The City of Durand, Michigan is in the center of Vernon Township, Shiawassee County, in the Lower Peninsula. It's about twenty miles southwest of Flint.
Other nearby villages and cities include Vernon (3.5 miles), Bancroft (5.6 miles), Gaines (6.7 miles), Byron (7.3 miles), Lennon (7.6 miles), Corunna (9.0 miles), Morrice (11.7 miles), Swartz Creek (12.3 miles), Owosso (12.4 miles), Perry (14.0 miles), and Linden (17.3 miles).
The chief route to and from the city is I-69, which forms its northwest border. I-75 runs north-south and is located about thirteen miles east of Durand. Other routes include M-71, which crosses the interstate just outside the northwest city limits, and Durand Road, Lansing Road, Monroe Road, Newburg Road, Pittsburg Road, and Reed Road.
Holly Drain forms a small portion of Durand's eastern boundary in the north, then flows north and west through the northern portion of the city, emptying into the Shiawassee River. Three Mile Creek crosses the southeastern tip of the city, then winds its way north, touching the city again in the east-central part of Durand.
Durand is known for its large, historic railroad depot. Now serving Amtrak Blue Water trains, the depot was built in 1903 as a station for the Grand Trunk Railroad and Ann Arbor Railroad and served as a local office for Grand Trunk Western until 1974. Currently owned by the City of Durand, it is leased to Durand Union Station, a non-profit organization dedicated to its preservation and maintenance. Besides serving as an Amtrak station, Durand Union Station houses three small railroad museums: the Michigan Railroad History Museum, the Grand Trunk Western Railroad Museum, and the Ann Arbor Railroad History Museum. The building also houses the Durand Union Station Model Railroad Engineers, a model railroad club.
Until the decline of the railroad industry in the latter part of the 20th century, Durand was a major railroad center. Outside of Durand, agriculture was a significant industry. Although not as important as a sustaining industry today, much of the land just outside of the city limits continues to be used for agricultural purposes, lending a rural character to the city. There has been some commercial development along Lansing Road, in an area that has been mostly annexed to the city. Higher density residential neighborhoods are found almost exclusively within the city, much of it within or immediately adjacent to the city's northern border.
The city was formed on land that had been owned by Mary Miller, William Young, and Dr. L.D. Jones in the mid-1930s. William H. Putnam acquired some of the lands, and employed James C. Brand to plat and record the village as Vernon Center, named for its position within Vernon Township. Early industries were agricultural although today, only about two percent of the land within the city limits is agricultural.
The arrival of the Detroit and Milwaukee Railroad in 1856 marked a change in the future of the community. At that time, Vernon Center had a sawmill and a few businesses. On May 8, 1876, a post office was established, although it was named Durand, for George H. Durand, a congressman from the 6th district. William Putnam was the first postmaster.
On February 7, 1887, Durand was incorporated as a village. By 1904, the new village had a municipal water system, a sewer system, a telephone system, an electric plant, cement sidewalks, and a volunteer fire department. On July 18, 1932, Durand was incorporated as a city.
During the early part of the 20th century, railroad operations in Durand expanded greatly. The Grand Trunk Railroad erected the Grand Trunk Rail Depot and a Roundhouse. In 1912, forty-two passenger trains, a hundred freight trains, and three thousand passengers came in and out of Durand daily. That was the peak year for the railroad in Durand, after which the number of trains gradually began to decrease. The last passenger service on the Grand Trunk line was April 30, 1971. However, on September 13, 1974, Amtrak began offering passenger service in Durand, and freight still comes through the city, although not nearly as much as in earlier years.
As the railroad declined, the city's economy began to move outward from its traditional rail-dominated city center, as development began to move north of the railroad junction. Roads and highways gained in importance. In particular, Lansing Road served as the main connector between Flint and Lansing, so development began there, and continues, although I-69 has largely supplanted Lansing Road as a major roadway.
Today, Durand has some light industry, but very little heavy industry. Commercial development is sufficient to serve the needs of the community, its visitors, and those who are traveling through. Although not a bedroom community, the city is primarily residential.
