Gaines, Michigan is a village in the southeastern corner of Gaines Township, in southeast Genesee County.
The chief routes to and from the village are Ray Road, which forms its southern boundary, Demond Road, which parallels the railroad, entering the village in the northwest, becoming Walker Street, and Symons Road, which parallels the railroad on the other side of the tracks, entering in the southeast, becoming Park Street. Markley Road leads south from Ray Road.
The City of Flint is about twenty miles northeast of Gaines. Other nearby cities and villages include Byron, Durand, Bancroft, Swartz Creek, Linden, Lennon, Vernon, Corunna, Fenton, Morrice, Grand Blanc, Owosso, Flushing, and Perry.
Never a large town, since 1880, the first year in which Gaines appeared on a census report, its population has fluctuated between the 200s and the 400s, its average population being 333. Its peak population was 440 in 1980, and it had a population of 380 at the time of the 2010 census.
The first European-American settler in the area was Hartford Cargill, who came in 1836. Joshua Dart came in 1839, and it was he who, when the township was organized in 1842, had it named for his friend, General Edmund P. Gaines, a veteran of the War of 1812, the Seminole Wars, the Black Hawk War, and the Mexican-American War.
On October 4, 1852, a rural post office was opened on the Bergen C. Covert farm, east of the current Gaines townsite and named Gaines.
In 1854, the Detroit, Grand Haven, and Milwaukee Railway came through the current Gaines townsite and built a station named Gaines Station, for the township. This was the first building erected on the future townsite. In anticipation of the railway station, the original Gaines post office was renamed Covert on January 2, 1863, although it was closed on April 13, 1865.
In 1856, the Grand Trunk Western Railroad began providing passenger services, operating out of the Gaines Station depot. Today, the Gaines Station branch of the Genesee District Library is now housed in the former Grand Trunk Western Railroad depot, one of the oldest in Michigan.
The Gaines Station post office was established in 1865, and renamed Gaines on September 25, 1902. The village of Gaines was platted in 1859, and incorporated in 1875.
In August of 2016, the sole village police officer retired, and the village council dissolved the police department in March of 2017, opting to contract with Gaines Township for law enforcement.
The focal point of this category is on the village of Gaines, Michigan. Appropriate resources include websites representing the village government, as well as any individuals, businesses, industries, schools, churches, organizations, attractions, and events within the village.
Recommended Resources
The Baptist congregation in Gaines, Michigan meets at its facilities on Grand Blanc Road on Sunday mornings and evenings, and at other times according to its weekly schedules and calendar of events. An introduction to the church for those who will be attending for the first time is presented and includes a statement of beliefs, a profile of the senior pastor, and an overview of its ministries to adults, children, teens, and global missions. A sermon archive and contact form are included.
http://calvaryofgaines.com/
The independent Christian church meets at its facilities on Walnut Street in the village of Gaines, Michigan on Sunday mornings and evenings, on Wednesdays for prayer and Bible study, and at other times as indicated in its schedule of events. Sunday morning services are also live-streamed, and a sermon video archive is available. Its location is shown on a map, and its address is displayed, along with the church telephone number and the pastor's email address. Its leadership team is introduced.
https://www.faithchurchofgainesmi.org/
Part of Swartz Creek Community Schools, Gaines Elementary School is located on East Lansing Street in Gaines, Michigan. Enrolling students in grades kindergarten through the fifth-grade, the school's site features general information about the school, parent guides for each grade level, a parent newsletter, and the parent-student compact. Contacts for the school office, principal, and secretary are presented, and a student handbook, its dress code, supply lists, and various rules.
https://gaines.swartzcreek.org/
Gaines United Methodist Church
The UMC congregation meets at its facilities on West Clinton Street in Gaines, Michigan. Email addresses for the church pastor, administrative assistant, and prayer requests are posted, and its address, telephone number, and a map showing its location are included. Weekly schedules, a calendar of upcoming programs and events, and an overview of its ministries to men and women, educational programs, its after-school program, and community outreach projects are featured.
https://gainesumc.org/
Established on March 24, 1875, the village is about twenty miles southwest of Flint. The official municipal website posts office hours for the town office, a mailing address, telephone number, and a list of council members and village staff. Official notices are published, along with village ordinances, council meeting schedules, agendas and minutes, and a village calendar. Several historic photos depict buildings within the village, as well as documents, and a village newsletter is included.
https://villageofgaines.net/
