The City of Eaton Rapids, Michigan is in the southeastern portion of Eaton County, overlapping Eaton Rapids Township and Hamlin Township, in the south-central Lower Peninsula.
The downtown district of Eaton Rapids is on an island, with a public park. The longest river in Michigan, the Grand River forms a portion of the city's southeastern border before entering the city, where it flows generally north through the center of Eaton Rapids, exiting in the northeast. Spring Brook enters the river near the center of the city, while Spicer Creek enters in the north.
The main routes to and through the city are M-50, M-99, and M-188. Other routes include 5 Point Highway, South Clinton Trail (Main Street, Dexter Road), Michigan Road (Michigan Street), Plains Road (State Street), Spicerville Highway, and VFW Road (Water Street). Nearby cities and villages include Charlotte, Dimondale, Potterville, Springport, Mason, Lansing, and Olivet.
The original inhabitants of the land that was to become Eaton Rapids were the Potawatomi people, who were forced to move as a result of the 1830 Indian Removal Act. The first European-Americans came around 1835 seeking timber, and attracted to the river and creeks, which could be used for water power.
In 1836, a sawmill was built near Spring Brook, near the now-defunct community of Spicerville, east of Eaton Rapids. In 1837, the Old Red Mill was built in what is now Eaton Rapids, using water power from the stream to grind corn. Using wood from Spicerville, the mill company later built its own sawmill along the Grand River, adding a wool carding mill later.
In 1838, Eaton Rapids was platted by Amos and Pierpont E. Spicer, Benjamin Knight, Samuel Hamlin, and C.C. Darling, all of whom came from Ohio. On September 27 of that year, a post office was established, with Benjamin Knight as postmaster.
Mineral water was discovered at Eaton Rapids by E.B. Frost in 1852. Believed to have health benefits, the water was in great demand. As a result, Eaton Rapids became a destination for health tourists, who came to take mineral water baths. Fourteen wells were drilled in Eaton Rapids to supply mineral water, although only three are still operational.
In 1859, Eaton Rapids was incorporated as a village, and became a city in 1881. The town grew by more than a hundred percent during the 1860s, and by nearly fifty percent in the 1870s. The Grand River provided water power for grist mills, woolen mills, lumber mills, and other industries, and the city's supply of mineral water attracted visitors to Eaton Rapids through the early 1900s, and water was also bottled and shipped throughout the country.
John B. Davidson came to Eaton Rapids from Pennsylvania in 1921 to establish a textile mill. The only textile mill in the state that spun its own yarn, the Davidson Mill supplied ninety-five percent of the yarn for Major League Baseball uniforms, and also produce high-grade yarn for other applications. His mill was in operation until 1969, when it burned, while Davidson went on to become mayor of Eaton Rapids, and to represent the area in the State House and State Senate.
Irving Jacob Reuter, president of the Oldsmobile auto company, built a 17-room, Tudor Revival-style mansion in Eaton Rapids in 1927. The structure later became the private residence of the Most Reverend Joseph H. Albers, the first bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lansing. It has been sold several times since, and was added to the List of Registered Historic Places in Michigan in 1991.
The Eaton Rapids business district is located on an island in the middle of the Grand River, accessed by bridges to the north, south, east, and west. Behind the business district, to the east, is another island known as Grand Army Republic Park. At one time, there were fourteen bridges in Eaton Rapids, although today it is down to six vehicle bridges and three pedestrian bridges.
Websites representing the city or any individuals, businesses, industries, schools, places of worship, organizations, attractions, events, sports programs and teams, and recreational opportunities in Eaton Rapids are appropriate resources for this guide.
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The Eaton Rapids, Michigan company specializes in creating unique campers, with a gypsy wagon theme, striving to adhere to traditional aesthetics with modern amenities and expectations of modern travel trailers. Offering light-weight campers, Vardo campers, and quarter-scale gypsy wagons and caravans, many of which are pictured here, along with specifications, dimensions, and options. Its standards are discussed, and a photo gallery is included.
https://www.batemangypsywagonco.com/
In service for more than twenty years, and meeting on Wednesday nights at the fire station, Troop 252 is chartered by the Eaton Rapids Fire Department. Its youth and adult leaders are acknowledged, along with its patrols. Upcoming events are posted on the site, a gallery of photographs is displayed, the BSA uniform inspection sheet is featured, including instructional videos relating to uniform issues, and the Order of the Arrow is discussed.
http://boyscouttroop252.weebly.com/
Formed in 1927, Troop 52 is chartered by the First United Methodist Church of Eaton Rapids. A welcome packet includes an introduction to the Eaton Rapids, Michigan troop and to the Boy Scouts of America organization in general. Meeting schedules, a calendar of events, links to campgrounds used by the troop, with directions, and packing lists. The process for earning Merit Badges is put forth, and scout committee minutes and agendas are included.
https://www.troop52er.org/
Situated on the northward course of the Grand River as it flows from Jackson to Lansing, Eaton Rapids is in Eaton County, Michigan. The official municipal website presents a history of the city, its projects and initiatives, demographics, and a calendar of events. Other resources include a city department directory, employment opportunities, public notices, an introduction to city officials and staff, election and voter information, polling locations, and election results.
https://cityofeatonrapids.com/
ERMC is an independent critical access hospital providing care from diagnosis to treatment and rehabilitation. Its qualifications and capabilities are discussed, its awards and accreditations are acknowledged, and its services and resources are featured. Payment options and its online bill pay and financial services are featured, a secure patient portal is provided, and its family practice and online (Telehealth) services are outlined. Contacts are posted.
https://www.eatonrapidsmedicalcenter.org/
Offering a PK-12th-grade curriculum for students in Eaton Rapids, Michigan, the public school district operates several campuses, including Greyhound Early Learning Center, Greyhound Central Elementary School, Lockwood Elementary School, Greyhound Intermediate School, Eaton Rapids Middle School, Eaton Rapids High School, Greyhound Central Performance Academy, and Eaton Rapids Virtual Scholar program, all of which are highlighted here.
https://www.erpsk12.org/
The Tudor Revival house was built for Irving Reuter, general manager and president of the Oldsmobile Corporation, in 1927. Having changed hands several times over the years, it is listed on the Michigan Register of Historic Sites, and is available as a bed and breakfast, with adjacent cottage rentals. Available guest rentals are featured, with special offers and packages, and in-house restaurant, pub, and meeting and event spaces. A history of the building is included.
https://englishinn.com/
The K-8th-grade, tuition-free, public school is designed to provide the best curriculum in eight core subjects (mathematics, science, history, geography, foreign languages, language arts, fine arts, and physical education). Located in Eaton Rapids, Michigan, academic, school, and lunch calendars are published to the site, and the Dragon Dialogue, a school newspaper with dates, reminders, and other school news, may be viewed online, along with class websites.
https://islandcityacademy.weebly.com/
VFW National Home for Children
Founded in 1925, the Eaton Rapids, Michigan facility is open to the families of active-duty military personnel, veterans, and relatives of VFW and VFW Auxiliary members, offering case management services, educational recreational, and enrichment opportunities, community resources and counseling, and free housing and daycare. A summary of its services is put forth, and the facility’s history and purpose are discussed, and photographs illustrate its homes and facilities.
https://www.vfwnationalhome.org/