Dryden, Michigan is an incorporated village in the northeastern segment of Dryden Township, which surrounds the village. It is in the southeastern part of Lapeer County, Lower Peninsula.
The village is a historic small town with a traditional downtown business center, surrounded by stable neighborhoods, with outlying agricultural, suburban, and open space areas. With privately-owned wooded areas in the northwest and southeast segments of the village, approximately fifteen percent of the land area in the village is forested. Situated on the outer areas, more than seven hundred acres of land within the village are currently in agricultural use, although these areas are subject to development in the future.
Dryden is primarily a bedroom community. Still, it does have a commercial district and some light industry. The village is approximately thirty minutes from Flint, Pontiac, and Port Huron, and an hour away from Detroit. Incorporated municipalities nearer to Dryden include Almont, Leonard, Metamora, Imlay City, and Lapeer.
The main routes through the village are Dryden Road and Mill Road, which intersect in the center of the village. Dryden Road connects the village with M-53 to the east, while Mill Road connects with I-69, north of Dryden. The Belle River flows northeast through the southeastern corner of the village.
The first European-American settlement in the area was about a mile north of the current village boundaries, at what is now the intersection of Hollow Corners Road and North Mill Road. Settled in 1834, this community became known as Amboy, although it was never platted or incorporated, and another Lapeer County community later took that name.
In 1837, the township was organized, and named Lomond Township. Around 1839, settlers began to build homes south of Amboy, and Jonathan Sweet opened a store there in 1840. In 1846, Sweet sold his store to John M. Lamb, and the place became known as Lamb's Corners for a short time. However, the name of the township was changed to Dryden Township later that year, and when the Look's Corners post office was moved to Lamb's Corners on February 16, 1846, it took the name of Dryden, even though John Lamb served as the village's first postmaster.
Several businesses were opened in Dryden, beginning in the late 1840s. Among these were two blacksmith shops, a soap factory, a millinery, a tailor shop, a tin shop, and a broom and ink factory. A flour mill was opened on the southwest corner of Mill and North streets. An apple dryer and cider mill were built south of the Parker Block on Mill Street. The Dryden Exchange Hotel opened on the northeast corner of Main and Mill streets in 1854, and the Twin Elms House was built on the northwest corner in 1874.
The Pontiac, Oxford, and Port Austin Railroad extended its track through the village in 1883, connecting Pontiac to Caseville, largely to serve the growing lumber industry in the Thumb Region of the Lower Peninsula. Later that year, a depot was built in Dryden, and passenger trains began stopping there. In 1889, the PO&PA became the Pontiac, Oxford & Northern Railroad, and the Grand Trunk Railroad in 1910. Passenger service ended in 1932, although a mixed freight and passenger train continued until 1955. The depot was in use until October 9, 1979, after which the line was abandoned, and the depot moved to its current location where it serves as a museum. In 1887, Dryden was incorporated as a village.
With the focus of this category on the Village of Dryden, Michigan, appropriate resources include websites representing the village, or any individuals, businesses, industries, schools, places of worship, organizations, attractions, and events within the village.
 
 
Recommended Resources
Featuring homestyle dinner, a full bar, and live entertainment, the restaurant and bar is located on Main Street in Dryden, Michigan. Its bar hours, grill hours, telephone number, and a contact form are featured, along with its menu, which includes appetizers, soups and chili, salads, burgers, sandwiches, pizzas, grinders, full dinners, sides, and desserts. A photo gallery, a calendar of events, and a subscription option in which customers can receive coupons and hear about special offers.
https://drydenbarandgrill.com/
The public school district offers a PK-12th-grade curriculum through Dryden Elementary School and Dryden Junior/Senior High School, both of which are featured here, with staff pages, student clubs and groups, academics and athletics programs, and education reports. An annual district calendar and newsletter, a guide to district departments and staff, and guides for parents and students, including student handbooks. Online educational options are included.
https://www.dryden.k12.mi.us/
The two-day event is held annually at Cardinal Field in Dryden, Michigan. Although the attractions and events may differ somewhat from year to year, typical events include a parade, a car and tractor show, a vendor and craft show, rides, games, and entertainment, live bands, food, and drinks, as well as fireworks at dusk. Applications for parade participants, vendors, and car and tractor show entrants are available, along with sponsorship opportunities, and contacts.
