The City of Croswell, Michigan is in southeastern Sanilac County, in the Thumb region of the Lower Peninsula.
The Black River flows in a southerly direction through the western portion of the city, and once divided the community into two separate villages. The river is an 81-mile river that begins in Sanilac County, near its border with Huron County, and empties into the St. Clair River in Port Huron. Originally, the settlement that later became Crosswell was known as Black River.
The first European-American settlers were engaged in fur trapping, although larger numbers came with the lumbering industry in the 1840s. The first settlement was known as Black River Settlement.
In 1845, Ephraim Pierce began the construction of a large sawmill. In 1857, Randall E. Davis became a partner in the operations and was instrumental in completing the mill by 1861. When a post office was established on September 12, 1857, the post office and community took the name Davisville. However, on May 9, 1877, Davisville was renamed for Michigan Governor Charles M. Croswell, who had been elected that year.
The successful lumber operations spurred growth in the new community, and the Port Huron and Northwestern Railroad extended a track from Port Huron to Croswell in 1879. Croswell was incorporated as a village in 1881. At around the same time, settlers on the west side of the Black River, who were separated from Croswell for the lack of a bridge, formed the village of Falcon, and a post office was established there on October 3, 1882, with Cephes W. Arnot as postmaster.
In 1881, forest fires destroyed the bulk of the remaining timber in Sanilac County and the Thumb region, ending the timber era, but opening the region up for agriculture.
By 1900, Croswell had a hotel, two banks, a brickyard, a livery stable, two lumber yards, two harness shops, four general stores, three hardware stores, a meat market, a bakery, two barbershops, and a tailor shop. In 1901, the Sanilac Sugar Refining Company built a sugar beet processing plant along the river. Soon after, two pickle plants and a vegetable cannery were added to Croswell's industries.
In 1905, Croswell merged with Falcon and became a city. That same year, a cable-and-plank pedestrian bridge was built across the river, united the two communities.
The main route through the city is M-90, also known as Peck Road, which forms a portion of the city's southern border. Other routes to or from the city include Black River Road, Croswell Road, Harrington Road, Old M-51, and Seltzer Road, which forms the city's northern boundary. The village of Applegate is 5.4 miles to the north, Lexington is 5.5 miles east, and Peck is 10.9 miles to the west, while the city of and Yale is 19.4 miles southwest, and Sandusky is 19.4 miles northwest of Croswell.
The focal point of this category is the City of Croswell, Michigan. Online resources relating to the city government, or any individuals, organizations, churches, schools, activities, or events are appropriate for this category.
Recommended Resources
Surrounded by Lexington Township, Croswell is in southeastern Sanilac County, in the Thumb region of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. The official municipal website presents an overview of the city, its comprehensive plan, a citizen guide, and a directory of municipal departments, elected officials, and staff. City council agendas and minutes, ordinances, and policy notices are posted to the site, along with photo galleries showing community events.
https://www.cityofcroswell.com/
Situated at the north end of town, at the corner of Maple Street and North Howard Avenue, across from Adam’s Service Station in Croswell, Michigan, the library carries books for children and adults, including large-print, as well as magazines, audiobooks, videos, and other resources. Directions, hours of operation, and contacts are posted to the site, and the library’s online catalog may be accessed, along with a variety of online resources. Its services and policies are stated.
https://croswell-library.com/
Chartered by the Grand Lodge of Michigan in 1913, the Masonic Lodge in Croswell is part of District #018. The address of the local lodge is presented, and its location is shown on a map, along with meeting schedules, a calendar of events, links to other member lodges of District #018, as well as the Grand Lodge of Michigan. A help page is provided for members, offering a guide to updating contact information and paying dues online, with leadership materials.
https://469-mi.ourlodgepage.com/
Croswell-Lexington Community Schools
Headquartered in Croswell, Michigan, the public school district offers a PK-12th-grade curriculum through Croswell-Lexington High School (Croswell), Pioneer High School (Croswell), Croswell-Lexington Middle School (Croswell), Meyer Elementary School (Lexington), Frostick Elementary School (Croswell), and Geiger Early Childhood Center (Croswell), each of which is highlighted here, with schedules, policy data, and contacts.
https://www.croslex.org/
Organized in 1889, the original part of the current church building was constructed in 1890. In 1990, a church building in a neighboring town was divided into two parts, and moved to Croswell by sled during the winter, then reassembled. The church history and mission are noted, and a church newsletter, calendar of events, announcements, and a photo album are put forth. Service times and an overview of its congregational and community ministries are included.
https://croswellpresbyterian.org/
With locations in Lexington and Croswell, Michigan, Jeff’s Marketplace is a local grocery store, Maps, directions, hours of operation, and telephone numbers are posted on the site, along with a contact form, printable weekly advertising ads, weekly special offers, notices, and shopping list that may be printed out. Other resources include manufacturer’s coupons redeemable at Jeff’s Marketplace, and several recipes sorted by categories. Recipes are also printable.
http://www.myjeffsmarketplace.com/
