The Village of Copemish, Michigan is in Cleon Township, northern Manistee County, in the western part of the Lower Peninsula.
With a population of just under two hundred, as of the 2010 census, Copemish has never been a large community. Its peak population was 490 in 1910 but, by 1920, it had lost more than forty percent of its population, due largely to the demise of its forest product industry.
Today, the village is a quiet residential community with some light industry, a restaurant, bank, an autobody shop, and retail establishments serving residents of the town and those passing through. There are opportunities for outdoor recreation, including several snowmobile trails, the First Creek Nature Trail, Twisted Trails Off-Road Park, and wooded areas for hunting and hiking. The nearby Betsie River offers fishing, swimming, canoeing, and kayaking.
First Creek winds through the southern part of the village. For many years the creek was dammed up to create Copemish Dam Pond, which still shows up on maps, but the dam was partially removed in 2000, and completely removed in 2003, and the former pond bed has been restored with trees and native vegetation.
The main route through the village is M-115 (Cadillac Highway), which runs northwest-southeast from the southeastern corner of the village to the northwestern corner. Other routes to or from the village include Faylor Road, Lake Road, Nessen City Road, Springdale Road, and Yates Road. Thompsonville is 3.6 miles north of Copemish, while Kaleva is 12.0 miles southwest, Mesick is 12.1 miles southeast, Buckley is 14.8 miles east, and Bear Lake is 15.2 miles to the west.
Copemish was founded as a railroad town serving the lumber industry. The forests in Cleon Township were rich in beech and maple, whereas pine predominated in other parts of the county. According to legend, a large beech tree was used as a meeting place for Native Americans, who referred to it as Co-pem-mish, with the accent on the "pem," and this is what game Copemish its name.
The Buckley Douglass Lumber Company, headquartered in Manistee, set up lumber operations in the area that was to become Copemish around 1883.
The village was formed in an area where two railroads were scheduled to meet, forming the junction of the Toledo and Ann Arbor Railroad and the Manistee and Northeastern Railroad, the latter of which reached Copemish in the fall of 1889. With the advantage of two railroads coming through the village and employment offered by the lumber industry, the town grew quickly. Before long, there were gristmills, sawmills, a factory, a drugstore, hardware store, grocery store, millinery shop, boarding houses, three hotels, and a newspaper. On January 11, 1890, a post office was established in Copemish, with Frank W. Clark as the first postmaster.
Two men named Harrington and Freeland built an opera house, although an early settler wrote that there was never any professional entertainment there, and certainly no operas. Instead, the building was used for home talent shows and dances and later became a grocery store.
Before 1900, a Congregational Church, a Methodist Church, and a Catholic Church were built.
According to state law, at the time a community of more than three hundred people living in an area of less than a square mile could petition to become an incorporated village. By 1891, Copemish had a population of 318 and, consequently, a petition was granted on January 7, 1891.
Online resources representing the village itself, or any individuals, businesses, industries, schools, churches, organizations, attractions, or events within the village are the focal point of this category.
Recommended Resources
The autobody and service center is located on 2nd Street in Copemish, Michigan, where it offers auto repair services, auto body repairs, and painting services, shop builds and restoration services, lift kits, fabrication, tires, and oil changes. Its services are described in detail, along with a list of its vendors, off-road parts, seats, tires, wheels, and accessories. Its address and a map showing its location are featured, hours of operation and telephone number are provided.
https://copemishservicecenter.net/
In business since 1981, the thrift, consignment, and the second-hand store is situated on Maple Street in Copemish, Michigan, where it carries BATA black boots and BATA white boots (Mickey Mouse boots), with various options, including used but in good condition. Other products include snowshoes, Gore-Tex boots, and Altama desert boots. Its location, hours of operation, and contacts are posted, and items may be purchased online, with actual shipping fees.
http://www.mickeymouseboots.net/
Marilla Museum & Pioneer Place
Formed in 1980 in order to preserve and celebrate Marilla Township’s pioneer traditions, the Marilla Historical Society maintains the Marilla Museum and Pioneer Place in Copemish, Michigan. An introduction to the organization is offered, along with articles on the history of the township, a calendar of events, membership policies and rates, as well as a downloadable order form to join or make a donation. The museum location, hours of operation, and photos are presented.
http://www.hsmichigan.org/marilla/
Milarch Brothers Nursery & Landscaping
Based in Copemish, Michigan, the nursery and landscaping company offers landscaping, irrigation, hardscaping, and landscape maintenance services, including residential and commercial work, regularly scheduled lawn moving services, tree planting, hydroseeding, sodding, trimming, edging, and pruning, as well as landscape design and installation, mulch delivery, and installation. Past work is shown in a gallery of photographs, and contacts are included.
https://www.milarchbrothers.com/
The non-denominational Christian church is situated on Marilla Road in Copomish, Michigan. A map shows the location of the church. Schedules for its Sunday morning Sunday School and worship services are published on the site, and a calendar of programs and events is included. Its purpose, commitments, vision, covenant, and a statement of faith are posted, with an introduction to the pastor, office hours, contacts, a church blog, and an overview of its ministries.
https://www.pomonabiblechurch.com/
The Catholic Church is located on Cadillac Highway in Copemish, Michigan. Office hours, telephone and fax numbers are posted to the site, along with church bulletins, ministry schedules, and a calendar of events. Offered on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, mass schedules are posted, and the Holy Hour of Prayer is held each Tuesday, followed by mass. Confessions are by appointment. A parish application may be accessed through the site.
http://www.straphaelcopemish.com/
The 400-acre provides several different aspects of four-wheeling, including year-round wheeling for ATVs, dirt bikes, and 4x4 off-road vehicles, including full sand dragging racing facility, several miles of trail rides of various difficulties, mud bogs, and rock climbing on featured obstacles. The park also hosts several events throughout the year and is available for other public and private events. A trail map, pricing, hours, rules, and a calendar of events are put forth.
https://twistedtrailsoffroadpark.com/
Incorporated in 1891, the village was named for the Ojibwa word for “big beech,” a reference for a large beech tree that served as a meeting place for Native Americans. The official municipal website features a profile of the village, village council, and planning commission schedules, a list of council members, the village clerk, treasurer, and zoning administrator, village telephone numbers and email addresses, photos, and information about the use of the village pavilion.
http://villageofcopemish.com/