https://drydenfallfestival.com/
The family medical clinic offers preventative care and health education, adult and pediatric care, women’s health services, orthopedic medicine, treatment of allergies, x-rays, and bone density testing, in-house surgery, nutrition counseling, DOT physicals, and laboratory testing. A map and directions are offered, office hours, appointment policies, and online payments. Forms and questionnaires may be downloaded from the site, and a patient portal is included.
https://drydenfamilymedicine.com/
The non-profit membership organization operates the Dryden Historical Museum in the former railroad depot in Dryden, Michigan. Its location, hours of operation, and email address are featured, along with a calendar of events, newsletters, bylaws, a membership list, and a photo gallery featuring period photos of various places, people, events, and times in the history of the community. Also included is a history of the village, and a feedback form.
https://drydenhistoricalsociety.webs.com/
Dryden Hometown Baseball & Softball
Offering baseball and softball opportunities for boys and girls in the Dryden, Michigan region, the non-profit community organization is associated with Little League Baseball and Softball, which organizes local youth baseball and softball leagues throughout the United States and other parts of the world, offering local youth to learn and participate in t-ball, baseball, and softball. Upcoming events, field locations, leadership contacts, and registration schedules are posted.
https://www.drydenhometownbaseball.com/
Offering books, movies, music, and other items, as well as a variety of services, the township library is located on Main Street in the village of Dryden, Michigan. Holiday schedules are posted, along with their hours of operation, a calendar of events, announcements, and policy information. Its resources and services for children and teens are reported, as are its research facilities and services, genealogical resources, and an overview of its online services and resources.
https://www.drydentownshiplibrary.org/
Associated with the Wesleyan Methodist Church, the Dryden, Michigan congregation is a holiness Protestant Christian church on West Main Street. Office hours, a telephone number, and a contact form are published on the site, along with a schedule of Sunday services, and other weekly events and special occasions are announced, including its ministries to children, youth, adults, and seniors, its sports programs, prayer ministries, and mission work.
http://mydwc.org/
Hollow Corners Veterinary Services
Established in 1994, the full-service veterinary clinic on the east side of the village of Dryden, Michigan. In addition to general veterinary services, the clinic offers in-house surgical and dentistry services, holistic medicine, and treatment for exotic, pocket, and avian pets. An overview of the clinic is put forth, an introduction to the veterinarians and staff, hours, and contacts are posted to the site. Payment options, client testimonials, and a gallery of photographs are included.
https://www.hollowcornersvet.com/
The Huntsman is a private shooting preserve on 900 acres northwest of Dryden, Michigan. Offering individual and corporate memberships, both of which allow full access to all of the club’s hunting, shooting, and dining activities. With a variety of upland bird hunting, including pheasant and chukar partridge, members can choose from traditional field hunts, club Europeans, or design a private hunt. Dog boarding is available year-round, and guides are available.
http://thehuntsmanhuntclub.com/
Operated as a private, non-profit organization, Seven Ponds Nature Center was established in 1967 to help connect people with nature through environmental education, outreach, and experience. Situated on 350 acres of woodland, wetland, ponds, and prairie, it is adjacent to its Jonathan Woods and Riche Pond Preserve properties, bringing the total acreage up to 500. Its memberships, programs, clubs, special events, and volunteer opportunities are discussed.
https://sevenponds.org/
Affiliated with the Episcopal Church and the Episcopal Diocese of Eastern Michigan, the St. John’s congregation is located in Dryden and serves northern Oakland and southern Lapeer counties. A calendar of events is presented, along with a church newsletter, project information, and an introduction to its pastor and staff. Vestry members, meeting schedules, and a ministry schedule are posted, and its Outreach Teen Relief program is highlighted.
https://www.stjohnschurchdryden.org/
Incorporated in 1887, the village offices are on Main Street. The official municipal website posts the office address and a map show its location, a telephone and fax number are included, and a contact form is available. Village ordinances, notices, programs, and services are featured, municipal departments are listed on the site, and a community calendar is displayed. Other resources include the Downtown Development/Planning Commission and a business directory.
http://www.villageofdryden.com/