displayed, along with photos of 228 of the people interred there, along with names, dates of birth and death, plot number, and memorial ID number. Visitors to the site may upload additional photos or information for inclusion.
https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/259/chase-cemetery
Opened in 2000, the business was rebuilt after a major fire in 2012, the restaurant is situated on East Webster Street, south of US Highway 10, in Chase, Michigan. Its menu and price list are published on the site, with information on dine-in and carry-out orders. A history of the business is put forth, along with a calendar of special events and special offers. Career opportunities are posted, including the duties and responsibilities, qualifications, and experience necessary.
https://chasecreeksmokehouse.com/
The family-owned and operated business is based north of the village site of Chase, Michigan, and has served Lake County and the surrounding region since 2001, offering a range of electrical services that include residential, commercial, industrial, and farm automation clients, as well as Generac Generator sales and service. The office location and mailing address are put forth, along with office hours, a telephone number, and an online contact form.
http://www.shoemakerelectric.net/
