The village of Goodrich, Michigan is an outer suburb of Flint, located in central Atlas Township, southeast Genesee County.
The chief route through the village is M-15, which runs north-south through the eastern portion of Goodrich. Other routes include Dutch Road, Hegel Road, Liscom Road, Ridge Road, and Green Road, which forms the southern border of the village.
Cities and villages within twenty miles of Goodrich include Ortonville, Grand Blanc, Davison, Burton, Clarkston, Metamora, Holly, Flint, Oxford, Otisville, Lapeer, Fenton, and Linden.
Kearsley Creek meanders through the village and Mill Pond, a 24-acre body of water near the center of town, was created when the creek was dammed in 1844. Shinanguag Lake, just over a mile south of Goodrich, is a 190-acre lake, while the much smaller Gale Lake is just west of Shinanguag Lake, and also about a mile south of the village.
Goodrich has its origins in 1835, when Enos, Moses, and Levi Goodrich acquired a thousand acres there and built a cabin. The following year, the brothers brought their families, and others, from New York, clearing the forest for agriculture. Kearsley Creek was dammed in 1844, creating Mill Pond, and producing electricity to power a four-story flour and grist mill along the pond. This mill remained in operation until World War II, when it was converted to manufacturing.
A post office was established on January 13, 1846, with Enos Goodrich as the first postmaster. Originally, the post office was named Atlas, for the township, but this was not the same post office as the one that was established a couple of miles northwest of Goodrich in 1854. On March 1, 1849, with Reuben Goodrich as postmaster, the Atlas post office was changed to Goodrich, clearing the way for the other post office to take that name a few years later.
Historically, Atlas Township was primarily agricultural, and Goodrich served as a center of commercial activity for the outlying farms. The first frame house was built for Enos Goodrich in 1838. Its first tavern was the Goodrich House, built by Matthew Davidson in 1846. It remained in operation until 2009, when it was destroyed by fire. In the late 1800s, the Goodrich Hotel served travelers, although it has since been converted into apartments.
In 1916, a fire destroyed many of the wooden buildings in the downtown district, and were replaced by the current brick buildings.
From 1900 to 1931, the Detroit Railway, an electric rail transport line that ran from Detroit to Saginaw and Bay City, established a station in Goodrich. Besides its use by commuters, farmers used the railway to ship their produce and milk to Detroit. The rail line was abandoned after M-15 was built.
Goodrich was incorporated as a village in 1957. Although an outer suburb of Flint, the village has retained close ties with the surrounding township. M-15 and the village's proximity to I-69 and I-75 have allowed residents to commute to employment centers in both Genesee and Oakland counties. While the downtown district of Goodrich has taken a hit from the accessibility of other nearby shopping choices, the village has retained a viable downtown area, and the Goodrich Country Club occupies one hundred and twenty acres of the center-west portion of the village.
With a population just short of 1,900, Goodrich has not declined in population since it first appeared on a census in 1880, with 225 people.
The focus of this guide is on the village of Goodrich, Michigan. Online resources representing the village or any individuals, businesses, industries, schools, churches, organizations, attractions, events, or recreational opportunities are appropriate for this category.
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Using the original framework from the town's first general store, built in 1836, the building that hosts the cafe was rebuilt using bricks from the Atlas brick-making plant of the early 1900s in 1917, and has housed several other businesses before 1994, when Cranberries Cafe opened in 1994. Its location, hours, policies, menu, and calendar of events are featured, along with a photo gallery and guest testimonials. Its catering services and policies are discussed.
https://cranberriescafe.com/
Located in Goodrich, Michigan, Creekside Acres is a do-it-yourself venue, as far as selecting vendors for events, as the facility does not require the use of specific vendors. However, they do include an on-site coordinator who can assist with the rehearsal, day of the event, and vendor coordination before the event. Wedding packages and daily events are highlighted, the amenities are described, a gallery of photographs is displayed, and a contact form is available, along with the contacts.
https://www.creeksideacresbarn.com/
Good Times in Goodrich Festival
Sponsored by a community-based non-profit that provides funds for families in need, scholarships for deserving students, support for school booster groups, and assistance with beautification projects, Good Times in Goodrich raises money throughout the year, and its festival is its main event, held on the first weekend in August. Although specific events may vary from year to year, they might include a car show, children's events, crafts, vendors, and other themed activities.
https://goodrichfestival.com/
Serving the village of Goodrich, Michigan, and the surrounding township, the public school district provides a K-12 curriculum through Reid Elementary School, Oaktree Elementary School, Goodrich Middle School, and Goodrich High School, each of which is highlighted here, with schedules and contacts. District resources include a district calendar, facility usage schedules and policies, fundraising policies, and departmental information and contacts, as well as information for students and parents.
https://www.goodrichschools.org/
Situated in the Hadley Hills of Goodrich, Michigan, the family-owned Christmas tree farm grows Blue Spruce, White Pine, Concolor, Fir, Black Hills Spruce, and Norway Spruce, offering them for sale through a you-cut business model. Customers select the tree that meets their needs, cut it down, and transport it to the nearest warming house, where it is tagged for wrapping or drilling. Optional services are listed, along with tips on caring for a cut tree. Photos and contacts are included.
http://www.tophillfarms.com/
Incorporated in 1957, the village is surrounded by Atlas Township. The official municipal website presents a brief overview and history of the village, introduces village council members, staff, and board members, and posts meeting schedules, agenda, minutes, and videos, as well as various reports and studies, the village master plan, charter, and ordinances. Employment opportunities are posted on the site, and a guide to area programs and services is included.
http://www.villageofgoodrich.com/