The focus of this guide is on the City of Durand, Michigan.
Recommended Resources
The local Durand, Michigan florist offers a variety of fresh flowers and gifts, many of which are featured on its site, sorted by season, holidays, birthdays, sympathy, and other occasions, with a separate category for roses, and purchases may be made through the site, for local delivery. Purchases may also be made at the store. Its location, hours of operation, delivery areas, payment options, and contacts are published on the site, along with customer reviews.
https://www.dietrichsflowershop.com/
Incorporated as a village in 1887, and as a city in 1932, the Shiawassee County city is situated in the center of Vernon Township. The official municipal website can be used to pay taxes, search for accident reports, view ordinances, public bids, board vacancies, employment opportunities, and a municipal calendar. Also included is a guide to city services, planning and development programs, and city departments. A city map and links to local resources are included.
https://www.durandmi.com/
The public school district offers a PK-12th-grade curriculum through Durand Area High School, Durand Middle School, Robert Kerr Elementary School, and Bertha Neal Elementary School, each of which is featured here, with directions, photos, event notices, and contacts. A district calendar, performance reports, staff directory, and enrollment information are offered, each of its departments is featured, and its policies for the use of the facility are stated.
https://www.durand.k12.mi.us/
Meeting at their facilities on East Monroe Street in Durand, Michigan, the Durand Church of the Nazarene is a fellowship of Christian believers in the Wesleyan/Holiness tradition. A map shows the location of the church, its Sunday worship times, and Wednesday activities for children, youth, and adults are posted, along with a calendar of events, and the most recent sermon may be viewed online. A telephone number and email address are included.
https://www.durandnazarene.com/
Covering Durand, Michigan, and the surrounding communities, including Bancroft, Byron, Gaines, Lennon, Swartz Creek, the online media site was formed in 2012. Offering local news and covering community businesses and events, agricultural news, including Michigan 4-H programs, the Michigan FFA, and the Michigan College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Other resources include weather forecasts and reports, podcasts, and a directory of advertisers.
https://www.durandnow.com/
One of the most photographed train depots in the country, Durand Union Station is home to the Michigan Railroad Museum and two other railroad museums, reflecting the various railroads that have utilized the Durand depot, and still an operational depot, with Amtrak stopping twice per day. Museum hours, office hours, Amtrak hours, and special hours are displayed, along with its address and directions. Audio tours and virtual tours are featured.
https://www.durandstation.org/
Faith Baptist Church of Durand
A member of the Baptist State Convention of Michigan, Faith Baptist Church of Durand is located on Kent Street in Durand, Michigan. A statement of beliefs is published to the site, and its clothing ministries, seniors’ programs, and other ministries are highlighted. An introduction to the church for those who are new is presented, including weekly service schedules, staff introductions, photographs of past events, and office contacts.
http://www.faithbaptistdurand.com/
Greater Durand Area Chamber of Commerce
Headquartered in the City of Durand, Michigan, the Chamber is a non-profit, voluntary business membership organization offering a variety of benefits to its member and the communities it serves. Benefits to the community and membership are listed here, along with a membership directory, a calendar of events, an introduction to Chamber board members, Chamber business hours and contacts, and a blog that announces various community events.
https://durandchamber.com/
Located on East Lansing Road in Durand, Michigan, the Quality Inn is affiliated with the Choice Hotels Group, and, as such, Choice Privileges Rewards members may receive discounts and earn points on eligible stays. Representative rooms are pictured, and a description of the guest accommodations is given, including a list of amenities, guest reviews, and prices. Reservations may be made online, by phone, via an available app, or in person. Area attractions and events are featured.
https://www.choicehotels.com/michigan/durand/quality-inn-hotels/mi295
Established in 1953, the Sunset Motel was typical of motels of that era and, although it has been expanded and updated over the years, it maintains the atmosphere that has made it popular in bygone years. The proprietors are introduced, their address is given, and their phone and fax numbers, an alternative cellular number, and an email address are included, with an overview of its services, features, and amenities, rates, and photographs with interior and exterior views.
http://www.sunsetdurand.com/
